Let's Study and Teach Come, Follow Me 2 Nephi 11-25 "We Rejoice in Christ" (February 17-23)
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may be paid for products you purchase through my links. See my full disclosure for more.
You may be hesitant to study Come, Follow Me 2 Nephi 11-25 “We Rejoice in Christ” (February 17-23) due to all the Isaiah chapters. However, Isaiah is one of the main writers in the small plates. There is definitely a reason Nephi and Jacob quote him so much. Isaiah testifies of Jesus Christ so much and there are so many parallels we can draw. Look for Christ as you read his chapters. And remember, there are great study resources to help you understand including your own personal revelation.
Jump Ahead to the Section You Need
These are the Isaiah chapters. Here are a few key points of what you will study:
All things God has given us symbolize Jesus Christ.
The Millennium is a time of peace.
Warnings about pride.
An ensign will be lifted up in the last days to gather Israel.
Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.
Destruction of the wicked at the Second Coming.
Satan will try to confuse us about good and evil but will ultimately lose against God.
Temple covenants help us walk in the way of the Lord. Temples are houses of the Lord.
We rejoice in Christ (see 2 Nephi 25:26 for a favorite scripture).
“The Gift of Grace” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“For Unto Us a Child is Born” (about 4 minutes)- Song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
You Will Be Freed (about 3 minutes)
Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me (about 2 1/2 minutes)- Bible video
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind (about 8 minutes)
A Savior Is Born- Christmas Video (about 2 minutes)
My Favorite Scripture- Vanessa (about 1 minute)
“Book of Mormon Commentary on Isaiah” by Garold N. Davis (Ensign article)
“Nephi and Isaiah: The Plain Truth” by David A. Edwards (February 2020 New Era)
“Beware of Pride”- Not the talk but the lesson from the Ezra Taft Benson manual a few years back
“Beware of Pride” by President Ezra Taft Benson (the talk)
“On Being Genuine” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Who Was Isaiah?”- from the February 2020 Ensign
If you want to study the Millennium more, check out this resource page on ChurchofJesusChrist.org
“‘Lord, Is It I?’” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Symbols from the Scriptures That Testify of Christ” by William O. Nelson
The three main witnesses in the small plates (1 Nephi through Omni) are Nephi, Jacob, and Isaiah. You can compare these three to the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon- Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. What can we learn from these sets of three witnesses? How are they similar, different, etc.?
Remember to look for those bookends when reading Isaiah (I talked about bookends in last week’s newsletter). How does Nephi introduce the words of Isaiah and how does he sum things up afterward? Often reading both these sections before diving in helps you understand what Isaiah is saying. You can find the first bookend in 2 Nephi 11:2-8 and the final bookend in 2 Nephi 25.
Introduce your children to Isaiah with a story from The Friend, “Isaiah and the Time Machine.”
In 2 Nephi 11:2-8; 25:19-29 we learn how all things typify Jesus Christ. Explain what typify means and give examples using my printable symbol cards. Fold the corners into the middle to make the symbol. Write inside how that symbol represents Jesus Christ and where you can find these verses. You can then make your own symbol cards and try to guess what the symbol is one fold at a time. What things help you think of Jesus Christ? How can your normal routine help you think about Jesus Christ? Why do symbols matter?
Go for a walk! Point out different things you see and show how they might lead you back to Jesus Christ. Why do all things point back to Jesus Christ? How can this help us throughout our lives? How do these symbols make our practices more meaningful?
Discuss some of the symbolism we see often in the church. This youth article, “What Symbols Do You See?” has a great list.
What symbols of Jesus Christ have you noticed in the scriptures? What about in your life and around the world? Why should you be aware of this teaching method? How might it help you? Why do you think the Lord uses symbols to teach?
2 Nephi 12:2-3 talks about the temple (you can also refer to the symbol verses mentioned above). This is a great time to talk more about the temple with your family. Share what happens inside, how you can prepare, and more with my Temple Walk Family Date Night Kit. There are three different stations that help you discuss different things to do with the temple plus a fun game. Coloring pages included too!
Discuss some of the symbols you see on temples and how they lead us to Jesus Christ as well. Refer to Temple Square’s blog post about some of the symbolism on the Salt Lake Temple for more.
How can temples be ensigns to the world? How have you seen 2 Nephi 12:2-3 being fulfilled? How is the temple a symbol or ensign in your life? How do temples help the Church stand as an ensign?
Throughout the Book of Mormon, we see the pride cycle- everything is going really well then we get prideful and things fall apart, we’re humbled and things go well again. In 2 Nephi 12-13, we get a bigger overview of pride and it’s dangers. Use my printable to explain this cycle. Inside the squares, you can write scripture references to examples or cite some modern-day or personal examples of this cycle.
Discuss pride vs. self-esteem. How does poor self-esteem lead to pride? How does healthy self-esteem lead to humility? How does pride destroy you? How will it destroy us as a people? How do you or others put your will above God's will? What helps you submit your will to God's will? What blessings come as a result? Why do you think we rank other people's opinions of us higher than God's opinion? How can you change things so that God's opinion is what matters most? How can you avoid some of the manifestations of pride? How does pride impact your relationships including your relationship with God? In what ways can you choose to be humble? What are some ways we might be prideful? How do we let pride damage our family relationships?
Read 2 Nephi 16:8 then Abraham 3:27. What do you notice about these two verses? Why do you think Isaiah’s words are the same as the Savior’s words in the premortal existence? Note: Isaiah is the messianic prophet of the Old Testament. If we want to learn about Jesus Christ, his writings are great to study.
2 Nephi 25:26 is definitely a favorite scripture verse for many. How do you rejoice, talk about, write, etc. about Christ? How do your children and your friends know where they can look for hope? Use my printable to help you think of examples and review these Isaiah chapters.
My printable also helps you dive into some of the scripture study aids that you have in your scriptures. As you go through chapters 17-24, you’ll see how they talk of Christ. Read the chapter headings then match a description to the chapter square.
Note: Elder Bruce R. McConkie (previous member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) wrote the chapter headings in the Book of Mormon. Why do you think the Church decided to add these chapter headings to our current edition of the Book of Mormon? How can they help you? When do you like to use them?
As you start chapters 17-24, you may find it helpful to study the history of what was going on at the time Isaiah wrote these words. The Institute Book of Mormon student manual has a good overview and can be found in your Gospel Library app.
Consider memorizing 2 Nephi 19:6. What does this verse mean to you? How do these names help you understand Jesus Christ better? How will Jesus Christ continue to fulfill these roles now and in the Millennium?
Turn to 2 Nephi 25:19-30. How many times does the name Christ appear? Look up the name “Christ” in the Bible Dictionary and read the definition. How does this definition help you understand Jesus Christ’s role better? Go back through the same verses and find teachings about Jesus Christ. Then read verse 26 again. How can you and your family do this more often? How do you already? How does it make you feel when you talk about Jesus Christ? What reasons do you have to rejoice in Jesus Christ? How did Nephi help others focus on Jesus? How have you been blessed as you have recognized Jesus Christ as your Savior?
Print my free Rejoice Journal and list all the reasons you have to rejoice in Jesus Christ this week as you study the scriptures. Read through your list at the end of the week together.
Discover the word Joy in this hidden image coloring page from a past lesson help. How has Christ made your joy more full?
- Since there is so much in these chapters, you may want to check out some other lesson kits for more ideas. The Red Headed Hostess lesson packet includes more about Isaiah if you need more helps.
- Visual reminders are always helpful. Grab the Fine Art Kit from My Computer Is My Canvas. You can buy the January through December kit for the same price as the February to December kit with my exclusive affiliate promo code- seriously, you can't find this code anywhere else and it's the only coupon allowed on this bundle kit. Enter CKNSCRATCH for $10 off!
- There are always the fabulous lesson kits from Love Pray Teach too. They even have kits to help with singing time. Definitely check them out if you are looking for something more.
