British Artist Ford Madox Brown Jesus Washing Peter's feet at the Last Supper (1835)July Theme: I can Follow Jesus Christ's Example.
July Scripture: Jesus said, "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22)
Week 1 Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father.
* See Reader's Theater here. Hey, ever wonder why I post so many reader's theaters? Me too. Not really though. I like reader's theater because it involves a lot of kids and gets them completely involved in the learning process.
Week 2 Jesus Christ went about doing good.
* Have a bunch of words/pictures of things we can do with our time. Playing video games, watching TV, eating, reading a book, playing soccer... Ask the children to come to the front and share with the primary something they can do. Sing Do as I'm Doing (CS p. 276) and Fun to Do (CS p.253). What was a special word that was the same in both songs? DO! There are lots of things we can do with our time, but we should DO what Christ did. Have the children come up with stories and experiences from our Savior's life to replace the things we can "do" on the board with the things we should do.
* Sing Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (CS p.57). Show the children Elder Andersen's recent talk at conference... what is the name of His talk? How important is it that we know what Jesus Christ did? Very! Make books of the different stories of Jesus and how He went about doing good. Give the children different GAK (gospel art kit) pictures and have them draw out the stories. Staple and share! This is a good way to have the older and younger work together as the little ones will draw pictures and the older children can write the words. Teachers can help also! Have them write verbatim what the children can recall of the things Jesus did here on this earth.
* Have the children look at the Bible Maps!! Especially Map 11 The Holy Land in New Testament Times. Here is a nice link to show and give in detail all the different places Christ went about doing good. Don't forget a map of the America's too! Have the children create their own maps not with places, but different things they can remember about the life of Christ... different things He did to help others. Make sure to let children share their work!
* "Do" drops. Take a turkey baster and let the children fill up a glass of water one or two "do" drops at a time. To earn a "do" drop they have to sing a song about Jesus, read a scripture or identify a GAK picture of something Jesus did in His life.
John 4:13-15 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw"
Let us always remember Jesus, our living waters who always went about doing good!!
Weeks 3 and 4: Jesus Christ's example teaches me how to live.
* Have a thin piece of masking tape for a child to walk across without touching any other part of the floor and then have them squeeze in between two chairs to finish. 2 Nephi 31:9, 16 " And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them"
* FOR SENIOR PRIMARY! In the topical guide are 19 scripture references to Jesus Christ as our Exemplar. Hide the references and scriptures throughout the room and have the children work together to make matches!
* Have the children come up with different things they can do this week to be more like the Savior. Then have them go to Relief Society or Priesthood (or both) and sing I'm trying to be like Jesus (Children's Songbook p.78-79) and give their parents their papers.
* Bring in a mirror and a lipstick for a child to write with. Have them come up with words that have to do with how Jesus lived. (For example- love, kindness, charity, humble, helpful, nice, giving) Let them write a couple words on the mirror and then look at the reflection as you hold a picture of Christ behind them.
Alma 5:14 "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"
As we follow the example of our Savior, we will reflect His goodness.
* Bring in a lantern. 3 Nephi 18:16 "And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you."
Who would really want to go into a dark forest without a lantern? Not me! I still sleep with a night light! Break into groups and give the children strips of yellow paper. Have them come up with different rays/ways that Jesus taught us how to live by example. (For example- Be forgiving. Jesus forgave those that crucified Him. or Be bold. Jesus cleansed the temple.)
*Bring in a sewing pattern and something you have created from the pattern. D&C 52:14 "I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived.” Create a pattern on the board with different colored paper. Children earn the paper by singing songs, reading scriptures and answering questions based on the week's theme.
Food for thought: "When I looked for a definition of pattern, I found it had a Latin origin derived from pater or father, one who served as a model or pattern to be emulated. Our Savior Jesus Christ set the pattern and asked us to follow him. Nephi asks, “Can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?” 2 Nephi 31:10" Janette C. Hales, “A Pattern of Righteousness,” Ensign, May 1991, 83
* This handout from The Friend would be wonderful to send home with children to do with their family!!!
