For September 2014 the topic for "Come Follow Me" is,

Commandments

Here are the links to each organizations page for the month: Young Women, Aaronic Priesthood, Sunday School

Since, each organization has their own outlines and each lesson will need to be specified to the individual class members and there are already amazing outlines that can be used for guidance, I am only going to share some general ideas that can just be used as supplements.

Here is the Scripture for the month:

“Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God” (Mosiah 2:41).

Lesson Ideas:

There are so many topics to choose from this month. I am just giving supplemental ideas to a few of them. Please refer to the church's website for the wonderful outlines they have for all of the topics, see links below.

Young Women:

"How can I be in the world but not of the world?": I really liked this idea on the church's website: "Write on the board the following headings: “What does the world want us to be?” and “What does the Lord want us to be?” Invite the young women to suggest answers to these questions. Ask them to continue pondering these questions as they read or watch together Elaine S. Dalton’s talk “Remember Who You Are.” Invite them to write on the board answers to the questions as they find them in the talk. What experiences can they share about being what the Lord wants them to be?"
"How do I guard my virtue?": Begin class by inviting the young women to think of a beautiful castle. Out side of the castle gates are two guards. These guards are to protect the castle at all costs from their enemies who are trying to get inside. Explain that we are guardians to something that is very precious, which is our virtue. Like the guards protecting the castle from their enemies, we too need to protect our virtue from our great enemy, the adversary. Ask the young women what virtue is?? Invite one of the young women to read the following quote, "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity." (October, Come Follow Me) Think about a guard, they are dressed in armor to help them with stand the blows of their enemies. We can also put on the whole armor of God, to protect us from the adversary. Give each of the young women the Armor of God printable. Invite one of the young women to read, Ephesians 6:13-17. As the scripture is read, stop after each part of the armor that is discussed. First, talk about the loins being girt about with truth. Invite a yw to read this quote, "We should have our “loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16). Loins means the area between the hips and abdomen. Girt means tied around firmly with a belt. Generally, to “gird your loins” means to prepare for action. We prepare ourselves to take action in the battle against evil by learning the truth through prayer and scripture study (see Alma 17:2–3; D&C 11:21; D&C 84:85)." (The Armor of God, Jan 2009 New Era). Discuss the quote with the yw. Next, the breastplate of righteousness. Invite a yw to read this quote, "We should wear the “breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16). A breastplate protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Our righteousness, both in thought and deed, protects the core of our spiritual lives." Discuss the quote with the yw. Then the feet shod with preparation of the gospel of peace.Invite a yw to read this quote, "We should have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15; D&C 27:16). Shod means wearing shoes. “Your feet … represent your goals or objectives in life. … Preparedness is the way to victory, and ‘eternal vigilance is the price of safety.’ … The tide of victory rests with him who is prepared” (President Harold B. Lee [1899–1973], “Message from the First Presidency,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 2)." Next, is the shield of faith. Invite a yw to read, "We should pick up the “shield of faith, wherewith [we] shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16; D&C 27:17). A shield is the most versatile and effective means of defense in battle. Our faith, if it is built upon Christ and His gospel, can defend us against the adversary’s numerous onslaughts, just as a shield, if it is made of the right material, will withstand volleys of fiery darts.“In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis.”President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Shield of Faith,” Ensign, May 1995, 8. Discuss with yw. Next, helmet of salvation. Invite a yw to read, "We should put on the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17; D&C 27:18). Focusing our minds on Christ and His salvation will protect us from unworthy thoughts, keep our “eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5), and guide us in our decisions." Discuss with yw. Lastly, the sword of the Spirit, invite a yw to read, "We should wield the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17; see D&C 27:18). A sword is a weapon used to strike at the enemy. The word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), and the power of the Spirit can “carry [the truth] unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1), help people to “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5), and even “thrash the nations” through the preaching of the gospel (D&C 35:13). With our testimony and the power and peace of God’s Spirit, we can strike against and conquer the enemy of all righteousness." Give each of the young women a paper, invite them to draw an arrow, representing the fiery darts of the adversary. Invite them to write on the paper, a way the adversary is trying to attack our virtue. Invite the young women to share what they wrote and how by putting on the armor of God their virtue can be protected from those fiery darts. **Quotes about the armor of God all came from "The Armor of God", January 2009, New Era.

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"How do the things I say affect me and those around me?" Give each young women a paper that has 4 different sections labeled: "Words we read. Words we hear. Words we write. Words we speak." Read together, Ephesians 4:29:32. Discuss as a class how our Heavenly Father wants us to us our words. Ask each young women to write on her paper, what words we should read; words we should listen to (ex. good music, standing us when other's use foul language or gossip, avoid movies and shows that have foul language in them); what kind of words we should write or text/type; and what words we should speak. I love this poem and have had it since I was a young women,
You could give each young women a copy (see printable below). Encourage them to read, listen to, write/text, and say words that will invite the spirit and build others up.

Why do we fast?
Why are we commanded to keep the Sabbath day holy? The best talk I have ever heard on this topic is Elder Nelson's talk, "The Sabbath Is a Delight" For this lesson I will be giving each of the young women a copy of the printable, "What Sign Do I want to Give God?" We will be reading through and discussing the paragraphs found at this link "Sabbath Day". When it gets to the paragraph that discusses the signs we give to God on the Sabbath. I will invite the young women to write or draw some signs they will give to God on Sunday, through their deeds and actions. Then I'll invite them to share and discuss the things they wrote/drew on their papers.
Why is it important to be honest?
Why do we pay tithing? My adviser did a fun thing teaching this lesson. She gave each of the girls a bag of that had 10 pieces of candy in it. She told them they could eat the candy all except one piece. To reserve the one piece. Then she began the lesson. We discussed what tithing is, the blessings we receive from paying tithing, and what tithing money is used for. At the end of the lesson she had a tithing envelope and invited each of the girls to put that last piece of candy into the tithing envelope. She had some girls come up and talked of sinarios such as a little kid receiving money for allowance and paying tithing and the difficulty of deciding to pay tithing verses buying a piece of candy they want. Another one was a college student who had a bunch of bills to pay and was coming up short if tithing was paid. What would she do?? It is always best to have faith and pay our tithing, the blessings will come. I like to look at it that all that I have comes from Heavenly Father, I'm just giving back a small portion of what he has already given to me.

Aaronic Priesthood: (See YW ideas above :))

How can I be in the world but not of the world?
How do the things I say affect me and those around me?
"How can I resist pornography?" Before class have a picture of the Savior placed where ever young man will see it. When class begins ask them if they saw the picture. Have them then close their eyes and see if they can remember what the picture. Explain that when we see a picture it makes an impression in our mind. Read, “Pornography, with its sleazy filth, sweeps over the earth like a horrible, engulfing tide. It is poison. Do not watch it or read it. It will destroy you if you do. It will take from you your self-respect. It will rob you of a sense of the beauties of life. It will tear you down and pull you into a slough of evil thoughts and possibly of evil actions. Stay away from it. Shun it as you would a foul disease, for it is just as deadly” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Some Thoughts on Temples, Retention of Converts, and Missionary Service,” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 51). I like this idea under this lesson topic on lds.org: "Display a white cloth (like a handkerchief or glove) and a small container of mud. Discuss with the young men what would happen if they dip the white cloth in the mud. Which would be affected, the mud or the white cloth? What effect does pornography have on our mind and spirit?" Have the class discuss ways they can avoid pornography. Discuss with the class the important role of the atonement. Show the video, "You Will Be Freed"
Why do we fast?
Why are we commanded to keep the Sabbath day holy?
Why do we pay tithing?
Why is it important to be honest?

Sunday School:

"How do the commandments help me learn to be more like Heavenly Father?" I liked these two ideas: "Ask the class to list on the board the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:3–17) and other commandments they can think of. Ask the youth to discuss in pairs or small groups why they think Heavenly Father gave us each of these commandments. Then invite them to read Matthew 22:34–40 and discuss how each of the commandments listed on the board can help us develop our love for God and love for our neighbor." And, "Invite the youth to imagine that they are riding along a mountain road, near a steep cliff, with a guardrail along the side of the road. Ask them to discuss with another class member the following questions: How are the Lord’s commandments like the guardrail? How are they like the road? Invite them to share their thoughts with the class."
"How can I help others understand my standards?" Have the class member each come up and write a question on the board that one of their non-member friends or neighbors might ask them about the Lord's standards and commandments. Then discuss each of these questions with the class and how they could answer the questions.
How does keeping the commandments affect my ability to learn the gospel?
How can I inspire others to obey the commandments?
"What blessings does Heavenly Father promise if I obey the commandments?": On the board list the following commandments: Fasting, Tithing, Obedience, Keeping the Sabbath day holy, Word of Wisdom. Give members of the class one of the following scriptures: Isaiah 58:6–11 (The blessings promised for obeying the law of the fast), Malachi 3:10–12 (The blessings promised for paying tithing), D&C 14:7; 82:10; 130:20–21 (Blessings of obedience), D&C 59:9–20 (The blessings promised for keeping the Sabbath day holy), D&C 89:18–21 (The blessings promised for obeying the Word of Wisdom). Invite the class members to read the scripture one at a time and then come up and write the blessing next to the commandment.