It’s Okay—Most Teens Aren’t Reading Every Week

You prepare the lesson. You study the chapters. You show up with a sincere desire to make a difference. And then… blank stares. Shrugs. Maybe someone read a verse or two.

Here’s the good news: You’re not failing.
It’s not about “getting through the material”—it’s about helping youth discover what the Spirit is trying to say through the material.

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3 Mindset Shifts That Change Everything

1. You’re Not Teaching the Chapter—You’re Teaching the Youth

Come, Follow Me was never meant to be a race through scripture bullet points.
If they’re not reading, it doesn’t mean you skip it—it means you help them see how the scriptures speak to their lives.

“What’s something you’ve faced this week that made you want to give up?”
Then tie it to Nephi’s perseverance.
Suddenly, that lesson matters.

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2. Use Questions That Invite, Not Quiz

Avoid:

“Who read the chapter?”
Try instead:
“Has anyone ever felt like Alma, trying to share truth when no one wanted to hear it?”

Now they don’t need to have read it—you’ve brought the message to them. That’s the heart of spiritual growth activities—not just checking boxes, but connecting meaning.

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3. Normalize Incomplete Progress

Teens need to know it’s okay to be in process.
It’s okay to not have every answer.
It’s okay to feel like they’re not “spiritual enough.”

Your job is to help them recognize that God meets them where they are. Every step counts.

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Optional Add-On Activity: “Verse Hunt” Challenge (4–5 minutes)

Pick one core scripture from the week’s Come, Follow Me section. Have youth skim the chapter silently to find a verse that jumps out to them.
Ask:

“Why that one?”
Let it be casual. Even if they only read one verse, that one moment might stick in their heart.

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Leaders, You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Your consistency matters more than you know. Teens remember who showed up, who listened, and who believed in them. Even if they’re not reading the chapters yet, your influence is planting seeds that will grow.

If you’d like more done-for-you spiritual growth activities that don’t require weeks of prep, our Nephi’s Apprentice program was built for you.