Come Follow Me: September 21-27 (3 Nephi 12-16)

I can be a good example for others.

3 Nephi 12:14-16. Sometimes children might not realize how much their examples can bless others. Use these verses to encourage them to let their light shine.

Let Your Light Shine from Little Family Fun. Write ways we can be examples to others on strips of yellow card stock. Glue them around the orange circle, and your children will realize it's a sun (which gives off light). We can be a light to others when we do these things.

Reflector Analogy from Meck Mom. I have her monthly Book of Mormon subscription, and find so many great object lessons. This is one of the three ideas for this week. Talk about reflectors and what they're used for (protection and safety). How do they shine? Where's the battery? Well, there isn't a battery. Explain how they only shine when they are lit by something else (like a head light or flashlight). Talk about how Jesus is our source of light. He invites us to come to Him and be like Him. When we follow Him, His light shines through us and protects us from harm. 

Let Your Light So Shine from Latter Day Kids. A great animated video that explains this principle so beautifully.

Heavenly Father answers my prayers.

3 Nephi 14:7. This verse can help the children understand that God will hear and answer their prayers. 

Prayer Puppets. Print, cut out and glue (or staple!) onto brown paper sacks. Have the child(ren) color the prayer puppets. Talk about each of the body parts and how they correspond to prayer. Have your child hang up the puppet in their room as a reminder of how to look and act during prayers

Reverent Prayers from News with Naylors. Tell your family we are going to learn how we can be reverent during our prayers. Show your family the potato head and the bag of body pieces. Tell your family that inside of the bag are the different pieces to the potato head. We are going to take turns picking a piece and discussing how that part of our body can/should be reverent during prayers. 

Eyes: should be closed.

Arms: should be folded or held.

Ears: should be listening to the person saying the prayer

Lips: should be quiet OR if you're saying the prayer - should use reverent (not silly) voices and words.

Feet: should stay still.

Hat/Head: our thoughts should be sincere (not day dreaming about other things).

The Savior wants me to hear and do what he teaches.

3 Nephi 14:24-27. Just hearing the Savior's words is not enough. Only those who live His teachings can withstand life's storms. 

Snow Globe Example from Meck Mom. This idea is from her Book of Mormon Course. You hot glue magnets onto a little toy house, and add it into a DIY snow globe with glitter, water and clear glue. Without another magnet, the little house swirls around (liken to when we don't follow the Savior's teachings). However, when we put a magnet on the bottom of the snow globe, the little house stays still (like to when we hear and DO the Savior's teachings). I'll post a picture below after we do it!

(picture to come)

The Wiseman and The Foolishman from News with Naylors.

 

Peacemaker Family Lesson from News with Naylors. I put together this lesson last year when we were learning about beatitudes in the New Testament. It has a file folder matching game, a secret code figure out, and peace maker scenarios. Free Download. 

If you are interested, I recently learned the Beatitudes are more of a progression or a step-by-step recipe. One leads to the other. Here's how they were explained to me:

"Blessed are the" means "oh, the happiest of". Think about how we get joy from each beatitude. 

Poor in Spirit: This isn't regarding money or hunger or food. It is when we realize something is lacking. There is something missing from my life. There is something more that we need. When there is a lack, we turn to Christ. 

Mourn: Where we see we've gone astray. When we realize there is a gap between us and the Savior. It's a sorrow from what's missing, but also a hope that we can cross that gap. We mourn where we are lacking.

Meek: Not weakness. Absolute power and absolute control. I have the capability to do whatever I want, but I choose my agency to do something good. We control the natural man.

Hunger and Thirst After Righteous: Once we choose to be poor in spirit, mourn and are meek, we start to not hunger and thirst after worldly things. We start to desire things that are righteous. We see clearly.

Merciful: When we are filled with things that are good, we see things differently. We see a broader perspective and judge not.

Pure in Heart: Refine and sanctify yourself. Listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost. You start to see the way the Savior does.

Blessed are the Peacemakers: A proactive thing. Not in response to a situation, but something you intentionally plan beforehand to create peace in your home or your life. It means you're making space for the Holy Ghost.

Revile Against You: It doesn't mean you're going to be popular or be listened to. You might struggle, but you're in good company. Be in peace with it. 

Once you've been through this refining process, he asks us to shine our light. Turn inward instead of outward. God makes the sun shine on everybody, whether they love Him or not. Be good to others. Being perfect is a progression of something you'll grow into. It's not a perfectly shaped pinecone, it's how the pinecone turns into a pine tree.