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“I’ll Follow Him in Faith,” 2007 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation: I’ll Follow Him in Faith, (1969),3–10

“And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name” (Mosiah 3:9).

Objective: To help children increase their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and deepen their commitment to act upon that faith by living the gospel.

Outline for Sharing Time

The monthly themes in this outline have accompanying scriptures that the children could memorize. The weekly gospel principles should be taught during sharing times and opening or closing exercises that month. Normally, only one gospel principle is taught each week. Some of the weekly gospel principles are followed by a suggested sharing time idea. All have references to other sources that may help you plan your sharing time. Occasionally there may be a need in your Primary, such as a temple dedication or a priesthood leader’s focus, that calls for a special emphasis in sharing time.

January Theme

I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.“If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21).

§ “I’ll Follow Him in Faith” (page 11 of this outline; or Friend, Jan. 2003, 24)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith means trust. I trust Him, and I will follow Him (Alma 32; Ether 12:12–18; “Faith,”TTF, 54–56; GP,chapter 18).

  • Read Alma 32:21, 28–30 with the children and teach the principle of faith. Explain that faith means to trust the Lord Jesus Christ. Have the children suggest ways to help a seed to grow. Explain that just as we care for a seed, we must also care for our faith to help it grow. Have the children read the following scriptures to learn what they can do to help their faith in Jesus Christ grow: John 5:39; John 7:16–17; James 1:5; Moroni 10:4–5; and D&C 21:4–5. Discuss these scriptures. Read Alma 32:27. Testify of how your faith has grown. Let each child plant a seed in a paper cup to take home. Sing “Faith” (CS, 96–97).

• 2. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel (Articles of Faith 1:4; Matthew 8:5–13; Mark 10:46–52; Jeffrey R. Holland, “Abide in Me,”  Ensign, May 2004, 30–32).

• 3. My faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened when I pray (1 Nephi 7:16–18; 18:8–23; Enos 1:12–15; Mosiah 24:7–25; Alma 33:1–14; “Prayer,”TTF, 118–23).

• 4. I have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will help me keep the commandments (1 Nephi 3:7).

  • Have some children dramatize the story of Nephi and his family building a ship and sailing to the promised land (1 Nephi 17–18). Tell the account as the children pantomime the story (see “Dramatizations,”TNGC, 165–66). Read 1 Nephi 3:7 and sing “Nephi’s Courage” (CS, 120–21). Tell of a time when the Lord provided a way for you to keep His commandments (see “Likening,”TNGC, 170–71). Share other examples of faith and obedience from the scriptures, such as 1 Samuel 17; Daniel 3; or 1 Nephi 3–4.

February Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I know who He is.“And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69).

§ “This Is My Beloved Son” (CS, 76)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s firstborn Son. I am also a child of God (D&C 93:21; Abraham 3:22–24; Acts 17:29; “I Lived in Heaven” [CS, 4]; GP,chapters 1–2).

• 2. Heavenly Father has a plan for me. Jesus Christ and His Atonement are central to this plan (Moses 6:62; “Atonement of Jesus Christ” and “Plan of Salvation,”TTF, 14–16, 115–17).

  • Explain that Heavenly Father’s plan is a journey that began in heaven. Sing “I Lived in Heaven” (CS, 4). Set up areas representing premortal life, earth life, and life after death. Have the children journey through the areas, each carrying a bag.

  • Area 1: Teach the children about the premortal life. Put in their bags words or objects that represent their spirit bodies, agency, the Creation, and the Savior.

  • Area 2: Teach about the purposes of earth life. Give the children words or objects that represent their physical bodies, families, the gospel, ordinances, obedience, and sin. Discuss the importance of repentance and let the children trade their “sins” for a representation of the Atonement. Explain that our spirits and bodies separate at death, and remove their “physical bodies” from the bags.

  • Area 3: Teach about the spirit world, explaining that it is a place where our spirits wait for the resurrection. Explain that we will all be resurrected (add the “physical bodies” to their bags again) and judged for our choices on earth. Teach them that the Atonement makes it possible for us to live with Heavenly Father again. Sing “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (CS, 164–65).

• 3. Jesus Christ created the earth as a place for us to live and gain experience (3 Nephi 9:15; “Creation,”TTF, 44–45; GP,chapter 5).

  • Write What God has created for me under a picture of Jesus Christ, and read 3 Nephi 9:15. Display and discuss pictures of God’s creations, and sing songs from the “Nature and Seasons” section of the CS. Write What I must do on earth, and read Alma 34:32. Use “My Gospel Standards” to teach things we must do while here on earth in order to return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Have the children color a cutout of a child to look like themselves and write on the back one principle from “My Gospel Standards” that they will commit to obey. Display the cutouts under What I must do on earth. Sing “I Want to Live the Gospel” (CS, 148).

• 4. Jesus Christ lived on the earth. His teachings and miracles blessed the lives of the people (Matthew 5–7; 9:18–35; 14:15–33; “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” [CS, 57]; Sydney S. Reynolds, “A God of Miracles,”  Ensign, May 2001, 12–13).

March Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I follow His example and keep His commandments.“Follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Nephi 31:12).

§ “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (CS, 78–79)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. Jesus Christ’s life is an example to me (John 13:15; 3 Nephi 18:24; “Following the Example of the Savior,”FHE, 105; “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” [CS, 78–79]; songs from “Jesus Christ—Example” in “Topics” index, CS).

• 2. I will study the scriptures and pray (John 5:39; Matthew 14:23; Alma 37:37; “Search, Ponder, and Pray” [CS, 109]; “Scripture Power” [Outline for Sharing Time, 2006, 10–11]; “Prayer,”TTF, 118–23.)

• 3. I will keep the Sabbath day holy (Exodus 20:8; D&C 59:9–14; “Sabbath,”TTF, 145–47).

  • Write on papers appropriate activities for Sunday: Go to church, Partake of the sacrament, Read scriptures, Visit family, Write in my journal, and so on. Have children take turns choosing a paper and acting out the activity while the other Primary children guess what the activity is. Explain that we need to prepare for the Sabbath. Sing “Saturday” (CS, 196). Help the children memorize paragraph 6 from “My Gospel Standards": “I will do those things on the Sabbath that will help me feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ” (see “Memorization,”TNGC, 171–72). Sing “Remember the Sabbath Day” (CS, 155).

• 4. I will keep the commandments and live now to be worthy to go to the temple (Primary 1, lesson 26; “My Gospel Standards"; “Temples,”TTF, 170–74).

  • Sing the first verse of “I Love to See the Temple” (CS, 95). Display temple pictures GAK 502 and 504. In general terms, teach about the ordinances and blessings of the temple, such as celestial marriage and baptism for the dead. Make a large puzzle of a temple, and scramble the pieces. On the back of each piece, write one thing we must do to be worthy to go to the temple (see “My Gospel Standards"). Have children choose a piece of the puzzle, read the back, and place the piece in the puzzle. Bear your testimony about the importance of preparing for the temple. Sing the second verse of “I Love to See the Temple.”

April Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I know He is my Savior and Redeemer.“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).

§ “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” (Hymns, no. 136)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He came into the world to do the will of the Father (2 Nephi 25:26; Luke 2:49 [41–49]; John 5:30 [17–30]; 3 Nephi 11:10–11; “Atonement of Jesus Christ,”TTF, 14–15; GP,chapter 12; “He Sent His Son” [CS, 34–35]).

• 2. Because of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, I will be resurrected (John 20:14–29; 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; Boyd K. Packer, “An Apostle Speaks to Children,”  Friend, July 1973, 32; “Universal Redemption from the Fall” and “Resurrection,”TTF, 18, 139–40).

  • Teach the children that Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected. Explain that we will live again after we die, too. Have the children move, showing their favorite actions (dancing, kicking a ball, and so on), to demonstrate that the spirit makes the body move when we are alive. Compare the physical body to a jacket, which can’t move because it has no “spirit” inside. Have a child put on the jacket and move, and compare this to the spirit making the body be alive. Explain that when we die, we leave our bodies behind (remove the jacket), but our spirits are eternal and do not die. Help the children understand that resurrection is the reuniting of body and spirit. Sing “He Died That We Might Live Again” (CS, 65). Bear testimony of the Atonement and resurrection.

• 3. Because of the Atonement, I can repent and return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (1 John 2:25; D&C 19:16; “Repentance” [CS, 98]; “Salvation from Our Sins,”“The Gift of Eternal Life,” and “Repentance,”TTF, 18–19, 132–35; GP,chapter 19).

• 4. My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I hear the apostles and prophets testify of Him (D&C 1:38; 76:22–23; GP,chapter 9).

  • At stations around the room, display pictures representing the topics of four talks given by members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or the First Presidency at a recent general conference (refer to conference messages in the Ensign; see “Stations,”TNGC, 179). Divide the children into four groups and give each child a blank paper and a pencil or crayon. At each station, discuss the talk represented by the picture, and draw the children’s attention to the speaker’s testimony. Ask questions such as, “How do you feel when you hear the testimony of this speaker?” and “What will you do to follow this counsel from the Lord?” Have the children write or draw a picture of what they will do. Sing “Follow the Prophet” (CS, 110–11).

May Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I learn about the Restoration of the gospel.“Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder” (Isaiah 29:14).

§ “An Angel Came to Joseph Smith” (CS, 86)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. The Lord restored the fulness of the gospel through Joseph Smith (Acts 3:20–21; 2 Nephi 3:6–15; Joseph Smith—History 1:18–19, 26, 30, 33–34; “Apostasy” and “Restoration of the Gospel,”TTF, 13–14, 135–39).

• 2. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God (Joseph Smith—History 1:27–54, 59–67; Primary 5,lessons 5–7).

  • Display GAK 325 and tell the story of the translation of the Book of Mormon from the gold plates. Divide the children into groups, and assign each group a part of the story to illustrate (have each child draw a picture). Tape the pictures together in order, and show them in a roller box as the children retell the story in their own words (see “Roller Boxes,”TNGC, 178–79). Sing “The Golden Plates” (CS, 86) or “An Angel Came to Joseph Smith” (CS, 86).

• 3. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and is another testament of Jesus Christ (D&C 19:26–27; Articles of Faith 1:8; title page of the Book of Mormon).

  • Have a child read the title page of the Book of Mormon. Ask why the Book of Mormon is called “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Ask, “What is a testament?” (A witness.) Explain that nearly half of the verses in the Book of Mormon mention the Lord, Jesus Christ, or some other designation of the Savior. Assign groups of children to search in separate books in the Book of Mormon to find verses that mention or teach about Jesus Christ. Invite each group to read one of their scriptures aloud while you list it on the chalkboard. Have the children find and read 2 Nephi 25:23 and Mormon 3:20–22. Help the children understand how these verses bear witness of Christ. Sing the second and third verses of “On a Golden Springtime” (CS, 88). Bear testimony of the Book of Mormon.

• 4. The priesthood was restored. A living prophet holds all of the keys and authority of the priesthood and leads the Church under the direction of Jesus Christ (Joseph Smith—History 1:68–72; D&C 27:12; “Follow the Prophet” [CS, 110–11]; “Priesthood” and “Prophets,”TTF, 124–28, 129–30; GP,chapters 13–14).

June Theme

I follow Jesus Christ in faith when I make and keep my baptismal covenant.“I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

§ “I Want to Live the Gospel” (CS, 148)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. Jesus Christ was baptized (Matthew 3:13–17; 2 Nephi 31:4–9; D&C 20:37; Articles of Faith 1:4; “Baptism” [CS, 100–101]; GP,chapters 18–20; GAK 208).

• 2. When I am baptized, I covenant with Heavenly Father that I will take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments (D&C 20:77; “Baptism,”TTF, 21–26).

  • Display Picture 1-11 or 3-13 (“Baptism of a child"). Explain to the children that when we are baptized, the Holy Ghost makes us clean from sin. Sing “When I Am Baptized” (CS, 103). Divide the children into two groups and have them take turns naming things we must do to keep the Lord’s commandments (tell the truth, love one another, and so on). Write these things on the chalkboard. Read Mosiah 18:8–11, help the children identify the specific things the people of Alma were willing to do when they were baptized, and explain that we should do these same things to show that we remember Jesus. Bear testimony of the blessings we receive when we keep our baptismal covenant. Sing “I Want to Live the Gospel” (CS, 148).

• 3. After I am baptized, I will be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 18:36–37; 4 Nephi 1:1; “The Gift of the Holy Ghost” and “Laying On of Hands,”TTF, 83–84, 95).

  • Display GAK 601; then add GAK 602. Explain that after we are baptized, we are confirmed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Sing “The Church of Jesus Christ” (CS, 77). Have the children share stories from the scriptures, their own experience, their family histories, or ideas from the song to identify some of the blessings of membership in the Church.

• 4. I partake of the sacrament to renew my baptismal covenant with Heavenly Father (3 Nephi 18:7, 10–11; D&C 20:77, 79; “The Sacrament” [CS, 72]; “Sacrament,”TTF, 147–49; GP,chapter 23).

July Theme

My family can follow Jesus Christ in faith.“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ” (“Proclamation,” paragraph 7).

§ “Love Is Spoken Here” (CS, 190–91)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. I can learn about righteous families by reading the scriptures (Moses 5:1–2, 5, 10–12, 58; 6:1; Luke 2:1–16; Matthew 9:18–19, 23–25; Mark 5:22–24, 35–43; Luke 8:41–42, 49–56; 1 Nephi 2:1–7; Mosiah 27; Alma 53:10–21; 56:44–56; 58:39).

  • Divide the children into classes or groups, and give each group one of the following pictures: GAK 119, GAK 200, GAK 215, GAK 301, GAK 321, GAK 313. Have each group find, read, and discuss the scripture story depicted in their picture (the scripture references listed on the back of the picture are helpful). Then have the groups take turns sharing what they learned from the scriptures about these righteous families. Sing “Families Can Be Together Forever” (CS, 188).

• 2. The first member of my family to join the Church followed Jesus Christ in faith. I can learn about my family history (D&C 136:2, 4, 11; “To Be a Pioneer” [CS, 218–19]; “Family History Work and Genealogy,”TTF, 61–64).

• 3. I will honor my father and mother and show respect for others in my family (Exodus 20:12).

  • Divide the children into groups of two or three. Give each group a different case study about a family situation that invites honoring and obeying parents or showing respect for others (see “Case Studies,”TNGC, 161–62). Have the children make paper sack, stick, or finger puppets and take turns acting out the case study, demonstrating what they would do in the situation to show honor and respect (see “Puppets,”TNGC, 176–77). Sing “Love Is Spoken Here” (CS, 190–91).

• 4. My family can follow Jesus Christ in faith by holding family prayer, family scripture study, and family home evening (“Family Prayer” [CS, 189]; “Love Is Spoken Here” [CS, 190–91]; “Family Night” [CS, 195]; “Family Home Evening,”“Family Prayer,” and “Importance of Daily Scripture Study,”TTF, 65–66, 122, 155–56).

August Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I listen to the Holy Ghost.“For, behold, the Comforter knoweth all things, and beareth record of the Father and of the Son” (D&C 42:17).

§ “Listen, Listen” (CS, 107)

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 28:11; Moroni 10:4–5; “The Spirit Is the True Teacher,”TNGC, 41–42; Primary 5,lesson 46; “Testimony,”TTF, 178–80).

  • Read Moroni 10:4–5 and explain that the Holy Ghost helps us know what is true. Teach the children that our five fingers can remind us of things the Holy Ghost bears witness of: (1) God is our Father in Heaven; (2) Jesus Christ is His Son and is our Savior; (3) Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, is true; (4) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church; and (5) We have a living prophet on the earth today. Discuss how these five statements form the foundation of a testimony. Have the children trace one of their hands on a paper and write or draw pictures of the five things on the fingers. Sing the first verse of “The Holy Ghost” (CS, 105). Help the children memorize Moroni 10:5. Bear your testimony of the Holy Ghost.

• 2. I invite the promptings of the Holy Ghost when I pray, read the scriptures, keep the commandments, and follow the living prophets (Alma 5:45–46; D&C 6:14–15; 138:1, 6, 11; Carlos E. Asay, “Courting the Holy Ghost,”  Friend, Aug. 1991, inside front cover).

• 3. I can recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:13; “Recognizing and Following the Spirit in Your Teaching,”TNGC, 47–48).

  • Demonstrate the importance of listening by whispering something to one of the children, having that child whisper it to someone else, and so on until eight or ten people have whispered the message. Have the first and last persons say what they heard, and talk about why the message might have changed. Then ask the children how we recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Sing “Listen, Listen” (CS, 107). Explain that the scriptures teach us how to recognize His promptings. Divide the children into groups, give each group one of the following scriptures to discuss, and then invite each group to share what their scripture teaches us about the promptings of the Holy Ghost: Moroni 8:25–26; Galatians 5:22–23; D&C 36:2; John 14:26; D&C 8:2; and D&C 9:7–9. Bear your testimony of the Holy Ghost. Sing “I Know My Father Lives” (CS, 5).

• 4. The Holy Ghost testifies of Jesus Christ and can teach, guide, warn, protect, and comfort me (John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Nephi 31:17; Moroni 10:5; D&C 6:14–15; 8:2; 11:12; 20:27; “The Still Small Voice” [CS, 106–7]; “Roles of the Holy Ghost,”TTF, 82).

September Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I serve others.“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. Jesus Christ taught us to serve others (“Service,”TTF, 161–62; GP,chapter 28).

  • Share examples from the scriptures of Christ’s service to others, and help the children liken them to our opportunities to serve (Luke 8:1—spreading glad tidings; Matthew 18:11–14—finding lost sheep; 3 Nephi 17:1–9—ministering one-on-one; see “Likening,”TNGC, 170–71). Sing “Called to Serve” (CS, 174–75). Show a large clock with movable hands, and as you move the hands to different times of the day, ask the children what they can do at that time of day to serve others. Sing “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (CS, 78–79).

• 2. I will serve in my family (1 Nephi 16:17–32).

  • Review the story of Nephi’s broken bow (1 Nephi 16:17–32). Ask the children to think of ways they can serve others within their own families, as Nephi did. Have the children stand in a circle. Have one child hold on to the end of a ball of string, tell one way to serve a family member, and toss the ball to another child. Continue having children hold on to the string, tell ways they can serve in their families, and toss the string until all of the children are holding onto the string and it has woven a large web. Explain that serving others weaves a web of kind deeds and love that touches everyone. Sing “Jesus Said Love Everyone” (CS, 61).

• 3. I will serve others by treating them kindly and sharing what I have (Luke 10:30–36; John 13:34–35; Galatians 5:13–14; “Kindness Begins with Me” [CS, 145]).

• 4. As I serve others, I serve Jesus Christ and show my love for Him (Matthew 25:34–40; John 21:15–17; Mosiah 2:17–18; “Love One Another” [CS, 136]).

October Theme

I show my faith in Jesus Christ when I share the gospel with others.“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. I will be a good example to others by the way I live (1 Timothy 4:12; Alma 17:11; 53:20–21; “The Things I Do” [CS, 170–71]).

• 2. My testimony grows when I share it with my friends and hear the testimonies of others (Mosiah 18:6–9; Alma 22:13–18; “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” [CS, 172–73]).

• 3. I will invite my friends to Primary (D&C 4).

  • Display the statement “I will seek good friends and treat others kindly” from “My Gospel Standards.” Sing “Kindness Begins with Me” (CS, 145). Talk about inviting friends to Primary and to Primary activities. Discuss how to treat friends kindly. Set up an extra chair, and role-play what to say to a new friend at Primary (see “Role Playing,”TNGC, 178). Have the children practice ways of helping others feel comfortable at Primary. Sing “Our Door Is Always Open” (CS, 254) and “Come with Me to Primary” (CS, 255). Have the children make up actions to these songs. Divide the children into two groups, assign each group one of the songs, and sing both songs at the same time. Encourage the children to invite friends to Primary.

• 4. I will prepare now to become a missionary (1 Timothy 4:12; David A. Bednar, “Becoming a Missionary,”  Ensign, Nov. 2005, 44–47; “Basic Requirements” in “Faith in God Award Requirements,” Faith in God guidebooks, 4–5).

  • Write selected principles from “My Gospel Standards” on separate pieces of paper. Divide the children into groups and have each group select a paper. Have each group hold a buzz session about how living that standard will help them prepare to become a missionary (see “Buzz Sessions,”TNGC, 161). Invite each group to share what they learned. Testify that by living worthily now, we help build the kingdom of God. Sing “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission” (CS, 169).

November Theme

My faith in Jesus Christ blesses my life. I am thankful for my blessings.“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7).

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. I am thankful for my home and family (Genesis 37, 41–45; “I Thank Thee, Dear Father” [CS, 7]; “For Thy Bounteous Blessings” [CS, 21]).

• 2. I am thankful for my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 18:7–17; 3 Nephi 26:17–21; D&C 115:3–6; GP,chapter 17).

• 3. I am thankful for the priesthood, and I am blessed by it (“Aaronic Priesthood,”“Melchizedek Priesthood,” and “Priesthood,”TTF, 3–4, 101–2, 124–28; GP,chapter 13).

  • Teach the children that the priesthood is the authority that God gives to worthy male members of the Church to enable them to assist in His work of bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Teach about how boys and girls alike are blessed by the power of the priesthood. On one side of the chalkboard, display pictures that show some duties of the priesthood, such as GAK 601, 602, 603, 604, 611, 612, 613, and 614. On the other side of the chalkboard, in random order, write words that name the duties, such as baptizing or blessing the sick. Call on children to choose a picture that relates to their own experience, tell about their experience, and draw a line from the picture to the matching word. Ask older children to identify the office in the priesthood needed to perform that duty. Sing “The Priesthood Is Restored” (CS, 89).

• 4. I will show my gratitude and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by keeping Their commandments (Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 29:18; John 14:15; GP,chapter 35).

  • Help the children memorize John 14:15 (see “Memorization,”TNGC, 171–72). Write on the chalkboard I show gratitude and love when I obey, and use teaching stations to teach this truth (see “Stations,”TNGC, 179).

  • Station 1: Tell the story of Nephi going back to get the brass plates (1 Nephi 3–4). Sing “Dare to Do Right” (CS, 158).

  • Station 2: Have the children draw a picture of a commandment they will keep, sign their name on the bottom or back of the picture, and put it in a book for the bishop.

  • Station 3: Write the word Gratitude on the chalkboard. Ask the children to think of ways to show gratitude that begin with each letter of the word. Sing “Choose the Right” (Hymns, no. 239).

December Theme

Jesus Christ once lived on the earth, and I have faith that He will come again.“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Weekly Gospel Principles

• 1. Ancient prophets foretold the coming of the Savior to the earth (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; Helaman 14:2; “Jesus Christ, Prophecies about,” in Topical Guide, 252–53; “Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus” [CS, 36]).

• 2. The Savior Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1–40; “Picture a Christmas” [CS, 50–51]; “Away in a Manger” [CS, 42–43]).

• 3. I can have peace, happiness, and love because of the coming of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:9–11; “Second Coming of Jesus Christ,”TTF, 159–61; GP,chapter 43).

  • Using songs from “The Savior” section of the CS, sing a story of Christ’s birth (see “Music with Narratives,”TNGC, 174–75). Display GAK 216 and read Matthew 19:13–15. Discuss with the children what it might have been like to be a child when Jesus lived on earth. Sing “I Think When I Read That Sweet Story” (CS, 56). Then display GAK 322 and have a group of older children read 3 Nephi 17:11–12, 21–24 together (see “Choral Readings,”TNGC, 163). Discuss what it might have been like to be in the group that Jesus blessed. Sing “Easter Hosanna” (CS, 68–69). Finally, display GAK 238. Have the children stand, and tell them they are today’s children. Discuss what it might be like to be in the presence of Jesus Christ. Sing “When He Comes Again” (CS, 82–83).

• 4. As I follow Jesus Christ in faith, I prepare myself for the Second Coming (Matthew 25:1–13; D&C 45:56–59; 39:20–24).

  • Tell the children that no one knows when the Savior will come again but that as we follow Him in faith, we can prepare to receive Him when He comes again. Display pictures that go with the eight songs from this year’s children’s sacrament meeting presentation. Have the pianist play a few notes from one of the songs, adding one note at a time until a child recognizes it. Ask that child’s class to name the song, match it to the picture, and tell one thing the song teaches about preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming. Sing the song. Bear testimony of that principle, and repeat for the other songs.

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