Old Testament LESSON 31
Teaching Sunday School or Seminary, Come Follow Me just got easier with our activities for JULY (week #5)
Theme: “Thou Art Come … for Such a Time as This”
Esther
YOU WILL FIND:
• SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS to get them reading.
• Then scroll down to find Lesson-Match Interactive Activities to match the CFM curriculum
SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS is not only for SUNDAY SCHOOL youth but also for Primary, and for Individuals and Families.
Lesson 25 Scripture Scholars
Week’s Scripture Scholars BOOKMARKS & scripture POP-UP Includes:
• BOOKMARKS with Come, Follow Me scriptures to read and discuss topics for Primary and Individuals and Families. Also, for Sunday School (teens).
• POP-UP to glue in scripture binding next to scripture you underline.
EXTRA ITEMS (not included) … THERE’S MORE:
• STAMP. Award readers with a STAMP for the week’s scripture reading. See below to find matching STAMPS.
• STAMP KEEPER. These can be placed on the STAMP KEEPER (see below) where you can collect 50 stamps for the year
Lessons 23-26 Scripture Scholars
July’s BUNDLE of BOOKMARKS, POP-UPs, and STAMPS. Glue STAMPS onto the STAMP KEEPER (to download separately, below).
Click on the weekly lesson posters (below) to find interactive activities:
. . . 3 LESSONS & 15 ACTIVITIES . . .
Step 1 CHOOSE LESSON
Step 2 CHOOSE ACTIVITY
Step 3 CLICK ON POSTER
Step 4 DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY
. . . I CAN BE GUIDED TO SERVE . . .
The Lord places us in situations where we can bless others.
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Members of your class may have looked for ways the Lord made it possible for Esther to save the Jews, as suggested in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite them to share what they found. Or you could look for a few examples together (see Esther 2:21–23; 3:10–14; 4:14–16). What can we do to recognize the hand of God in our lives? The statement by Elder Neil L. Andersen in “Additional Resources” contains an answer to this question.
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To help members of your class think about how the Lord has prepared them “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), invite them to read Esther 4:10–17. How might Mordecai’s words to Esther have helped her make the decision to defend her people? Just as God placed Esther in a position where she could save the Jews, what are some situations He places us in so we can bless others? How can we become better instruments in His hands?
- Reading the following statement might inspire class members to think of times when they felt they were instruments for the Lord. Ask them to share their experiences, as guided by the Spirit.
“For such a time as this.”
Sister Virginia U. Jensen taught: “I do not believe that you and I are here at this unique time by accident. I believe that, like Esther of old, we are ‘come to the kingdom for such a time as this’ [Esther 4:14], when our influence, our example, our strength, and our faith may stand as a bulwark against the rising tide of evil that threatens to engulf our homes, our families, and our loved ones” (“Creating Places of Security,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 89).
. . . FASTING BRINGS BLESSINGS . . .
Fasting demonstrates our dependence on the Lord.
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You can use Esther 4 to discuss the blessings that come from fasting. You might have a class member review the events that led Esther and the other Jews to fast. Why did they choose to fast? Why do we choose to fast? You may want to review together some additional scriptures about fasting, such as Isaiah 58:6–12 and Matthew 4:1–4; 17:14–21 (see also Guide to the Scriptures, “Fast, Fasting,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Perhaps you or a few class members could share experiences that demonstrate how fasting brings the Lord’s power into our lives.
. . . COURAGE TO CTR (CHOOSE THE RIGHT) . . .
Doing the right thing often requires great courage.
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The accounts of Mordecai and Esther courageously standing for righteousness can inspire class members to have the courage to do the right thing. You could invite half of the class to read about Mordecai (see Esther 3:1–11) and the other half to read about Esther (see Esther 4:10–17; 5:1–4). If they were here today, what might Mordecai and Esther say to encourage us when it is hard to do what is right? Class members could also share situations when they have had to act courageously. You could show the video “Courage” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or invite the class to sing or read the words of a song about standing for truth, such as “Do What Is Right” (Hymns, no. 237). Then discuss what the video or song teaches about having courage.
DOWNLOAD Dare to Do Right song visuals (HERE or below) and shareYou have a work that no other can do;
Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,
Angels will hasten the story to tell.
The hand of God.
Elder Neil L. Andersen taught:
“Sometimes we can see the hand of the Lord in the lives of others but wonder, ‘How can I more clearly see His hand in my own life?’ …
“As you keep the commandments and pray in faith to see the Lord’s hand in your life, I promise you that He will open your spiritual eyes even wider, and you will see more clearly that you are not alone” (“Thy Kingdom Come,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 121–22).
