Come Follow Me is a powerful tool for youth to deepen their understanding of the gospel. But sometimes, leading a lesson or simply engaging with the material can feel challenging. This guide offers lesson helps and engaging activities to make your Come Follow Me experience more enriching and meaningful for youth. We'll explore ways to make the scriptures come alive and foster a deeper connection with the Savior.
How to Make Come Follow Me Lessons Engaging for Youth
Youth thrive on interactive learning. Moving beyond simply reading scripture verses requires creativity and thoughtful planning. Here are key strategies for creating engaging Come Follow Me lessons:
- Start with a Question: Begin each lesson with a thought-provoking question related to the week's scripture block. This helps focus attention and sparks discussion. Examples: What challenges did this character face? How did they overcome them? What can we learn from their example?
- Use Visual Aids: Pictures, videos, objects, or even short, relevant clips can bring the scriptures to life. Consider using maps, artwork depicting biblical scenes, or even short video clips from Church-approved resources.
- Incorporate Activities: Games, role-playing, discussions, and creative projects help youth actively participate and remember the lessons learned. Think about using charades to act out a scripture story, creating a visual timeline of events, or writing a modern-day parable based on the week's teachings.
- Connect to Their Lives: Help youth see the relevance of the scriptures to their own lives. Ask them how the principles they’re learning apply to their daily challenges and experiences. Encourage sharing personal experiences, but always maintain a respectful and safe environment.
- Encourage Questions: Create a comfortable atmosphere where youth feel safe to ask questions, even if they seem simple or challenging. Remember that open dialogue is crucial for genuine learning.
What are Some Fun Activities for Come Follow Me Lessons?
Here are some activity ideas to spice up your Come Follow Me lessons:
- Scripture Charades or Pictionary: Act out or draw key events or characters from the scriptures. This is a fun, engaging way to review important concepts.
- Create a Timeline: Visual timelines can help youth understand the chronological order of events and the relationships between different stories.
- Role-Playing: Assign roles to youth and have them act out scripture scenes. This encourages empathy and understanding.
- Modern-Day Parables: Ask youth to create modern-day versions of scripture stories, illustrating how the principles apply to contemporary situations.
- Service Projects: Connect the lessons learned to service projects that reflect the principles taught in the scriptures. This could involve visiting the elderly, volunteering at a local charity, or engaging in community service.
How Can I Help Youth Connect with the Savior Through Come Follow Me?
The ultimate goal of Come Follow Me is to help youth draw closer to Jesus Christ. Here's how:
- Focus on Christ: Highlight the Savior's role in each scripture block. How does He show His love, compassion, and power?
- Testimony Sharing: Encourage youth to share their personal testimonies and experiences related to the Savior and His teachings.
- Prayer: Start and end each lesson with prayer, inviting the Spirit to guide your learning.
- Personal Application: Help youth identify how they can personally apply the principles learned to become more Christlike.
What are Some Common Challenges in Teaching Come Follow Me to Youth?
Teaching youth can sometimes present challenges:
- Maintaining Engagement: Keeping youth engaged requires creativity and a variety of activities to prevent boredom.
- Addressing Difficult Topics: Some scripture passages may deal with sensitive or complex issues. Be prepared to handle these with sensitivity and age-appropriateness. Seek guidance from your bishop or other Church leaders when needed.
- Managing Different Learning Styles: Youth learn in various ways. Incorporate diverse activities to cater to different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
By employing these strategies and adapting them to the specific needs of your youth, you can create meaningful and engaging Come Follow Me lessons that help them grow spiritually and draw closer to the Savior. Remember, flexibility and adaptability are key to successful gospel teaching.
