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Our ward has created “Come Follow Me” Groups. The purpose of the groups is to get together with other families to discuss lessons from the “Come Follow Me” Sunday School manual. The groups are made up of 4-5 families, and we meet once/month. Each month a different family hosts the rest of the group, and we typically do some kind of pot luck. The hosting family is in charge of leading the discussion. Each family does it differently. Some just read straight from the scriptures and manual, and then relate it to us, like a typical Sunday School lesson. Others go for more of an open discussion. It’s our family’s turn to host this month, and we’ll be on the lesson about the iron rod. I typically dread this lesson, because it often turns into a discussion about strict obedience. Not my cup of tea. So, I’m looking for an alternate approach to this lesson. Have any of you given/heard a lesson about the iron rod that took a different angle?
Interesting. Mostly because “programmizing” Come Follow Me like this is exactly not what the Brethren intended and they’ve taught us not to do it this way. Small groups are approved, programmed groups like this are not. Alas, I have digressed. I’d probably avoid our of principle, but if I were to take part I’d try as much as possible to make it a guided discussion about what I want to talk about.
I would cheat and have people talk about spiritual successes in their life. Or have them talk about their own positive experiences pursuing a gospel filled life. I would even announce that we know “the iron rod” story so well, that we are looking today at how we are using the fruit to increase our connection to God. mom3 wrote:
I would even announce that we know “the iron rod” story so well, that we are looking today at how we are using the fruit to increase our connection to God.
I’m not sure most members really do know that story very well. There’s a lot revealed by a careful reading that has not necessarily been taught in past manuals. An example is how Lehi himself got to the tree because he didn’t know about the iron rod until after he was there and saw it. There could be a lot of open minded discussion on that alone.
I like to highlight that the tree of life is Jesus Christ as the personification of the “Love of God”. This is not very controversial given Nephi’s visions of the life, ministry, and sacrifice of Jesus corresponding to this dream’s interpretation. I also like to highlight that Jesus is also the word of God (John1:1). Jesus is the iron rod.
This can be helpful in imagining that Jesus is with us every step of the way. His love is not just a prize to be won after a long and harrowing journey. He showers us with His love, support, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and “tender mercies” in every moment.
Quote:I’m not sure most members really do know that story very well. There’s a lot revealed by a careful reading that has not necessarily been taught in past manuals. An example is how Lehi himself got to the tree because he didn’t know about the iron rod until after he was there and saw it. There could be a lot of open minded discussion on that alone.
I will give you that. I maybe should have said, “We have a oft repeated story of the Iron Rod” – and your ideas do open it up to more hopeful narratives and applications.
I love Roy’s approach of defining holding onto the iron rod as walking with Jesus and sharing his love with everyone (essentially participating in the ministry he actually lived). Thanks for all the feedback! This helps! Just to clarify, this isn’t a required program that was pushed by the ward. They didn’t sign assign every family to a group. They asked everybody whether or not they would like to be involved. I wouldn’t have signed up for it, but my wife wanted to do it. About half of the ward does it, and the other half chose not to. They tried to group families that are in similar phases of life. So, we’re in a group with other families that have teen/pre-teen kids at home, similar to us. There are other groups that have more families with primary-age kids, and other groups that are all adults. That way, each group can tailor their lessons to the general audience. I do like that we don’t have any primary-age kids in our group, so we can have some deeper discussions.
I like the points that were brought up. Especially the fact that Lehi was standing at the tree before he learned what everything meant. The irod rod (Christ) was right there beside him the entire time, and he may not have even realized that Christ was the one helping him through things. I like that. Thanks again for all the great feedback!
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