November 2008 Sharing Time Helps for Week 3

For weeks 1,2 and 4 scroll on down folks!

Week 3 Heavenly Father loves all His children.

Here are a couple Reader's Theatres I've written. But before, some tips for a smooth experience:

* choose your readers carefully!!!!, remember most Sunbeams can't read so don't get upset if you hand them the part and they're holding it upside down looking at you oddly

* Have plenty of scripts!! At least one for each part. Highlight the parts according to each script so it's easier for the children to follow and know when they're speaking.

* Give them a few minutes to look over their part, sing some songs while doing so.

* Bring in SIMPLE props or costumes. I was thinking round circles of paper with cotton balls glued on to make a little sheep hat? Just go easy, you want their attention focused on the message and doctrine of the play

* Have a script for yourself to follow to help prompt. Be familiar with it so you can direct the children in what they need to do, especially the non-speaking parts.

* Pace yourself. You only have 15ish minutes, don't try to squeeze too much in too little time.

* Ask the review questions after the play

* Some preventative preparation: Pray, pray, pray... and pray some more that it will go smoothly and that the spirit will be there (throughout the week before)

On a side note, all quoted items are from the scriptures, hymnbook, prophets themselves and referenced at the end. So what Joseph Smith says is what he's actually said before and same with President Monson.

Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd

By Sofia Lykes

Parts:
Narrator 1 and 2
Shepherd
Sheep 1 and 2
Nonspeaking- 4 or 5 other sheep, 2 friends/neighbors, 1 person posed as mountain dividing shepherd from sheep??

Narrator 1: Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, Dear are the sheep of his fold; Dear is the love that he gives them, Dearer than silver or gold.

Shepherd: Hmmmmmmm…. Would I rather have a million dollars or my sheep? That’s easy!! My precious sheep. I love them so!!

Narrator 1: Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, Dear are his “other” lost sheep;Over the mountains he follows, Over the waters so deep.

Sheep 1: Baaaaa. What does dear to the heart mean? You keep saying it over and over and over? Baaaa.

Narrator 1: Dear to the heart means that the Shepherd loves his sheep very much.

Shepherd: I love them so much I’d follow them over the high mountains and deep waters.

Sheep 1: Baaaaa. Well, what if the mountain was steep and dangerous and the water freezing cold. Would you follow and search for me then?

Shepherd: Luke Chapter 15 verses 4 through 7 answers your question perfectly. Come closer little sheep and we will read it together.

Narrator 2: “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

Narrator 1: “ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Sheep 2: Baaa. That’s really deep.

Shepherd: See, the Good Shepherd is seeking, Seeking the lambs that are lost,Bringing them in with rejoicing, Saved at such infinite cost.

Questions to ponder/ask: What infinite cost were we all bought with? What does this play teach us about God’s love for all His children? How can we be under-shepherds?

References: Dear to the Heart of the Children Hymn 221

Heavenly Father's Love Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
By Sofia Lykes

Parts:
Narrator 1 and 2
Joseph Smith
President Monson
Non speaking-3 Mob members, Hyrum Smith, John Taylor, Willard Richards

Narrator 1: Sometimes I wish I could have lived in ancient Egypt. I wish I could have seen Moses part the red sea. Heavenly Father must have loved them a lot to make such a miracle happen.

Narrator 2: I know! That would have been awesome!

Joseph Smith: “Souls are as precious in the sight of God as they ever were.”

Narrator 1: But I’ve never had a huge miracle in my life before.

Narrator 2: Hey, Joseph Smith is right! Remember the scripture 1 Ne. 10: 18 “ For he (Heavenly Father) is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” We may not have walls of water around us, but we can see the miracle of God’s love around us!

President Monson: "I think one of the sweetest lessons taught by the Prophet, and yet one of the saddest, occurred close to the time of his death. He was required to leave his plan and vision of the Rocky Mountains and give himself up to face a court of supposed justice. These are his words:”

Joseph Smith: “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer's morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men' (D&C 135:4).”

President Monson: “There was to be one great final lesson before his mortal life ended. He was incarcerated in Carthage Jail with his brother Hyrum, with John Taylor, and with Willard Richards. The angry mob stormed the jail; they came up the stairway, blasphemous in their cursing, heavily armed, and began to fire at will. Hyrum was hit and died. John Taylor took several balls of fire within his bosom. The Prophet Joseph, with his pistol in hand, was attempting to defend his life and that of his brethren, and yet he could tell from the pounding on the door that this mob would storm that door and would kill John Taylor and Willard Richards in an attempt to kill him.

And so his last great act here upon the earth was to leave the door and lead Willard Richards to safety, throw the gun on the floor, and go to the window, that they might see him, that the attention of this ruthless mob might be focused upon him rather than the others. Joseph Smith gave his life. Willard Richards was spared, and John Taylor recovered from his wounds.

Narrator 2: Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught us love--by example.

Narrator 1: Joseph Smith knew the importance and truth of God’s love for each one of us.

President Monson: “With all the strength of my soul I testify that our Heavenly Father loves each one of us. He hears the prayers of humble hearts; He hears our cries for help. . . . His Son, our Savior and Redeemer, speaks to each of us today: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation 3:20).
"Will we listen for that knock? Will we hear that voice? Will we open that door to the Lord, that we may receive the help He is so ready to provide? I pray that we will."

Questions to ponder/ask: If God loves us, why do bad things sometimes happen still? What has happened in my life to know Heavenly Father loves me?

References:
Thomas S. Monson, "Mrs. Patton--the Story Continues," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 24
Thomas S. Monson, "By Example," New Era, Dec. 2005, 8
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith P. 76-77