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!!

2016 April LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas & Helps

By CM Dudash



Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.
Monthly Scripture: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” Articles of Faith 1:3

Week 1 Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior.

* Moses 7:39 "And that which I have chosen hath pled before my face. Wherefore, he suffereth for their sins; inasmuch as they will repent in the day that my Chosen shall return unto me..." (The pronoun "that" being Jesus Christ)
      Play "The Chosen One". Invite 6 primary friends up front. Send one person out of the room. Choose one of the 6 friends to be "the chosen one". That friend will choose a motion and everyone has to follow it. It would be easiest if 3 children faced the other 3 children. They all repeat the motion until the chosen one changes it, then they follow that motion. The person who left the room comes back in and has 2 guesses to who the chosen one is. (The chosen one might have to be sneaky to not get spotted, and the other children in the game can't look directly at the chosen one.)
      In between each round of the game, have scriptures or questions about the premortal world. Have pictures. Discuss what the word Savior means. Who chose Him?? What can we do in our lives to follow the REAL chosen one, Jesus Christ?

* Elder Neal A. Maxwell said that it is "extremely important to get straight what happened in that premortal council. It was not an unstructured meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, nor an idea-producing session, as to how to formulate the plan of salvation and carry it out. Our Father's plan was known, and the actual question put was whom the Father should send to carry out the plan." (Deposition of a Disciple 1976)
     Have about 15 pieces of paper placed in a crooked path on the ground. Let's get straight the path and get straight our understanding of what happened before we came to earth!!
     Have 15 questions, scriptures, or songs having to do with the week's theme. (Not 15 each, 15 total) Invite a child to come up front and answer the question and then straighten out a piece of paper. At the end of the lesson, have a child walk the straight path and hold up a picture of Christ. He was chosen to be our Savior. Remind the children that if they have felt happy or peaceful today at church, that is the Holy Ghost bearing testimony that this is true.

Week 2 Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me.

* 1 Peter 2: 21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps"
     Have 10 paper footprints placed in a wide circle. Invite 5 primary friends to walk around the circle while the primary pianist plays some music.  (As I have loved you would be a great song!) When the music stops, they stand by a footprint and answer what is on it.
     Some ideas for words on the footprints:
home - What is a way you can follow Jesus' example here?
school - What is a way you can follow Jesus' example here?
story from the life of Jesus - briefly tell a story from Jesus' life and how He was an example
opposite of a good example- what is a bad choice that doesn't follow Jesus' example?
scripture- previously choose some scriptures beforehand they can read if they land on this footprint
family & friends- share with the primary someone in your life who chooses to follow the example of Jesus, what have they done that is like Him?

* 3 Nephi 18:16 "Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you."
    Give everyone a piece of paper/crayons and have them fold it in half. On one side teach the youngest primary friends (sunbeams) how to draw a sun. Demonstrate for them on  the chalkboard. It's always nice to have an example!! Sometimes with art, we don't always get a perfect picture on the first try... but that's OK. If we follow the example and keep on trying, we'll do just fine.... just like in life!! For the other friends, teach them how to draw a lightbulb. For Senior Primary, demonstrate how to draw a flashlight or campfire. You don't have to be an artist!! Just try your best or even invite someone in from the ward who knows how to draw. Remember, keep it simple!! Why are we so grateful for light??
     On the other side of their paper, have them draw a picture of The Savior. Have older children write down at least 5 things Jesus did to set an example for us.

* HERE is a short little video, it's a little slow- but definitely worthwhile for younger children.
     Have different pictures from the life of Christ. Have one friend hold the picture and briefly share what The Savior was doing. Invite another friend to come up and act out a way to follow the example of Jesus in their own life. (For example, if a friend holds up a picture of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane- another primary friend can demonstrate praying and saying I'm sorry)

Week 3 Through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved.

* I love SPARKLE!!! It is such a fun way to review and learn an article of faith. Going down the rows, every child stands, each child must say 1 word from the article of faith, then the next child says the next word. If they don't know that word they sit down. However, children sitting down can raise their hands to get back in the game if a person doesn't know the word. After the last word, the next person has to say sparkle and sit down. You keep on going until you have a lucky duck!! (I'd say winner, but everyone is a winner who has fun!!)

* What is the atonement? HERE is a very clear explanation. Divide the primary into groups of 3 or 4. Pair some younger children with older children who can read. Give them copies of that Friend article and a yellow marker and have them read for a couple minutes. Have them highlight with the marker anything that really sticks out to them.
    Afterwards, have everyone sit down in their chairs. Invite a few to share what they highlighted as a group. Great!! Now have the primary friends write on an index card an answer to the first question in the article, "What would you be willing to give for someone you love very, very much?" AND their name. Have them bring up their index card and put it into a paper bag up front.
     Invite a primary child to pull out 2 cards and share what others are willing to give. Can anyone guess who wrote that? Have them share who did. At the end review that Jesus has atoned for us. He has given His life, and everything, so that we can return to Him and Heavenly Father if we will repent and follow Him. Jesus has done this because He loves us very much!!

* Bring in a broken something, like a plastic cup with different broken pieces. Is it bad when something breaks? Yeah, pretty much because you can't really use it again unless you fix it, right? Is it a bad idea to break things? Well, one time there was a little girl who was confused about Jesus. She knew that He never made mistakes and was perfect, but couldn't understand why he would break something.
     HERE is the story to read to the primary. (Sometimes it helps the primary focus to have a few children acting out the story while you read) Was it OK for the bands of death to be broken? What are the bands of death?? Yes, absolutely!! It was completely necessary and needed!!

     Do you have the game, Don't break the ice!! DO NOT go out and buy it, just if you have it, it'd be easy to play. Instead though, we'll play DO break the ice!! Each friend gets a turn to hammer out a piece of ice and answer a question about the atonement. When the ice finally breaks, it's OK!!! It's actually great!!! It's like how Jesus has shattered the sadness that comes with death and sin, and through His atonement has cleared the way for us to return to Heavenly Father if we do what's right! He broke the bands of death, and we are grateful!!

Week 4 Jesus Christ was resurrected, and I will be too.

* The outline's suggestion is excellent for this week! HERE If you aren't able to get people to come in, have children make paper bag puppets of one of the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection and take them home to testify to family members! (You'll need paper bags, glue sticks, crayons, small scissors, and colored paper) Of course, once they are finished, children can come up and share their puppets!

* Invite a person in from the ward who has had someone close to them pass away. You will need your Bishop's approval. Have them share a picture of that person and their testimony of the resurrection.

* What is the resurrection? Bring in a glove to demonstrate it is the body. Can the glove move by itself?? No, it needs the hand. Just like our bodies need our spirits. Once we die, our spirit and body are separated for a little bit. In the resurrection, our bodies and spirits are brought together again for eternity in perfect form.
     Bring in enough pairs of gloves so that each child in primary with have a glove. Hand them out randomly, then have the children find their match. Once they have their partner, have them read a scripture about the resurrection together and talk about what they think it will be like then. Give each pair a piece of paper and have them draw a picture together or brainstorm words to describe the resurrection. During this time, you can collect all the gloves back. After a few minutes, invite children to return to their chairs. Have a few children share their work.

*  "As we learn we are immortal creatures, we realize that life, which does not end with the grave, does not begin with the cradle either. We lived before we came to this earth. We are creatures of the stars, time travelers, who come from afar and, if we are true and faithful, may return to celestial halls and live again with the mighty God who is the Father of our spirits. God’s Holy Son, our Savior, whose glorious resurrection makes it all possible, will be there to encircle us “in the arms of [His] love” (D&C 6:20)." Elder Alexander B. Morrison April 1995 "I am the Resurrection and the Life"
     Bring in a decorated time travel machine. A box with some glitter and paper on it? No friends!!! A real pretend time travel machine that will amaze and capture your attention today!! Bring in a spinner that points to 4 categories- premortal, earth life, resurrection, compliment. Invite a primary friend to come up front and sit in the time travel machine, after all, we are creatures of the stars!!, and spin the spinner. Have questions prepared about each topic premortal, earth life, and resurrection. On compliments they give 3 compliments to different people in primary. (It is AMAZING... some children do not know how to give compliments!! Teach them!! It develops a primary environment of love)
      Our time travel machine would not even be possible if it wasn't for The Savior and His resurrection. Life would really have no meaning!! Bear your personal testimony of what the resurrection means to you.

September 2014 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps & Ideas

I know this is going to sound odd, but I really couldn't find a picture for this month's post. So, I decided to post this random good looking man's picture and tell him how grateful I am that he goes into Nursery every single Sunday to help out. How he gives the most wonderful father's blessings. How I'm grateful that he is the only LDS volunteer who makes gyros at Greek Fest... 9 years now? He is pretty awesome and his only flaw is that he is not an organ donor. He is desperately attached to his organs for some reason. ??  However, he lives the gospel and it definitely blesses our family!!

Monthly Theme: Living the Gospel Blesses My Family

Monthly Scripture: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is
anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things” Articles of Faith 1:13 

Week 1 I show my gratitude by offering thanks for all my blessings.

*  "But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding. As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things,” to “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,” and to “let [our] heart be full of thanks unto God.”
Grateful in Any Circumstances President Uchtdorf April 2014 General Conference
   Have a fancy decorated goblet. Pass around the "gratitude goblet" and have children say things they are thankful for. You could even make paper (I'd use cardstock) goblets and have children color/decorate with sequins. The children could be encouraged to pass them around at dinner time with their families and share things they are thankful for.

* HERE is a wonderful sharing time idea from The Friend. I really love
" Draw large palette on piece of poster board. Divide children into six groups, and assign a different color to each group. Have each group draw pictures of blessings associated with assigned color; cut out and attach to poster."
     as well as-
" Play (a) game using poster. While childrens’ eyes are closed, remove one blessing, then have children open eyes and guess what’s missing. Discuss what it would be like without that blessing. Continue removing and guessing blessings as time permits."

* You really just can't beat The Friend. They are so inspired!
HERE is another great sharing time idea. I really like the one idea where children play a game of saying what they are thankful for, then the next child repeats what the previous friend said and adds what they are thankful for. By the last child, they will have to remember a lot!!

* Have the children act out the story of the 10 lepers. According to the handbook children do not portray deity, so just have one child hold a picture of Jesus and answer questions about what The Savior did.
Luke 17:11-18 Afterwards, you can have the children make thank you notes for someone who has done something they are thankful for!

 

Week 2 By giving service to others, I give service to God.

* Make some notes for older friends in a Senior Citizen Home!!

* Have the primary children make coupon booklets for their family of things they are willing to do this week to serve them!

* Have the children write thank you notes to local fireman!

* Make a candy bar card for The Bishop.

* I made a game entitled Primary Service Bingo. A child will come up and choose a square, do the service act, then get to X it out. See how many bingos you can get!! If you'd like the PDF file, feel free to email me. You could also divide the room in half and put up two sheets if you like a little competition!

Week 3 We believe in being honest.

* I love President Hinckley. I just love love love him!!!! His words are always so straight forward. HERE is a talk he gave that really drives home the point of what it means to be honest. It would be a good read to prepare for your lesson.

* “A man … went one evening to steal corn from a neighbor’s field. He took his little boy with him to sit on the fence and keep a look-out, so as to give warning in case any one should come along. The man jumped over the fence with a large bag on his arm, and before commencing to take the corn he looked all around, first one way and then the other, and not seeing any person, he was just about to fill his bag. … [The boy then called out]:
     “‘Father, there is one way you haven’t looked yet! … You forgot to look up.’” (I Believe in Being Honest and True by Ann Dibb April 2011 General Conference)
    

Cornhole is basically the same as a bean bag toss! Have some questions, scriptures and songs about honesty on pictures of corn all over the room. Once they choose one and answer, let them toss a few bean bags into the corn hole (you could use an upside down box with a  hole) that you've brought in. 1 point if they can land it on the board, 3 points for in the hole. How many points can you earn as a primary??

 

* "I have observed three common characteristics of the priesthood holders who are my heroes. One is a pattern of prayer, the second is a habit of service, and the third is a rock-hard decision to be honest." (The Priesthood Man Elder Eyring April 2014 General Conference)

   Bring in a rock collection!! Let the children observe the rocks and pass them around. What does it mean to have "a rock hard decision to be honest"? Have 3-4 cups. Place a rock under one cup and shuffle around. Let the child choose a cup and see if the rock is under that cup!! Have different case scenarios about honesty for the child to answer after!

For example:

    Brenda went to the movies with friends. After they wanted to see another movie and sneak into the next theater. How can Brenda be honest?

    Marty broke his mom's favorite lamp after she told him not to play soccer in the house. No one saw what he did. How can Marty be honest?

    Sally studied hard for her spelling test, but it was the wrong list! She didn't know any words, but it looked like the person sitting next to her did. How could Sally be honest?

    End by talking about what it would be like to be an apostle's hero! We can do that if we make the firm, rock hard decision, to be honest!!

 

*All aboard!!!  HERE is a really cool honesty train the children can make from The Friend. I can choo-choo-choose to be honest!!!

Week 4 By living the gospel I set a good example for others to follow.

* A good read HERE to prepare for the week's lesson. I especially like picturing the grandma bent in a V shape!! Sweet patient woman!

* 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
    Divide the primary into 6(ish- depending on how many children you have in primary) groups. Prepare in ADVANCE!!! Call parents and get some stories of children from your primary who have set good examples. Give a story to each group and have them try to guess who it might be from your primary.

* "We best serve our Father in Heaven by righteously influencing others and serving them. The greatest example who ever walked the earth is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His mortal ministry was filled with teaching, serving, and loving others. He sat down with individuals who were judged to be unworthy of His companionship. He loved each of them. He discerned their needs and taught them His gospel. He invites us to follow His perfect example." ("I Have Given You an Example" Elder Richard G. Scott April 2014 General Conference... great read!!)
     Invite 5 children up front. Have them share a way they can be a good example. Then have each child choose a motion to do. Have the primary watch carefully, then when all the 5 children have spoken and done their motion, the primary tries to remember all 5 motions and follow/do them.

* "I am inspired by the examples being set by the righteous members of the Church, including the noble youth. You courageously look to the Savior. You are faithful, obedient, and pure. The blessings you receive because of your goodness affect not only your lives but also my life and the lives of countless others in profound but often unknown ways.
     A few years ago, I was in line to make a purchase at my local grocery store. Ahead of me stood a young woman, about 15 years old. She appeared confident and happy. I noticed her T-shirt and couldn’t resist talking to her. I began, “You’re from out of state, aren’t you?”

She was surprised by my question and replied, “Yes, I am. I’m from Colorado. How did you know?”

I explained, “Because of your T-shirt.” I made my accurate supposition after reading the words on her shirt, “I’m a Mormon. Are you?”

I continued, “I must tell you that I’m impressed by your confidence to stand out and wear such a bold declaration. I see a difference in you, and I wish every young woman and every member of the Church could have your same conviction and confidence.” Our purchases completed, we said good-bye and parted.

       Yet for days and weeks after this random everyday moment, I found myself seriously reflecting upon this encounter. I wondered how this young girl from Colorado came to possess such confidence in her identity as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I couldn’t help but wonder what meaningful phrase I would figuratively choose to have printed on my T-shirt reflecting my belief and testimony. In my mind, I considered many possible sayings. Eventually, I came upon an ideal statement I would proudly wear: “I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.” (Sister Ann Dibb October 2013 General Conference I know it. I live it. I love it.)

     Make copies of a blank T-shirt on a piece of paper for the primary children. After reading the above mentioned story, invite the children to design their own T-shirt. What would they put on it to show that they can be a good example?? Maybe you could even make a real t-shirt and give it to the Bishop to wear with a slogan the primary children come up with!!

January 2014 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

"Trust in the Lord" (Proverbs 3:5-6) by the talented James Johnson, HERE is his website.

I love everything about this picture. It embodies everything about the monthly theme and truly captures the beauty of this journey we are on, Christ always ready to lead us along.

 

Monthly Theme: Heavenly Father Prepared a Way for Me to return to His Presence.
Monthly Scripture: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Week 1 I am a child of God and can be like Him someday.

* Have a basin of water. Have a laminated picture of a toe or foot. Have a laminated picture of a child in a swimsuit.
     "When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be." President Uchtdorf Of Regrets and Resolutions Oct. 2012 (Awesome talk- highly recommend reading!!)
     Is dipping our toes in the water going swimming? We are children of God and we can be like Him someday, but we need to work hard!!! Just dipping our toes in is not enough. We need to get in all the way and swim hard!! Have a list of case scenarios and invite a child to come up front. Have them decide whether that person was just dipping their feet in the gospel or swimming to be like Heavenly Father someday!
      A few ideas for the case scenarios:
      A friend earned $5 for doing chores and decided to buy a toy instead of paying tithing.
      A friend had a birthday party to go to on Sunday but chose to go to church instead.
      Susie was very tired and decided to go to bed early instead of reading her scriptures.
      Arnold decided to only read books with good language in them.
      Percy decided to invite a boy to play with him who usually played alone at recess.
      Harry always made sarcastic comments.  

* Have a nicely decorated table with flowers, crumpets, a teapot, and herbal decaffeinated tea. Wear a robe and crown. In your best British accent invite the children to explain all about royalty. What is a throne? What is an heir? How does one inherit the throne?
     We may not be princesses and princes who will rule earthly countries, but we are royal heirs!! (Insert my 9 year old daughter's personal interpretation/rendition of a popular radio song that she felt wasn't teaching it right.... quoting Christina "And yes we are royal! (Royal!) We are children of The King, Our Heavenly Father loves us so... and one day we'll be like Him, if we follow Jesus (Jesus)....We can have eternal life and baby we'll rule (we'll rule, we'll rule, we'll rule) the eternities... I know. I have the most awesome children on earth.)
Have a primary friend read Romans 8:16-17 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

     One day we can be like Heavenly Father because we are His children!! Have come slips of paper in your teapot. Invite children to draw a strip of paper and share what Heavenly Father is like:

He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering, and full of goodness (see Psalm 103:6–8)
He does not change, and his course is one eternal round (see D&C 35:1)
He is a God of truth and cannot lie (see Ether 3:11–12)
He is no respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34–35)
God is love (see 1 John 4:8, 16)
He has all power (see Alma 26:35)
He is completely just (see Deuteronomy 32:4)
(These statements are from Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3 HERE)
After the children either read the scripture or statement, ask them how they can be like Heavenly Father in that way? For example, Heavenly Father is slow to anger... what can you do at home to be more patient? Invite others to share their thoughts too!
     End with repeating Romans 8:16-17 and bearing testimony that you know we are children of God and can become like Him someday!

* Show the children a picture of a sculpture or an actual sculpture. What do the children think about this work of art?
     "Each of us was born with the potential to become like our Heavenly Father. Through our experiences and by properly using our agency, we can turn our lives in the direction of God and become like Him. Or we can be distracted by the world and fail to achieve our potential as it was promised to us. Figuratively, we all have the potential to become beautiful works of art in the Lord’s hands. In this sense, He is the sculptor and He uses a hammer and chisel to mold us through our experiences day by day. If we allow the Lord to shape us, the result will be wonderful."
Becoming a Work of Art Ulisses Soares BYU Devotional November 2013 click HERE for full talk
    Give the children a chunk of play dough or salt dough for them to make a beautiful work of art. After about 3-4 minutes, invite children up front to share their work and something that we can do to be like Heavenly Father.   
     Is hard clay easy to work with? We need to make sure that we are not hard hearted and allow Heavenly Father to help us become His beautiful masterpieces!!

Week 2 Heavenly Father provided a Savior and makes it possible for me to return to His presence. &
Week 4 I can return to Heavenly Father by Following Jesus Christ.

I thought the week's themes were very similar, so I combined the ideas, which I don't usually do.

* HERE is a story from The Friend called Finding the Way Back. Read the primary children the story. Have a ball and a bucket for children to gently try to kick the ball into. In the story, Timmy kept kicking the ball farther and farther away from where he needed to be! Invite a child up to try to make a goal and answer a question, read a scripture or sing a song about Heavenly Father provided a Savior and has made it possible for us to return to Him!
    Some questions could include: What is the atonement? How can we repent? How did the Savior show us the way back to Heavenly Father? Who has the Father given to us as a gift to help guide us back to Him? When was the plan for a Savior given and did we choose that plan?

* Have about 10 different paper airplanes hidden throughout the room. Have a large picture of Elder Robert D. Hales. Tell the children that he used to be a jet fighter pilot in the US Air Force. In his group of pilots in the Air Force they would paint motto's on the side of their planes to help inspire them. His squadron/group's motto was "Return with Honor". Have a child write that on the board.
     What does it mean "Return with Honor" and how is that inspiring?
      Elder Hales has said, "This same motto, “Return with Honor,” can be applied to each of us in our eternal plan of progression. Having lived with our Heavenly Father and having come to earth life, we must have determination to return with honor to our heavenly home. How do we return to our Heavenly Father with honor? Just as aircraft pilots must obey certain rules in order to avoid disaster, there are laws, ordinances, and covenants we must understand and obey as we go through this earthly life—this preparatory period—if we are to reach our goal of eternal life." (April 1990 Ensign talk found HERE)
     On the paper airplanes have questions, scriptures, and songs having to do with the week's theme. Invite the children to come fly a plane and then do what is says on the inside. Really, if we think about it.... the only reason we can fly home is because Heavenly Father and Jesus provided us the airplanes, map, gas, training... everything!!

* Tell the children the following (The exact words can be found HERE, an Ensign Article by Elder Marvin J. Ashton): A man was once on a train in England. The train conductor was walking around punching travelers tickets and stopped to ask each one "Where is your destination?". Elder Ashton was asked the same question, "Where is your destination?" He replied a small town by name and the conductor said that they would be there in 10 minutes. However,  Elder Ashton thought about the question. He needed to go to that place, but there were also many other places he needed to visit after! What does destination mean?? In the journey of life, what is our destination???
    "As we pursue our journeys, let us ever bear in mind that in train travel and in life, there are stations, there are departures, calls, schedules, and opportunities for being side-tracked and diverted. Wise is the individual who follows in his, the Savior’s, paths. Safety and joy belong to those who will come and follow him. I bear witness to you today that God is eternal. We are eternal, and God never intended for us to travel alone. What is your destination? I humbly pray our Heavenly Father to help each one of us realize it is eternal life, exaltation in our Father’s kingdom."
     Have a train track on the chalkboard with about 10 stops and a bunch of spaces. What could some of these stops in life be?? Perhaps baptism, serving a mission, temple marriage.... all are necessary and goals that will help us to our final destination!! Have a picture of a train with a magnet on the back so you can move it easily. Children can roll the dice to move the train. When they get to a stop, have them answer a question, read a scripture or sing together a song having to do with Jesus and how He has made it possible for us to return to Heavenly Father.
Make sure they reach their final destination!! Eternal Life with Heavenly Father and Jesus!!
     Some questions could include: Where did the Atonement of the Savior take place? (Show a picture of the Garden of Gethsemane... but also, as part of the Atonement Jesus had to die, so you can show a picture of Him on the cross... don't be afraid to teach children names of places!!) What are 3 things the Savior did in His life to give us as an example to follow? What can you do to gain a testimony of The Savior? Why did Heavenly Father sacrifice His perfect Son for us- how does that make you feel?

Week 3 Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me to follow.

* Show a recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Then show about 5 more. There are lots of recipes out there to make chocolate chip cookies, just like there are lots of good examples of people for us to be like in life. But there is a big difference between chocolate chip cookies and us!! There is only ONE PERFECT example for us to follow and I need all my primary friends to point to a picture in the room of who that PERFECT example is!! That's right!! Jesus!
     Let's choose this recipe to make some cookie batter for the Bishop. When we follow a recipe we have to be very careful, or else what can happen to the cookies?? Let children add ingredients when they can correctly identify Gospel Art Book pictures of The Savior's life. What did Christ do in the picture as an example for us to follow?
     Our Savior always served others, so let's do some service and have a friend deliver this to the Bishop! Like the outline says, challenge the children to think of a way they can follow The Savior this week!

* Have a large plastic bowl and a wash towel. Tell the children that you are going to read a scripture passage to them and you want them to picture themselves at that place with a bowl of water and wash towel. You can also have a primary friend hold a picture of Jesus washing His disciples feet. It's a longer passage, so make sure when you are reading, you read with expression and move around a little. John 13:1-15 emphasizing the last verse, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."
     What does this scripture mean? How did you feel as you heard these words? Remind the children that when we have feelings of peace, this is the Holy Ghost confirming truth to us.
      Have children write down ways that they can be like Jesus on strips of paper. Have them put them in the bowl. Pass around the wash towel reverently as you sing a song about Jesus. When the music stops, whoever is holding the towel can draw a paper or 2 from the bowl and share what other friends have written.
      "Jesus wanted the Twelve—and He wants each of us—to learn that humility and service are worthy characteristics we should seek to obtain. He taught that no one is too important to serve others." Barbara Thompson As I Have Loved You Ensign 2011

* 1 Peter 2: 21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps"
     Have numbered 1 through 10 footprints cut out and spread out in the room. Invite children to choose a footprint. Have a corresponding numbered Gospel Art Book Picture for the children to look at from the life of The Savior. Invite them to share all they know about that story and what they can do to follow Jesus' example.
     When the primary children have found all the footprints, invite them to reverently walk beside the footprints and then back to their chairs as we sing "Come Follow Me" (Hymns 116)

* Sing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" (CS 78-79). President Eyring had an experience one time as he watched other children sing this song. He said, " It seemed to me that they were not just singing; they were declaring their determination. Jesus Christ was their example. To be like Him was their fixed goal. And their eager looks and their shining eyes convinced me that they had no doubts. They expected to succeed. They believed that the instruction of the Savior to be perfect was not a hope but a command. And they were sure He had prepared the way.

     That determination and confidence can and must be in the heart of every Latter-day Saint. The Savior has prepared the way through His Atonement and His example. And even the children who sang that song knew how.

      Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example." Our Perfect Example General Conference October 2009

      Have about 10-12 paper hearts throughout the room with questions, scriptures, and songs having to do with The Savior's example and how we can follow Him. Invite children to choose hearts and participate.