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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Remembering Jesus Teaching Ideas and a CFM Activity Page for D&C 27-28 (Mar 30)

  This blogpost features a lesson plan and 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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LESSON PLAN ABOUT KEEPING YOUR EYE SINGLE TO GOD'S GLORY (AND REMEMBERING JESUS) (D&C 27:1-4)
This is a lesson more geared for teens, but could easily be simplified for teaching primary

MATERIALS NEEDED:
cookie sheet or platter
15-20 random objects
towel for covering
paper and pen for each student

MEMORY GAME:
Show your class a platter full of about 15-20 random objects from around your house.   Allow everyone to examine the items for 30 seconds, then cover the items with a towel.

Ask them to number their papers 1-20 (or however many objects you have) and give them 1 minute to recall as many items as possible without consulting with anyone.     

ASK:
How’d you do? Why didn’t you remember everything? Talk about how we are all human and our memories are fallible. 

SHARE A PERSONAL STORY
Share a time in your life when you forgot something important

BRIEF STORY (don't let it go on too much on a tangent)
Share briefly about the world record holder for remembering items and point out that the blurb mentions that he attends training programs that help him learn skills for remembering things.  (read about him here)

ASK: 
Ask if they have any tricks they use to remember important things.  Perhaps putting it in their calendar, writing a note to themselves, setting an alert, making an acronym, etc.   

READ D&C 27:1-4
Discuss what it means to keep your eye "single to God's glory".  It doesn't mean that we stop living a normal life and become monks, but it does mean that we try to build habits into our lives that help us remember the Savior. 

GET OUT PAPER AND PEN
Tell them to think back honestly and write down a couple of things that they were thinking of during the sacrament that day.  Don't make anyone feel bad and don't make anyone share.  Perhaps you can share something off-topic that entered your mind during the sacrament to point out that it's natural for our minds to wander.

ASK
Ask if they have any tricks they or their  family uses to help you remember the Savior and the promises they make during the sacrament?    (this could be reading through the hymnbook, or reading scriptures, or a thought cue they've made, whatever they do is great...be encouraging).  Ask them to be thinking about that during the rest of the lesson and that you'll circle back to this at the end. 

SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY
Have everyone get out their scriptures (electronic or paper is fine) and ASK  "How many times is “remember” found in the scriptures?"   I don't actually know the answer to this question, but let them look it up and see it's A LOT.  If you have time, have everyone pick a random scripture that contains the word "remember" and go around the circle and ask what is so important that God wants us to remember in that particular scripture.   I found this was a powerful exercise that got everyone thinking (though please read the note below).  

**NOTE:   I was teaching teenagers and some of them were on a mission to find the weirdest scriptures possible (generally in the Old Testament).  THAT'S OKAY!   You can make any scripture work, but you may need to help them.  Don't discourage anyone....just go with whatever scripture they have found and help them to find a message, even if it's just that God knew that person by name.  Or that he doesn't want us to murder.  Or that He is aware of us in all circumstances.**

READ SACRAMENT PRAYERS IN MORONI 4:3, 5:2

Discuss what the sacrament reminds us of...

 WE PROMISE                                                         
1. To take upon me the name of Christ    |
2. To always remember him
3. To keep his commandments
HEAVENLY FATHER PROMISES
  1. We may have spirit to be with us

What do these promises look like in real life? Why do we want his spirit to be with us?


TREE OF LIFE / ATONEMENT ANALOGY
This is a great time to talk about what Christ's atonement looks like in real life.  I love this diagram that shows how Christ is as essential to our eternal life as trees are to our physical life.  Encourage them to use this idea to help them to think of a way they can keep their "eye more single to God's glory".  




PAPER AND PEN ACTIVITY
Ask them to write down what they feel inspired to do to help them REMEMBER Jesus and to keep their eye single to his glory!   

TESTIFY OF CHRIST

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SOME GREAT RESOURCES:

This blogpost:  If you decide to focus on the Armor of God, this blogpost I wrote up a couple years ago has some great ideas for you

"Put on the Whole Armor of God" by N. Eldon Tanner


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PRINTABLE CFM 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 SHEET (in case it's not showing below)




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HAVE FUN LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!  

CFM Teaching Ideas, Resources, and an Activity Sheet for D&C 23-26 (Mar 23)

 This blogpost features some interesting resources, a fun fill-in-the-blank hymn hunt to uncover a secret message, a few thoughts, and  a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for  March 17-23, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 23-26.    Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.

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SOME THOUGHTS:

There are a lot of different ways to go with teaching about Doctrine and Covenants 25.  If I were teaching young women, I would almost certainly focus on what it means to be an "elect lady".  There are some great scriptures listed in this study guide, which would be great for launching some good discussions.  I would also use this as an opportunity to talk about other "elect ladies" from the scriptures and church history (like Esther, Eve, Anna, Ruth, Mary, Martha, etc.) and what it means to be an elect lady today.  This article would be a great resource if you decide to go with this route.

Focusing on the hymns would also great way to go!  You could talk about the power of good music and discuss why the Lord prioritized creating a hymnbook so early in the church.  You could play name-that-tune or have a hymn scavenger hunt.  Have fun with it!  

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SOME INTERESTING RESOURCES:

A guide for studying Doctrine and Covenants 25, including some historical background and some insights on specific verse

A page by page glimpse at the original hymn book (scroll through the pages by dragging the arrow found along the bottom of the page).  I thought it was fascinating that it was not standard at the time to include the sheet music, because most hymns were sung to familiar tunes. 

An interesting article about Emma Smith

"The Influence of Righteous Women" by Dieter Uchtdorf

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A 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)



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A FILL-IN-THE-BLANK HYMN HUNT:
You'll want to cut off the bottom section with the answers before distributing it.


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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 Come Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 23-29 {1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon}

This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 23-29, 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:   SCRIPTURES ARE LIFE'S GPS: 

Ask your class/family what they do when they want to find somewhere they've never been before.   Allow them some time to answer and lead them (if they don't come up with it on their own) to how nice it is to use the  Maps or GPS app on your phone.   Talk a little about how nice it is that the GPS can tell you not only where you are right now, but the best route to get to a place you've never been before.   
  Then tell them that you're hoping to live with God again someday and you want to know the way to "heaven" or the "Celestial Kingdom"  (whatever terminology is best for your students).  Open up the GPS App on your phone and type in “Heaven” or "Celestial Kingdom" for the destination .  Show them your results and ask them if any of that looks like it will be helpful information to finding your way to live with God again.  

Ask them if they know of any better ways to learn the way to get back to God.   There are lots of right answers you can discuss here, including praying, listening to our leaders at General Conference, reading the scriptures, etc.   All these are great answers and worth discussing more.   

To finish up,  read, 2 Timothy 3:16:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  

Bear testimony that the scriptures are a good GPS for our life and that by reading the scriptures we can learn more about Jesus and even get a better idea of how we're doing on our journey.   Jesus is the best example of all and if we do our best to follow Him, repent when we mess up, and make sure we take some quiet time each day to connect with God and make sure we are on the "covenant path," someday, through Christ's love and atonement, we will be able to live with God again.    

QUOTES:   

"Likewise, those who have faith and the word of God deep in their hearts will be able to absorb and overcome the fiery darts that the adversary will surely send to destroy us. Otherwise, our faith, hope, and conviction may not endure, and like the empty microwave oven, we could become a casualty.

I have learned that having the word of God deep in my soul, coupled with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, allows me to draw upon the power of God to overcome the adversary and anything he may throw at me. As we face challenges, we can rely upon the promise of the Lord taught by Paul: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  "Enduring Power," Elder Kelly R. Johnson, October 2020

"Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me. Both are familiar to us. The first is from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first. It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.

Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others." "Be An Example and a Light," Thomas S. Monson, October 2015


VIDEOS: 

2 Timothy 4:  I Have Kept the Faith/ The Apostle Paul Endures to the End   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjlyUNAi7Oc



2 Timothy 3:  A Prophecy of the Last Days  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWbWqN8Hm3A


Book of Philemon Summary:  A Complete Animated Overview (not a church produced video)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW9Q3Jt6Yvk




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 Come, Follow Me Teaching Ideas and Resources for October 2-8 {Ephesians}

 This blogpost features some  resources and ideas to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for October 2-8, 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:  WHO'S GOT YOUR BACK?:

The following  idea is taken from this Don't Miss This episode from around 45:00-49:00  into it.

 

I recommend listening to those few minutes at least as part of your teaching preparation.  

Read Ephesians 6:11-18 and have someone draw a man/woman  wearing the armor of God (with labels) as you read about the different parts of armor .  Art skills not required (as you can see above)!  haha!

After going through that and discussing a bit what each piece of protection might mean in their lives, then read at least the highlighted section of the quote by N. Eldon Tanner.  The full quote is listed in the quote section below (and is worth reading together if your audience has the attention span), but this part illustrates the point the most succinctly.

"Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. No matter how antiquated or lacking in parts your armor may be, always remember that it is within your power to make the necessary adjustments to complete your armor.

Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments."

Look at that picture of the man/woman in armor again and ask,

"What's protecting their back?"

Listen to their answers and then read Isaiah 58:8

Then discuss what it means for the Lord to have our backs and also what we can do to fortify those parts of our armor that may need strengthening.  

QUOTES:   

 "We all have different weaknesses and temptations, and we should examine our lives to find out what those weaknesses are and where we should put on extra armor so we can do what is right and not submit to temptation....

Are we studying the scriptures so that we can increase our knowledge and faith and testimony regarding the gospel? Do we keep the commandments? Are we honest and truthful in our dealings? Do we keep the Sabbath day holy? Do we observe the Word of Wisdom? Do we pay an honest tithing? Do we attend our meetings and respond to the calls made of us by our authorities? Are we virtuous and clean and pure in heart and mind and deed?

Do we fight against the evils around us—pornography, abortion, tobacco, alcohol, drugs? Do we have the courage to stand up for our convictions? Can we truly say we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Do we live peaceably with our neighbors and avoid gossip and backbiting and spreading unfounded rumors? Do we truly love our neighbors as ourselves?

If we can answer yes to these questions, then we will have on the whole armor of God, which will protect us from harm and preserve us from our enemies. If we must answer no to these questions, then our armor is weak, there is an unshielded place which can be found, a vulnerable area for attack, and we will be subject to injury or destruction by Satan, who will search until he finds our weaknesses, if we have them.

Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. No matter how antiquated or lacking in parts your armor may be, always remember that it is within your power to make the necessary adjustments to complete your armor.

Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments."    "Put on the Whole Armor of God," N. Eldon Tanner, April 1979


"..we all need to repent. We need to get up off the couch, put down the remote, and wake up from our spiritual slumber. It is time to put on the full armor of God so we can engage in the most important work on earth. It is time to “thrust in [our] sickles, and reap with all [our] might, mind, and strength.” The forces of evil have never raged more forcefully than they do today. As servants of the Lord, we cannot be asleep while this battle rages.

Your family needs your leadership and love. Your... ward or branch need your strength. And all who meet you need to know what a true disciple of the Lord looks like and acts like."  "We Can Do and Be Better," Russell M. Nelson, April 2019

VIDEOS: 

Ephesians 6:  The Armor of God  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mawX1wFJZN4

Ephesians 4:  Unity of the Faith  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67k0spz0gNE


Ephesians 2:  Ye Are No More Strangers  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIWuVYZQhsQ

ENJOY LEARNING THE GOSPEL TOGETHER!!!