June Sharing Time - I Can Prepare Now to Be Worthy to Enter the Temple

Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families."

Keep this in mind as you are prayerfully preparing for this weeks lesson.  Temples are amazing and what we are blessed to do there so much more so.

After singing, "I Love to See the Temple" again, make sure the kids understand what sacred means as you discuss their sacred duty.  You've probably already talked about it this month, but I'd suggest asking again, framing it like a pop quiz to make sure they understand and can word an answer for themselves. 

Then, tell them you've hidden some puzzle pieces around the room that will give them principles they can use to prepare for the temple.

Just as an aside, the Sharing Time Outline asks you to talk about the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet...I'm not sure why.  In primary we have My Gospel Standards, why don't we use them more?  Does anyone know?  I tried to look up and see if they have discontinued using them, we still have the poster in our primary room, but I couldn't find anything definitive one way or the other.  Because I really like My Gospel Standards, because they're in our primary room, and because I really like them, I'm going to focus this section on them instead of For the Strength of Youth.

I thought I'd take a picture of a "Future Temple Recommend" like this one I found as part of a temple dedication countdown packet, print it full page size, cut it up into puzzle pieces, write some My Gospel Standards on the back, and hide them around the primary room before the children arrive.

You can find a copy of the standards on lds dot org and the temple recommend that I've blown up on google docs.  I wouldn't use every standard, choose the ones you feel apply best to the lesson (and that your children need to hear), maybe six or so.  The number of pieces really depends on how long you want this section to last; less pieces, less time.

As a child brings one piece to the front, have them read it to the rest of the primary and tell one way that principle helps them prepare to enter the temple when they are twelve years old (and continue to enter it throughout their entire lives!!).

After you finish, you can either end here or do the last section, passing around the different drawings you can find on lds dot org.  I think this would work well in both primaries, but especially in junior primary.  The kids love to be active and involved in everything that goes on.

Sometimes, when thinking about all we are supposed to do, about all the mistakes I make, I get a little discouraged.  Then, almost as if by accident, I come across a quote like this from Elder Nelson:

"One day we will meet our Maker and stand before Him at Judgement.  We will be judged according to our ordinances, covenants, deeds, and the desires of our hearts."

It is not just the covenants we make, the ordinances we participate in or the things we choose to do (or not), we will also be judged by our heart.  By what we truly want.  I want so much to do better, to be able to feel the love of my Father in Heaven everyday and to live with Him again.  To know that those feelings count, means a lot.

Have a wonderful sharing time!

Leah

June Sharing Time - Temples Make it Possible for Families to be Together Forever

This week's lesson from the Sharing Time Outline is pretty short, so I decided to add a little game of memory to go along with it.

First, have displayed a picture of the temple nearest you (for us it's the Ogden Temple pictured above, which is almost ready to have live pictures taken!!) and then sing the song "I Love to See the Temple."

I don't know about you, but our primary LOVES this song.  Just before they sing it, ask them to listen specifically for reasons we attend the temple.

Then play the memory game I've put together using pictures of temples from lds dot org.  I picked mostly random temples, but you could get online to add or change out any you'd like.  After saving them, print them quarter sheet size (3.5" x 5") to match the ones I've already done.

Now, because I always like a good twist, I've added a little bit to this memory game.  After they get a correct match, they get to read a slip of paper.  You could either attach the paper to one half of each temple match or stick it in some sort of basket at the front of the room. 

Half of the slips talk about why we go to the temple (taken directly from the song sung at the beginning of the lesson) and the other half ask one of two questions.  If they get one of the second half, they'll either list one way they can prepare to attend the temple or tell one way the temple blesses their family.

You can right click and save as the pictures above, or if you'd like a little higher resolution, you can also go to google docs and download it there.

If you read the side bar in the Sharing Time Outline booklet, you'll notice that it's asking us to focus on sending the lessons topics home with the children.  The suggestion this week is to send them home with a temple coloring sheet where they can draw their families near the temple (you can find their line drawing here, just scroll down until you get to the June pictures and you'll see it). 

I think it would be great if you could find a line drawing of your own temple (that closest one you're displaying in the primary room) if you can find one (try googling and see what comes up).

Don't forget to end with your testimony of temples.  They are an amazing blessing in our lives!!

Leah

June Sharing Time - Priesthood Ordinances Bless and Strengthen My Family

Elder Craig C. Cardon, of the Seventy, said,

"The priesthood also has the power to change our very natures."

How awesome is that? 

I've often thought about how the gospel has changed me.  I can't tell a difference from day to day, but when I look back over several months, I am amazed.

I like to compare myself to a large stone and the gospel (and the ordinances within it) to a slow, yet consistent, stream of water.  Maybe even the word stream is too big, perhaps drip would be better.  As I participate in the teachings of the gospel, try to make them a daily party of my life, those drips change me just as the water will eventually carve into the stone. 

Elder Cardon closed his talk by saying,

"So it is that the priesthood, through the workings of the Spirit, moves individuals closer to God through ordination, ordinances, and refinement of individual natures, thus affording God's children the opportunity to become like Him and live eternally in His presence - a work more glorious than moving mountains."

Becoming more like God is a "work more glorious that moving mountains"!  I love it!

Start off your Sharing Time by either reading or singing (for those of you with more vocal talent than me) the lyrics to the second verse of "Love Is Spoken Here."  Before you read, tell the kids that when they hear something that blesses their family to stand up (or raise their hand, touch their nose or anything else you can think of).

Mine is a home where ev'ry hour is blessed by the strength of priesthood pow'r,

With father and mother leading the way,

Teaching me how to trust and obey;

And the things they teach are crystal clear,

For love is spoken here.

 

After your done reading through the verse, have one child tell you what it teaches about how our families can be blessed.  Then, ask for examples.  Have the children share with you ways their life has been blessed by the priesthood. 

 

This makes me think of a family in our ward that started visiting temples throughout Utah every month in January (yes, I know we Utahns are unbelievably blessed when it comes to the lack of distance between our homes and multiple temples).  As a youth we went on temple trips a few times a year, but I never thought about doing them with my parents, as a family.  If you have a family that makes time to go to the temple together, you could either talk about them or have them come in for a few minutes to tell you how it has blessed their lives.  I think this would be an awesome addition to the conversation and add an angle the children may not have thought about before.

 

Now you can move on to quiz time. 

 

While you could follow the Sharing Time Outline a little more exactly in senior primary, having the younger kids (mostly the youngest two classes) think up clues would really be having their teachers come up with clues.

 

So, this is my alternative, find pictures for as many priesthood ordinances as you'd like.  You can either go to lds dot org and print them at home, or get to church a little early and have your lovely librarians find some for you. 

 

Copy and paste the clues below to be used in a variety of ways.  You could cut them apart, put them in a basket for the kids to draw out and guess; hide them around the room or under chairs; or you could read them, having the kids do something when they know the answer (like standing up).

 

This is done every sacrament meeting.

 

While this is happening a group of men stand in a circle and hold you in their hands.

 

When you find them person you want to spend forever with, you go to a special place to do this.

 

If you aren't feeling very well, your dad or other worthy priesthood holder can give you this.

 

This ordinance can only be done after you are 8 years old.

 

This only happens after you are dunked under water, but usually either right after or the next Sunday.

 

Feel free to add other ordinances if you think of them!

 

As one is guessed, stop for a minute and talk about how exactly it can bless not just your life, but the lives of your family.  Encourage the children (and teachers) to share personal stories.

 

Send the children home with their very own copy of the matching game from this months "Friend."  I know that many children get the magazine delivered to their homes, but not many will have their very own copy.  These ones they can color, cut out and play with their families. 

 

Not too long ago, Sister Carole M. Stephens of the General Relief Society gave a talk with a great title, "Do We Know What We Have?"  For those of us that have easy access to the blessings of the priesthood, it can be easy to forget what wonderful blessings they truly are.

 

"These priesthood ordinances and covenants provide access to the fullness of the blessings promised us by God, which are made possible by the Savior's Atonement.  They arm sons and daughters of God with power, God's power, and provide us with the opportunity to receive eternal life - to return to God's presence and live with Him in His eternal family."

 

Let's not forget how blessed we are.  Let's not forget where that power comes from and to whom we should express our thanks.  Often.

 

Leah

May Sharing Time - The Prophet Speaks to Us During General Conference

Last week I wrote about a modified memory game I'd made up using both quotes from the latest General Conference and the pictures of our modern day prophets and apostles. 

If you haven't used the game yet, I think it fits pretty darn perfectly this week. 

This is what one half of the matching looks like, the other half is a picture of an apostle on one side and the matching quote picture on the other (the quote pictures help the kids...and you...to match the quotes more easily to the correct apostle's picture).

If you'd like to use the matching game, click back to my previous weeks post for more detailed instructions and the link for the download.  This game would also work awesomely for a Family Home Evening (or two).  My kids loved playing it last time I made it and I'm looking forward to getting it all printed out so we can do this one.

If you've already used the game, or would prefer not to, I do have another idea for this week.

I was perusing through some family home evening ideas on King Benjamin when I came across one on A Year of FHE.  I've probably mentioned this blog before, but just in case you haven't ever checked it out, I would highly recommend it.  Her lessons are simple, easy and pretty great.

The lesson I found used a black and white King Benjamin and tower.  Each step of his tower detailed a different teaching from his speech.  As I looked at the tower, an idea started to percolate.

I could made a "tower" for President Monson and then add his teaching from our most recent General Conference.

After going through a few different incarnations, I finally found a format I really liked (which I'll show you in just a minute).

I would start the lesson by asking the children to tell me what they know about King Benjamin.  Go until someone talks about his speech from the tower. 

Then, ask if there is anything like that today, do we gather together to hear our prophets speak?

We are so blessed to hear from them at General Conference two times every year!!

Then say something like this...

Hearing is important, we have to hear and learn about messages from our Heavenly Father before we can do them.   Today, we're going to talk about what King Benjamin taught us in the Book of Mormon and what President Monson taught us just last conference. 

As we're learning, be thinking about how we can make changes in our lives to put the teachings to work.

I made the King Benjamin tower a little bigger and then made a podium/tower for President Monson. 

Take the towers and cut them apart so each rung on the ladder is one piece.

Put the tower and podium up on the board and have each ladder piece in a cup/basket/bag for the children to draw out.  As they draw a rung, have them decide which prophet the teaching belongs to AND talk about how we can use that teaching in our lives every single day.

The download also has a King Benjamin and President Monson you can put at the top of the tower or behind the podium.

I love how so many of the General Conference speakers express their love for President Monson and a personal witness of his call as a prophet.  This would be a perfect way to end sharing time. 

Leah

May Sharing Time - My Family Will Be Blessed as We Follow the Prophet

"One admonition that has been a strength to me is the powerful declaration of the Prophet Joshua, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). ...

In our world today, one thing has not changed since Joshua spoke: Those who choose to serve the Lord  will always listen attentively and specifically to the Prophet.  In modern Israel, serving the Lord means carefully following the Prophets" (Elder Andersen).

We have been taught to follow the prophets, to choose as a family for a very long time.  It is truly advice or any age and every family.

I think following the idea in the Sharing Time Outline to have a few families come in and share how the follow the prophet is a great idea.  I would additionally ask them to share what they've learned from the most recent conference and what they've done (or plan to do) to follow that specific counsel.

If you choose to ask more than one family, I wouldn't plan on doing anything else.  Ask enough that they'll each have 3-5 minutes (I'd say 3-4 families) and be excited that you get a fantastic sharing time without having to do too much work.

You could also choose to have just one family speak for a minute or two to introduce the topic and then use the last idea in the outline to help the kids learn more about what our prophet has taught us most recently.

Last year I made up a game to help the kids learn about what our apostles taught during conference and how those teachings can be applied in our lives.  I decided to make another one for this conference seeing as it would fit beautifully with this weeks topic.

This game would fit great with the last week too, so if you want to have families come in for the third week, you could still use the game during the fourth week.

It's sort of a modified game of memory.  You match a quote from conference with the apostle who said it.  To help more easily match them up, I put a picture that goes along with the quote (or in some cases, the talk) both on the quote and on the back of the apostle picture.

To play, you'll need:

Pictures of the apostles.  I printed out and laminated quarter page size pictures of the apostles a few years ago and I use them frequently at home and in primary.  Very worth the ink.

Pictures that match the quotes to tape or sticky onto the back of the apostle pictures.

The quotes and pictures (both the pictures and the quote pictures shown below are here).

I would arrange the board like this:

Put all the prophets on one side (with the quote picture stickey-ed on back) and the quote/pictures on the other side.

Make sure to line up the prophet pictures with enough space either next to or underneath so you can put the quotes there once they've been matched.  You could take them off the board as you find matches, but I like the idea of the kids being able to see them the whole time.

Game instructions:

1. Call on a child to choose a quote and prophet picture (I would also ask them to try and name the apostle they've chosen).

2. Check the picture on the back of the prophet picture to see if they match.

3. If they match, proceed to step 4, if not, start again with step 1.

4. Have the child read the quote and lead a short discussion on how we can use that specific counsel in our personal and/or family lives.

5. Put quote back on board next to the apostle who said it.

6. Start again with step 1.

Teach the children that our "... prophets speak to us in the name of the Lord and in plainness.  As the Book of Mormon confirms, "For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding" (2 Ne. 31:3).

While it is important to search and ponder, God will always speak to us in a way that we can understand individually.  This is why many people feel General Conference was specifically for them.  Through the Holy Ghost, we will hear what we need exactly at this time in our lives, making the teachings and counsel given very personal. 

President Uchtdorf went on to say, "Let us listen to the prophets of our days as they help us focus on the things that are central to the Creator's  plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

As we listen and try to feel and follow Heavenly Father's direction for us, and for our families, we will grow stronger.  Our faith, testimonies, families and so much more will be impacted in positive ways.  I am so thankful for the amazing gift and blessing conference can be in all our lives!!

Happy Sharing Time,

Leah

May Sharing Time - The Prophets in the Scriptures are Examples to my Family

Image courtesy of bulldogza/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Elder Waldo P. Call of the Seventy said, "My dear brothers and sisters and family, can't you see what we need to do?  Be submissive - do not murmur - endure to the end.  If we will do this, the Lord will show us the way, if we will but follow his prophets and Apostles."

I used this quote while writing about last weeks sharing time, but I couldn't help using it again this week.  It's simple and profound.

We need to follow the prophets, to learn from their teachings AND their lives. 

This week we get to focus on the lives of several prophets from the scriptures.  We get to talk about what their example teaches us and how we can use those teachings in our lives.

After introducing the topic with the clapping exercise found in the Sharing Time Outline (you could really have them follow you doing anything and it would work exactly the same), move on to the individual prophets we'll be learning about. 

I was thinking it would be fun to have each of the prophets pictures up on a board so all the children can see them (the library has pictures of all the prophets, while you can print them out, you can save yourself some ink by getting to church a little early and giving your helpful librarians a copy of who you need portraits of).  Then, using some reusable poster putty, attach the scripture reference to the bottom. 

I want to kids to read the scripture and GUESS which prophet it's talking about.  I figured, if I had them look it up, they'd be able to know which prophet purely from the reference (especially in senior primary).  That's why I typed up the scriptures, sans reference, and stuck the reference on the pictures.

After reading the scripture, attach it below the prophets picture, and spend a minute letting them tell you what they can learn about that prophet's example from the scripture.  How can they apply the lesson in their own lives?

While you can move to the next prophet after the discussion, I have another idea.  Well, I suppose it's actually the Sharing Time Outline that has another idea, although I did tweak it just a smidge.

Teach the kids a made up verse to Follow the Prophet that goes along with that teaching. 

Did anyone else see that and think, huh, if only I was a little more quippy, quick, good at writing song lyrics, I could totally help the kids come up with a verse DURING sharing time? 

Luckily, I was able to find verses for almost half of the prophets.  They are pretty great.

Unfortunately, that still left me with a little more than half. 

Even more unfortunately, I decided to take a stab at writing a few verses.  So, if you'd like to use them, you can.  If you just want a good laugh, they'll work pretty well for that, too. 

Lehi was a prophet, sailed across the sea

From Jerusalem the Lord told him to flee

Coming off the boat, he knelt down in the sand

Thanked the Lord for leading them to the promised land.

Nephi was a prophet, he chose to obey

All of the commandments that the Lord did say

Nephi was courageous, valiant, true

What the Lord commanded, he would go and do.

Once there was a prophet, king of all the land,

Gathered all his people, taught them the Lord’s plan.

All the people listened; joy filled every heart.

Then King Benjamin said, “Go serve and do your part.”

Joshua was a prophet, he taught us to be strong,

If we use our courage, we just can’t go wrong.

His challenge was to choose each and every day

How our house can follow God in every way.

Prophet John the Baptist paved the way for God,

He got people ready with a gentle prod.

Baptizing with water all who held desire,

So they would be ready to be filled with fire.

Alma the Younger didn’t choose the right,

So his father prayed, pled with all his might.

An angel came to Alma, showing he’d been sent,

Alma saw his sins and hurried to repent.

A prophet followed God by building 8 great boats,

So across the ocean their families they could tote.

Jared’s brother showed great faith and then he saw

Our Savior Jesus Christ which filled him with awe.

Pres’dent Monson is our prophet, he teaches us through God

To follow the commandments and hold the iron rod

We watch at General Conference; the words he speaks are true

And even though we’re small, there’s so much we can do

 


I included a verse about President Monson in case you have extra time (ha), want to take extra time or fit it into another weeks sharing time.  I think it would fit pretty great with week 4.

After going through as many prophets as your time allows (I'm pretty sure the 15 minutes allotted for sharing time go faster than regular 15 minutes most Sundays), take the time to bear your testimony.

Elder Neil L. Andersen said,

"This is the kingdom of God upon the earth.  You and I are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the Son of God.  He lives.  He directs this work.  President Hinckley is His Prophet, and with him are 14 ohers who hold the Apostolic keys.  They are watchmen on the tower, messengers of the warning voice, Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).

"And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey" (Josh. 24:24).

That these words may be written in our hearts is my prayer..."

Leah

If you'd like to download the scriptures, references and new verses to Follow the Prophet, I've uploaded them to Google Docs.

May Sharing Time - God Speaks to us Through Prophets

I love this month's theme.  I also love the timing, coming just after April's General Conference.  I also, also love that some of the weeks incorporate teachings we heard last month (weeks three and four). 

It is such a comfort to know that we each have the opportunity (an argument could even be made for responsibility) to receive personal revelation.  To know that we have a prophet TODAY who has been called by God to lead us through the challenges we're facing right NOW. 

President Uchtdoft said, "Today, we have again apostles, seers, and revelators who are watchmen on the tower, messengers of supernal, healing truth.  God speaks to us through them.  They are profoundly aware of the different circumstances we members are living in."

In the same talk he also teaches us that, "It is our responsibility not only to listen but also to act upon His word."

This second quote fits in perfectly with today's Sharing Time.  We cannot just listen.  In order to grow in the gospel we have to DO.

This week I read through the lesson.  I read through some talks.  I read through the lesson.  I reviewed the talks.  And then I probably did it a few more times.

I really struggled knowing how to implement it.

I actually love the outline for senior primary.  I'm only going to make a small change, our primary is on the small side, so we'll read through all the scriptures together.  I'll have them all follow along and we'll take turns each reading one scripture to keep every one's attention.  Plus, we'll stop after each section and I'll quiz them on what we read and what it means for us to keep 'em on their toes.

But, for junior primary.  Holey moley.

If you happen to have an older junior primary, you could very easily do the same thing with them.

I do not.

Depending on the Sunday one third to one half of our junior primary are Sunbeams.  Yep.

Just this morning, I finally came up with a plan.  And then as I was looking for an image I'd seen earlier, I "stumbled" across an idea that just made the plan even better.

Don't you love it when that happens?

I found this picture on A Year of FHE on Sunday, I pinned it because, well, it's cute.  But I wasn't quite sure what, or if, I was going to use it.

Until today.

I'm going to cut this picture into six pieces.  On the back of each piece I'm going to attach a scripture(s).  Short scripture(s) that tell the story of Noah, while also teaching the lessons we'll be talking about during senior primary.

Today I found the awesome sheet from the Friend detailing how to use hand motions to tell Noah's story.  Hand motions!!  How awesome is that for junior primary?!

I did use a few of their hand motions, but I also used it as inspiration in making up my own to more closely go along with the scriptures I've chosen.  Here's a basic outline I'll be following:

1. Noah called the people to repent (cup hands around mouth)
2. The people would not listen (cover ears and shake head)
3. God commanded Noah to build the ark (I chose an ASL sign you can view here)
4. Noah listened (cup hands around ears)
5. The rains came (wiggle fingers while lowering arms)
6. God set a rainbow in the sky (form arch over head with arms)

If you'd like to use my outline, you can download it from Google Docs.  It's got an outline with everything on it for you to use, just the scriptures to put on the back of the puzzle and the picture you can cut apart.

Here's how we'll do each piece:

I'll call up a child to choose a puzzle piece and we'll put it up on the board.  If the child is older, I'll have them read the scripture I've attached to the back or if not, I'll read it.  Last, I'll show them the hand motion and we'll practice it.  With each new puzzle piece, we'll practice all the hand motions we've learned (in the correct order) so at the end we can tell the whole story accompanied by the motions.

With both primaries, after we go through the scriptures, we'll talk about what it has to do with following the prophet.

Why might it be hard to hear what the prophet says?  Why didn't the people listen?  We might not understand the reason we're being asked to do (or not do) something.  We might think that we know better (pride).  We might be upset that the prophet is telling us something we're doing or want to do is wrong (still pride). 

It takes great courage, and often a lot of prayer, to humble ourselves enough to continue to listen and follow in faith. 

Waldo P. Call said, "My dear brothers and sisters and family, can't you see what we need to do?  Be submissive - do not murmur - endure to the end.  If we will do this, the Lord will show us the way, if we will but follow his prophets and Apostles."

I think I might either end with this quote (or re-state it in my own way), while holding up the picture of President Monson I put at the top of this post.  I've used this picture a few times before because I absolutely love it.  I can feel Monson's love for me each time I look at it.  I plan to bear testimony of that and his desire to lead us where Heavenly Father wants us to be.  If we will just listen and then DO, we will be blessed.

Just as an aside, I think it's important to mention (at some point during the month) that following in faith is not the same thing as following blindly.  We learn from the scriptures that the only way we can "...know the truth of all things" is to first exercise faith, which means doing.  As we prayerfully follow the instruction of our leaders, our testimonies will grow, we will feel good and we will know that their direction is from God.  Doing WITHOUT prayerfully seeking to know is blindly following.

Have a fantastic sharing time!

Leah

April Sharing Time - Obey Parents and Show Family Love

As I explained earlier, I'm combining ideas from the last two weeks into one sharing time because I chose to spend a week talking about Christ for Easter.

In a great talk, Elder David B. Haight pretty much summed up this entire month in one quote. 

"I spoke to the audience and to this young mother about the proclamation that was issued five years ago by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, a proclamation on the family, and of our responsibility to our children, and the children's responsibility to their parents, and the parents' responsibility to each other.  That marvelous document brings together the scripture direction that we have received that has guided the lives of God's children from the time of Adam and Eve and will continue to guide us until the final winding-up scene."

I love it.  Later in the talk he teaches that the proclamation gives us a yardstick to measure our progress AND that it gives us the strength we need to do what it asks.  Awesome.

Just as an aside, I found this really great set of cards to help a family memorize the Family Proclamation.  It was one of those things I found while perusing on Pinterest, which usually involves pinning rapidly followed by forgetting.  This time though, ever since I pinned it, I've been thinking about how good it would be for my family.  For me.  I think it's time to take the leap.  I'm sure it'll take a while, but I know that studying it will bring great blessings (and that promised strength).

Okay, back to this weeks sharing time... 

Hide the scripture somewhere in the room (or you could just stick it up front and choose someone to read through it) and then take time to talk about what it means. 

Some Sundays the kids are completely engaged, they ask and answer questions, stay on track and it's pretty darn awesome.  Other Sundays I might think crickets had invaded, except there isn't even that much noise.  On those weeks, I like to get them a little more involved by answering the question myself, except not a REAL answer.  Usually, I go with an answer that's the exact opposite of what I'm looking for. 

For example, if I'd asked what it means to obey, and everyone sat there staring at me, I might say, "Okay, so it's when your parents ask you to take out the trash and you say just as soon as I finish this level/text/page?"  The kids will laugh and then a few of them break out of the haze long enough to answer.

You could then talk about how it's not easy to obey, in fact sometimes it's down right hard.  To illustrate this point, use a story from the scriptures (like the example of Lehi sending his sons to get the brass plates) or, my personal favorite, tell a story from your life.  Be personal, share your testimony of how, in the end, it is always better to follow "in the Lord."

To transition into the next section, teach about how obeying our parents is one way that we can serve members of our families, but there are lots of ways.  Before we get into the HOW, let's talk a little more about the WHO.

Two weeks ago, we talked about the different people who make up a family and this lesson will be a continuation and extension of that.  If you used clipart for the family members in that lesson (and didn't throw them away like I thoughtlessly did), you can re-use them here.  For me, clip art is much easier than props to represent each different type of family member.

If you don't have clipart ready to go (and you'd like to), I found a variety of people on lds dot org (from the cut-outs section under primary) that could be used to fill the rolls of various family members.  If you already have these sitting around, you can grab them out of the different picture kits they belong to, if not, you can download them at the bottom of the post.

I made up some clues to go along with some of the pictures (this way you can pick and choose which pictures you want to use or you can use some of the clues more than once if you have a large primary and want to involve more children).  As the outline says, when the children guess which family member the clues are talking about, have one come up front to "become" that person.

You can talk about how we can serve that particular family member directly after they're guessed or guess everyone first and talk about service at the end. 

Either way, once you've finished going through the "clipart family", split the family members into family groups (mom, dad, brother, sister and aunt, uncle, cousin, cousin and grandparents), pull out some houses (I included some different homes in the download below) and give one to each family group sending them to different areas of the primary room.  Ask the children how they can serve their families if they don't live close by. 

I haven't lived near my family for more than 15 years (holy cow...I didn't realize it'd been that long), so I will share some personal stories about serving and staying connected.  If you haven't, you could ask another member of the presidency or just ask the children to share their experiences.

Elder David A. Bednar talked about how we can serve those in our families by expressing our love, bearing our testimony and being consistent. 

"...our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results.  "Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)."

I love how perfect that scripture is.  Our service will most often be small.  So small we may wonder if anyone notices or if we're making a difference.  WE ARE! 

He goes on to say that "In these important pursuits we will never be left alone." 

What a comfort that is for each of us.  We do not need to be perfect, we just need to have a desire and continue to work.  Continue to love our families no matter what.

Have a wonderful sharing time!

Leah

If you're interested in any of the items I put together for this weeks sharing time, you can download them all here (scripture, clues, and family/home clipart).

April Sharing Time - Easter

Like I mentioned last week, this month I've decided to do a separate Sharing Time all about Easter.  All about our Savior and His last week on Earth.

I knew what I wanted to do right away.  The trouble came when I tried to morph what was in my head into an actual, on paper, Sharing Time.

I knew I wanted something like an awesome Easter activity I found and did with my children last year.  Each day during the week leading up to Easter, we talked about what Jesus did on one of the days leading up do his crucifixion and resurrection.

It was such a great experience, I KNEW I wanted to share it with the primary children.

But, like I said, that was the easy part.  The hard part has been trying to figure out how to share it in a manner that will allow me to share as much of the story as possible, while at the same time involving the kids (in both senior and junior primary), and helping them to feel the spirit.

While looking around online, perusing the "week walk" I did last year and listening to the fantastic advice of my husband, I finally got it all sorted.

Before I get into the nitty gritty, I first want to share with you the different places I found ideas and inspiration.

The first is the one I found last year from We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ. 

Next, I found a version that would make a FANTASTIC handout (although I haven't decided if I'm going to use it yet) from Chocolate on my Cranium. 

Then, I also found a week walk I in a 2011 Friend magazine. 

Last, and the one I ended up relying on the most (and the one recommended to me by my husband) is from a website called LDS Seasonal Materials.  He has ideas on how to make the gospel a larger part of several different holidays, and while I haven't delved into any other than Easter yet, you can bet I'm going to.

The setup for both primaries will be the same.  I'm going to print out and stick 11 different pictures depicting different events from Christ's last week around a board (along the edges, leaving the center open). 

You might be thinking, ugh, 11 pictures?  While you certainly don't have to print them, and it's possible your library may have some of them and replacements for others, I love having these.  We'll be using them every year in my home (I laminated mine) and so, for me, it's worth the ink.

Before I stick them randomly around the board, I'm going to arrange them in order ON the board and draw chalk line boxes around each picture.  This isn't purely because I'm slightly, well, organized (someone else might say anal...) and I like the pictures to be even on the board.  Then, I'll number the boxes (writing the number inside the box so it'll be covered later) to coincide with the order it occurred during the week.  Aside from my possible OCD, there is a purpose to the boxes and the numbering, trust me. 

The children will be figuring out which picture goes in which box and what they have to do with Christ's last week (if they don't already know) in different ways.

For Junior Primary, I'm going to hide a small cropped bit of each picture around the room.  Each cropped picture has a number on it, so when we find one, we'll know which box the corresponding larger picture goes in.  See, I told you my crazy OCD-ness would make sense!

For Senior Primary, I'm going to have them come up front and draw out a scripture to read in front of everyone.  As the scripture is read, the rest of the primary will be deciding which picture goes along with it.  The scripture slips are also numbered, which will make sticking the pictures in order much easier.

It's true that you could have the kids guess which order they go in, but that would take up time.  Precious time I'd rather spend talking about each picture.

I tried to limit the number of pictures to give at least a little time to spend one each one teaching and testifying about Jesus Christ.

Here are all the pictures I've chosen, along with the artist and name (if I know it...if you know one I haven't included, I'd love it if you left me a comment letting me know).

 Anderson, Triumphal Entry

 Bloch, Cleansing the Temple

 Tissot, The Pharisees Question Jesus

 Tissot, Conspiracy of the Jews

 Bloch, The Last Supper

 Anderson, Jesus Praying in Gethsemane

 Anderson, The Crucifixion

 Bloch, Burial

 Anderson, He Is Risen

I made an Easter Sharing Time Outline that has each scripture and cropped picture piece along with suggestions for discussion or teaching for each piece of art.

I've also put together the pictures, cropped pieces for junior primary, and scriptures for senior primary for you to download.

After we finish going through the week, I'm going to share a quote from this amazing message containing testimonies from our prophet President Monson.  Even if you're not a fan of sharing quotes during Sharing Time, take a few minutes to read through it.  It's short.  And AMAZING!!!

Here is just one,

“I declare my personal witness that death has been conquered, victory over the tomb has been won. May the words made sacred by Him who fulfilled them become actual knowledge to all. Remember them. Cherish them. Honor them. He is risen.”

My first priority is to share my testimony and love for my Savior with the children.  To help me with this, I'll take every opportunity to testify to the children as we go through the pictures.  In fact, I might even keep out the clues to the last picture (No. 11, He Is Risen) so we can close with it.  As time runs out, I can pull out that last scripture or cropped picture and bear my testimony.

I'm really looking forward to it. 

Have a wonderful Easter!
Leah