This week’s Come Follow Me Lesson
Study and teaching resources for this week’s scripture block.
This week’s study: Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
“To Be a Greater Follower of Righteousness”
Lesson Readiness
Choose one of the following activities to introduce the lesson.
Readiness Activity 1: Rising Above Circumstances
Time: 2–3 minutes
Ask:
“Do you think your family or surroundings determine who you become?”
“Can you think of someone who overcame difficult circumstances?”
Transition:
“Today we’ll study someone who came from extremely difficult circumstances but chose a different future through faith.”
Readiness Activity 2: Desire Matters
Time: 3–5 minutes
Ask:
“What does it mean to want to be better?”
“Does desire alone change us—or does it lead to action?”
Transition:
“Abraham teaches us that a righteous desire, combined with faith and obedience, can change everything.”
Lesson Focus
This lesson focuses on Abraham’s desire to be a greater follower of righteousness and how God honored that desire through covenants and guidance. Teens will learn that family history, surroundings, or past choices do not determine their future. The goal is to help teens recognize that choosing Christ—again and again—leads to hope, direction, and lasting blessings.
Key Principles
Key Principle 1: I Am Not a Prisoner to My Circumstances
Scriptures:
Abraham 1:1–7; Mormon 1:15
Explanation:
Abraham grew up in a deeply wicked and idolatrous family—so corrupt that his own life was threatened. Yet instead of accepting his environment as his destiny, Abraham sought peace, knowledge, and righteousness. His heart was set on God, not on the patterns around him. Like the prophet Mormon, Abraham tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus Christ, which gave him the strength to rise above his circumstances.
Why This Matters to Teens:
Many teens feel limited by their homes, families, or environments. Abraham’s story teaches that with Christ, no circumstance has the final word. Faith, desire, and covenant choices can create a future filled with hope—regardless of where someone starts.
Discussion Questions:
How do you think Abraham felt growing up in such a difficult family?
In what ways might teens today feel trapped by their circumstances?
What helped Abraham choose a different path?
How can knowing Christ help someone rise above discouragement?
Challenge Question:
What is one circumstance in your life you feel limited by, and how could faith in Christ help you move forward anyway?
Key Principle 2: God Makes Covenants to Strengthen and Deliver His People
Scriptures:
Genesis 17; Abraham 1:15–19; Abraham 2:6
Explanation:
The heart of Abraham’s story is the covenant God made with him. God promised deliverance, guidance, power, and a future filled with blessings. These covenants were not just for Abraham—they extend to all who enter into covenant with God today. Through baptism and temple covenants, we are promised access to God’s power, presence, and strength when we need it most.
Why This Matters to Teens:
Covenants connect teens to God in real, powerful ways. They are not just promises for the future—they bring help right now. When life feels overwhelming, covenants give teens access to Christ’s enabling power to do difficult things.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think God wants a covenant relationship with His children?
Which promises made to Abraham stand out to you the most?
How do covenants bind us to God—and God to us?
How have you seen covenants give strength during hard moments?
Challenge Question:
How might remembering your covenants help you during a moment of fear, doubt, or discouragement this week?
Key Principle 3: It Is Easier to Avoid Temptation Than to Resist It
Scriptures:
Abraham 1:30; Abraham 2:3–5; Genesis 13:5–12; Genesis 14:12
Explanation:
Abraham’s father and his nephew Lot both show the danger of staying too close to the world. Though Abraham’s father repented, he stopped short of the promised land and returned to idolatry. Lot chose land near Sodom, believing he could resist its influence—but over time, he became fully entangled in it. These examples teach that proximity to temptation often leads to compromise.
Why This Matters to Teens:
Teens are constantly surrounded by influences that slowly erode faith. This principle teaches that wisdom means choosing distance from temptation—not testing how close one can get. Staying close to Christ is the safest place to stand.
Discussion Questions:
What do Abraham’s father and Lot have in common?
Why is it dangerous to live “near” temptation?
How can small choices lead to big consequences over time?
What does staying close to Christ look like in everyday life?
Challenge Question:
What is one influence you might need to step back from to better protect your faith?
Application Question
Take a few minutes to reflect and write down one choice you can make this week to better follow Christ—whether by rising above your circumstances, honoring your covenants, or stepping farther away from harmful influences. Commit to that choice and act on it.
Object Lesson: Stay Away From the Edge
Share the stagecoach story in the study and teaching guide and ask:
“Who would you trust more—the driver closest to the edge or the one farthest from it?”
Connect this to Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom.