NEW TESTAMENT 2019

Come, Follow Me

with

Trust in God

Reinforces this week’s “Come Follow Me” study: Philippians; Colossians
“I Can Do All Things through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me”

Scripture:

Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Song:

Dearest Children, God is Near You Hymn #96

Lesson:

Paul sacrificed a lot when he became Christian and gave his life to preaching the gospel. He spent a long time in prison, where he wrote letters to the Philippians and the Colossians. Although he suffered through difficult circumstances, he was always grateful to God and continued to praise Him and teach the gospel to others. He found joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God will help us in our trials. He may not remove them, but He loves us and He knows what is best for us. Our trials can help us learn and grow if we put our faith and trust in God. 

Daniel is a wonderful example from the scriptures of a man who trusted in God, no matter what. Even when he was a young man, he exercised his faith when he and his friends refused to eat foods that were against the Law of Moses. He and his friends were blessed with good health because they kept the commandments. Later in Daniel’s life when the king made a decree that no one could worship or pray to any God but the king, Daniel continued to pray. Because of the king’s decree, he was cast into the lion’s den. The Lord protected him, and because of Daniel’s great faith and obedience many people in the kingdom were converted.

Quote:

“If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us….If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.” Gordon B. Hinckley

Q&A:

What does it mean to trust in God? (To obey Him willingly, even when we do not know what will happen in the end.)

Why is it important to learn to trust in the Lord when you are young? (If you learn when you are young and practice putting your trust in the Lord, He will support you in your trials and afflictions.)

How do we gain trust in the Lord? (Discuss ideas.)

Why should we put our trust in the Lord? (If we trust in the Lord, we will be happy. When we are worried or frightened, we need to remember that He loves us and that we need to pray to and trust in Him.)

Will all our trials be removed, if we always trust in God? (No. Life is a test and trials are part of that test, but if we always trust in God he will give us comfort and support us through all of our trials.)

How did Paul show his trust in God? How did Daniel show his trust in God? (Discuss ideas. Notice similarities.)

Story:

George Beck was a superintendent for the railroad and Namie Beck would not allow her family to be separated. Each time George’s crew was transferred to a new location she would pack up their things and she and Mei Li would move with him. It was during one of these moves, four years ago, in 1851 that the Becks had met two Mormon missionaries and been converted to the gospel.

Mei Li entered the one room schoolhouse with hesitation. Miss Wells gave the young girl’s hand a squeeze. “Can I have your attention class? This is our new student, Mei Li Beck. Her family will be staying in the Wilson home during the construction of the railroad.”

The children stared at Mei Li. She was dressed like all the other girls, but her beautiful almond shaped eyes set her apart. Some of the children had seen Chinese railroad workers in town, but their children had never come to the Atchison school house.

Miss Wells led Mei Li to an empty desk in the front of Jeremy Hall. Mei Li’s glistening black hair hung in a braid past her waist. When Miss Wells wasn’t looking, Jeremy reached for the braid gave it a sharp tug, “Go back to China, where you belong!” he whispered.

Mei Li’s eyes filled with tears. She blinked them away and thought about the words Mama had written in The Book of Mormon she had given her at her baptism. “Mei Li, trust in God and He will always be with you.”

Silently she prayed, “I know that you are with me Father. Please help me to be strong.”

When Miss Wells dismissed the class, Mei Li hurried out the door with Jeremy and his friend Tom at her heels. “I ain’t never seen nobody with the name of Beck that looks like you,” he taunted.

“Ya. All the Becks we know come from England not China!” Tom chided.

Mei Li’s mother had died during childbirth and her father was killed in a railroad accident when she was only 6 weeks old. The Becks who were childless had taken her to raise as their own.

“Trust in God, trust in God,” she repeated over and over to herself as she walked faster.

“Not only is she Chinese, but my Pa says she’s one of them Mormons too!” Tom sneered.

“You know what my Grandpa says we do with Mormons, little girl?” Jeremy said as he grabbed Mei Li’s arm and twisted it behind her back. “We exterminate ’em! Just like that Joe Smith.”

Jeremy was big and strong. Each time Mei Li struggled to get away, he would twist her arm tighter.

Mei Li prayed with all her might. Just when she felt she could bear no more, she heard a soft voice singing her favorite hymn, “Dearest Children, God is Near You…He will bless you, if you put your trust in Him.”

Mei Li stopped struggling and a peaceful feeling filled her heart.

“You better deny being a Mormon! You hear me girl?” Jeremy threatened, “Or we’re going to beat you to a pulp!”

For the first time during the altercation with the boys, Mei Li spoke. With a calm unwavering voice she said, “You do what you want with me, but I will never deny my faith or my God!”

The sound of horse hooves startled the boys and Jeremy released his hold on Mei Li. As the lone rider approached, the two boys took off running. Climbing down from the saddle the man knelt down in front of Mei Li. “Are you all right?” he asked.

Mei Li nodded as she wiped the tears from her face. “Sir, I’m a Mormon and I won’t deny it! So if you want to exterminate me too, so be it.”

The stranger looked at Mei Li with admiration. “Well that explains the urgency I felt to stop my work and ride down this road. The Lord sent me to help you, Miss Beck!”

Mei Li looked puzzled.

The man tipped his hat, “I’m Elder Parker. I met your Pa last week. He came by Mormon Grove to offer us assistance.” Elder Parker continued, “He’s a good man! Trusts in God, just like his daughter.”

by Margie Nauta Lee

Activity idea:

Trust in God TV


Make your own TV show and learn about how Daniel, like Paul, trusted in God no matter what. Then discuss how these lessons apply to your family.

Treat idea:

Lion Cookies


These yummy carrot cookies are made with healthy fruits and vegetables like Daniel and his friends would have eaten. The lion reminds us of how Daniel was saved from the lions when he trusted in God.

These lessons are perfect for Family Home Evening at the beginning of the week, or to recap the following Sunday. Or use portions of the lesson throughout the week to enhance your family scripture study.

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