Additional Sharing Time Ideas, March 2005

The following are additional ideas Primary leaders may use with the Sharing Time printed in the March 2005 Liahona. For the lesson, instructions, and activity that correspond with these ideas, see “Jesus Christ Is My Savior” on pages F4 and F5 of the children’s section in this issue.

1. Post the sixth article of faith, and recite it with the children. Explain the meaning of Primitive Church (the Church of Jesus Christ when He was on the earth). Help the children memorize the sixth article of faith (see Teaching, No Greater Call [1999], 171–72). On one side of the board post pictures such as the following from the Gospel Art Picture Kit: 205 (Boy Jesus in the Temple), 208 (John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus), 213 (Jesus Healing the Blind), 225 (The Last Supper), 235 (Go Ye Therefore), 601 (Baptism), 604 (Passing the Sacrament), 609 (Young Couple Going to the Temple), 612 (Missionaries Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ), and 613 (Administering to the Sick). On the other side of the board post picture 211 (Christ Ordaining the Apostles). Teach the children that Christ organized His Church when He was on the earth and gave the Apostles of His day the authority (“keys of the kingdom,” or priesthood keys) to lead. Read and discuss Matt. 16:18–19. Post a picture of the current First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Read D&C 107:18 aloud, and teach the children that prophets and apostles are given the same authority (keys) today. Prepare five key-shaped papers with one of the following scripture references on each of them: (1) D&C 20:72–74; (2) Matt. 4:23; (3) Luke 2:46–49; (4) D&C 84:64–70; (5) Matt. 28:19–20. Divide into five groups, and give one key to each group. Have the children look up the scriptures and decide which priesthood duties are described. Compare how the duties were similar and/or different in Christ’s time compared to today. Emphasize that the principles were the same then as they are today. Have each group choose from the board pictures that illustrate the priesthood duty, both from the time of Christ and from the Church today. Have each group report to the Primary and post their pictures.

2. Class Presentation: In advance, ask several children to come to Primary prepared to share a story of one of the witnesses of Christ’s Resurrection (see below). Review in your own words the story of the death of Christ using Gospel Art Picture Kit pictures 230 (The Crucifixion), 231 (Burial of Jesus), and 232 (Jesus’s Tomb). Ask the children to reflect on how Jesus’s family and friends must have felt when He died. Tell them that we have invited some of those “friends” to share with us the joy they felt when they knew Christ had been resurrected. Using name tags, ask the children to share the stories of the following people who saw Christ after His Resurrection: Mary Magdalene (see John 20:11–18), Peter and John (see John 20:2–10), Cleopas (see Luke 24:13–32), the disciples (see Luke 24:33–53; John 20:19–22), Thomas (see John 20:24–29), and the Nephites (see 3 Ne. 11:8–17). After the children have told their stories, remove their name tags, change their order, and have them read one-line clues to the other children to guess whom they represented (for example, “I did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead until I saw Him with my own eyes. Who am I?” or “I am an Apostle who ran with Peter to the empty tomb. Who am I?”). Sing a song or hymn about Easter. Teach the principle of resurrection with the glove and hand imagery (see Primary 1 manual, lesson 45, enrichment activity 2). If there is time and with the approval of the Primary presidency, invite someone who has had a death in the family to share his or her testimony of the Resurrection. Remind the children that Easter is a celebration of gratitude for the blessings of the Atonement and Resurrection.