The Come, Follow Me study program, implemented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, represents a significant shift in the way members engage with gospel study. Designed to place greater emphasis on personal and family scripture study, this program invites individuals to develop a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the doctrines of the restored gospel. It encourages a model of learning that is centered on revelation, discussion, and application, ensuring that gospel study is not merely an intellectual exercise but a transformative spiritual experience. The name of the program itself is taken from the words of Jesus Christ, who repeatedly extended the invitation to “come, follow me” (Luke 18:22), underscoring the program’s purpose of helping individuals and families become true disciples through the study of sacred texts.

The scriptural foundation of Come, Follow Me is built upon the principle that gospel learning is best accomplished through personal effort and divine guidance. This model aligns with the Lord’s injunction to “seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:118). The Church has long emphasized the importance of personal scripture study, but Come, Follow Me strengthens this principle by establishing a unified curriculum that allows individuals, families, and Church classes to study the same material at the same time. This unified approach fosters meaningful discussions and allows the Spirit to reinforce gospel principles in multiple settings.

One of the hallmarks of the program is its emphasis on home-centered, Church-supported learning. President Russell M. Nelson, in introducing the program, declared that “the new home-centered, Church-supported curriculum honors the Sabbath, strengthens individuals and families, and builds faith in Heavenly Father and His plan.” This reflects a doctrinal shift toward greater personal accountability in gospel learning. Rather than relying solely on Church meetings for instruction, members are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, making the home the primary place of gospel instruction. This aligns with the Lord’s counsel to “teach [children] to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (Doctrine & Covenants 68:28) and follows the scriptural precedent that parents bear the principal responsibility for instructing their children in the gospel.

The program’s structure is designed to be flexible, recognizing that individuals and families vary in their circumstances and abilities. Instead of prescribing rigid lesson formats, Come, Follow Me provides suggested readings, discussion prompts, and application ideas, allowing for inspired adaptation. The Savior’s own teaching patterns exemplify this approach. He taught in a way that was both profound and accessible, adapting His messages to the needs of His listeners. Sometimes He taught through stories and parables, such as the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9), while at other times He taught through direct instruction, as in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). His ability to teach in varied settings, whether in the synagogue, on a mountainside, or in a private home, demonstrates the importance of adapting gospel teaching to meet the needs of individuals. Come, Follow Me follows this pattern by allowing for inspired, adaptable study rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

A key component of this program is the principle of active engagement with the scriptures. The Lord’s pattern for learning is one of inquiry and discovery, exemplified in His command: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). This model requires more than passive reading; it invites questions, discussion, and application. The study guides encourage members to consider how scriptural teachings apply to their own lives, to seek personal revelation, and to share insights with others. This mirrors the Nephite pattern of scripture study, as described in the Book of Mormon: “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins” (2 Nephi 25:26). Gospel learning is not meant to be an isolated, individual effort but a communal, shared experience that blesses families and strengthens faith.

The shift toward home-centered study also reinforces the sacred nature of the Sabbath. The Doctrine & Covenants instructs, “Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (Doctrine & Covenants 59:8). By making gospel study a central focus of Sabbath observance in the home, members are better able to worship in ways that draw them closer to the Lord. This allows the Sabbath to become a day of spiritual renewal, as individuals and families study, pray, and apply gospel principles together. The program encourages members to prepare for Sunday worship by engaging with the scriptures throughout the week, ensuring that sacrament meetings and other Church classes become a place of deeper discussion rather than the sole source of gospel instruction.

The Come, Follow Me approach stands in contrast to many traditional religious study models, which often rely on centralized instruction led by clergy or religious scholars. While many faith traditions emphasize scripture study, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uniquely combines structured study materials with the expectation that members will receive personal revelation tailored to their individual needs. This reliance on personal revelation is a distinctive element of the restored gospel, reflecting the Lord’s promise that “by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5). Unlike religious traditions that may separate scriptural study from daily living, this program integrates learning and discipleship, making gospel principles a daily guide rather than an occasional topic of study.

Those who fully embrace this method of gospel learning experience profound spiritual blessings. The act of consistently studying and applying scripture brings individuals closer to Jesus Christ and strengthens their ability to recognize divine guidance in their lives. The promise found in the Book of Mormon is fulfilled: “Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3). Families who make Come, Follow Me a central part of their worship grow closer together, developing habits of spiritual discussion that extend beyond formal study sessions. Individuals who dedicate themselves to this pattern of learning find that their understanding deepens, their testimonies strengthen, and their ability to share the gospel increases.

The Come, Follow Me program reaffirms the doctrine that gospel learning is a lifelong endeavor. It ensures that individuals and families are not solely dependent on external instruction but are actively engaged in their own spiritual growth. As individuals and families make this pattern of learning a priority, they align themselves more closely with the divine mandate to “be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:78). Those who truly commit to this way of learning discover that scripture study is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a revelatory experience that brings them ever closer to the Savior.