Nov 10-16, Come Follow Me, Youth lesson, Sunday School
- redwallace
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Heavenly Father made it possible for families to be eternal.
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord restored the truth that marriage and family relationships can be eternal. As you read Doctrine and Covenants 132:13–21, look for phrases that help you understand the difference between what will “remain” eternally and what will not. What do you think it means for a marriage relationship to be “by [the Lord]”? (verse 14).
I want to start with a journaling activity. where they reflect on this question. They can look up this scripture to help them find direction. But it is more important to me that they focus on answering the question from their own personal experience with the Savior.
This is a Free Print.
After a couple of minutes, I want to ask if anyone would be willing to share. After many have shared, ask if the things they have mentioned are temporal or eternal. Lasting or short-lived?
Why is it important to focus on things that are eternal?
Get a balloon and a large rock, and write down all the temporal things the students say on the balloon. Then write all the eternal things that the students say on the rock. Then read Doctrine and Covenants 132:13. Which one of these things will "Remain?"
Some other questions:
About the balloon (worldly things):
“What do these words on the balloon have in common?”
“Why do you think these things are tempting to focus on?”
"What would happen to our spirits if we continuously focus on these things?"
About the rock (eternal things):
“What makes these things different from the ones on the balloon?”
“How do eternal things make us feel differently than worldly things?”
“Why do you think Jesus is sometimes called our ‘rock’ or ‘foundation’?”
There is a very good chance a student will say "Families". Be aware that not all family situations are ideal. It would be a good time to share: President Henry B. Eyring shared this counsel he received when he was worried about his family situation: “You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine” (in “A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 25). How could this counsel help you or someone you know?
In his message “In Praise of Those Who Save,” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf contrasts eternal marriage relationships with “disposable” things (Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 77–78). What does this contrast teach you about how to nurture—or prepare for—a marriage relationship? Think about your family relationships—now and in the future—as you read Elder Uchtdorf’s message. What do you find there that gives you hope in Christ for your family relationships?
President Henry B. Eyring shared this counsel he received when he was worried about his family situation: “You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine” (in “A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 25). How could this counsel help you or someone you know?
See also “Families Can Be Together Forever,” Hymns, no. 300; Topics and Questions, “Marriage,” Gospel Library.
The rest of the lesson is available in my store, at the bottom of the page.
Start by putting these 10 pictures down the middle of the board. If it won't fit, do two rows. If you have more than 10 students, let them work in groups; if you have fewer than 10 students, some students will need to be assigned two, or you can work together as a class on those extra pictures. Place them out of order, especially if you have older students.
It will look something like this:
If there are any scriptures you don't feel necessary to cover, you can remove them, but make sure you remove the matching picture (and the GC quote; you will see that at the end).
Pass out scriptures like this:
Encourage them to answer the questions and find the matching picture. Make sure you give them time to think about their questions and ask for help before you start. If you have a younger class. Have them pick one question to answer.
It will look like this when they have matched them correctly. I would go around the room, and if someone gets it wrong or is unsure, let them skip and come back to them after a couple more students get their matches, and they can make a better guess.
After this, you aren't done yet. One more. Pass out cards like this:
These are quotes from General Authorities that align with both the scriptures and the pictures. If they don't get these exactly right, I think it's ok. The important part is that they are reading these quotes with a purpose and paying close attention to the words' meanings.
Just so you know, here is what it could look like, but don't be strict about the GC quotes. If they have a good reason for putting two with the same picture/scripture, and leaving one blank, that is just fine.
I will provide an easier way for you to read this and check that the scriptures are with the right picture, with a KEY you can print off. With the rest of the bundle in my store.
Choose one of these quotes to close with.
These are free Prints.
Newly added:
I was always taught that if you live righteously and you don't have an opportunity to be married in this life, you will have one in the next. After studying this lesson, I was a little discouraged, because I didn't see any information about that. But I found this conference talk that answers that question and so many others. I highly recommend you listen to this before you teach this lesson, in case your youth have any questions.
"You will receive the personal blessings promised to you!"
This gift tag is already in the lesson bundle, but you can purchase it separately below:
