CFM Resources and Ideas for Teaching September 18-24, 2023 {2 Corinthians 8-13}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for September 18-24, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:   


These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect to hand out along with the sacrament programs, or as a review or attention getter in your families or classrooms.   They're designed for kids ages 8-14, but all ages can enjoy the coloring sheet and/or activities.

TEACHING IDEA: 
OBJECT LESSON: 
Need paper towel, washable red marker (sharpies and art markers don't work), regular pen,  bowl of water

Make sure it's a washable marker.   My kids are grown up and I tried an art marker and a sharpie first, and neither of those worked.   Luckily I found this long lost Crayola marker that worked...

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and start a discussion about sharing with those who have less than us.  It can be material things or it could be love.   Hold up a blank paper towel and talk about how there are people who feel like their hearts are empty.  They often come from difficult situations and even struggle to feel God's love for them.   Then, with the washable red marker (any kids' marker will do), draw and color in a small heart in the corner of the paper towel.  

While drawing and coloring the heart, remind them of what a blessing it is to know that God loves us so deeply.   Then talk about how those that may feel lost or forgotten (draw the outline of a small heart with pen an inch or so away from the colored heart). 

  Then dip the corner of the paper towel (the same one with the colored heart) into the water just a bit.  Hold it there for a minute or two and talk about ways that they can share God's love with others, then they can go on and share love with others, and it will spread.   And watch how the water and the red from the heart spreads through the paper towel!   The more love we share, the more it will spread! 

QUOTES:   

 "Thus, our greatest joy comes as we help our brothers and sisters, no matter where we live in this wonderful world.  Giving help to others—making a conscientious effort to care about others as much as or more than we care about ourselves—is our joy. Especially, I might add, when it is not convenient and when it takes us out of our comfort zone. Living that second great commandment is the key to becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ."   "The Second Great Commandment," President Nelson,   October 2019

"Sometimes we feel discouraged because we are not “more” of something—more spiritual, respected, intelligent, healthy, rich, friendly, or capable. Naturally, there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve. God created us to grow and progress. But remember, our weaknesses can help us to be humble and turn us to Christ, who will “make weak things become strong.”⁴ Satan, on the other hand, uses our weaknesses to the point that we are discouraged from even trying.

I learned in my life that we don’t need to be “more” of anything to start to become the person God intended us to become.

God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord."  "It Works Wonderfully," Dieter Uchtdorf, October 2015

VIDEOS: 

Loving Your Neighbor:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EJ5J5C6Tbo

Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db-lE_f2U5I



ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for Sept 11-17, 2023 {2 Corinthians 1-7}

This blogpost features some  resources and teaching ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for September 11-17, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:   


These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect to hand out along with the sacrament programs, or as a review or attention getter in your families or classrooms.   They're designed for kids ages 8-14, but all ages can enjoy the coloring sheet and/or activities.  

TEACHING IDEA:  This video is a bit too long and rambly to watch together as a class/family, but the idea is great and not that difficult to implement for illustrating the concept of becoming new (as mentioned in the reading).  I'd start by talking about Paul's experience of becoming a changed man, then reading 2 Corinthians 5:17, then doing the object lesson with the penny.  

ITEMS NEEDED:  white vinegar, salt, shiny new penny, old "dirty" pennies (you may want to have enough for the whole class to try it themselves) 

Come Follow Me, Object Lesson: Jesus Christ Can Change Us     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UQV2KVKVKY


QUOTES:   

"Divine discontent comes when we compare “what we are [to] what we have the power to become.”3 Each of us, if we are honest, feels a gap between where and who we are, and where and who we want to become. We yearn for greater personal capacity. We have these feelings because we are daughters and sons of God, born with the Light of Christ yet living in a fallen world. These feelings are God given and create an urgency to act.

We should welcome feelings of divine discontent that call us to a higher way, while recognizing and avoiding Satan’s counterfeit—paralyzing discouragement. This is a precious space into which Satan is all too eager to jump. We can choose to walk the higher path that leads us to seek for God and His peace and grace, or we can listen to Satan, who bombards us with messages that we will never be enough: rich enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, anything enough. Our discontent can become divine—or destructive."   "Divine Discontent," Michelle Craig, October 2018


"When you wonder how much pain you can endure well, remember Him. He suffered what you suffer so that He would know how to lift you up. He may not remove the burden, but He will give you strength, comfort, and hope. He knows the way. He drank the bitter cup. He endured the suffering of all.

You are being nourished and comforted by a loving Savior, who knows how to succor you in whatever tests you face. Alma taught:

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. “And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” One way He will succor you will be to invite you always to remember Him and to come unto Him."  "Tested, Proved, and Polished," Henry B Eyring, October 2020

VIDEOS: 

Latter-day Kids:  Repentance   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFFAca1tZKY

2 Corinthians 7:  Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEySoMQkz08



2 Corinthians 5:  Reconciled to God through Jesus Christ  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XguR5tJgaCE


ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

CFM Teaching Ideas and Resources for September 4-10, 2023 {1 Corinthians 14-16}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for September 4-10, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:   
These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect to use as a review or attention getter in your families or in a primary or Sunday School class,  or as a handout along with the sacrament programs.   They're geared for kids ages 8-14, but kids of all ages will enjoy the coloring pages and many older kids/adults enjoy the activity as well! 


TEACHING IDEA:  Ballpoint Pen - Resurrection Analogy

*be prepared to read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (especially 22)
* need a ballpoint pen that can be taken apart and put back together again
*need a piece of paper

Show your class/family a ballpoint pen, talk about what it does / demonstrate,  then without saying anything, unscrew it and remove the ink.   Use this as a launching point to talk about resurrection and how our bodies are like the shell of the pen and our spirits are like the ink.  Talk about how at death our bodies (the shell of the pen) are laid in the ground, but our spirits (the ink) never die.    And that at resurrection, our spirits rejoin with our bodies.   No matter what condition the shell of the pen (or our bodies) are in, they will be perfected and restored.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 and testify of the resurrection and how Christ made it possible.

Idea from LDS Living website

QUOTES:   

 "Because of Him, we do not have to deal with our frailties, sins, and fears alone. Because of Him, death is not the end. Resurrection will come to all who have ever lived. Because of Him, families can be together forever. Because of Him, guilt becomes peace, regret becomes relief, and despair becomes hope. We are given second chances, clean slates, and new beginnings. Because of Jesus Christ, we celebrate Easter. And Easter is all about peace and hope."   "This Easter, Find Peace in Jesus Christ," Russell M Nelson, March 2021

“The assurance of resurrection gives us the strength and perspective to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and by those we love, such things as the physical, mental, or emotional deficiencies we bring with us at birth or acquire during mortal life. Because of the resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies are only temporary!”  "Resurrection," Dallin H Oaks, April 2000

VIDEOS: 

Death and Resurrection: Come Follow Me Lesson for Kids  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLP9VXI-9RY

What Happens to Our Bodies and Spirits After We Die?:  Now You Know  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_PAXkkQ6uY

Finding Hope Through the Resurrection of Christ  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEJuI-UMuBg

RESOURCES:

"He is Risen," Thomas S. Monson, April 2010

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

Come, Follow Me Teaching Resources and Ideas for August 28-September 3, 2023 {1 Corinthians 8-13}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for August 28-September 3, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:   


These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect to use as attention getters in a primary or Sunday School class, as a review in your family, or as a handout along with the sacrament programs.  

TEACHING IDEA:   (idea  from this website)

You will need 5-10 different containers with detachable lids ( for example: jars, sippy cups, empty food canisters, gift boxes, etc.) and a large bag or backpack.

Place all of the lids inside the backpack. Then set all the containers in a row where everyone can see them. Allow children to take turns drawing a lid from the bag, and placing the lid in front of the container that they think is the correct match for the lid (don’t put the lid on yet). Once all of the lids have been placed in front of a container, try placing all the lids on the containers to see if they guessed correctly!

After you complete the activity, discuss the following questions:

1) How many did you guess correctly? (Discuss.)

2) How did you know which container was the right one for each lid? (Discuss things like color, shape, size, type of lid, etc.)

3) How do you know what other people need? (Discuss things that can give you clues, like someone is shivering, something is out of place, etc.)

4) How do you know what other people are feeling? (Discuss things like body language, facial expressions, etc.)

Explain: Today our lesson is about the word “Charity.” Charity is the pure love of Christ. When we try to love other people the way that Jesus Christ loves all of us, that’s called charity.

QUOTES:   

“Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.  Jesus, our Savior, was the epitome of kindness and compassion."  "The Virtue of Kindness", Joseph B Wirthlin, April 2005

"It is part of the gift of charity to be able to recognize the Lord’s hand and feel His love in all that surrounds us. At times it will not be easy to discover the Lord’s love for us in all that we experience, because He is a perfect, anonymous giver. You will search all your life to uncover His hand and the gifts He has bestowed upon you because of His intimate, modest, humble way of granting such wonderful gifts.

Ponder with me a moment the following majestic gifts: the glories of all creation,¹⁸ the earth, the heavens; your feelings of love and joy; His responses of mercy, forgiveness, and innumerable answers to prayer; the gift of loved ones; and finally the greatest gift of all—the Father’s gift of His atoning Son, the perfect one in charity, even the God of love."  "Charity: Perfect and Everlasting Love", Gene R. Cook, April 2002.

VIDEOS:  
The Busy Little Squirrel:  A Story About Charity  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J6EDnrakD4


Serving in the Savior's Way  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgEf1_bpyAQ


1 Corinthians 13:  Charity Never Faileth  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBIEYAfoEz0

1 Corinthians 13:  Ye Are the Temple of God  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_jWCoQGbfI

1 Corinthians 12:  Resurrection of the Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvG7UEvXDyc


ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for August 21-27, 2023 {1 Corinthians 1-7}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for August 21-27, 2023.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET:    These 1/2 page activity sheets are designed to be printed double-sided.  They're perfect to use as attention getters in a primary or Sunday School class, as a review in your family, or as a handout along with the sacrament programs.  

TEACHING IDEA:  The Dirty Cup Analogy  

You can find the Dirty Cup Analogy listed in the INTRODUCTION section of this web page.  

QUOTES:   

"Regardless of ethnicity or outward appearance, all Church members are united in the knowledge that they are children of a Heavenly Father. They know He loves each of His children equally. This knowledge builds a feeling of unity in every building and worship service around the world and ties all members of the Church together.

Unity is also built in each congregation as individuals teach and worship from similar hymns, scriptures, lessons, and sacramental prayers each Sunday. Organizations for the children, youth, and adults unite individuals around the world each year in a common area of focus. Similarly, the Church’s semiannual conference, which is broadcast around the world, allows members the opportunity to learn simultaneously from the prophet, apostles, and other Church leaders."  Diversity and Unity within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


"In addition to ordinances, there are principles we are following as a people which are leading to greater unity.

1. Revelation. Revelation is the only way we can know how to follow the will of the Lord together. It requires light from above. The Holy Ghost will testify to our hearts, and to the hearts of those gathered around with us, what He would have us do. And it is by keeping His commandments that we can have our hearts knit together as one.

2. Be humble. Pride is the great enemy of unity. You have seen and felt its terrible effects. Happily I am seeing more and more skillful peacemakers who calm troubled waters before harm is done. You could be one of those peacemakers, whether you are in the conflict or an observer. One way I have seen it done is to search for anything on which we agree.

3. Speak well of each other. Think of the last time you were asked what you thought about how someone else was doing in their service in your family or in the Church. I can promise you a feeling of peace and joy when you speak generously of others in the Light of Christ."   How to Build Unity, Henry B. Eyring, March 2016

VIDEOS:  
Latter-Day Kids:  My Body is a Temple (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dn6WMrU_F4)

Line Upon Line:   Come, Follow Me/ Milk Before Meat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxB-ACGa0Mg


 Ponderfun:  1 Corinthians 1-7 New Testament Come Follow Me  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDTBquj2mu4

RESOURCES:
Your Body is Sacred https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth/06-body?lang=eng


HAVE FUN LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!!