July 27-August 2, 2026
COME, FOLLOW ME (CFM) Old Testament
CLICK the CFM title above ⇑ for the Church’s outlined lesson for this week. Then, use our SUPER-SIMPLE lessons ⇓ to teach:
Our LESSON LIFESAVER lesson-match activities teach the gospel of Jesus Christ through: Scriptures, crafts and coloring pages, puzzles, games, goal planners, and song visuals to make learning fun!
DON’T MISS our Scripture Scholars bookmarks, pop-ups, and reward stamps ⇓.
You’ll Love Our 4 QUICK-TO-TEACH lessons and 21 Interactive Activities for Children and Teens
LESSON LIFESAVERS For CHURCH & HOME: Primary, Sunday School, and Family
Old Testament LESSON 31
Teaching Come, Follow Me lessons just got easier with our activities for AUGUST (week #1)
Theme: “I Am Doing a Great Work”
Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
YOU WILL FIND:
• SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS to get them reading with reward stamps and pop-ups to match the lesson theme.
• Lesson-Match Interactive Activities to match the CFM curriculum for all ages.
BUNDLES to save & INDEX for Come, Follow Me August 2026 ⇒
PART 1
Come, Follow Me
Scripture Scholars
bookmarks, stamps, & pop-ups
Lesson 31 Scripture Scholars
This week’s Scripture Scholars bundle includes:|
• 2 BOOKMARKs and
• 1 scripture POP-UP (to place in scripture binding).
STAMPS and STAMP KEEPER can be purchased below.
Lessons 31-35 Scripture Scholars
AUGUST’s BUNDLE includes the following for each lesson:
• 2 BOOKMARKS,
• 1 POP-UP, and
• 1 STAMP.
Glue STAMPS onto the STAMP KEEPER (to download separately, below). SEE TESTIMONIALS HERE
STAMPS & STAMP KEEPER
AUGUST STAMPS $1.50
SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS Stamps for weeks 1-5. For Lessons 31-35 – Miscellaneous Scriptures. If you have purchased the BUNDLE above, the stamps are included.
January – December $3.00
SCRIPTURE SCHOLARS Stamp Keeper holds 52 stamps for the 2026 weeks 1-52. This is included in the January BUNDLE.
PART 2
Come, Follow Me
Lesson-match Activities
poster presentations & games, handouts, puzzles, and song visuals
. . . 4 SUPER-SIMPLE Lessons
& 21 Matching Activities . . .
Step 1 Choose LESSON
Step 2: Choose ACTIVITY
Step 3 CLICK BUY NOW buttons
(to download activities – sent to your e-mail)
Step 4 DOWNLOAD ACTIVITY
“I Am Doing a Great Work”
Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
INTRODUCTION
Long ago, the Jewish people lived in Babylon for about 70 years. They could not live in Jerusalem, and the temple was gone. Many people forgot to follow God’s commandments.
But God did not forget His people. He had promised that He would help them go home again (see Jeremiah 29:10). And God always keeps His promises.
God helped His people return to Jerusalem. He also helped them remember the promises they had made to Him.
God called faithful people to help. Zerubbabel helped rebuild the temple. Ezra taught the people God’s law so they could follow Him again. Nehemiah helped rebuild the walls around Jerusalem to keep the city safe.
The people had many hard times, and some people tried to stop them. But God helped them, even in surprising ways.
Today, we are doing God’s work too. Like the people long ago, we can help build His kingdom, learn His teachings, and stay close to Him. As we trust God, He will help us do the important work He has given us.
REBUILDING GOD’S TEMPLE
Ezra 1
God helps people do His work.
After Persia won the war against Babylon, Heavenly Father helped King Cyrus make a kind choice. King Cyrus told the Jewish people they could go back to Jerusalem and rebuild God’s temple. He also gave them things they needed for their trip.
As you read Ezra 1, look for the ways King Cyrus helped God’s people. Talk about people who help others today. Sometimes Heavenly Father helps us through members of His Church, and sometimes He helps us through people who are not members of the Church.
Ask your children:
- How has someone helped you?
- How can Heavenly Father use people to help us?
- What does this teach us about how much Heavenly Father loves and cares for His children?
You can also read Isaiah 44:24–28.
GOD’S TEMPLE BRINGS JOY
Ezra 3:8–13; 6:16–22
The Lord’s house is a happy place.
A long time ago, the Babylonian army came to Jerusalem. They took many things from God’s temple and burned it down. This made God’s people very sad. Imagine seeing your special place of worship destroyed. How do you think you would feel?
Many years later, God helped His people return home. They began to rebuild His temple. This time, they were filled with joy! They sang, praised God, and celebrated because they were building His house again.
The temple is a special place where we can worship God, feel His love, and make promises to follow Him. That is why building a temple is a wonderful reason to celebrate.
Think About It: Why do you think the temple is such a special place?
IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN
Ezra 3:8–13; 6:16–22
The temple is a happy place.
The people built the temple again. They were so happy! They sang. They shouted. They thanked Heavenly Father.
Show your child a picture of the temple. Ask:
- What do you see?
- Do the people look happy?
- Why is the temple special?
Tell your child why you love the temple. Share how it helps you feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
Read a few verses from Ezra 3:10–13 together. When you read that the people shouted for joy, shout “Hooray!” together!
Sing a song about the temple. Look at pictures of temples while you sing. Tell each other one thing you love about the temple.
DOWNLOAD “I Love the See the Temple” song visuals (HERE or below)
“As you and I go to the holy houses of God, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.” President Thomas S. Monson, “The Holy Temple–a Beacon to the World”
Matthew 18:18 “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
STRENGTH TO DO GOD’S WORK
Heavenly Father has special work for each of us. Sometimes doing the right thing is hard because other people may not help us or may try to stop us. But Heavenly Father can give us strength to keep going.
Let’s think about these questions:
What did God want Zerubbabel to do?
What did God want Nehemiah to do?
What are some good things God wants me to do?
What made Zerubbabel’s work hard?
What made Nehemiah’s work hard?
What things make it hard for me to choose the right?
What did Zerubbabel do when things were hard?
What did Nehemiah do when things were hard?
What can I do when things are hard?
Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work.” He knew God’s work was important, so he didn’t give up.
What are some great things you can do for Heavenly Father?
- Help someone.
- Pray.
- Be kind.
- Tell the truth.
- Share.
- Obey your parents.
- Love others.
When we do God’s work, He helps us. He gives us courage, strength, and peace.
Questions to Think About
- What does it mean to work hard for Jesus?
- When have you felt Heavenly Father help you?
- How has He made you strong when something was hard?
IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN
The Lord Will Help Me Do His Great Work
Tell your children the story of Nehemiah. Explain that God asked Nehemiah to help rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Some people laughed at him and tried to stop him, but Nehemiah kept working because he trusted God.
Pretend to build a wall together using blocks, cups, pillows, or boxes. As you build, talk about good things Heavenly Father wants us to do, like being kind, helping at home, praying, and loving others.
Read Nehemiah 6:9 together. Each time you say, “strengthen my hands,” have the children hold up their hands or make strong muscles.
Then share a time when Heavenly Father helped you do something that was hard. Help your children know that God will help them too when they choose the right.
Why Did Nehemiah Build the Wall?
God wanted His people to be safe. So Nehemiah helped rebuild the big wall around the city of Jerusalem.
The wall protected the people and their homes. It also helped them worship God together.
Some people did not want Nehemiah to build the wall. They tried to stop him and make him afraid.
But Nehemiah trusted God. He kept working, and the people worked together too.
They finished the wall in just 52 days! Everyone could see that God had helped them.
What can I learn?
When I trust God and keep trying, He can help me do hard things.
SCRIPTURE BLESSINGS
I am blessed when I study the scriptures.
For a long time, the Jewish people did not have the scriptures. When Ezra read God’s words to them, they listened very carefully.
As you read Nehemiah 8:1–12, notice how the people showed they loved God and His word. They listened carefully, paid attention, worshipped God, and felt joy as they learned from the scriptures.
How can you show that you love God’s word? You can:
- Read the scriptures.
- Listen during scripture study. Matthew 22:29 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
- Pray about what you learn. James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
DOWNLOAD James 1:5 scripture poster/card set (HERE or below)
- Do what God teaches. James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
See also Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 115–24.
IDEAS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN
The scriptures are a blessing.
Read some of Nehemiah 8 together.
Tell your children that the people were happy to hear God’s words. As you read, invite them to act out what the people did:
- 👂 Listen carefully.
- 🧍 Stand up.
- 🙌 Raise your hands.
- 😊 Say, “Amen!”
- 🙇 Bow your head.
- ❤️ Worship Heavenly Father.
Talk about how you feel when you read the scriptures.
Ask questions like:
- What is your favorite scripture story?
- What have you learned about Jesus from the scriptures?
Read Nehemiah 8:8 together.
Explain that teachers and parents help us understand the scriptures. You can also use pictures or other scripture helps to learn more.
Invite your children
SUMMARY OF SUBJECTS FOR:
OLD TESTAMENT
Ezra 1; 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
AUGUST (week 1)
Lesson 31: July 27-August 2, 2026
“I Am Doing a Great Work”
SUMMARY of the above lesson plans and activities to make learning fun!
YOUTH CAN TEACH
So, please let them teach as it helps them learn the gospel and grow their testimony as they share it.
Use this BRIGHT IDEAS LESSON Planner to plan lesson objectives, activities, and discussions (included with each activity).
#ComeFollowMe #OldTestament #Primary #FamilyHomeEvening #SundaySchool #Seminary #YouthClasses #YoungMen #YoungWomen #FamilyScriptureStudy #ChurchOfJesusChrist #GospelGrabBag #LessonActivities #SongVisuals #IAmDoingAGreatWork
