Underlined is from the Come Follow Me -For Home and Church
I know I'm going out of order, but I like to start with a game and I like these questions, to get the youth talking.
I can find happiness in living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What do you think it means to be happy? Nephi wrote that his people lived “after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27). You might look for choices Nephi and his people made that helped them be happy (see, for example 2 Nephi 5:6, 10–17). What can help you build a life of happiness like the people of Nephi?
I like this question "What do you think it means to be happy?" (I feel like it helps the youth do what they do best....focus on themselves(: I do love them). If this helps them talk and go down the road of doctrine then this question will wonderful. If it falls dead then it isn't the vehicle that these students need, and I will have to find another question. "Like what makes you happy? Does Satan ever trick us to feel like something brings happiness?" Hopefully I can get them talking. Read The Lasting Joy of Gospel Living By Elder D. Todd Christofferson so you are ready to help their discussion with doctrine. Be careful to not turn it into a lecture. After, you can read 2 Nephi 5:27, and talk about the people of Nephi. "And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness."
Before class starts
I am going to make my board look like this:
Don't worry too much if they aren't getting the blanks filled in correctly, if they are on the right track. I'm going to do this all together as a class, because I want to split the kids into groups later.
I'm hoping we can look at this list of commandments, scriptures, church callings, work and family, and talk about it more. Maybe they can self evaluate how they are doing in those categories. This is a private thing, so I'm going to pass these papers around for them to rate themselves. (And yes they all have church callings because they should have ministering assignments). Encourage them to make goals to do better.
2 on a page:
I'm totally going by the spirit and needs of my students. (It may look different for your lesson) But I often feel whenever you are talking about happiness, there are some people who really struggle feeling that. Guess what? Nephi felt sadness and anxiety too. So that is why I'm spending the rest of the time talking about these scriptures:
“O Lord, I have trusted in thee.”
Nephi said that he would “write the things of my soul” (verse 15). As you read what he wrote in 2 Nephi 4:15–35, ask yourself, “What are the things of my soul?” Consider writing them down, as Nephi did, and sharing them with people you love.
Seeing how Nephi found comfort when he felt overwhelmed and anxious can help you when you have similar feelings. Look in verses 15–35 for passages that bring you comfort. Do you know someone else who might find comfort in these passages?
See also Ronald A. Rasband, “The Things of My Soul,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 39–41.
Here is my big question that I only want them to think about. "Has anyone ever felt anxious, sacred or sad ever in their life (big or small degree)?" "Would anyone be willing to share what that feels like?"
Good news, Nephi, that guy that we all think is perfect, he also felt this way.
Then take turns reading 2 Nephi 4:17-19.
I'm going to split them into two groups. Group one will fill in the first column. Group two will fill in the second column. Then they can take time to teach each other what they learned. Hopefully we will have time in the end for them to privately fill in the last column on their own.
I want to close with the last scripture 2 Nephi 4:35 "Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."
My testimony
Does it sound like Nephi is giving up on God in his fear or sadness? (Bear my testimony that if they hold on to that connection with God no matter what they are going through, he will be there rock that can get them through any storm.)
If you like giving treats to your students this is a good one. Click on the image to be taken to Etsy.
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