The Help You Need to Teach Come, Follow Me Revelation 1-11 "Glory, and Power, Be unto... the Lamb for Ever" (December 4-17)
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Are you ready for Come, Follow Me Revelation 1-11 "Glory, and Power, Be unto... the Lamb for Ever" (December 9-15)? It’s a lot to dive into but I have plenty of resources below to help you understand the symbolism and more. The first three chapters contain John’s vision of the Savior and his letters to the seven churches. Then chapter 4-11 is the first of John’s visions. This vision talks about how John saw God the Father in heaven, exalted beings who worship Him, and a book sealed with seven seals that only Jesus Christ can open.
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Remember! Keep scrolling! These posts are long and full of resources. The Weekly Recap and all the Questions to Ponder are at the very bottom of this post.
Additional Resources to Help You Understand Revelations
It’s no secret that Revelation can be harder to understand. Here are some study resources to help you as seek to understand these passages.
Print out this Overview of the Book of Revelation found in the Institute Student Manual. It’s a great way to get things organized as you go through Revelation. I recommend using the manual while studying Revelation as he gives some great charts and explanations.
As you study chapter 4, use this cross-reference chart from the Seminary Teacher Manual to help you understand the symbolism.
Starting in chapter 6, you can use this image of John’s Vision of the Seven Seals to help you understand what time period you are reading about. You could even make a replica at home with some paper made to look worn, string, and clay.
“Understanding the Book of Revelation” by Elder Bruce R. McConkie- Organized by questions and answers with tips.
“Seeing the Book of Revelation As a Book of Revelation” by Gerald N. Lund- Shares several keys to help you as you study this book of scripture.
“The Book of Revelation: A Testament to the Lamb of God” by Nicholas J. Frederick- breaks down chapters and symbolism (from December’s Ensign).
“Messages of the Book of Revelation for Latter-day Saints” by Richard D. Draper- Four messages we can apply today from the book of Revelation. This is from the December Ensign digital version only.
“Joseph Smith and the Book of Revelation” by David A. Edwards- How Joseph Smith helps us understand this book better plus a great visual to use as you study.
“Book of Revelation Overview”- Outlines the main messages and events in the book of Revelation (from the Ensign October 1983)
- "The Revelation of John the Apostle: A New Rendition"- This is put out by BYU Studies and is free. It provides a modern English translation of the Greek text that helps clear up a few things.
- "The Revelation of John the Apostle"- Another put out by BYU Studies put with commentary from Richard D. Draper and Michael D. Rhodes. Free for Deseret Bookshelf PLUS members.
- "Understanding the Book of Revelation" by Jay A. Parry and Donald W. Parry- Great reviews and included with your Deseret Bookshelf PLUS membership.
- "The Book of Revelation Made Easier" by David J. Ridges- There is a whole New Testament series that people love from Ridges, this is just the Revelation section.
P.S. You can go to read.deseretbook.com to view these ebooks on your computer instead.
Revelation
Remember to check out the Come, Follow Me manual as you study Revelation too as it includes some helpful summary such as chapter 12 is about premortal events. You will see throughout Revelation how John teaches about the plan of salvation and how we can be saved.
Additional Study Resources
“The Atonement of Jesus Christ” by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
“The Plan of Salvation” from Preach My Gospel- Use it to enhance your study or pretend to give this discussion
“The Plan of Salvation” from the New Testament Seminary Teacher Manual- there is a chart you can quickly print out and review as you show how Jesus is central to the plan.
“The Way” by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge
“‘Come, Follow Me’” by President Russell M. Nelson
Videos to Share
Worthy Is the Lamb That Was Slain (about 7 1/2 minutes)- from The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
All sorts of videos about the Plan of Salvation
Jesus Christ Is the Way (about 5 minutes)
Why We Need a Savior (about 2 1/2 minutes)- Great one to share for Christmas!
Questions to Ponder
How can a study of Revelation help you understand God’s plan for each of His children better?
How does understanding the plan of salvation help you in your daily life? How can sharing it with another help?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior? What does His role in the plan mean to you?
How have you been blessed because of the Plan of Salvation?
What are some of the teachings John shares in Revelation about how we are saved?
Why is Jesus Christ the only one that could make this plan work?
How can you show your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior?
How do the seven seals fit into the plan?
Teaching Activities
Use my Plan of Salvation Puzzle to help show how Jesus Christ is the central key piece to making it all work. You can cut up the puzzle into as few or as many pieces as you want. Then have your family or class glue it on the LOVE page. As you do so, notice the images of Jesus Christ already on the puzzle. How else would you add Him? Why is Jesus on those key parts of the puzzle? Write some of your answers above the word LOVE.
Pssttt…. you could make the LOVE puzzle into a file folder game. Cut out the pieces into the letters and put velcro on the back.
Write down the questions or cut apart the sections in “Answering Questions about the Plan of Salvation” by Michael R. Morris. Invite each person to spend a few minutes researching the answer then share it with your group. Have you heard your friends ask these questions? How might you share the answers with them?
Have young ones? Quickly review the question and answers in “Why Is Jesus Christ so Important to Us?” by President Dallin H. Oaks.
Discuss how God trusts us to follow His plan of happiness. Use the free handouts in my Primary 3 Lesson 2 handouts to discuss some things we should be doing to return to our Father in Heaven.
You can also listen to David Archuleta’s song, “My Little Prayer” and discuss how sometimes we might feel afraid but how we can understand how God has a plan for us. As we come to know Him better and understand His plan, we can feel more peace and joy.
Revelation 2-3
In these two chapters, John is sharing specific counsel to each of the seven churches (see the chart in the New Testament Institute Manual for a quick rundown- scroll down). John knows these things because the Lord revealed them to Him. God knows what we are specifically going through and how to counsel us to help us through.
Additional Study Resources
“He Knows You by Name” by Sister Elaine S. Dalton
“He Knows Us; He Loves Us” by Sister Sydney S. Reynolds
“‘If Ye Had Known Me’” by Elder David A. Bednar
“And This Is Life Eternal” by Elder C. Scott Grow
“‘Abide in My Love’” by Elder D. Todd Christofferson
“Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness” by Sister Sharon Eubank
Videos to Share
He Knows Me (about 3 minutes)
Heavenly Father Knows Me (about 3 1/2 minutes)
The Savior Understands Me (about 3 1/2 minutes)
Questions to Ponder
How do you draw near to the Lord? How does He draw near to you?
How have you come to know God and Jesus Christ?
How do you know the Lord knows you personally? What experiences have you had that testify of this truth?
How does coming to know the Lord bless your life?
How does understanding that God knows you personally affect the way you view yourself?
How can a knowledge of God’s awareness of you bless your life?
When you ask God how He feels about you, what does He say? How have these experiences changed your relationship with Him?
Teaching Activities
Play some Get- to-Know-You games with your family or group. There is always more we can learn about each other even if we do live with them. Play Candy Basket Kerplunk with Get to Know You Questions. It’s super fun, everyone gets candy, and there’s bound to be at least one question you haven’t asked before. Then discuss how Heavenly Father and Jesus don’t need to play these types of games because they already know us perfectly. Have you had an experience that let you know this?
On the flip side, how are you getting to know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ better? You can make a list together, give people time to write about it on a piece of paper, or head to the Topical Guide and give groups specific scriptures to study and share what they know about God from it. Then discuss the difference between knowing about God and knowing God. How can knowing about Him help us know Him better?
Tie in some of the Christ’s story this Christmas too. Discuss Matthew 2:1–15, 19–20 and how God watched over Jesus and will watch over us. You can color the Egypt scene above.
Revelation 3:20
This verse reminds us to invite Christ into our lives. Jesus Christ is already knocking at the door; we just need to open it up.
Additional Study Resources
“Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives” by President Russell M. Nelson
“Can We See the Christ in Christmas?” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Drawing Closer to God” by Elder Terence M. Vinson
“Opening the Door” by Bethany Bartholomew- Youth Article
“Mrs. Patton- the Story Continues” by President Thomas S. Monson
“‘I Stand at the Door, and Knock’” by Elder Ronald T. Halverson
Videos to Share
Choose the Light (about 7 minutes)
A Secure Anchor (about 3 1/2 minutes)
Questions to Ponder
How can the Come, Follow Me curriculum be part of helping your family accept the Savior's invitation to let Him in?
How are you accepting the Savior's invitation to open the door? How is that changing things in your life and home?
Can you think of anyone who has ignored Christ’s knock? How can we, as disciples of Christ, help our family, friends, ward members, or the people with whom we come in contact, recognize the love of God and the fullness of joy which can come from letting Christ in?
What are things we can do so it is easier to open the door to Christ? How can we keep the door from closing?
What are some ways you are inviting Christ into your home already?
How are you inviting Christ into your Christmas?
Teaching Activities
Make your own door with Christ knocking on the other side. Print my free handout above (print on colored paper or have fun coloring it yourself) and place the door over the image of Christ so that you can open the door and see Him. What are some ways we are opening the door to Christ?
Think about how you are inviting Christ into your Christmas this month. Point this out to your family! It’s a great way to go over them and remind your family how you are being intentional about keeping Christ in your Christmas.
- Listen to the song, “Let Him In” from “The Forgotten Carols” by Michael Mclean as you discuss how we can let Christ into our lives especially at Christmas. You watch the video on YouTube or get the book and music for yourself.
- Checkout The Red Headed Hostess lesson kit for this week. It includes Christmas fun too! Revelation is a great one to teach at Christmas time.
- Also check out the helps from Love Pray Teach for additional ideas and helps.
