Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children
I can shine the Savior’s light.
In Revelation 1:20, the Savior compared His Church to candlesticks. Help the children understand that they can shine the Savior’s light by living His teachings.
Possible Activities
Show the children pictures of different sources of light, such as a light bulb, a candle, and the sun. As you read “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20), invite the children to point to the picture of the light mentioned in this verse. Help the children discuss how we, as members of Jesus’s Church, can be like the light of a candle—for example, when we do nice things for others.
Prepare the glow sticks before class, with the pictures on them. Have the students pick one out of a bag at a time and talk about how as members of Jesus’s Church, can be like the light. Then they can crack the glow stick and make it shine. They can put it in a vase or cup till later, when all the glow sticks are ignited. Turn out the lights and testify that all those small acts of kindness, made a big impact and chased away the darkness.
Sing a song about being a light to others, such as “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61). Share ways you have seen the children living the gospel of Jesus Christ and being a light to those around them. Share how being a light to others has helped you feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Click on the image to be taken to Etsy.
I can invite Jesus Christ into my life.
The metaphor of Jesus standing at the door and knocking can help the children understand that He wants to be close to them.
Possible Activities
As you read Revelation 3:20, show the picture of the Savior at the door from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite the children to imagine that Jesus was knocking on the door to their homes. Let them talk about what they would do.
Invite the children to tell you about times when they waited for someone to visit their home who they were excited to see. What was it like waiting for that person to knock on the door? What if we never let the person inside? Read Revelation 3:20, and let the children take turns holding a picture of Jesus and pretending to knock on a door. The other class members could pretend to open the door. What can we do to let Jesus be near us, even though we can’t see Him?
Jesus Christ is the only one worthy to be my Savior.
John learned from his vision that only Jesus Christ (represented by a lamb) could be our Savior and fulfill the Father’s plan (represented by the sealed book).
Possible Activities
Before class, wrap up a copy of the Gospel Art Book using paper or string. Using a few key phrases from Revelation 5:1–10, describe the vision John saw. Show the children the book, and tell them that the only way to open the book is to find the picture of Jesus that you have hidden in the room. When they find the picture, open the book and share with the children some of the pictures in the book that represent blessings available because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement (such as a temple, baptism, and families). Testify that the Savior is the only one who could make those things possible.
Summarize the vision described in Revelation 5:1–10, and invite the children to act out how John and others felt during different parts of the vision. For instance, they might pretend to cry when no one could open the book, or they might cheer when the Savior opened it.
They can all have their own little book that they can pretend to cry and cheer when they open.
Here are the instructions on how to fold it:
Tis the season for a lot!
I'm just putting the Christmas gift tags together, you may need to look through my Etsy store to find the one you want. But you can click on the image to be taken to the mitten listing, you can go to my store from there.
Some of you are really ahead of the game, here is a Book of Mormon count down. THIS IS FREE! There is also a coloring page for counting every day. This is available in Spanish, Portugues, and English.
Also, a very smart Sister asked if I had a "Welcome to Sunbeams kit." I loved the idea and went to work. Click on the image to be taken to this listing.
Mitzi from comefollowmekid.com published this book, you might recognize some of the art from me, but she was the brains and the work and the everything. I'm so proud of her. Great gift for anyone you know without a printer.
Teach the Doctrine: Older Children
If I am committed to the Savior’s gospel, I will receive great blessings in heaven.
What does it mean to you to be “lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot”? Consider ways to help the children be the opposite of lukewarm—to be enthusiastic in their commitment to the Savior and His gospel.
Possible Activities
Read together Revelation 3:5, 12, 21, and explain any words that the children might not know. What does it mean to “overcome”? Invite the children to draw one of the blessings promised in these verses and share it with the class.
Read together Revelation 3:15–16. Ask the children to talk about things that are most useful or enjoyable when they are hot (such as soup) or cold (such as ice cream). How can being lukewarm about the Savior prevent us from the blessings promised in verses 5, 12, and 21?
On the board, write lukewarm, along with some synonyms, such as halfhearted, indifferent, or casual. Use these words to help the children understand why the Lord does not want us to be lukewarm. What words can we think of to describe the way He wants us to be? Share why you want to be fully committed to the Savior, and invite the children to share their thoughts as well.
OBJECT LESSON
It is snowing here, but I realize not everyone will have snow, you can still use this or something else, anything that needs to be bended or shaped, formed.
Practice before hand making a simple snow flake so you can talk while you cut.
While teaching:
-Talk about how being fully committed can be a challenge (as you fold the paper). The Lord may need to bend and fold you, and it's not very comfortable when we are asked to do hard things, like giving up our favorite sins, or working hard to serve someone.
-Get out the scissors and start cutting. Trials and tests will come and we will need to hold strong to our conviction and beliefs. Ask the students what kind of trials can test our beliefs and morals, while you are cutting.
-Start to unfold your snowflake and explain that you realize that you are becoming something beautiful. Or an instrument shaped by the Lord's hand. Testify that committing to the gospel, we will benefit with great rewards in heaven. Revelation 3:5, 12–21
I can choose to let Jesus Christ be a part of my life.
How can you help the children you teach open their hearts and lives to the power and influence of Jesus Christ?
Possible Activities
As you read Revelation 3:20, show the picture of the Savior at the door from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. To help the children draw meaning from the picture, invite them to work in pairs to answer questions like these: Why do you think Jesus is knocking on the door? Why isn’t there a doorknob on the outside of the door? What does it mean to let Jesus into our lives?
Ask the children to write on the board different ways to “open the door” to Jesus. Some examples might include serving others, reading the scriptures, keeping the covenants we make at baptism, and partaking of the sacrament.
Jesus Christ is the only one worthy to be my Savior.
The vision described in Revelation 5 taught that only Jesus Christ was worthy and able to perform the Atonement and save us from sin.
Possible Activities
Invite the children to tell about a time when they needed someone to do something they couldn’t do for themselves. Ask them to read Revelation 5:1–10 and look for what needed to be done that only one person could do (explain that the Lamb is Jesus Christ and the book represents God’s plan). What did Jesus do for us that no one else could do?
Ask the children to look for a hymn or children’s song that testifies of Jesus Christ (such as “Beautiful Savior,” Children’s Songbook, 62–63). What do the words of the song teach about Jesus Christ? How might this song be like the hymn of praise sung about Jesus Christ in Revelation 5:9–10?
having issues folding the little book?
I’ve never had problems in the past trying to open it up in Acrobat. Some of it works there.
Thanks for the reading chart for next year! Ruth Bradshaw
The coloring page of Jesus knocking on the door has the wrong scripture chapter reference. It should be 3:20 (not 9:20).
Hi I am still having problems printing some of the pages. It will print the top 1/3 of page then crazy printing color blocks of rest of page.