May 2017 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps & Ideas

The Baptism by AC Williams

 

Monthly Theme: I Choose the Right When I Am Baptized and Confirmed a Member of the Church
Monthly Scripture: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” Acts 2:38

Week 1 As I repent, I can be forgiven.

* HERE is an interesting story of an apostle who did something naughty. It was actually pretty serious and before the lesson I'd do a brief review on why it is SO IMPORTANT not to play with fire or flammables!! Share the story with the children. Was he blessed that there was no serious damage?
     On the chalk board draw an image similar to this:

     There will be about 10 "sparks" (The yellow things on the fuse). The children will erase a spark before it's too late!!! To do so, they will need to answer a question or read a scripture about repentance.
     There are a few points Elder Renlund makes that we often don't talk about with repentance, but are important, that could easily be incorporated with your questions:
1. Do not blame others for our actions. Can you think of how Elder Renlund could have blamed the other boy? Why do you think he didn't?
2. Don't minimize a mistake- for example, "It's not that big." "No one was hurt."  Why is being "truly" sorry important?
3. Do not separate Heavenly Father from His commandments. It's not just something He's asked of us, certain things are sacred. When we do things that are not right, who can get hurt? Us, others, Heavenly Father and Jesus! They are hurt because They love us and want what's best for us.
      I really enjoy this quote from his talk, "Even as we feel godly sorrow for our actions,²¹ when we choose to repent, we immediately invite the Savior into our lives. As Amulek taught, “Come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.”²² We can feel godly sorrow for our actions and, at the same time, feel the joy of having the Savior’s help."
    Well, did we make it? Never play with fire!!! Steer clear of things that are wrong and choose the right!! If we do make mistakes though, we can repent and be forgiven!!!

* In the Primary Sharing Time Outline they have an excellent object lesson of rocks in shoes! Just to continue on, after for the lesson you could take 4 shoes and place them on a table up front. Have a primary friend come up to guess which shoe you put the rock in. (They might have to turn around while you put it in, or you can have a blanket to cover the shoes while you put the rock in) If they guess right on the first try, they get to keep the rock! In order to guess they need to answer a question or read a scripture having to do with repentance.

* HERE and HERE are good, simple reviews of what we need to do to repent and forgive.

* Have the a few children act out the story of the parable of the prodigal son. Why did Christ share this story? What does it mean for us? We can repent and be forgiven!! You can print out the following if you'd like to do a short reader's theater. Bring in some simple costumes!! (Mouse over the top right hand corner, a box with an arrow should appear. Click, then it will take you to a link where you can print)

Week 2 When I am baptized and confirmed, I am following Jesus’s example.

* HERE is a fun little activity from The Friend to do in small groups. Make sure they look up each scripture and read them!!

* HERE is the bible video from lds.org of Jesus getting baptized. HERE is a good article from The Friend with review questions already prepared.

* 7 times!!! Go over the story of Naaman with the children. HERE is a wonderful article to refresh your memory.

(Image from lds.org)

     Have little slips of paper in a hat with things for the entire primary to do 7 times. Blow a kiss, hop on one foot, push ups, high five a neighbor, say thank you to the primary pianist, click tongue, pat head and rub belly, move to the left 7 chairs, move to the right 7 chairs.... etc.
     Before a reverent primary friend is chosen to pick a paper for our game 7 times, have them answer a question on baptism. Here are some questions relating to the story of Naaman & baptism:
Naaman was considered unclean as a leper. How are people older than 8 unclean before baptism?
Naaman was angry that he had to go wash. He was not very humble. What is humility and why is it important for baptism?
Naaman finally washed in the river. What is obedience? How was Christ obedient?
Baptism by immersion is a symbol... of what?
How do you think Naaman felt after he was healed? How do you think people feel after they are baptized?
Can you tell us a little about the story of Jesus being baptized?
Have you been to a baptism before? Can you share your experience there briefly?
Why is baptism so important?
Can you have baptism without confirmation? Why not? ( “Baptism in water … must be followed by baptism of the Spirit in order to be complete” (see Bible Dictionary, “Baptism,” 618).
If you could meet Naaman what would you say to him or ask him?

Week 3 The Holy Ghost can help me.

* "Taking “the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (D&C 45:57) is possible and is essential for our spiritual growth and survival in an increasingly wicked world. Sometimes as Latter-day Saints we talk and act as though recognizing the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives is the rare or exceptional event. We should remember, however, that the covenant promise is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. This supernal blessing applies to every single member of the Church who has been baptized, confirmed, and instructed to “receive the Holy Ghost.”
Elder Bednar That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be With Us April 2006
    Grab a backpack, hat, and a good walking stick. We are going on a guided hike today in primary!! Would you want to climb a really big mountain by yourself? Why or why not would it be a good idea? Is it helpful to have someone who knows the way? In the mountain of life, the Holy Ghost is our guide and he can help me!!
     Throughout the primary room have 10 pictures of things that might be dangerous on a hike with the following questions or scriptures:
     poison ivy - Isaiah 5:20 says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" How does the Holy Ghost help us tell the difference between good and evil?
     bear- When is a time you had a big challenge and the Holy Ghost helped you?
     falling rocks- We are "buried" in the water of what to enter the kingdom of heaven? (baptism) But it is not complete unless we do something else having to do with the Holy Ghost... what is that? (get confirmed, receive the Holy Ghost)
    stream crossing- JST John 1:31-33 " And John bare record, saying; When he was baptized of me, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him; for he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me; Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."
     bees- In the book of Alma, a group of Lamanites starts to kill their brethren the anit-nephi-lehies and the scriptures say they were, "stung (in their hearts) for the murders which they had committed". We will never end up killing people, but the Holy Ghost can warn us! Is a warning helpful? How does the Holy Ghost warn us? What does He warn us about?
     hot sun- How do we feel on a sunny day? There are many different ways people feel the spirit!! "It is clear that each of us may hear and feel the communication of the Holy Ghost in a variety of ways. We should move beyond simply teaching children that they will have a warm feeling because they might not experience that feeling; they may receive inspiration in a different way....I was teaching a Sunday School lesson to relatively new converts, and I asked the question, “How do you feel the Spirit?” Their answers were very enlightening. One said, “I feel clarity in my thoughts.” Another said, “I have a warm feeling inside,” while another shared, “I feel a deep sense of peace.” A woman who had been a member for a few months said, “I feel prickles all over!” And several stated that they occasionally would “hear” a voice speaking to them or that new ideas would come to them."
Dec. 2013 Ensign Helping Children Recognize the Holy Ghost by Merrilee Browne Boyack
     log in the way- "Your testimony of Christ, born of the Holy Ghost, can help you look past the disappointing endings in mortality and see the bright future that the Redeemer of the world has prepared." President Uchtdorf Grateful in Any Circumstances April 2014 The Holy Ghost can help us by giving us this- something felt in our heart that makes us look forward to something better? (Hope!)
    storm clouds- Have the primary pianist play Master, the Tempest Is Raging (Hymns 105) and read or sing the words to the 1st verse and chorus. What feeling can the Holy Ghost give us when there are storms in life??
The following aren't dangers, but are needed on our hike!
     snack break - How do we feed our spirit and invite the Holy Ghost into our lives?
     water break- What does refresh mean?? Here is a story from lds.org, and when you hear the word refresh, touch your nose:
" I recall a testimony given by a young cadet attending the United States Air Force Academy.

He was experiencing great difficulty in passing his courses and was very discouraged. At this point, he met a Mormon cadet, and from him he learned that there were a number of Mormon boys attending the academy and that they met together at five o’clock each weekday morning in a religious study class. The cadet was invited to attend one of these classes. He did so and was deeply impressed by the wonderful spirit. He continued attending, met the missionaries, was given the discussions, and, through study, prayer, and attending church, received a testimony and was baptized. He bore witness that upon receiving the Holy Ghost he felt its influence quicken his mind and understanding and refresh his memory, and that thereafter he had no trouble in getting satisfactory grades. His feelings of discouragement left him, and a spirit of peace and comfort came over him. This was a most inspiring and impressive testimony of the great value of the Holy Ghost."

The Continuing Power of the Holy Ghost July 1973

Great job on the hike everyone!!! Bear testimony that no matter what we face on our path, the Holy Ghost can help us!!

 

Week 4 When I take the sacrament I renew my baptismal covenants.

* Makeover!! Transformation time!!  President David O. McKay said, “I feel impressed to emphasize what the Lord has designated as the most important meeting in the Church, and that is the sacrament meeting.” If we properly prepare for the sacrament, we can transform our lives."
     Prepare 10-12 questions on the sacrament and renewing our baptismal covenants. Enlist the help of your most wonderful primary pianist, or another willing teacher. Bring in some make up and hair styling products. Place them nicely on the table with maybe a couple necklaces or a shawl. Invite a primary child up front to answer a question and then TRANSFORM our primary pianist!!
     After the sharing time, WOW!!! What an amazing transformation or change!! Remember, like President McKay said, "If we properly prepare for the sacrament, we can transform our lives." We can change them for the better. Challenge the children to come up with 1 thing they can do next week to prepare for the sacrament and do it!!

* HERE is an awesome story about the sacrament!! After sharing it with the primary children, break out some paper and teach them how to make an easy origami project!! Have them bring it to sacrament next week to look at and remember to think of Jesus!

April 2017 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps & Ideas

"Your faith has made you whole" Oil on Canvas Jorge Cocco

Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ Teaches Me to Choose the Right
Monthly Scripture: “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” John 13:15

Week 1 Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me.

* Acts 10:38 "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good... for God was with him."
     Have lots of brightly colored post-it notes throughout the room. Invite a child to "go about" the room to do something good. On the post-its, have instructions for them to do something kind at that moment or talk about something good.
     For example : Give a smile to someone, give a compliment to someone, tell about a time someone was kind to you, tell about a time you were kind to someone, give someone a high five or hug, go tell the Bishop thanks for all you do, give your teacher a compliment, tell the primary pianist something you admire about them, tell someone why you are glad they are your friend, name something you could do for FHE, name something you are grateful for, what is something thoughtful a person in your family does,
and tell a sunbeam why they are awesome.
      Have a picture of Jesus covered with a bunch of post it notes. In order to take a post it off, a child will have to say something Jesus did to set the perfect example for us. There will be plenty of opportunities for children to get involved in the lesson!! While a primary friend is making their choice as they "go about" the room or take a post it off the picture, invite the rest of the primary to watch and see who is being reverent. You could call on a primary friend to choose another friend who they saw being extra attentive.
    You could even give the children little stacks of post it's at the end to draw pictures or write compliments for family members at home!

* We received a really fun game called Watch Ya' Mouth as a birthday gift. I'm not saying go out and buy it... if you happen to have it though, it would make a useful object lesson. Place one of the plastic molds in your mouth and try to talk to the primary. Can they understand you really well? No!! You are not being clear! Take it out of your mouth and say the same thing.... now was I clear??
      “Of all the lessons we learn from the life of the Savior, none is more clear and powerful than the lesson of obedience,” taught Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the April 2014 general conference.
     There are only 10 plastic mouth pieces in the game. For sanitation reasons you could probably only have 3 kids up front to help for sharing time. Give each a plastic mouthpiece. Then invite another primary friend to come up front and choose an index card for a friend with the mouthpiece to read. They get 1 chance to guess what they said, then turn it over to children with raised hands in the primary to guess. Have the friend take out the mouthpiece and say it clearly. (Now, this lesson has the chance to turn out very rowdy if YOU AS THE TEACHER let it. Remind the children that we want to come to church and learn. We can chuckle, because yes, it is odd sticking a piece of plastic in your mouth and seeing so many teeth! But we want to be able to have fun AND learn at the same time- which means smiling, being calm, not laughing too loud, and listening carefully!!)
      Index cards can have things Jesus did that set the perfect example for us for us to follow. For example: Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan. Jesus anointed the eyes of the blind and helped them to see. Jesus cast out devils. Jesus taught many parables and how to understand them. Jesus often kneeled and prayed. Jesus attended the temple often. Jesus did not shun people who were different from Him. Jesus trusted His friends and helped them.
     Jesus Christ set a CLEAR and perfect example for us. Tell the children how much you love them, how grateful you are for the opportunity to learn from them in Sharing Time. Bear your testimony of The Savior, that He was perfect and even though we aren't, He can help us to be our best.

* Prepare a week ahead of time and invite some of your cub scouts (or 2 young men's scouts) to demonstrate a proper way to carry an injured person. Thanks for sharing that valuable information!! Let's think about how hard it would be to carry an injured person as we think about the following story.
     Mark 2 tells the story of a man who had the palsy (he was paralyzed and couldn't walk). His friends were so faithful, that they took the roof off a house and lowered their friend in so he could be healed by The Savior. First, Jesus said the man was forgiven of his sins. There were scribes there that didn't believe this could be, they didn't say so but they were feeling so in their hearts. Jesus knew their hearts and responded, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" He then showed them that He had power not only to forgive, but also heal. He told the man to rise and the man with the palsy was able to rise and walk.
    We have many examples from the scriptures of things Jesus did to set the perfect example for us. But the question is, why is He the perfect example for you? What are the reasons in your heart? Have a piece of paper with a heart outline on it and invite the children to write their testimony or draw a picture of a reason why they believe Jesus is the perfect example for them.

Weeks 2 and 3 Jesus Christ taught me the right way to live.

* Hosea 14:9 "the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them"
    HERE is a really good talk. Has anyone ever gotten lost? It's a scary feeling!! Tell the children the story of the little boy who didn't even know he was lost. "We simply acted, going out in search of the one who had been lost."
      Break into groups for 5 minutes. Give each group a picture of Jesus from the GAK (gospel art kit). Invite them to talk about what the story behind the picture is. Was there someone who was lost from the path of happiness? Sometimes life is hard and there are many trials we have to go through, we can feel lost. But The Savior is there to help us. Give each group a small stuffed animal to hide while one child goes out of the room. (Have an adult by the door to help out) Invite the child back in to find the stuffed animal and talk about a way they can "act", walking in the ways of the Lord like their group's picture.
     Once everyone is seated again, invite a person from each group to share with the primary what their picture was and how they can be like Him.
    
* Have 4 chairs up front. Maybe a little cardboard steering wheel too. Invite 4 children to come up front and choose one to drive. Have a stop sign, green light, have them pretend to put on seatbelts.... things that you need to do to drive the right way. After they are done demonstrating, ask the primary, what would happen if we did not drive the right way? Has anyone ever been in a car accident?
     Jesus Christ taught us the right way to live. Is there safety in following The Savior?
     Have 15 numbered toy cars. Have 15 numbered questions, scriptures or songs about the week's theme. Invite a primary friend to drive a car to their numbered question and then answer it. Make sure they drive it the right way!! No crashing into the primary pianist!!
    "There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety. And there is constancy in the way He shows us the path." Elder Henry B. Eyring Finding Safety in Counsel April 1997

* Make copies of The Living Christ. Have children work in partners or small groups to read this and look for something they would like to illustrate from it. Bring in paper and crayons and make sure everyone has what they need for their masterpieces. Have time for children to share their work at the end. OR you could even just have them make the primary room into a Living Christ art display. Have the primary pianist play reverent music while the children quietly (because it's like a museum) walk around the room looking at the art. Did they feel anything while they were looking at pictures or listening to the music? That's the Holy Ghost testifying to us that Jesus Christ taught us the right way to live and we need to live that right way!!

Week 4 I feel my Savior’s love when I try to be like Jesus Christ.

* HERE is a link to some great jokes from The Friend. Sing the song SMILES from the Children's Songbook. Ask the primary friends how they are feeling? Make a list of things on the chalk board (you can invite 2 primary friends to write and tell them not to worry about spelling, just do their best!) of things that make us happy. Hopefully Jesus was on that list!! When we feel The Savior's love, often we feel happy or peaceful. Sometimes when we feel that love, we feel energized or sometimes very humbled. Lots of things give us temporary happiness, but Jesus' love is something that we can feel forever!! When we try to be like Him, we can feel that love. No joke!!!
    Have balloons with a small amount of playdough in them and tie them after getting all the air out. You will need to make all these before hand! Bring in some sharpies (watch those Sunbeams!!!!!!!!!!!!) and have them draw a smiley face on it. Invite the children to take their happy sack home and give it a squeeze anytime they are sad. They can think about this lesson and The Savior and remember stories from His life. They can squeeze it and watch the silly face squish about. After they feel better, they can go and do something that would then make Jesus happy!

* This will take some preparation! Take pictures of some people in your ward... 1 only of their smile and then 1 of the person!!! Have them write a short paragraph of a time when they were trying to be like Jesus and felt His love for them. Print out the pictures of the mouths/smiles!!! Invite primary friends to choose a mouth, guess who it might be.... then read the paragraph of that person. After the story, can they take another guess who it might be??? Show them the picture of the whole person.
     When we feel The Savior's love we can't help but smile!! He loves us!! And we need to try to be like Him!!