Sharing Time - March Week 4

To introduce the topic of Jesus being our Savior I really like Jill's idea over at Hatch Patch to do a matching game.  On one side of your board use her cute picture cards showing different problems we come across and the other side show all the different "savers" we have in our lives to help us.  Next, let the kids come up and match a "saver" with a problem and then discovering at the end there's a problem left over!  Who can save us from sin?

Even if they already shout out the answer, stop for a minute and talk about sin.  What is it really?  Read James chapter 4, verse 17 which says,

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." 

-I copied this next part while reading yesterday, but I didn't put a reference- 

"Sin is more than just making a mistake.  When we sin, we disobey God's commandments or fail to act correctly despite our knowledge of the truth." 

Ask the kids what that means?  Maybe ask who does that?  Do their parents, their primary teachers, the BISHOP?!

Everyone sins, and thankfully Heavenly Father knew we would and he sent a Savior to pay for our sins.  All we have to do is what?  We talked about it earlier this month?  Repent!!!

One of the first Sundays this month we realized our kids don't know the scriptures.  Many of them don't even know the main books of scripture we use (one adorable boy held his quad, looking at the spine trying to find the New Testament and declared his scriptures didn't have one because he didn't realize it was part of the Bible).  So, we're trying to find ways to use them to help our kids become more familiar with them.

Along that vein, I found this idea on lds dot org that you can adapt and meld with the encourage understanding section from the Sharing Time Outline.  On a board hang several names from the scriptures (those who've more dramatically been saved from sin): Alma the Younger, Enos, Zeezrom, Lamoni's father, the man brought to Jesus, and I added, Paul/Saul.  Then make up strips with a scripture that talks about each to put into a jar or basket for the children to draw out.

Alma the Younger
Alma 36:17
"And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world."

Enos
Enos 1:2
"And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins."

Zeezrom
Alma 15:8-10
"And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed. 
And he said: Yea I believe according to thy words.
And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ."

Lamoni's father
Alma 22:18
"O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.  And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead."

Man brought to Jesus
Luke 5:24
"But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house."

Paul/Saul
Acts 9:4 & 6
"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him...why persecutest thou me?
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

For Junior Primary, I would have the scripture reference and the scripture to read on the piece of paper.  Then, let the first child who can tell me which main book of scripture that verse is found in guess which man the clue is referring to.

For Senior Primary, I would only have the reference, giving them the opportunity to look through the scriptures and become more familiar with them.  That part would take longer, but it will be easier to "guess" the answer when you can read surrounding verses.

I like the idea of have time to bare testimonies.  You can bare yours (taking down the helmet of salvation if you've done the armor of God guy), give the kids an opportunity to share theirs or have a short guest speaker in to share theirs. 

I also really like the idea of having the bishop be that guest speaker (as long as you make sure he knows your time limits) to share his testimony of the Savior.  Our bishopric comes in the first Sunday of every month and I'm always impressed with the love a bishop has for the children in his ward.  I suppose it is the Savior's love showing through and the kids won't be able to help feeling it.

Testimony Challenge
Short and sweet, just like last week add one thing to their prayers.  Ask to know and feel Heavenly Father's love during the day.  Ask and think about it everyday!

Good luck with your week!!