At the October 2018 General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced a new direction for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “It is time for a home-centered Church, supported by what takes place inside our branch, ward, and stake buildings” (“Opening Remarks,” Ensign, November 2018).
In conjunction with President Nelson’s announcement, The Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has approved a significant step in achieving a new balance between gospel instruction in the home and in the Church. Purposes and blessings associated with this and other recent changes include the following:
- Deepening conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthening faith in Them.
- Strengthening individuals and families through home-centered, Church-supported curriculum that contributes to joyful gospel living.
- Honouring the Sabbath day, with a focus on the ordinance of the sacrament.
- Helping all of Heavenly Father’s children on both sides of the veil through missionary work and receiving ordinances and covenants and the blessings of the temple.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Resources for 2019 Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families is the suggested weekly course of gospel study at home. This rich resource provides a variety of study options for individual and family adaptation and aligns Sunday School and Primary curriculum with home study. Individuals and families, however, seek inspiration as they choose to study what will best meet their needs. Conversion Is Our Goal
The aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen our conversion and help us become more like Jesus Christ. For this reason, when we study the gospel, we’re not just looking for new information; we want to become a “new creature” (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). This means relying on Christ to change our hearts, our views, our actions, and our very natures.
For these reasons, in our efforts to live, learn, and teach the gospel, we should first and foremost seek the companionship of the Spirit. True conversion requires the influence of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost enlightens our minds, quickens our understanding, and touches our hearts with revelation from God, the source of all truth. The Holy Ghost purifies our hearts. Truly, “the Holy Ghost … shall teach [us] all things” (John 14:26).
Who Is This Resource For?
This resource is for every individual and family in the Church. It is designed to help you learn the gospel—whether on your own or with your family. If you haven’t studied the gospel regularly in the past, this resource can help you get started. If you already have a good habit of gospel study, this resource can help you have more meaningful experiences.
How Should I Use This Resource?
Use this resource in any way that is helpful to you. You may find it helpful as a guide or aid for personal and family scripture study. You could also use it for family home evening. The outlines highlight important principles found in the New Testament, suggest study ideas and activities for individuals and families, and provide places to record your impressions.
Come, Follow Me is not meant to replace or compete with the good things you are doing. There may be ways to learn from the New Testament regularly and still accomplish your other scripture study goals. Follow the Spirit’s guidance to determine how to approach your own study of the word of God.
How Does This Resource Relate to What Happens at Church?
The outlines in this resource are organized according to a weekly reading schedule. The lessons taught in Primary and Sunday School classes follow the same schedule. To support your efforts to learn and live the gospel at home, your teachers will give you opportunities to share your experiences, thoughts, and questions about the scripture passages that you have been studying during the week.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary and Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School include outlines for every week of the year except for the two Sundays when general conference is held. When regular Church meetings are not held because of stake conference or any other reason, you are invited to continue studying the New Testament at home. Your Church classes may skip the lessons scheduled for those dates or combine two lessons to keep up with the schedule.
Five Ideas to Improve Your Personal Scripture Study
- Mark inspirational verses that teach about Jesus Christ and how to follow Him.
- Listen to the Spirit. Your thoughts and feelings may be the very things that your Heavenly Father wants you to learn and apply to your life.
- Ask questions before and as you study, look for answers, and discuss them.
- Use scripture study helps: use the footnotes, the Topical Guide, the Bible Dictionary, the Guide to the Scriptures (https://www.lds.org/scriptures) and other study helps.
- Keep a study journal of the insights, feelings, and impressions you receive.
Questions to Improve Your Family Scripture Stud Regular family scripture study is a powerful way to help your family learn the gospel. As you make scripture study a consistent part of your family life, you will help your family members come closer to Jesus Christ and build their testimonies on the foundation of His word.
Consider these questions:
- How can you encourage family members to study the scriptures on their own?
- What can you do to encourage family members to share what they are learning?
- How can you emphasize the principles you are learning in the New Testament in everyday teaching moments?
Five Ideas to Improve Your Family Scripture Study
Remember that the home is the ideal place for gospel learning. Be creative as you think of ways to help your family learn from the scriptures. Use some of the following ideas:
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Invite family members to share a scripture passage that they have found meaningful during their personal study and have them explain how it relates to them.
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Encourage family members to select a verse they find meaningful and display it (i.e. calendar, refrigerator) where family members will see, discuss, or even memorize it.
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Let family members take turns choosing a topic that the family will study together.
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Allow time for family members to draw or colour something that relates to scriptures that you have read. Spend time discussing one another’s drawings.
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After reading a story, invite family members to act it out. Afterward, talk about how the story and props relate to what you are experiencing individually and as a family.
Record Your Impressions of Weekly Themes and Monthly Topics
In his conference address President Nelson gave the following example: “I remember a family who, because of such circumstances [no Church building in their area], was required to meet in their home. I asked the mother how she liked going to church in her own home. She replied, ‘I like it! My husband uses better language at home now, knowing that he will bless the sacrament here each Sunday’” (“Opening Remarks,” Ensign, November 2018).