This week’s Come, Follow Me lesson focuses on Easter. We hope these suggestions, in addition to the suggestions in the Come, Follow Me manual, can help families focus on the message of Christ’s resurrection this Easter Sunday.
If You Want to Join a Digital Study Group
What do you know about the Marys? That’s right, Marys. There are actually several Marys mentioned throughout the New Testament, and many had a personal connection to the Savior.
In an episode of the Sunday on Monday Study Group, we learn more about four of these Marys: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary of Bethany, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of Cleopas and their powerful testimonies of the Savior.
Perfect for your Easter study, host Tammy Uzelac Hall and her guests share how the Savior valued women. She shares a quote from Elder James E. Talmage, “The world’s greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 475).
The study group investigates the cultural norms surrounding women at the time, how Christ’s actions differ from the cultural norms. Each of the four Marys can help us strengthen our testimony of the Savior.
The Sunday on Monday Study Group is a Deseret Bookshelf PLUS+ original presented by LDS Living. You can access the full study group discussion through the Bookshelf app. Listen to a segment of this week’s episode below or listen to the full Sunday on Monday episode here.
If You Want a Special Guest Speaker
Looking for someone to give a talk in your at-home sacrament meeting? Here are three ideas with an excerpted quote from each address.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “None Were with Him”
“Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: ‘I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].’ (John 14:18, see also John 14:23)”.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Behold the Man!”
“My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify that the most important day in the history of mankind was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, won the victory over death and sin for all of God’s children. And the most important day in your life and mine is the day when we learn to ‘behold the man’; when we see Him for who He truly is; when we partake with all our heart and mind of His atoning power; when with renewed enthusiasm and strength, we commit to follow Him. May that be a day that recurs over and over again throughout our lives.”
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”
“Everything worthy and eternal is centered in the living reality of God, our loving Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement witnessed by the Holy Ghost. This is Easter Sunday. I reverently witness and solemnly testify of the living Christ—He who ‘died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven.’ He is Alpha and Omega —with us in the beginning, He is with us to the end.”
If You Want to Take an Easter Walk with the Family (and Teach along the Way!)
This lesson outline can be used for families wanting to incorporate an activity into their Easter lesson. The outline includes a thought, scripture, song, lesson, and activity.
Thought
“My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify that the most important day in the history of mankind was the day when Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, won the victory over death and sin for all of God’s children. And the most important day in your life and mine is the day when we learn to ‘behold the man’; when we see Him for who He truly is; when we partake with all our heart and mind of His atoning power; when with renewed enthusiasm and strength, we commit to follow Him. May that be a day that recurs over and over again throughout our lives.”
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Behold the Man!”, Ensign or Liahona, May 2018)
Scripture
“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.”
Song
“Did Jesus Really Live Again,” Children’s Songbook, no. 64
Lesson
The following story and lesson are excerpts from the book The Easter Walk by Deborah Pace Rowley and Dan Burr. Read out loud or summarize the story below and then go on your own Easter walk using the outline provided.
Tyler couldn't wait for his Easter walk with Grandpa. This year would be even better because his little sister, 6-year-old Amy, was coming with them for the first time. Tyler knew she wouldn't completely understand each scripture, but she would be excited about the treasure hunt. Grandpa, Tyler, and Amy walked quietly through the park until Grandpa gave the first scripture clue: "And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head" (Mark 15:17). Tyler took Amy's hand, and they ran ahead until they found a thorny branch. Amy carried it back to Grandpa. "Excellent," Grandpa said. "What does this thorny branch remind you of?" "It reminds me that Jesus knows what it feels like to be hurt and sad," Tyler answered. "When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he sweat drops of blood because of our sins. One of the apostles betrayed him, and the soldiers whipped and mocked him. Then they forced a crown of thorns onto his head." Grandpa reached out for Tyler's hand and squeezed it tight. For the next clue, Grandpa explained that a friend of Jesus "wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre" (Mark 15:46). Amy found a pretty rock that had sparkly crystals in it and handed it to Grandpa. "Good choice," said Grandpa. "Tyler, can you tell us the meaning of this stone?" "A stone was rolled in front of Jesus' tomb, and guards were put in front of it," Tyler answered. "But on the third day an angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away. When Jesus' disciples went to the garden, they saw that the stone had been moved and the tomb was empty." Grandpa waited until they were almost back home before he gave the last clue. This scripture was Tyler's favorite. "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said" (Matthew 28:5-6). The children saw many things that were alive. Amy brought Grandpa a ladybug, but Tyler wanted to find something special. He found it in front of their house. Tyler carefully picked a red tulip blossom and sat down beside Grandpa on the porch. Amy picked a red tulip, too. Their mom had planted these tulips, and they came up every spring. "So," said Grandpa quietly, "tell me why we needed to find something alive." Tyler loved it when Grandpa asked this question. He always had a warm and good feeling inside when he answered. Grandpa said that feeling was from the Holy Ghost. "We found something alive because Jesus is alive. He was resurrected on the third day." Tyler put his arm around Amy and gave her a big hug. Amy leaned up and whispered in Tyler's ear. "I know Jesus is alive, too." (Deborah Pace Rowley, The Easter Walk, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010].)
Activity
Go on your own Easter walk as a family. Walk around your neighborhood or go to a park or wooded area near your home.
If the weather is uncooperative, you can have a treasure hunt inside the house. You may want to carry a sack to hold your treasures. Read the following verses in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and have your children find items suggested by the scriptures. Discuss the significance of each item as you walk or after you arrive home. Bear testimony to your family of the truthfulness of the Atonement and the Resurrection.
Share your feelings about the Savior. As you do this, your children will feel the Spirit, and their testimonies will grow.
Scripture Clue: Mark 15:17 Something pointed and sharp to represent the crown of thorns. Scripture Clue: John 19:17-18 Something made of wood to represent the cross. Scripture Clue: Mark 15:46 Something hard and round to represent the stone placed in front of the tomb. Scripture Clue: Matthew 28:5-6Something alive to represent that Jesus Christ is alive again.
(Deborah Pace Rowley, The Easter Walk, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010].)
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on LDSLiving.com in April 2020.
You may also like
