Come, Follow Me for 2019

ENRICH YOUR COME, FOLLOW ME STUDY with high-quality articles that are well researched, inspirational, and written by scholars, educators, Church leaders, historians, and popular authors. The RSC library is not found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or anywhere else online. The scripture readings and lessons are displayed first, followed by recommended readings.
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Religious Studies Center website home page Background Reading
“Written, That Ye Might Believe”: Literary Features of the Gospels
The Meaning of the Word Gospel
The JST and the Synoptic Gospels: Literary Style
Illuminating the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants through the Gospel of John
Who Really Wrote the Gospels? A Study of Traditional Authorship
The Distinctive Testimonies of the Four Gospels
Mark and Luke: Two Facets of a Diamond
Matthew as an Editor of the Life and Teachings of Jesus
The Earliest “New Testament”
New Testament Manuscripts, Textual Families, and Variants
Asking Restoration Questions in New Testament Scholarship
Teaching the Four Gospels: Five Considerations
 
A family reading from a book together December 31–January 6 · We Are Responsible for Our Own Learning
Jews and Greeks: The Broader Context for Writing the New Testament
“Plain and Precious Things“: The Writing of the New Testament
What the Bible Means to Latter-day Saints
 
Elizabeth comforting Mary, who is resting her head on Elizabeth's lap January 7–13 · Matthew 1; Luke 1 · “Be It unto Me according to Thy Word”
Sorting Out the Seven Marys in the New Testament
The Four Gospels as Testimonies
 
The wise men or shepherds traveling on camel back to see the baby Jesus Wood January 14–20 · Matthew 2; Luke 2 · We Have Come to Worship Him
Special Witnesses of the Birth of Christ
 
Four women sitting on a bench having a discussion with one another January 21–27 · John 1 · We Have Found the Messiah
John the Beloved: Special Witness of the Atonement
 
Stain-glass image of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ January 28–February 3 · Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3 · “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”
John the Baptist: The Miracle and the Mission
Baptism
The Doctrine of Baptism: Immersions at Qumran and the Baptisms of John, the Earliest Christians, and Book of Mormon Peoples
Simon Peter in Capernaum: An Archaeological Survey of the First-Century Village
 
Jesus Christ clothed in white with arms outstretched February 4–10 · Matthew 4; Luke 4–5 · “The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me”
Jesus’ Use of the Psalms in Matthew
 
Jesus talking to Nicodemus by a city wall at night February 11–17 · John 2–4 · “Ye Must Be Born Again”
The Message of Nicodemus
 
Painting of Jesus preaching the sermon on the mount February 18–24 · Matthew 5; Luke 6 · “Blessed Are Ye”
Israel’s Ancient Psalms: Cornerstone of the Beatitudes
A Scriptural Comparison Concerning Anger: 3 Nephi 12:22 and Matthew 5:22
Salt and Light: Being in the World but Not of the World
“What Therefore God Hath Joined Together, Let No Man Put Asunder”
“Resist Not Evil”: The Supreme Test of Christian Discipleship
“Be Ye Therefore Perfect:” The Elusive Quest for Perfection
"As Your Father Also Is Merciful": The Sermon on the Plain and the Development of Mercy
“A Wise Man . . . Built His House upon a Rock”: The Doctrine of Discernment
The Sermon on the Mount in the Joseph Smith Translation
The Sermon on the Mount in the JST and the Book of Mormon
The Six Antitheses: Attaining the Purpose of the Law through the Teachings of Jesus
How New Testament Variants Contribute to the Meaning of the Sermon on the Mount
 
Jesus teaching the people by the seashore February 25–March 3 · Matthew 6–7 · “He Taught Them as One Having Authority”
The Kingdom of God: God’s Vision for Society in the Sermon on the Mount
The Father in the Sermon on the Mount
The Sociocultural Context of the Sermon on the Mount
Audience Astonishment at the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon at the Temple
Echoes from the Sermon on the Mount
 
A man kneeling at the feet of Jesus, who is surrounded by people March 4–10 · Matthew 8–9; Mark 2–5 · “Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole”
 
Jesus ordaining his twelve apostles March 11–17 · Matthew 10–12; Mark 2; Luke 7; 11 · “These Twelve Jesus Sent Forth”
“Those Who Receive You Not”: The Rite of Wiping Dust Off the Feet
Simon and the Woman Who Anointed Jesus’s Feet
 
wheat blowing in a windy field March 18–24 · Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13 · “Who Hath Ears to Hear, Let Him Hear”
Of Soils and Souls: The Parable of the Sower
Names of the Parables
 
artistic depiction of Jesus feeding the 5,000 March 25–31 · Matthew 14–15; Mark 6–7; John 5–6 · “Be Not Afraid”
The Bread of Life Sermon
The Bread of Life Discourse as Dialogue
 
Peter, James, and John trying to look up at the Transfiguration April 1–14 · Matthew 16–17; Mark 8–9; Luke 9 · “Thou Art the Christ”
“Whom Say Ye That I Am?”: Peter’s Witness of Christ
Peter, Stones, and Seers
Peter’s Keys
The Savior’s Teachings on Discipleship during His Final Trek to Jerusalem
 
The empty garden tomb with flowers blooming April 15–21 · Easter · “O Grave, Where Is Thy Victory?”
What the Atoning Sacrifice Meant for Jesus
Jesus Christ: Priest, King, and Prophet
The Passion of Jesus Christ
To Proclaim Liberty to the Captives
“It Is Finished”
The Atonement and the Resurrection
“He Is Risen”
He Has Risen: The Resurrection Narratives as a Witness of Corporeal Regeneration
The Resurrection: An Embattled Keystone
The Book of Mormon as an Interpretive Guide to the New Testament
Christ, Our Advocate and High Priest
 
The Good Samaritan healing the wounds of the fallen traveler on the side of the trail April 22–28 · Matthew 18; Luke 10 · “What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?”
Choosing the “Good Part”
 
Christ drawing in the sand next to the woman taken into adultery April 29–May 5 · John 7–10 · “I Am the Good Shepherd”
Jesus Christ and the Feast of Tabernacles
Nicodemus: Coward or Convert?
 
The prodigal son and his father embracing in the desert May 6–12 · Luke 12–17; John 11 · “Rejoice with Me; for I Have Found My Sheep Which Was Lost”
The Parable of the Two Sons: A Revelation about God
Names of the Parables
 
The twelve disciples picking grapes in the orchard May 13–19 · Matthew 19–20; Mark 10; Luke 18 · “What Lack I Yet?”
 
Zacchaeus in the sycamore tree looking down upon the people May 20–26 · Matthew 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12 · “Behold, Thy King Cometh”
Names of the Parables
Jesus’ Use of the Psalms in Matthew
The Great Commandment: Principle or Platitude?
The Savior’s Questions: Teachings from the Last Week of His Life
The Confusing Case of Zacharias
 
The Savior in white descending from heaven with angels surrounding him May 27–June 2 · Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21 · “The Son of Man Shall Come”
Prophecies and Promises of Joseph Smith—Matthew
 
Jesus sitting at the table, surrounded by His apostles June 3–9 · John 13–17 · “Continue Ye in My Love”
The Lamb of God: Unique Aspects of the Passion Narrative in John
 
Jesus Christ breaking bread for His apostles for the Last Supper June 10–16 · Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18 · “Not as I Will, but as Thou Wilt”
Fallible but Faithful: How Simon the Fisherman Became Peter the Rock
The Accounts of Peter’s Denial: Understanding the Texts and Motifs
The Passion of Jesus Christ
Why Is Abba in the New Testament?
Revisiting Golgotha and the Garden Tomb
Gethsemane and Golgotha: Why and What the Savior Suffered
 
Pilate presenting Jesus before the Jews June 17–23 · Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19 · “It Is Finished”
Christ’s Crucifixion: Reclamation of the Cross
The Savior’s Ministry to the Spirit World
Visions of Christ in the Spirit World and the Dead Redeemed
 
Jesus speaking to his apostles by the seashore June 24–30 · Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20–21 · “He Is Risen”
The Endings of Mark and Revelation
Paul’s Witness to the Historical Integrity of the Gospels
 
Hundreds of people in white lined up by the riverside ready to be baptized July 1–7 · Acts 1–5 · “Ye Shall Be Witnesses unto Me”
Healing, Wholeness, and Repentance in Acts 3
The Book of Acts: A Pattern for Modern Church Growth
 
Saul who is blinded by the bright light, with a donkey in the background July 8–14 · Acts 6–9 · “What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do?”
“He Is Risen”
The Setting and Sacrament of the Christian Community
 
Peter speaking to Cornelius inside the house July 15–21 · Acts 10–15 · “The Word of God Grew and Multiplied”
Paul the Apostle: Champion of the Doctrine of the Resurrection
Peter, Cornelius, and Cultural Boundaries
The Jerusalem Council
The Jerusalem Conference: The First Council of the Christian Church
 
An Apostle preaching to a group sitting on the floor by a rock July 22–28 · Acts 16–21 · “The Lord Had Called Us for to Preach the Gospel”
“The Wisdom of Men”: Greek Philosophy, Corinthian Behavior, and the Teachings of Paul
 
An Apostle sitting behind bars in a jail cell July 29–August 4 · Acts 22–28 · “A Minister and a Witness”
“An Hebrew of the Hebrews”: Paul’s Language and Thought
The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ
 
An Apostle sitting at a table writing on manuscript pages August 5–11 · Romans 1–6 · “The Power of God unto Salvation”
William Tyndale and the Language of At-one-ment
“We Have Now Received the Atonement”
 
Ancient building structure August 12–18 · Romans 7–16 · “Overcome Evil with Good”
Paul’s Use of Old Testament Scripture
 
Corinth, Southern Greece, the Forum and Civic Center, painting by Balage Balogh /www.ArchaeologyIllustrated.com August 19–25 · 1 Corinthians 1–7 · “Be Perfectly Joined Together”
Paul’s Teachings in 1 Corinthians on Women
The Stumbling Blocks of First Corinthians
The “I’s” of Corinth: Modern Problems Not New
Paul’s Inspired Teachings on Marriage
 
Congregation singing in church August 26–September 1 · 1 Corinthians 8–13 · “Ye Are the Body of Christ”
The Unifying Power of Spiritual Gifts
Adoption and Atonement: Becoming Sons and Daughters of Christ
Saved and Enabled by the Grace of Jesus Christ
Walking in Newness of Life: Doctrinal Themes of the Apostle Paul
 
Image of a temple baptismal font September 2–8 · 1 Corinthians 14–16 · “God Is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace”
The Unifying Power of Spiritual Gifts
Baptism for the Dead
Paul the Apostle: Champion of the Doctrine of the Resurrection
 
Picture of Jesus Christ from the Bible Videos September 9–15 · 2 Corinthians 1–7 · “Be Ye Reconciled to God”
 
Jesus Christ conversing with little children and their families September 16–22 · 2 Corinthians 8–13 · “God Loveth a Cheerful Giver”
 
Jesus Christ healing someone behind bars September 23–29 · Galatians · “Walk in the Spirit”
Law and Liberty in Galatians 5–6
Adoption and Atonement: Becoming Sons and Daughters of Christ
The Faith of Christ
Peter and Paul in Antioch
 
A father and his children playing with cards at a table September 30–October 13 · Ephesians · “For the Perfecting of the Saints”
Saved and Enabled by the Grace of Jesus Christ
Ephesians: Unfolding the Mysteries through Revelation
Submit Yourselves . . . as unto the Lord
Unity and Atonement in Ephesians
The “Same” Organization That Existed in the Primitive Church
Internal Divisions: Ephesians in Historical Context
 
Two men sitting in a jail cell looking at each other October 14–20 · Philippians; Colossians · “I Can Do All Things through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me”
Suffering for the Savior’s Sake
 
Two sister missionaries sharing a passalong card with a man on the street October 21–27 · 1 and 2 Thessalonians · “Be Not Soon Shaken in Mind, or Be Troubled”
The Process of Apostasy in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon
The Occasional Nature, Composition, and Structure of Paul’s Letters
Scribes and Ancient Letters: Implications for the Pauline Epistles
Paul’s Use of Old Testament Scripture
 
Three women walking around temple grounds with a chapel in the background October 28–November 3 · 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon · “Be Thou an Example of the Believers”
New Testament Prophecies of Apostasy
 
Painting of Jesus Christ hugging a child November 4–10 · Hebrews 1–6 · Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation”
Authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews
 
Painting of Melchizedek blessing Abram by Walter Rane November 11–17 · Hebrews 7–13 · “An High Priest of Good Things to Come”
Seek Learning by Faith
 
Painting of Abraham praying heavenward with his wife in a tent to the right November 18–24 · James · “Be Ye Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only”
Paul and James on Faith and Works
“As the Body without the Spirit”: James’s Epistle on Faith and Work
“The Tongue Is a Fire”: The Symbolic Language of James 3
“If Any of You Lack Wisdom”: James’s Imperative to Israel
Agency and Self-Deception in the Writings of James and 1 John
 
Painting of Christ preaching to the spirits in the Spirit World November 25–December 1 · 1 and 2 Peter · “Rejoice with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory”
The Case for Petrine Authorship of 1 Peter
Peter, the Chief Apostle
Peter, My Brother
Think It Not Strange Concerning the Fiery Trial
Peter’s Principles: An Approach to the First Epistle of Peter
Make Your Calling and Election Sure
Joseph Smith’s Inspired Commentary on the Doctrine of Calling and Election
“Honor the King”: Submission to Civil Authority
Wondering at His Words: Peter’s Influence on the Knowledge of Salvation for the Dead
Visions of Christ in the Spirit World and the Dead Redeemed
Reading 2 Peter as a Farewell Text
 
Painting of Jesus sitting with little children and talking with them, smiling December 2–8 · 1–3 John; Jude · “God Is Love”
Twilight in the Early Church
The Overlooked Epistle of Jude
 
Painting of Christ as a shepherd with a lamb on his back December 9–15 · Revelation 1–11 · “Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever”
Teaching the Book of Revelation: Five Considerations
Understanding Images and Symbols in the Book of Revelation
Lehi’s Dream and Nephi’s Vision as Apocalyptic Literature
What Nephi’s Vision Teaches about the Bible and the Book of Mormon
The Exalted Lord
The Apocalyptic Witness of the Messiah
Apocalyptic Imagination and the New Testament
Insights from the JST into the Book of Revelation
 
Painting of the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes next to farm animals in a stable December 16–22 · Christmas · “Good Tidings of Great Joy”
 
Painting of Christ walking amongst people dressed in white December 23–29 · Revelation 12–22 · “He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things”
The War in Heaven and Satan’s Continuing Battle for Power
The Endings of Mark and Revelation