May 2009 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

River Jordan image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Cajie march 2006

May Theme: Baptism and confirmation are ordinances that bless my family.
May Scripture: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” ( John 3:5).

Week 1 Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel.

* Call up a couple families before hand and write down some interesting "birth" stories of some of the children in primary. (You can also get pictures from the parents of the primary children's first picture when they were a newborn) Have children hold the baby pictures while you tell the stories. Can we come into this world any other way than being born? Can we fly a spaceship from the pre-existence down to earth? "Just as we cannot have mortal life without physical birth, so we cannot enter the kingdom of God except by being born of the water and of the Spirit. John 3:5" (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual p.42 Introduction) Being born is the first thing we do in life as Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel.

* Gather a bunch (or make out of paper) 1st place ribbons. (Scratch out the word place so it will just be a large 1st on the ribbons) Hide the ribbons throughout the room and attach questions, scriptures and songs to them. When the child finds one they can come to the front and answer/read on a special podium (Sturdy box). The first ordinance is Baptism and all who follow God's commandments are winners!
- Another adaption to this idea is having them do something physical to earn a ribbon, like 10 push ups or 5 jumping jacks. Then answer the question on the ribbon. How many ribbons can you earn as a primary? Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel and starts us out "strong" on our path back to Heavenly Father and Jesus.

* Hold up a piece of paper. Will this paper stay the same always? Have a child come up and crumple it. It's not the same anymore, it's wrinkled and you can't draw on it. Hold up a flower. Will this flower stay the same always? How will it change? Hold up a piece of fruit. How will it change? Is there anything in life that doesn't change?

Read 2 Nephi 27: 23, "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."
Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel and has been taught since the days of Adam. Divide into groups and have them draw pictures of the following people who taught/practiced baptism. Have them hold up their pictures and read the scriptures. Helpful scriptures for groups include Moses 6:64-66, Moses 7:11 (Enoch was also commanded), Noah preached Moses 8:23-24, Ancient Israelites 1 Nephi 20:1, Nephites/Lamanites Alma 19:35-36, Jesus Matthew 3:13-17, Philip Acts 8:37-39, Joseph Smith D&C 13.
Give their pictures to the missionaries to help new investigators learn about baptism.

* Definition of Ordinance: "In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord." (From Gospel Library- Gospel Topics)

Have a children see how well they can listen and follow directions. Give each child a piece of paper (Or just have one come up to the front to demonstrate) and pencil. You say slowly, giving them time for each step: Draw a vertical line from the top of the page down to the bottom. Draw another vertical line 4 finger spaces to the side of that from the top of the page down to the bottom. You will have 2 lines on your paper now. Add 6 small horizontal, side to side lines in between the two large lines. Have them hold up their papers in the air and look around. Does everyone have ladders? Have them do one more thing, circle the bottom line- the first step on the ladder.

" The first saving ordinance is baptism. Thus, with baptism, to use the Prophet Joseph Smith’s metaphor, we step onto the ladder. Once on the ladder, there are more steps to take. Climbing the ladder requires many things: the saving grace of our Savior, our own faith and repentance and good works, and the assistance of the priesthood... Of course, this journey up the ladder was not destined to be traveled alone: we have others to assist us. The righteous family unit is destined to last forever." David E. Sorensen Member of the 2nd Quorum of the 70, “Why Baptism Is Not Enough,” Ensign, Apr 1999, 16

Week 2 Jesus Christ was baptized.

* See HERE for a reader's theatre.

Week 3 I will be baptized and confirmed.

* Invite 2 or 3 new converts to BRIEFLY (As in 2-3 minutes each) share their conversion story when they were baptized and confirmed - to the primary children.

* Have a glass of water half full. Explain that this is like baptism. We also need to be confirmed!! Pour in more water until the glass is full. "Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” Joseph Smith (History of the Church, 5:499)

* Make Family Home Evening Kits to take home. Have them choose from a couple different 8 X 10 baptism pictures; GAK 108, 208, 309, 601. (You can make $0.35 color copies or print off your computer) Another possibility is these pictures (Scroll down to baptism and click) from the friend (They are black and white and the children could color them, then cut them into 12 pieces) On the bottom of each picture have "I will be baptized and confirmed."

Have the children cut the pictures into 12 pieces, then on the back write the numbers 1-12. The FHE is putting together the puzzle and answering the questions. This article from the friend has 12 questions/answers you will have to number and then make copies to put in the kits. While the children are putting things together, discuss the questions and possible songs they could sing for the FHE.

For the kits you could put the pieces in Ziploc bags and have a manila envelope or file folder for them to contain everything.

* Plain Words About Baptism An excellent felt board presentation from the friend!!

* Vicki F. Matsumori is brilliant and writes, "Sharing Time: Example of the Believers,” Friend, Aug 2003, 47 "Display GAK 208 (“John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus”) and have the children help retell the events of the Savior’s baptism. Sing “Baptism” (pp. 100–101).

On word strips, write categories about things related to baptism, such as THINGS FOUND AT A BAPTISM, PEOPLE FROM THE SCRIPTURES WHO WERE BAPTIZED, ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH, THINGS I PROMISE WHEN I AM BAPTIZED, REASONS TO BE BAPTIZED, WAYS I CAN HONOR MY BAPTISMAL COVENANT.

Divide the children into groups. Display one of the category papers and have a child in the first group give one example that fits the category. For example, for THINGS FOUND AT A BAPTISM, items might be an eight-year-old child, the parents, the missionaries, white clothing, water, a font, the bishop or branch president, witnesses, speakers, and music. Have each group suggest one thing for the category. If a group is unable to give an answer, it drops out of the game until the next category. Have the remaining groups continue until there is one group left. Repeat the process with the remaining categories.

Sing “When I Am Baptized” (p. 103). Bear testimony of the blessings received at baptism, and express gratitude for your membership in the Church."

Week 4 My family is blessed as we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

* Come up with different case scenarios. As the children answer the scenarios have them come up and build a home out of legos or lincoln logs. We build our homes and our families are blessed when we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. A couple examples of case scenarios could include Matt and his brother are going camping. They get a feeling they shouldn't go into the woods alone. What should they do? Where does that warning feeling come from? How is their family blessed? Or Linda is out shopping with her mother. There is a really cute skirt she'd like to buy but it comes above the knees and is a little tight. What would the Holy Ghost probably tell the girl or mother? How would they be stronger as a family by following the promptings of modesty?

* Draw a maze on the chalkboard. Have a family on one end and on the other a picture of the temple. Blindfold a child and give them a piece of chalk, ask another child to quietly help them get the family to the temple. The Holy Ghost leads and guides us and when we follow it's promptings our families are blessed.

* 2 Nephi 32: 2 "Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? "

Ask the children to come up with as many kind words they can say to family members. Make a list on the chalk board. All these words come by the Holy Ghost and bless our families. Have the children make thank-you notes using words from the board for different family members

* Have a stick that a child can come up to break. Have a bunch of sticks, can a child break this? When we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost we add sticks to our family and make our family stronger.

"Nothing in this life is of greater worth than the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the source of joy, peace, knowledge, strength, love, and every other good thing. With the Atonement, it is the power by which we may be changed and made strong where we are weak. With the priesthood, it is the power by which marriages and families are sealed together eternally." Lawrence E. Corbridge, "The Way," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 35

* Ask the children how they are doing. Is today a special day or holiday? Do they have any reason to rejoice today?

"Through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, every member of the Church can receive 'the words of Christ' directly (2 Nephi 32:3), at any time or place. This personal divine guidance helps us to remain valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and endure to the end of our days. Isn't this wonderful! "Have we not reason to rejoice?" Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?" Ensign, Nov. 2007, 20

So today is a special day! Everyday that we follow the promptings of the spirit is a special day and our family will be blessed!