Giving Your Best Effort to the Lord: Resource Page, Lesson Ideas, and a CFM Activity Sheet D&C 71-75 (July 6)

This blogpost features a resource page and some lesson ideas, along with a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  June 30 - July 6, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 71-75.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

NOTE:  I am trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to continue doing these CFM posts for the second half of the year, so if you find these posts meaningful, PLEASE let me know.  They're getting challenging to keep up with and I need just a little feedback to know whether they're worth my time.  If you have constructive feedback on how I can improve them, I welcome that as well.  Thank you!   

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I CAN GIVE MY BEST EFFORT TO THE LORD:
There were several different directions to go with this week's reading, but the one that stood out to me the most, was about how we can give our best effort to the Lord. We all go through seasons of life when our efforts may seem exceedingly "small and simple," but the point is that you keep trying.  Christ multiplies our efforts and blesses us for trying!  Below, you will find teaching ideas and some resources as you study and prepare for your lesson or talk on this topic. 

"THE LORD'S MATH" OBJECT LESSON: 

MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. A small enough treat that you can give several to each child (but keep them in the original packaging for now)--this could be something like gummy bears, teddy grahams, M&Ms, skittles, etc.

2.  a container for the treats, but do NOT put anything into it for now

To get started:  Tell everyone you brought a treat to share with them.   Show them the bag of whatever you brought, then tell them that you are going to share some with them. 

Pretend to pour some treats into your bowl and announce, "I poured ZERO treats into this bowl to share with you.  Now hold out your hand and I'll share  ZERO treats with each of you."

When they protest, say something like "What does zero times zero equal?  Oh yeah, zero times zero is zero.  Now let me put 7 treats in here (or however many it takes so there is one for each person)."  

Then very dramatically give them each one treat and have them READ THE SCRIPTURE:  .  
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."  Alma 37:6

Now pour out the whole bag and let everyone have a small handful of treats, and talk about  how when we don't put anything into the bowl, there was nothing to share and we all got zero treats from it.  BUT THE MORE YOU PUT INTO IT, THE MORE TREATS YOU GET FROM IT.    AND THE LORD BLESSES EVEN OUR SMALL EFFORTS TO DO BETTER!  

Now relate that to BLESSINGS and the relationship they have to our  EFFORT.    The more effort we give to righteous tasks, the more blessings we receive.   When we throw up our hands and say something is too hard (or that we're too busy) without really trying, we are forgoing the blessings that we could be receiving.   On the other hand, the Lord blesses us even when our efforts are SMALL and SIMPLE!    This is the Lord's math!  

VIDEOS: 
The Lord Loves Effort from President Nelson (short video clip)


Bastian the Baby Elephant Learns to Work Hard by Latter-Day Kids

SCRIPTURES: 
"Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might..." D&C 75:3

QUOTES:
“by small means the Lord can bring about great things.” One home evening, one gospel conversation, or one good example may not change your child’s life in a moment, any more than one drop of rain causes a plant immediately to grow. But the consistency of small and simple things, day after day, nourishes your children much better than an occasional flood.”   Elder Uchtdorf

“Your power will be multiplied many times by the Lord. All He asks is that you give your best effort and your whole heart. Do it cheerfully and with the prayer of faith. The Father and His Beloved Son will send the Holy Ghost as your companion to guide you. Your efforts will be magnified in the lives of the people you serve.” President Henry B. Eyring

TALKS TO STUDY:
Two Principles for Any Economy by Elder Uchtdorf (Oct 2009)
In the Path of Their Duty by Elder Bednar (Oct 2023)

SONG:
"I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go," Hymns, #270  (this version is so pretty and would be appropriate to show in a church setting)
https://youtu.be/XS17lrLxxrg?si=ONOfp95JFdU8jUBt

ORIGINAL ACTIVITY SHEET: 

THIS WEEK'S PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET LINK (in case it's not showing below)


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Be sure to come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources. 

Enjoy learning the Gospel together!  💗

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Resources and Ideas for Teaching about Centering Your Life on Christ, Plus a Prinable Activity Sheet for D&C 67-70 ( CFM--Jun 29)

        This blogpost features some resources for your personal study or if you are preparing a talk or lesson on Centering Your Life in Christ.  Also included is a  half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for June 23-29, which includes D&C 67-70.    Click here for an index
and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

NOTE:  I am trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to continue doing these CFM posts for the second half of the year, so if you find these posts meaningful, PLEASE let me know.  They're getting challenging to keep up with and I need just a little feedback to know whether they're worth my time.  If you have constructive feedback on how I can improve them, I welcome that as well.  Thank you!   

CENTERING YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST

Below you will find some ideas and resources that you can use in your personal study for preparing a talk or a lesson on Centering Your Life on Christ. 

OBJECT LESSON IDEA:

Oreo Object Lesson (adapted from this website)

Materials Needed:  Enough  Oreos for everyone in your class, plus at least one extra.

1. Show your class some Oreos

2. Eat the filling of an Oreo.

3. Put the two chocolate cookies back together.

4. Show your class the reassembled, empty sandwich cookie, ASK: Is this an Oreo?

5. Let your class respond.

If they determine that the answer is  "no," ASK: Why not?  (she will probably say, because it has no filling/stuffing)

If she says "yes," ASK: How it is still an Oreo? (point out that there is no filling)

6. Based on your class’s reply, respond to their thoughts.

7. ASK:  How is an Oreo that has no filling like a life without Jesus?

8. Respond based on your class’s response.

We can have good, strong values and things might look good from the outside,  but we are missing the full sweetness of the Gospel if we don't make time for Christ in our lives every day.   Just as an Oreo cookie isn’t an Oreo without the stuff in the middle, a person can't be their best selves without  Jesus as the center!

9. READ:  Proverbs 3:5-6  and  THIS QUOTE AND DISCUSS WHAT  IT MEANS TO LEAN AWAY FROM CHRIST: 

“In English the word lean has a connotation of physically listing or moving to one side. When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off center, we are out of balance, and we tip. When we spiritually lean to our own understanding, we lean away from our Savior. If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ.” Bonnie Cordon

10. CONCLUDE:   Bear your testimony about how our lives are better with Christ.  Christ gives us strength and we are missing out when we do not prioritize our relationship with him.  

SCRIPTURES: 

D&C 68:25 (parents should teach children to understand the principles of the Gospel, including faith in Jesus)
Mark 8:34 (deny yourself and follow Christ)
Philippians 4:13 (I can do ALL things through Christ)
2 Nephi 25:26 (we talk of Christ...)
Moroni 7:48 (true followers of Jesus strive to be like Him)
Proverbs 3:5-6 (trust in the Lord and LEAN NOT)

TALKS TO STUDY :

"A Life Centered on Jesus Christ" (Elder S. Mark Palmer, BYU Graduation Address, 2022)

"The Joy of Living a Christ-Centered Life"  (Elder Richard J. Maynes, Oct 2015)

"Trust in the Lord and Lean Not" (Sister Bonnie Cordon, April 2017)

"Staying Centered On Christ when the World is Trying to Knock You Off Balance" (churchofjesuschrist.org, June 2018) 

VIDEOS: 

Temptation Fades as We Seek Christ in Every Thought: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fta0-zS1tFo&list=PL4E784EC0770935C0&index=14

  Come Unto Jesus:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2d6l02H9vI&list=PL4E784EC0770935C0&index=33

PRINTABLE ACTIVITY SHEET: 

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.   I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.  Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them.

Here is the LINK to the printable activity page (in case it's not showing  below)


QUOTES:

“My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.” Russell M. Nelson,

“In English the word lean has a connotation of physically listing or moving to one side. When we physically lean toward one side or another, we move off center, we are out of balance, and we tip. When we spiritually lean to our own understanding, we lean away from our Savior. If we lean, we are not centered; we are not balanced; we are not focused on Christ.” Bonnie Cordon

“Please remember this one thing. If our lives and our faith are centered upon Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.”  President Howard W. Hunter

"So what does a Christ-centered life look like? A Christ-centered life is being faithful to covenants. It is loving and serving others. A Christ-centered life rejoices in eternal family relationships. It prioritizes “the riches of eternity” over the riches of the world. A Christ-centered life humbly accepts that “to be learned is good if [we] hearken unto the counsels of God.” A Christ-centered life is full of joy."  Elder S. Mark Palmer

"I invite you to focus on that which is within your control, to center your faith and your life on Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, and, as needed, from time to time, to recenter your life on Him. I promise that doing so will lead to true and lasting joy."  Elder S. Mark Palmer

"The world in which we live is similar to the potter’s spinning wheel, and the speed of that wheel is increasing. Like the clay on the potter’s wheel, we must be centered as well. Our core, the center of our lives, must be Jesus Christ and His gospel. Living a Christ-centered life means we learn about Jesus Christ and His gospel and then we follow His example and keep His commandments with exactness."  Elder Richard J. Maynes


OTHER RESOURCES: 
Teaching Ideas for Making the Christ the Center of Our Lives

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Be sure to come back every week for more Come, Follow Me resources!  

Enjoy learning the gospel together!
 
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Forgiveness Teaching Ideas and Resources, CFM D&C 64-66 (Jun 22)

        This blogpost features some resources to help you teach about forgiveness, including a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for June 16-22, which includes D&C 64-66.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks. 

NOTE:  I am trying to decide whether it's worth the effort to continue doing these CFM posts for the second half of the year, so if you find these posts meaningful, PLEASE let me know.  They're getting challenging to keep up with and I need just a little feedback to know whether they're worth my time.  If you have constructive feedback on how I can improve them, I welcome that as well.  Thank you!   

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SOME RESOURCES TO HELP YOU TEACH ABOUT FORGIVENESS

If I were teaching or speaking about forgiveness this week, I would review the following materials and  pick what important points you feel inspired to focus on.  

OBJECT LESSON IDEA:
Materials Needed: Backpack filled with cans, books, or whatever will make it heavy

Ask for a strong volunteer to carry the backpack.   Have them walk around the room for a minute and ask how they would like to carry that weight around day and night from now on?  

Tell them that's what NOT forgiving someone is like.  We are carrying a burden that we don't need to carry and it's heavy and tiring.  

Now ask for a volunteer to come help the person carry the backpack.  Ask if that feels any better?   Yes, but it's still heavy. 

Now ask if they would like it if someone else were to carry the backpack for them?    

picture source

Because that's what Jesus offers to do for us. He wants to take the hurt and anger and other things that weigh us down, and take that yoke upon himself. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Remind them that us carrying the burden of NOT forgiving does not hurt or punish the other person at all, it only punishes ourselves. The goal of forgiveness is for OUR peace, not the person who caused the pain.  The other person may never repent or even feel sorry for what they've done, but that's not for us to worry about.  That's God's place to judge.  Forgiveness is a gift that we are given to lighten our own load and find peace and lightness.  

QUOTES:

"You can forgive someone and choose to not see them again to save yourself the stress of trauma. You can choose to protect yourself and those you love from any potential harm. Reconciliation may come in time (and we should work towards that whenever possible), but it is not required for forgiveness.
Some things may not be worked out until the next life. Perhaps that is why space is such a big place and eternity is such a long time; the Lord knows some people are going to need serious time and distance away from each other in order to work it out.
Remember these words from Elder Holland…
“Jesus did not say, ‘You are not allowed to feel pain or sorrow from shattering experiences you have had at the hand of another.’
“Nor did He say, ‘In order to forgive fully, you have to re-enter a toxic relationship or return to an abusive, destructive circumstance.’” Hank Smith

“You cannot erase what has been done, but you can forgive. Forgiveness heals terrible, tragic wounds, for it allows the love of God to purge your heart and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord.”  Elder Richard G. Scott

"Forgiveness is not excusing accountability or failing to protect ourselves, our families, and other innocent victims. Forgiveness is not continuing in a relationship with someone who is not trustworthy.  Forgiveness is not condoning injustice.  Forgiveness is not dismissing the hurt or disgust we feel because of the actions of others.  Forgiveness is not forgetting, but remembering in peace.  

Forgiveness is putting more faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  In His time and in His way, His love and sacrifice for us will take away our pain and heal our souls.  As we wait upon His healing, remembering how unjustly the Savior of the world was treated, we move forward in faith, believing that in this world or the next, God will generously and justly bless all  have been treated unjustly."  
Divine Gift of Forgiveness Institute Class 

SCRIPTURES
D&C 64:10 (God will forgive who he will forgive; we must forgive all)
Matthew 18:21-22  (how often shall we forgive?  70x7)
Ephesians 4:31-32 (put away bitterness and wrath; be kind and forgiving)
3 Nephi 12:44 (love your enemies)
Luke 11:4 (we all have need to be forgiven and to forgive others)
Matthew 6:14-15 (if you forgive others, God will forgive you)

TALKS/ARTICLES
Beauty for Ashes:  The Healing Path to Forgiveness by Kristin Yee (Oct 2022)
Forgiveness:  Our Challenge and Our Blessing by Elder Gilliland (Liahona Aug 2004)

ARTICLES FOR CHILDREN
Pebble of Forgiveness by Jane McBride Choate (Friend Magazine, Feb 2003)
Jesus Forgave by Kim Webb Reid (Friend Magazine, Aug 2017)
Forgiving Demi by Breanne Richards (Friend Magazine, Jan 2018)

BUILDING FORGIVENESS ACTIVITY (taken from the Friend Magazine)

Cut out squares of colored paper to look like bricks. Write each tip below on a brick. Take turns talking about each tip, and then glue it to a poster board. When you’re done, you’ll have a strong foundation of forgiveness. Draw a house on top of your foundation as a reminder that forgiveness helps make a happier home.

What can you do when you feel sad or angry with someone?

• Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then repeat.

• Try to think about why the other person might have done what he or she did.

• Walk away and come back when you’re not so angry.

• Tell the other person how you feel about what he or she did. Speak calmly, without yelling.

• Say, “I forgive you.”

• Do something kind for the person you’re upset with.

• Remember that there are times when you need to be forgiven.

• Pray for help to forgive when it’s hard.

• Remember that sometimes the person you forgive might not be sorry. But we can forgive anyway.

• If you’re upset with something you did, forgive yourself and try to do better next time.

• What else can you do?

VIDEO:  The Goal:  A Story of Faith, Friendship, and Forgiveness


PRINTABLE COME, FOLLOW ME ACTIVITY SHEET

These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.  I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week.

Click here for the link to the activity sheet (in case it's not showing below).



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Be sure to bookmark this site and come back every week for more Come, Follow Me material! 

Enjoy learning the gospel together!

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Standing as a Witness Lesson Plan and Activity Sheet for CFM D&C 30-36 (Apr 13)

 This blogpost features a lesson plan, including an object lesson on standing as a witness of God, along with a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  March 24-30, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 27-28.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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STANDING AS A WITNESS OF GOD LESSON PLAN
As you prepare this lesson, you'll want to be thoughtful and prayerful about how you can adjust the lesson according to the specific ages, understanding, and attention span of your students.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
1. These videos downloaded and ready to show: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiEzf3J4iFk  (Selective attention video/ Jump-roping)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkR74UN92xU&t=32s (A beautiful song about being a witness of Christ)

2. Get 2  bags or boxes - one with a treat inside and the other with something boring inside ( like a roll of toilet paper or a pair of socks or something).   

Make it so you can't tell which one of the bags has the treat just from looking at it.

(NOTE:  please be aware of any food allergies that your class members may have, so that no one is excluded from being able to enjoy the treats.   Fruity candies are generally pretty allergy friendly, unless you  have someone sensitive to food dyes. Rice Krispie treats made with coconut oil or dairy-free shortening and a gluten free cereal (like Cheerios or Rice Chex), are an easy homemade treat that eliminates most common allergens as well. )

ATTENTION ACTIVITY:
Present to the class the bags or boxes (without them being able to get a glimpse inside) and tell them about the yummy treat you have inside one of them.  Mention that one of the bags contains a boring item.  Tell them that you're going to allow them to choose one of the bags, but that if they choose wrong, they're out of luck.   No second chances.  Build it up for a minute and emphasize the fact they don't get anything if they choose the wrong one.  

Ask for a volunteer to choose, but stop them before choosing and tell the volunteer that instead of choosing, they're going to be a witness.  

Allow them to peek inside both bags and tell the class which bag contains the item they want.  

(NOTE: If you have enough class members, you can repeat this process a few times and get a couple more witnesses...especially if your first witness is being silly and recommending the wrong bag) 

Then call up a new volunteer and ask them to choose, based on the witnesses' reports.

Distribute the treats now or place them on the table and save them for the end of class. 

QUESTION AND DISCUSSION ABOUT WITNESSES IN THE WORLD

Question: “What is a witness?” 

The dictionary defines a WITNESS as  “one who has personal knowledge or experience of something.” Relate it to the Attention Activity and talk about how the people who saw the treats beforehand were witnesses and now they all can see the treats, so they're all witnesses and can tell others about what they've seen and experienced. 

Question: Where do you usually hear the word WITNESS when you're not at church?  

Some possible answers may include witnesses that appear in court when there is a car accident, or the police taking  statements from witnesses when a crime has been committed.

Now I am going to show you a video clip and I want everyone to pay attention to the challenge (counting how many times the jump ropers in green landed a jump).  Maybe even mention that you will have a little prize for the person who guesses correctly. 

VIDEO

VIDEO CLIP:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiEzf3J4iFk

(NOTE:  Definitely preview this video first and make sure it suits the needs /attention span of your class.  Do NOT give any hints that there may be more to the video than just counting jumps.   We will discuss its relationship to being a witness in the next section) 

 After watching the video, discuss what people may or may not have missed while watching it.   Then talk a bit about how being a witness depends on what you're paying attention to.   Some of them may have known to look for an unexpected surprise, others may have been completely shocked to see there was a chicken or that the background color changed.  Don't get too far on a tangent though and start to direct the conversation to the meat of the lesson...being a witness for Jesus Christ.  (see more details about making this transition in the next section)   

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WITNESS FOR JESUS?

Speaking of the video again, mention that IN ORDER TO BE A WITNESS FOR SOMETHING, YOU HAVE TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO IT.   Luckily, being a witness for Christ isn't as complicated as searching for surprises in  a fast-paced jump-roping video. 

SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION ABOUT FULL-TIME MISSIONARIES :  Have everyone pull out their scriptures and encourage them to look at the section headings in Doctrine and Covenants 30-36 and see if they can find mentions of anyone who was called to be a witness for Christ?   (Peter Whitmer Jr, David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, Thomas Marsh, Parley Pratt, Ziba Peterson, Sidney Rigdon, Edward Partridge).   Talk a little about how they were called to be WITNESSES for Jesus by being called as missionaries.  Maybe talk about a full-time missionary serving from your ward (or in your ward) and talk about how they wear nametags that literally say the name of Jesus Christ right on them.    Discuss some of the things full-time missionaries do to be witnesses. 

EMPHASIZE:   how serving a full-time mission is a great way to be a witness for Jesus, but we don't have to wait until then to be a witness.


READ THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE AND DISCUSS WHAT BEING A WITNESS CAN LOOK LIKE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE: 

Mosiah 18:9
"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— "

Go  point by point through the scripture and talk about what each of those things might look like to them at whatever age they're at (make this as interactive as possible and don't be afraid of silence if you ask a question and they don't answer right away; give them time and be prepared to listen): 

 * "mourn with those that mourn" -- being a friend to people who might be feeling sad or listening to someone who is worried about something

* "comfort those that stand in need of comfort"--letting someone know you care when they have something bad/hard happen to them; don't leave them alone, even if it feels awkward

* "stand as a witness of God at all times..."-- follow the commandments even when no one is watching and when you make a mistake, seek to repent quickly

*  "in all things"-- notice how certain shows, video games, internet sites, or music make you feel.  If you notice that there are some that give you a bad feeling inside or cause you to waste too much time, find a way to avoid them.  Block them from your phone or talk to your parents about helping you set limits. 

* "in all places"-- be aware of the choices you make when you are in different situations.  If certain friends or certain places make it harder to choose the right, then look for new friends or things you can do to make it easier to choose the right in that situation

 CONCLUSION: 
Share a time when you had the opportunity to be a WITNESS for Christ or when someone else was a WITNESS and it made a difference for you.   Bear your testimony of Christ and if you have time, watch and listen to this beautiful video to finish up.  

I AM A WITNESS SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkR74UN92xU&t=32s

 

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Here is an ACTIVITY SHEET that is  designed to print double-sided and cut in half.  They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting.

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ACTIVITY SHEET IN CASE IT'S NOT SHOWING BELOW:


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Be sure to bookmark and check back every week for a new activity sheet and lesson ideas to go along with the Come Follow Me reading! 

Enjoy learning the gospel together! 

NEW TESTAMENT Come Follow Me Teaching Resources and Ideas for November 20-26 {1 and 2 Peter}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for November 20-26, 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 geared for ages 8-14, but littler kids love the coloring pages and older kids/kids at heart often enjoy the activities.  They're perfect to use as attention getters or as reviews in your classes or families.  Our ward hands them out along with the sacrament program each week.



TRIALS CAN STRENGTHEN US OBJECT LESSON: 

To demonstrate how trials can actually make us stronger, hold up a flat piece of paper and try to make if "fly" through the air.  Point out how poorly the paper flies.  Now begin folding and creasing the paper into an airplane.  Explain as you fold the paper that each crease represents a trial (mention possible {or current} trials as you fold).  With each fold (trial) the paper becomes strong until eventually it can fly through the air gracefully.  Our lives are very similar.  Just like the folds make the paper stronger, trials make us stronger.  Some of our trials may seem at the time, but Heavenly Father is always mindful of us.  Each trial that we endure brings greater strength and experience into our lives. 

ACTIVITY:  Pass out paper to everyone and have fun making paper airplanes.  Have a contest to see whose plane flies the farthest, fastest, highest, etc. 

QUOTES:   

The attributes of the Savior, as we perceive them, are not a script to be followed or list to be checked off. They are interwoven characteristics, added one to another, which develop in us in interactive ways. In other words, we cannot obtain one Christlike characteristic without also obtaining and influencing others. As one characteristic becomes strong, so do many more."   "Becoming a Disciple of Our Lord Jesus Christ," Robert D. Hales, April 2017

"We comprehend more fully the exceeding great and precious promises and begin to partake of the divine nature by responding affirmatively to the call from the Lord to glory and virtue. As described by Peter, this call is fulfilled by striving to escape the corruption that is in the world.

As we press forward submissively with faith in the Savior, then because of His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, “a mighty change [takes place] in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.”5 We are “born again; yea, born of God, changed from [our] carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God.”  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 

Such a comprehensive change in our nature typically does not occur quickly or all at once. Like the Savior, we also receive “not of the fulness at the first, but [receive] grace for grace.”  “For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom.""  "Exceeding Great and Precious Promises," David A. Bednar, October 2017

"This experience helped me realize that although our lives may at times be relatively smooth, the time will come for each of us when we will face unexpected challenges and storms that will push the limits of our ability to endure. Physical, mental, family, and employment challenges; natural disasters; and other matters of life or death are but some of the examples of the storms that we will face in this life.

When faced with these storms, we often experience feelings of despair or fear. President Russell M. Nelson said, “Faith is the antidote for fear”—faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (“Let Your Faith Show,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 29). As I have seen the storms that affect people’s lives, I have concluded that no matter what kind of storm is battering us—regardless of whether there is a solution to it or whether there is an end in sight—there is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms. This single refuge provided by our Heavenly Father is our Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement."  "Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life," Ricardo Gimenez, April 2020

VIDEO: 

Latter-Day Kids:  A Story about Trials and Adversity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6C-UJVkICM

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT CFM Teaching Resources for November 13-19 {James}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for November 13-19, 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 geared for ages 8-14, but littler kids love the coloring pages and older kids/kids at heart often enjoy the activities.  They're perfect to use as attention getters or as reviews in your classes or families.  Our ward hands them out along with the sacrament program each week.



OUR WORDS MATTER OBJECT LESSON (James 3): 

Items needed:  tube of toothpaste, bowl, spoon

Start off the discussion by talking about how big things can be controlled by small things (James 3).  

Some examples: 
-Steering wheel helps the car go the right direction
-A small seed can grow into a big tree
-A tiny leak can be the start of a ship sinking
-Little babies grow up to be adults that can do many righteous or evil deeds
-Rudder of boat steers the ship (actual example from James 3)
-Tiny spark starts a big forest fire (actual example from James 3)

This doesn't need to take long; it's just a discussion starter that will lead you into reading James 3:4-6.

Springboarding off the first part of the conversation and the scriptures you just read, ask why our tongues can be so powerful.  

Now talk about how our words matter.   We may have heard that "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us."   Ask if they think that's true.   Be careful here, as their parents may very well be teaching them this very message, but ask them how they feel when someone says something mean to them.   Does it help if they say they're sorry afterward?   Maybe, but those words can still hurt our feelings.  

Now pull out the toothpaste and ask for someone to come squeeze it out into the bowl. 

 

 Now ask for a volunteer to come put the toothpaste back into the tube using the spoon. 

Is this technically possible?  Perhaps, but it would take a long time and be pretty messy.   Tell the kids, that this is like when we say unkind things to another person.   We can say we're sorry and try to be nice to them afterward and those are great things to do to heal the relationship, but we can't take those words back.   Taking the time and going through the messiness is worth it, but it would have been much easier if we'd never said those unkind words in the first place.   

Now relate this back to the power of our tongues.   They can do a lot of good (ask the class for examples) when we bear our testimonies, speak kindly to others, and stand up for truth, but they have the power to do a lot of bad as well.  And that's why we should be  careful with how we use our tongues/words.  

QUOTES:   

"This pattern of dramatic change produced by small things is a pattern we see over and over again in the Book of Mormon. Please turn with me to Alma chapter 4 and look at verses 6-12. Here we find a description of a people descending into wickedness. It begins with small things, like the wearing of expensive clothes, and pride in “. . . all manner of precious things . . .” (verse 6), and gossip, and unkind words. Look at verse 8, “. . . the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another . . .” (emphasis added).

Later in verse 11 Mormon tells us that wickedness in the Church led “. . . unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people” (emphasis added). This great wickedness did not happen all at once. It began with small things, but these small things grew into great evil in the space of a single year.
We find this same pattern repeated many times. In the book of Helaman chapters 3 and 4, in Helaman chapter 6, in 3 Nephi chapter 6, we read of wonderful periods of prosperity and righteousness followed by a decline into wickedness that begins with small things. Describing the power of small things, Mormon writes that wickedness “. . . did grow upon them from day to day” (Helaman 3:36) until it hit a critical point and then, in just a few months, great evil almost exploded into the society.

The Book of Mormon also shows us how these epidemics of wickedness and evil may be stopped. Some are stopped by war and great destruction. But in some, intervention by the prophets of God works through small things to bring about great and dramatic repentance and righteousness, also in a very short time. (See, for example, Helaman 5:50-52.)"  " Out of Small Things Proceedeth That Which is Great," Kim Clark, BYU-Idaho Devotional, January 2006

"We observe vast, sweeping world events; however, we must remember that the purposes of the Lord in our personal lives generally are fulfilled through the small and simple things, and not the momentous and spectacular.

Alma, teaching his son Helaman about the importance of the record written on the plates of brass, said:
“Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
“And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (Alma 37:6–7.)"  "Small and Simple Things,"  M. Russell Ballard, April 1990

VIDEOS: 

James 1:  Doers of the Word   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD1YX8tsCiI

James 3:  The Tongue is of Fire  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXvLBKxRstA


TRUE CHRISTIANITY  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqjvG3E7moA


ASK OF GOD:  JOSEPH'S FIRST VISION   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBvk_6_dW6k&t=15s


ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT Come Follow Me Teaching Resources and Ideas for November 6-12 {Hebrews 7-13}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for November 6-12, 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 geared for ages 8-14, but littler kids love the coloring pages and older kids/kids at heart often enjoy the activities.  They're perfect to use as attention getters or as reviews in your classes or families.  Our ward hands them out along with the sacrament program each week.

GAME:  FAITH CHARADES AND RELATING IT TO OUR LIVES 

Have some strips of paper prepared with names  of several well known people who acted in faith.  Make sure they are names  that your class will be familiar with.  Some examples could include, Moses, Noah, Joseph Smith, your Mom, President Nelson, Nephi, your Bishop, Moroni, Mary, Alma, King Benjamin, David, etc.

Start off the lesson talking about what faith is (Hebrews 11:1) and the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 ( Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob Joseph, Moses, etc). 

Introduce the game and tell them that you're going to talk a little bit more about some people of faith...some mentioned in Hebrews, some not.   Have the kids take turns picking a name and acting it out while the others try to guess who it is.   Give a little recap after each person is guessed on how that person acted in faith.  THEN ask what we can learn about faith in our modern day from that person.   This is the most important part of the lesson, so don't skip over this.  

What are some modern lessons we can learn from these people of faith?    

Noah:  live your life in a way that you can hear the warnings from God.  That might be a prompting to stop doing something or to start doing something you've been neglecting.  

Joseph Smith:  Make sure you're seeking truth in the right places.   There is a lot of false/misleading information out in the world (especially on the internet) and you want to make sure that you're looking for truth in places where God can inspire you.  

Moroni:   Don't be afraid to stand up for truth and righteousness, even when the world around you seems to be confused.   There are things that matter (our families, our testimonies, our faith, our covenants) and there are things that distract from the things that matter.  Those distractions are not necessarily bad things, though they can be, but anything that keeps us from doing what's right. 

David:   Sometimes the problems ahead of us look big and scary, but trust in God and He will help you through them.  

Mary:  Just because we aren't considered important in the eyes of the world, doesn't mean we don't have a great work to do.  Humble yourself and live so that God can help you reach your full potential. 

Moses:  We all have weaknesses. Don't let those weaknesses discourage you or get in the way of doing the right thing.

Plus a million more.  What did you come up with?  

QUOTES:   

"It matters not where we live or what our individual circumstances may be. Each day our righteous living can demonstrate a faith in Jesus Christ that sees beyond mortal heartaches, disappointments, and unfulfilled promises. It is a glorious thing to possess a faith that enables us to look forward to that day “when all that was promised the Saints will be given.”  "Seeing the Promises Afar Off," Anne Pingree, October 2003

"My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help. There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and Morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened.”3 It is the very Son of God Himself. In loving praise far beyond Romeo’s reach, we say, “What light through yonder window breaks?” It is the return of hope, and Jesus is the Sun.4 To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His “more excellent ministry” with a future of “better promises.” He is your “high priest of good things to come.”" "An High Priest of Good Things to Come," Jeffrey R. Holland, October 1999

"When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, which President Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”9 And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!" "Joy and Spiritual Survival," Russell M. Nelson, October 2016

VIDEOS: 

Hebrews 11:  Substance of Faith:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbGhD-FcCS8

Latter-day Kids:  Faith is the Evidence of Things Not Seen  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT5Pmj-0oqo

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT CFM Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 30 - November 5 {Hebrews 1-6}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 30 - November 5, 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 geared for ages 8-14, but littler kids love the coloring pages and older kids/kids at heart often enjoy the activities.  They're perfect to use as attention getters or as reviews in your classes or families.  Our ward hands them out along with the sacrament program each week.



OBJECT LESSON:  JESUS IS ABOVE ALL  

ITEMS NEEDED:  tall clear glass, honey, milk (almond milk works great too), liquid dish soap, vegetable oil

Start off with a little discussion of "What's Better?" 

You can anywhere with this....ice cream vs. cake, football vs. soccer, red vs. blue, winter vs. summer, Lucky Charms vs. Captain Crunch, pancakes vs. waffles, strawberries vs. pineapple, etc.

It doesn't really matter what you compare and how they answer.  The point is that everyone will have their own opinions and that's okay.  After doing that for a minute, ask them their answer for this comparison:

Jesus vs. anyone/anything else in the world

Use their answer (which "Jesus" is the only with a truly right answer) to launch your discussion about the book of Hebrews.   

Read Hebrews 1: 1-4  and talk about how Jesus is perfect and is "above all"...even the angels. 
 
Now onto the OBJECT LESSON to illustrate this point.   Here's a little video I created to illustrate it (don't laugh!)

Object Lesson by Lara   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YldN8t5n-pg



Set the tall clear glass at the front of the class and pour in a couple tablespoons (no need to measure, but enough to partially fill the glass) of each ingredient in any order (honey, milk, colored liquid dish soap, and vegetable oil).   The ingredients will separate into layers, with the vegetable oil at the top...no matter what order you add the ingredients. 

For fun, if you wish, you can even have a second glass to allow them to change the order of how you add the ingredients and show how the vegetable oil is always on top.  

Compare that vegetable oil to Jesus Christ and how His perfect life and love means that we should make Him the most important thing in our lives.  We need to make sure that we aren't letting distractions and other "good things" get in the way of making time to connect with God each day.   Jesus should always be on top! 

QUOTES:  

"True worship begins when our hearts are right before the Father and the Son. What is our heart condition today? Paradoxically, in order to have a healed and faithful heart, we must first allow it to break before the Lord. “Ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit,”7 the Lord declares. The result of sacrificing our heart, or our will, to the Lord is that we receive the spiritual guidance we need.

With a growing understanding of the Lord’s grace and mercy, we will find that our self-willed hearts begin to crack and break in gratitude. Then we reach for Him, yearning to yoke ourselves to the Only Begotten Son of God. In our brokenhearted reaching and yoking, we receive new hope and fresh guidance through the Holy Ghost.

I have struggled to banish the mortal desire to have things my way, eventually realizing that my way is oh so lacking, limited, and inferior to the way of Jesus Christ. “His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.”Can we love Jesus Christ and His way more than we love ourselves and our own agenda?"  "Yielding Our Hearts to God," Niell Marriott, October 2015

"For anyone today with pains so intense or so unique that you feel no one else could fully appreciate them, you may have a point. There may be no family member, friend, or priesthood leader—however sensitive and well-meaning each may be—who knows exactly what you are feeling or has the precise words to help you heal. But know this: there is One who understands perfectly what you are experiencing, who is “mightier than all the earth,” and who is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that [you] ask or think.” The process will unfold in His way and on His schedule, but Christ stands ready always to heal every ounce and aspect of your agony."  "The Exquisite Gift of the Son," Matthew Holland, October 2020

VIDEOS: 

Bible Project:  Book of Hebrews Summary:  A Complete Animated Overview (the first half is most applicable for this week) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fNWTZZwgbs&t=29s  (this video is not created for an LDS audience, but I found the doctrine sound and I found the summary very helpful for understanding a bit more about the Book of Hebrews)

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT CFM Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 9--15 {Philippians; Colossians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 9-15, 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 geared for ages 8-14, but littler kids love the coloring pages and older kids/kids at heart often enjoy the activities.  They're perfect to use as attention getters or as reviews in your classes or families.  Our ward hands them out along with the sacrament program each week.


TEACHING IDEA: 

Start off by telling your family/class that Philippians is known as the "GOSPEL OF ________."   Then  play a quick game of hangman to guess the word that goes in the blank, which is JOY.    If you have enough people in your group, assign each person a block of scriptures with a marking pen (or instructions on how to mark electronically) and have them find all the instances of the words JOY or REJOICE in Philippians.  I counted 16, but maybe you'll find some I missed???

Ask them what Paul had to be so joyful about?  Remind them that he was in prison while he wrote this letter.   Have them guess a few things, then, in a different color marking pen, have them mark (or show your already marked scriptures) all the times the words JESUS or CHRIST are mentioned.  I counted 39 times.   

Then bring it all together and talk about Paul was joyful because of Jesus!  

QUOTES:   

"My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.  When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation, which President Thomas S. Monson just taught us, and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. We feel it at Christmastime when we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”9 And we can feel it all year round. For Latter-day Saints, Jesus Christ is joy!"  "Joy and Spiritual Survival," Russell M. Nelson, October 2016

"If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as taught by Jesus Christ.

He taught us how to have joy. When we choose Heavenly Father to be our God and when we can feel the Savior’s Atonement working in our lives, we will be filled with joy. Every time we nurture our spouse and guide our children, every time we forgive someone or ask for forgiveness, we can feel joy."
  "Joy and Spiritual Survival," Russell M. Nelson, October 2016

VIDEOS:  

I Can Do All Things Through Christ: 2023 Youth Theme:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7OqDMoSaak

Philippians 1-2:  Christ, My All in All  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJxgZVggfO8&t=29s

(Note:  This video was not created with an LDS audience in mind, however the content is great and I recommend just cutting it off about 30 seconds from the end when he starts asking for subscribers)

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!

NEW TESTAMENT CFM Teaching Resources and Ideas for Sept 25-Oct 1, 2023 {Galatians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for September 25 - October 1, 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 an introduction or review to a lesson in a primary or Sunday School class or in your family.  Our ward uses them as a handout along with the sacrament programs.  

 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT OBJECT LESSON AND SNACK:  This link has a super fun idea for teaching about the fruits of the spirit {Galatians 5:22-23} and relating it to our daily lives.  I think this taste test and lesson would be a great attention getter in a classroom.    

QUOTES:   

"Enjoying the fruits of the gospel should not make us arrogant and aloof, but it should set us apart from the world in much of our conduct.

It is, perhaps, well in these times, when so many of the fundamental truths of the Restoration and the validity of the Lord’s work are being challenged, that we ask ourselves to what degree our conduct sets us apart and manifests the fruits of the gospel. In our homes and in our families, are we enjoying and qualifying for the love and support of family members? In our business dealings, are we fair and honest and prompt in meeting our obligations; is our word as good as our bond? Are our private and innermost thoughts free from the contaminations of the world? Do they reflect our absolute loyalty and fidelity to those with whom we have made eternal vows? Are we nourishing through prayer and a regular study of the Lord’s revealed truths the spiritual and moral strength which is required in today’s environment? In the entertainment and recreation we seek, are we keeping ourselves unspotted from the world and in harmony with the Lord’s holy Sabbath? Are we generous with our means and inclined to be serviceable to others? Do we acknowledge our faults and shortcomings and seek forgiveness from those whom we have wronged or offended?

Let me repeat again that those who do the Lord’s work demonstrate it by the fruits of their labors. Analyzing and criticizing others, either from a historical perspective or from what we may view of a contemporary life, will be of little consequence unless it balances with the Lord’s assessment." 
"By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them," Dean Larsen, October 1985

"Sometimes the divine witness comes in the burning of the bosom (see Luke 24:32). On other occasions, the doctrine we hear is “delicious” to us, meaning it tastes good spiritually (see Alma 32:28). In other words, we do not need external evidence to verify these truths or logic to prove them — we just “know.”  

Paul defined other fruits of the Spirit as “joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22). When any of these virtues or impressions envelop our hearts or minds, it is a witness from God that what we are listening to, what we are feeling, is from Him. " 
"How Can We Teach Our Children to Recognize the Spirit?," Ted Callister, Church News, January 2021

VIDEO: 

Fruit of the Spirit:  Latter Day Kids   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GZjFNTJUL4

FUN RESOURCE: 
Family Night Fun:  Fruits of the Spirit

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/friend/2019/09/family-night-fun?lang=eng#p4


ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!