Purpose
To help the children strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ by learning that miracles occur according to Heavenly Father’s will when we have faith.
Preparation
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Prayerfully study Mark 2:1–12, 5:21–43, and 1 Nephi 7:12. Then study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture account. (See “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)
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Additional readings: Matthew 9:1–8, 18–31; 17:20; Luke 8:41–56; Ether 12:6, 12, 16, 18; and Gospel Principles, chapter 18.
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Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will involve the children and best help them achieve the purpose of the lesson.
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Materials needed:
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A Bible or a New Testament for each child.
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Picture 7-18, Jesus Blessing Jairus’s Daughter (Gospel Art Picture Kit 215; 62231).
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Suggested Lesson Development
Invite a child to give the opening prayer.
Enrichment Activities
You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
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Repeat the fourth article of faith, and ask the children why they think “faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” is the first principle of the gospel. Have them repeat the verse from memory or help them memorize it.
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Help the children memorize 1 Nephi 7:12, starting with the phrase “the Lord is able.”
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Ask the children to explain how we know that Jesus Christ lives today. You could make wordstrips of these and other answers you may think of. You could also write key words on the chalkboard.
Scriptures written by prophets tell us about Jesus.
Others have testified of him.
We can feel his love.
Joseph Smith saw him and was directed to restore his church.
If we are prayerful, the Holy Ghost will witness to us that Jesus lives.
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Sing or read the words to “Faith” (Children’s Songbook, p. 96).
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Ask the children to read Matthew 17:20. Explain that a mustard seed is very small, but it grows into a large bushlike tree. If our faith is as strong as the seed’s ability to grow into a tree, we can accomplish great things.
Conclusion
Invite a child to give the closing prayer.