SUNDAY SCHOOL Come Follow Me Interactive Activities – MAY (week 1) New Testament “Rejoice with Me; for I Have Found My Sheep Which Was Lost” Come, Follow Me (Luke 12-17; John 11)

To help class members study the parable of the great supper, you might invite them to an imaginary party that you will host. Let them share some reasons why they might or might not attend. Read Luke 14:15–24 together, and discuss the excuses the people in the parable made when they were invited to a feast that represented the blessings of the gospel. What excuses do people make today for failing to accept the Savior’s invitations to receive Heavenly Father’s blessings? Perhaps class members could share blessings they have received when they have made the sacrifices necessary to live certain gospel principles.

How will you give class members the opportunity to share what they have learned about the three parables in Luke 15? Consider assigning each class member one of the parables to review. They could look for and share answers to questions like these: What words in the parable reveal how Heavenly Father feels about those who are lost? What do the parables suggest about how we should reach out to all of God’s children? Class members could share how the Savior has found them when they have felt lost.

Singing “Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd” (Hymns, no. 221) together might be a meaningful addition to the teachings of these parables.

As you review the parable of the prodigal son together, class members may benefit from focusing on the words, actions, and beliefs of each person in the parable. What do we learn from each person? Perhaps class members could write an alternate ending to the parable in which the older son’s attitude toward his brother is different. What does the father’s counsel in the parable teach us about how we should feel about those who are lost and those who return to the gospel? (See also Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s statement in “Additional Resources.”) Or you could ask class members to imagine that they are the father in this parable. What additional counsel would they give the older son to help him rejoice in the progress or success of others?

Invite class members to share what they learned about gratitude from their study of Luke 17:11–19 and the video “President Russell M. Nelson on the Healing Power of Gratitude” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How was the thankful leper blessed for expressing his gratitude? How are we blessed when we express gratitude? Class members could suggest ways we can show our gratitude to God and others.

One way to examine John 11:1–46 is to ask class members to take turns reading the verses and invite them to stop and discuss each time they find evidence of faith in Jesus Christ. You could also ask class members to consider the perspectives of the people involved—including the Savior, the Apostles, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. What do we learn from each of them? Perhaps class members could share experiences when their faith in Jesus Christ was strengthened during a trial.