Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

2008 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation: I Am a Child of God

I Am a Child of God

“I Am a Child of God,” 2008 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation: I Am a Child of God, (2007),3–10

“All of you are children of the most High” (Psalm 82:6).

Objective: To help children understand that as children of God they are part of an eternal plan and rich blessings are in store for them as they follow Jesus Christ.

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 am a child of God, and He has a plan for me. “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny” (“Proclamation,” paragraph 2).

§ “I Am a Child of God” (CS, 2–3; Hymns, no. 301)

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. I am a child of God. I lived with Him in the premortal world. I am created in His image (Moses 2:26; D&C 76:24; GP,chapter 2; Primary 1,lesson 1; Preach My Gospel, 48–49).

  • 2. I learned of and accepted Heavenly Father’s plan. I have a divine destiny (D&C 138:55–56; Abraham 3:24–27; “Proclamation,” paragraph 3; Primary 6,lesson 1; GP,chapters 2–3; “Plan of Salvation,”TTF, 115–17).

    Discuss the following:

    • a. Premortal Life. (I lived with Heavenly Father as a spirit child. He presented His plan—the plan of salvation. I chose to follow His plan.) Sing verse one of “I Lived in Heaven” (CS, 4).

    • b. Earth Life. (I came to a family and received a body. Earth life is a time for learning, choosing, and preparing for eternal life.) Sing verse two of “I Lived in Heaven.” Explain Jesus Christ’s role in the plan of salvation.

    • c. Life after Death. (I will be resurrected. Because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement, if I live righteously I will be able to live with Heavenly Father again.) Sing verse three of “I Lived in Heaven.”

  • 3. Heavenly Father gave me agency. I chose to follow His plan (2 Nephi 10:23; Helaman 14:30–31; “Agency,”TTF, 12; Primary 3,lesson 2; Preach My Gospel, 49–50; GP,chapter 4).

  • 4. As part of the plan, Jesus created this world for all of God’s children. Adam and Eve were our first parents (Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; GP,chapters 5–6; “Creation,”TTF, 44–45; Primary 6,lesson 3 and lesson 4).

February Theme

The scriptures teach me about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how to return to Them. “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children” (2 Nephi 4:15).

§ “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” (CS, 57)

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. The Bible and the Book of Mormon testify of Jesus Christ (Articles of Faith 1:8; John 20:31; 1 Nephi 13:38–40; D&C 20:8–9; GP,chapter 10; “The Bible” and “The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ,”TTF, 156–58; Primary 7,lesson 1; Preach My Gospel, 103–5).

  • 2. Bible stories teach me how to live the gospel (D&C 42:12; for examples see Primary 6 and Primary 7).

    • Sing “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus” (CS, 57). On the chalkboard write the words courage,faith, love, obedience, and gratitude in scrambled letters. Display the following pictures: GAK 117 (courage), GAK 215 (faith), GAK 218 (love), GAK 105 (obedience), and GAK 221 (gratitude). Have the children unscramble the words and match the principles with the pictures. Discuss each story. Help the children mark the stories in their scriptures and write gospel principles in the margin.

  • 3. Book of Mormon stories teach me how to live the gospel (2 Nephi 4:15; for examples see Primary 4).

    • Sing “Book of Mormon Stories” (CS, 118–19, verse 4). Prepare a readers’ theater script about the prophet Abinadi from Mosiah 17:1–9; 18:1, 7–11, 17, 30. Emphasize Abinadi’s faithfulness and the effect of his testimony on Alma. Have children perform the readers’ theater (see “Readers’ Theaters,”TNGC, 177). Ask, “What gospel principles do we learn from Abinadi?” (Answers might include obedience, faith, courage, love for the Savior, and sharing the gospel.) Invite the children to share an experience when they have lived these gospel principles.

  • 4. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches me how to live the gospel (D&C 1:37–39; for examples see Primary 5).

March Theme

Jesus Christ is my Savior. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14).

§ “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” (page 11 of this outline or Friend, Oct. 1993, 14)

Weekly Gospel Principles

April Theme

I will follow the prophet. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

§ “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” (Hymns, no. 19; GP, 344)

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. The prophet holds all priesthood keys and leads the Church as directed by the Lord (D&C 21:1; 107:64–67; GP,chapters 9 and 17).

    • Have two children throw and catch a ball. Explain that if the children don’t pay attention, they won’t catch the ball. Compare catching a ball to listening to the prophet. (See “Comparisons,”TNGC, 163–64.) Read D&C 21:5. Ask, “What can we do to be ready to receive the words of the prophet?” Divide into small groups. Let each group select a picture of a latter-day prophet (GAK 400, 507–20) and read the information on the back. Ask each group to share something they learned about that prophet. Testify that we are led by a living prophet today. Sing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” (Hymns, no. 19; GP, 344).

  • 2. The prophet teaches me that I should love and forgive others (Alma 23–24; Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,”  Ensign, Nov. 2005, 81–84).

    • Teach the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. Emphasize their repentance. Display GAK 311. Read Alma 24:6–13, 17–18. Have the children act out the story. (See “Dramatizations,”TNGC, 165–66.) Ask, “What happened when the Anti-Nephi-Lehies would not fight back?” Read Alma 24:23–26. Teach that part of receiving forgiveness from the Lord is loving and forgiving others. Ask, “What can we do to show love and forgiveness for others?” Sing “Jesus Said Love Everyone” (CS, 61).

  • 3. The prophet teaches me to read and pray about the Book of Mormon (Moroni 10:3–4; Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Testimony Vibrant and True,”  Ensign, Aug. 2005, 2–6; GP, chapters 8, 10).

  • 4. The prophet teaches me what I must do to live with God again (addresses from recent general conferences; D&C 1:37–38; Primary 3,lesson 8).

May Theme

Heavenly Father planned for me to come to a family. I can strengthen my family now. “The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children” (“Proclamation,” paragraph 1).

§ “Home” (CS, 192)

Weekly Gospel Principles

June Theme

The temple is a blessing for me and my family. “And verily I say unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my people” (D&C 124:40).

§ “I Love to See the Temple” (CS, 95)

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family (D&C 97:15–17; “Temples,”TTF, 170–72; Primary 3,lesson 35).

    • Invite the children to express their feelings about the temple. Sing “I Love to See the Temple” (CS, 95). Draw on the chalkboard a road map leading to a picture of a temple and a family. Draw other roads on the map that lead to “nowhere.” Write on paper strips actions that will lead to the temple (reading scriptures, showing love, etc.) and actions that will lead to nowhere (forgetting to pray, not sharing, etc.). Place the strips in a bag. Invite the children to pick a strip from the bag, decide which destination the action would lead to, and post the action on the corresponding road. Every time someone chooses an action that leads to the temple, sing the first two lines of “I Love to See the Temple.” At the end of the game, sing the entire song. Help the children memorize Alma 37:35. (See “Memorization,”TNGC, 171–72.)

  • 2. My tithing helps to build temples (Malachi 3:10; D&C 97:10–12; Preach My Gospel, 78–79; GP,chapter 32).

  • 3. I will do family history work so my ancestors can receive temple blessings (Malachi 4:5–6; D&C 138:47–48; FHE,189–90; GP,chapter 40; “Family History Work and Genealogy,”TTF, 61–64; Preach My Gospel, 86–87).

  • 4. I will be reverent, dress modestly, and speak kindly to be worthy to enter the temple (D&C 109:20–21; Susan W. Tanner, “The Sanctity of the Body,”  Ensign, Nov. 2005, 13–15).

    • Use stations to explain how we prepare for the temple. (See “Stations,”TNGC, 179.) Divide the children in three groups to rotate through the stations.

    • Reverence Station: Ask, “What is reverence?” Sing “Reverence Is Love” (CS, 31). Write reverent and irreverent actions on cards and place them upside down. Have the children select a card. Discuss the action. Have each child complete the sentence, “I will be reverent by ______________.”

    • Modesty Station: Teach the children about dressing modestly by using an example, quotation, poem, or story. Sing “The Lord Gave Me a Temple” (CS, 153). Have each child complete the sentence, “I will be modest by _____________.”

    • Speak Kindly Station: Help the children understand the sacredness of the names of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that we should speak reverently about Them. We should also speak with respect and kindness to and about family, teachers, and friends. List words that we might use when talking to them. Have each child complete the sentence, “I will speak kindly by using the words ____________.”

July Theme

Because I know we are all children of God, I will share the gospel with others. “And if it so be that you should … bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy” (D&C 18:15).

§ “Called to Serve” (CS, 174–75; Hymns, no. 249)

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. I will prepare to be a missionary by praying and reading the scriptures daily (Alma 17:2–3; 33:14; D&C 104:58–59; Preach My Gospel, 73–74; GP,chapter 33; Primary 7,lesson 44; “Missionary Work,”TTF, 104–6).

  • 2. I will prepare to be a missionary by being faithful and obedient (Alma 8; 17–19; Helaman 5; Preach My Gospel, 122).

  • 3. Living the gospel standards helps me be a missionary now (Alma 17:2–4; D&C 4:2, 6–7; “My Gospel Standards”).

    Divide the board into three sections. In each section, scramble the words of one of the following from “My Gospel Standards”:

    • I will only read and watch things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father.

    • I will only listen to music that is pleasing to Heavenly Father.

    • I will seek good friends and treat others kindly.

    • Invite children to unscramble the words, read the gospel standard, and tell how they can live it. Liken the gospel standards to a chain that secures us to the Savior the way an anchor’s chain secures a boat in a storm. Have the children write on strips of paper ways they will live these gospel standards. Tape the strips together to form a chain. Attach one end of the chain to a picture of Jesus Christ, and have a child hold onto the other end. Sing “The Things I Do” (CS, 170–71). Testify that as we live gospel standards, we can be missionaries by being examples to others.

  • 4. I help to bless others when I share the gospel (Acts 27–28; Alma 32:23; D&C 18:15–16; 84:88; Primary 3,lesson 25).

    • Tell the children that the Apostle Paul was a great missionary. Read Romans 1:16. Have the children repeat “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Sing “The Church of Jesus Christ” (CS, 77). Tell about the missionary experiences of Alma and Amulek, Ammon, or Samuel the Lamanite. Discuss what made them good missionaries and how we can be missionaries now. Have the children describe ways they can be missionaries at home, at church, and at school. Share one of your missionary experiences or relate one from the Friend. Bear your testimony of the blessings others receive when we share the gospel.

August Theme

I will show my faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized and confirmed. “And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands” (D&C 68:27).

§ “When Jesus Christ Was Baptized” (CS, 102)

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. I will show my faith by being baptized and confirmed and keeping my baptismal covenants (Mosiah 18:8–13; D&C 20:37; Faith in God guidebook, 2–3; Primary 3,lessons 11, 16; GP,chapter 20).

    • Explain what a covenant is (see “Covenant,”TTF, 44). Discuss Mosiah 18:8–13 and the covenants people make at baptism. Explain that when we are baptized, we covenant to keep all of the Lord’s commandments. Write the following scriptures on the chalkboard: Malachi 3:10 (tithing); D&C 59:9–10 (Church attendance); Exodus 20:12 (obey parents); D&C 89:7–11 (Word of Wisdom); John 13:34 (love one another). Write the commandments found in these scriptures on paper stepping-stones. Tape them in random order to the board. Open a path from the board to the back of the room. Place a picture of baptism at the beginning of the path and a picture of the Savior at the end of the path. Have the children look up each scripture and match it to a stepping-stone. Have a child place the corresponding stepping-stone on the path that leads to Jesus Christ. Explain that obeying the commandments brings us closer to Him. Sing “Keep the Commandments” (CS, 146–47).

  • 2. The Holy Ghost will prompt me to repent and live righteously after I am baptized and confirmed (2 Nephi 31:12–13; “Holy Ghost,”TTF, 81–84; Primary 3,lesson 12; GP,chapter 21).

    • Display GAK 601 and GAK 602. Remind the children that after baptism they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Use a maze (Friend, Oct. 2005, 20  ; or Primary 5,lesson 12) to teach how the Holy Ghost will help them make choices that will lead them back to Heavenly Father and Jesus. Sing “The Holy Ghost” (CS, 105). Invite a priesthood leader to talk to the children about the Holy Ghost.

  • 3. When I take the sacrament, I renew my baptismal covenants (Luke 22:7–20; 3 Nephi 18:1–11; D&C 20:75–79; Primary 3,lesson 33; GP,chapter 23).

  • 4. Heavenly Father forgives all who truly repent (Mosiah 4:10; D&C 1:31–32; Articles of Faith 1:4; GP,chapter 19; “Repentance,”TTF, 132–35; Primary 3,lesson 10).

September Theme

I can pray to Heavenly Father, and He will hear and answer my prayers. “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. I learn about prayer from the scriptures (Matthew 6:9–15; Enos 1:1–18; D&C 88:63; Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20; Primary 7,lesson 11).

  • 2. Heavenly Father wants me to pray to Him often—anytime, anywhere (Matthew 6:5–8; Alma 34:17–28; 37:37; Primary 3,lesson 34; GP,chapter 8).

  • 3. Heavenly Father knows me. He will answer my prayers in ways that are best for me (Mosiah 24:7–24; D&C 90:24; Primary 3,lesson 19; “Prayer,”TTF, 118–23).

    • Ask, “Does Heavenly Father hear and answer our prayers?” Sing the first verse of “A Child’s Prayer” (CS, 12–13). Have children act out the story of Amulon persecuting Alma and his people as Mosiah 24:8–22 is read aloud (see “Dramatizations,”TNGC, 165–66). Ask: “How did Alma and his people pray in their hearts? How did Heavenly Father answer their prayers? How were the people of Alma blessed? What did they do when they reached the valley of Alma?” Read Matthew 6:6–8, asking the children to consider how it applies to them. Discuss how Heavenly Father may not answer our prayers the way we expect, but He does bless us with the things we need. Sing verse 2 of “A Child’s Prayer” and verses 1 and 2 combined. Bear testimony of how Heavenly Father has answered your prayers.

  • 4. Answers to my prayers come from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, and others (2 Nephi 32:3; D&C 9:7–9; 112:10 ; GP,chapter 8; “Receiving Answers to Prayers,”TTF, 123).

    Display GAK 605. Above the picture write, “How do we receive answers to our prayers?” Use the following songs and scripture stories to teach three ways we can receive answers to our prayers.

    • a. Sing “The Still Small Voice” (CS, 106–7). Tell of Oliver Cowdery desiring to translate the plates (Primary 5,lesson 7). Have a child represent Oliver Cowdery and read D&C 9:7–9. Discuss how the Holy Ghost helps us feel that something is right or wrong. What is one way we receive answers to prayer? (Holy Ghost)

    • b. Sing “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (CS, 109). Tell the story of Joseph Smith pondering how he would know which church was right. Have a child represent Joseph Smith and read Joseph Smith—History 1:10–12. What prompted Joseph Smith to seek the answer to his question? (scriptures)

    • c. Sing “Love One Another” (CS, 136). Tell the story of Limhi’s people and how their prayers for deliverance from bondage were answered (see Mosiah 21:13–15; 22:2–16). How did Limhi’s people receive their answer? (others)

October Theme

Because I am His child, I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. “Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day” (D&C 4:2).

Weekly Gospel Principles

  • 1. I will serve God by doing things on the Sabbath that will help me feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus (Exodus 20:8–11; D&C 59:9–10; “Sabbath,”TTF, 145–47; GP,chapter 24; Primary 6,lesson 20; Primary 7,lesson 14).

  • 2. I can serve Heavenly Father by serving others (Matthew 25:31–40; Mosiah 2:17; Primary 3,lesson 37; GP,chapter 28; “Service,”TTF, 161–62).

    • Cover GAK 608 with a sheet of paper that reads “Who are we serving?” and display it on the chalkboard. On the left of the picture write Needs, and on the right of the picture write Service. Read Matthew 25:35–36. Write phrases in the Needs and Service columns as the scriptures are read such as I was an hungred/ye gave me meat. Read Matthew 25:37–40 and remove the cover sheet from the picture. Discuss how we can serve Heavenly Father by serving others. Ask the children to think of the needs of their family and friends. Then ask what services they can give and add these to the columns, such as a friend is lonely/I will play with him. Help the children memorize Matthew 25:40 (see “Memorization,”TNGC, 171–72). Sing “I’ll Walk with You” (CS, 140–41).

  • 3. The prophets and apostles teach me how to serve (Primary 6,lesson 8; refer to recent general conference addresses).

  • 4. Because others serve me, I too want to serve (D&C 59:5–6; Matthew 22:35–40; Primary 7,lesson 20; Primary 3,lesson 45).

    • Discuss ways other people serve us, and write them on the chalkboard. Explain that as others serve us, we should serve others. Sing “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (CS, 78–79). Read Galatians 6:2. Explain what a burden is, and discuss how we all have burdens to carry in this life. Ask the children to name some burdens they have, such as difficulty reading or loneliness. Label a rock with each burden, and place them in a backpack or basket. Have the children remove one rock at a time and discuss ways we could help a person bear that burden. Suggest that each child write a letter of appreciation to someone (see Faith in God guidebook, 9).

November Theme

I am thankful to know that we are all children of God. “Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C 59:7).

Weekly Gospel Principles

December Theme

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His restored gospel. “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies” (2 Nephi 25:26).

Weekly Gospel Principles

^ Back to top

« Previous Chapter: Instructions to Primary Leaders for Sharing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation

Next Chapter: “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” »