Resources to Help You Teach Alma 36-38
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This week, Alma speaks to two of his sons in Come, Follow Me Alma 36-38 “Look to God and Live” (July 20-26). It’s a great example of what we can do as parents when we get overwhelmed by the negativity of the world. We can always teach our children truth and give them light.
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Alma gives counsel to two of his sons, Helaman and Shiblon, in these chapters. Helaman has been in Zarahemla while Shiblon was preaching the gospel to the Zoramites with Alma. These are great chapters to remind us of what we can share with our families. Some of Alma’s council includes:
As we repent, the Atonement of Jesus Christ removes the bitter pain and brings exquisite joy- we can be born of God (Alma 36)
The words of Christ lead to eternal life- they have been preserved “for a wise purpose” (Alma 37)
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6-7)
Great blessings come as we are steady and faithful (Alma 38)
We should bridle our passions (Alma 38:12)
Alma’s Conversion Story (Alma 36, 38:6-9)
I love that we get to hear Alma tell his conversion. Read his story then share your own conversion stories with your family, friends, or class. Remember to share the joy that you have found through Jesus Christ and how it outweighs the pain or sorrow felt previously.
There are several Book of Mormon charts that give us additional insights into Alma’s conversion as well:
As you discuss being born of God, you can use my natural man versus a saint cone activity again (from April’s lesson). Remove the top layer of the cones as you discuss putting off the old man and being born of God.
Words of Christ (Alma 37)
The scriptures have been preserved for us to study today. What is the wise purpose in preserving them? To lead us to Christ! Demonstrate this example with my coloring page and light example. First, have fun coloring! You can color while you watch one of the Come, Follow Me videos or listen to Alma 37. Then place the silhouette of Christ behind the coloring page and hang it up in a window (or in front of another light source). You’ll see Christ shine through your coloring page as long as there is light behind it. Note: My paper is purple in the photo.
Are you a church teacher? Encourage your class to do this activity by Thursday. Then over the weekend, you can all go on a hunt and try to find each other’s pictures in the windows!
Before you put the silhouette behind your coloring page, write ways the scriptures have been a light for Christ to you around the silhouette.
Small and Simple Things (Alma 37:6-7)
Remembering how small and simple things lead to greatness is one of my all time favorite topics. It’s so powerful! We can do great things simply because we choose to do the daily small acts. Demonstrate this idea with some drawing fun! I show two examples in the photo above. If you just look at the end result, it can be intimidating but if you take things one stroke at a time, it’s totally possible. Check out the YouTube video from Robin Art School to learn how to draw a bunch of things starting with a simple number. The swan is from their tutorial. By the time you are done, you’ll have a whole scene!
Go on a walk and search for cracks in the sidewalks made from tree roots growing then study or listen to President Dallin H. Oaks’s talk, “Small and Simple Things” from April 2018 General Conference.
Another great source of study this week is “True Greatness” from Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter.
What are some small and simple teachings in the gospel? Why is it so important to remember the significance of small things? Why are they important to you? How have you seen the power of small things in your life? What are some good small and simple things you are doing? What are some small and simple things we should avoid doing? Why is something so small such a big deal? How has scripture study, prayer, seminary, or institute made a difference in your life? In what ways is repentance a small and simple thing? What are some small things that you might need to give more time to? What's the secret to accomplishing these small and simple things consistently and continuously? What things do we not do because they seem too simple to actually work? How have the small things like prayer and scripture study produced firmness, steadfastness, deepening devotion, and more complete conversion to Jesus Christ and the gospel for you? How can consistently doing the small things bless you? What are some small and simple things that you perform that may have a positive impact on others?
Try my origami small and simple things object lesson and free printable to help introduce or end your discussion.
- To demonstrate the fact that small things can also have a negative effect, use the Mormonad where there is a grasshopper in the ice cream. Just like good small and simple things can lead to great things, small negative things can lead to greater negatives. Give your family bowls of ice cream with the whipped cream and toppings you know they love. Right before they dig in, tell them it’s delicious and wonderful and not to mind the grasshopper that is in it. You can get real edible grasshoppers or get creative and use the grasshopper cookies instead- they won’t know what to expect! Then show the Mormonad and discuss while enjoying the treat.
- Use the example of what many a parent has said to their children- "If you cleaned your room/bathroom/etc. every day, it wouldn't be so hard to clean on the weekend."
- Discuss how sometimes doing the small and simple things is hard because we don't see the immediate reward. We so often want to see results right away but often you won't notice the results until you have consistently done something for a long period of time. A great example of this is a daily workout to achieve a certain goal or doing a long research paper.
Remember, the videos for Come, Follow Me can be found on the Church’s website.
You can also find additional activities and study articles in the digitial Ensign each month. Here are the helps for July 20-26.
Here’s a great explanation of “bridle all your passions” to help you discuss Alma 38:12 a little more. My Key Events printable above also has a diagram.
- The Red Headed Hostess has a fun compass treasure hunt activity you can try this week as well as other teaching activities.
- Meck Mom always has more great ideas for your Come, Follow Me lessons too. She's been a favorite of mine for a long time.
- Remember to also check out the Come, Follow Me videos at Living Scriptures. They have a great resource there plus their weekly email gives you more ideas. You can try it out for a month free first (and there are shows you'll enjoy as an adult too).
