Faith – Ages 2-5
2 Weeks
Objective is to teach children about trust and who/what they can count on.
Lesson 1:
Peek a boo variations. This builds faith that mom/dad will still be there. Choose from the activities listed according to the needs and ages of your family members.
• Cover their head with a blanket and play peek a boo.
• Hide and have them find you and vice versa.
• Play “Button, button, who’s got the button.” (Let the one hiding the button say who has it. This assures them that the button is where they put it.)
• Blindfold them and hide where they can still hear your voice. Guide them to where you are by giving them directions.
• For older children in this age bracket, have a child face away from mom/dad. On the count of 3, tell the child to fall back into your arms without them looking at you. The child should keep their body stiff and straight.
Ask if they would “trust” one of their older brothers/sisters to be the one who catches them. Whether they say yes or no, ask them why it was or wasn’t OK for someone else to catch them. (Possibly a lack of trust in someone else.)
What does trust have to do with faith?
Tell the story, or show the video, of “Daniel in the Lions Den,” Daniel 6: 4-28; “David and Goliath,” 1 Samuel 17: 12-51; or any story of faith from the scriptures. Let them tell what they feel about the story and guide their thinking toward trust/faith.
• If someone can draw, have them draw a picture of the scripture story told above.
• Find a picture of the scripture story told above and cut it into puzzle pieces for each family member.
Songs: “Faith,” page 96; “God’s Love,” page 97; “I Know My Father Lives,” page 5; Children’s Songbook.
Dessert could be something that had something hidden inside such as a lollipop with the tootsie roll candy inside or a saying inside a cookie.
Lesson 2. Planting a Seed Objective is to teach that when family members believe in
something, they have faith.
Read, or tell, a story about someone planting seeds such as “Johnny Appleseed.”
Ahead of time, get some seeds, soil, and small pots in which to plant the seeds for each family member. Talk about what is needed in order for a seed to grow.
• A chart can be made on which to place a sticker or check mark for everyday the seed is cared for as discussed.
• How does planting a seed relate to faith? ( “Do you think the seed will grow?”)
If you have videos with scripture stories on them, show one that demonstrates faith.
Tell one of the stories at the end of the lesson.
Bear your testimony on how you have been blessed by using faith in your life. Help the children know what they must do to have their faith “grow”.
Sing a song on faith: “Faith,” page 96; “God’s Love,” page 97’ or “I Know My Father Lives,” page 5; Children’s Songbook.
Dessert: Food with seeds would be clever.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Faith Lessons Ages 6-8
Faith – Ages 6-8
2 Weeks
Objective is to teach about faith, that faith has power, and we use it all of the time.
Lesson 1. The seed
Read Alma 32: 33, 37, 38. This is the account of comparing a seed to faith. Discuss how faith is like planting a seed.
Ahead of time prepare planting pots with soil and get a package of seeds. Let each child plant a seed and discuss what is needed in order for the seed to grow.
• How do we “nourish” our faith so it will grow?
Read stories from the scriptures of people who showed faith. Let the family members tell what their favorite one is or give them suggestions.
• Daniel and the lions den (Daniel chapter 6).
• Nephi getting the Plates of Brass (1 Nephi chapter 4).
• Christ’s disciples dropping their nets and following Jesus (Matt. 4:18-22).
• David and Goliath (1 Sam. Chapter 17).
• Brother of Jared moving mountains (Ether chapter 3 and Ether 12: 30).
• Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-nego (Daniel chapter 3).
• Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel chapter 1).
• After reading the story, discuss the faith and power that faith brought.
• Act out the story and video tape it. Watch the production when finished.
Video: #8 “What Think Ye of Christ?” Family Home Evening Video Supplement 2. (This can be found in your meeting house library or purchased through the Church Distribution Center. There are two videos with many segments on each.)
Activity: Going through an obstacle course while blindfolded.
• Set up an obstacle course with chairs, boxes, rulers, people, or whatever you have.
Each family member is to work themselves through the course while blindfolded.
The only direction they have is the verbal commands from any other family
member of their choosing. Before each family member takes their turn, secretly
rearrange a chair or box so the course is unknown and different for each
participant.
• Variation: While going through the course under the direction of the chosen guide, have the other family members verbally try to get the participant to go a different way, or not listen to the guide. This is effective if the family members are part of the obstacle course. No touching allowed!
• Be sure to discuss what this experience has to do with faith. (Consider talking about obstacles in life, our chosen guide, trusting someone, peers or worldly things that try to deceive us, power in listening to who we can trust.)
Songs: “Faith,” page 96; “God’s Love,” page 97; “I Know My Father Lives,” page 5; Children’s Songbook. “Be Still My Soul,” page 124; Hymn Book.
Dessert:
• Prepare something new that no one has eaten before. This will give them “faith” to trust you that it is really good.
• Have food with hidden sayings inside such as cookies, or hidden food inside other food such as tootsie pops.
Lesson 2. Faith has power.
For each family member, choose an activity that would be difficult for him/her to do but is achievable with some encouraging and effort. Examples could be:
• Chin ups on a bar, push ups from the knee or toe (know your children’s ability), and dips from a chair
• Memorizing a 4 strand poem,
• Memorizing numbers to a combination lock that has locked up a box with a reward in it.
• Tell each family member their challenge and the reward they will earn if they can accomplish it. Let them do their challenge one person at a time. Encourage.
When the family member thinks he/she can’t do anymore, put a bribe in front of them. If they are doing pull ups, dangle a sucker or dollar bill (in an envelope for cleanliness) in front of them and high enough that they could get it with their teeth if they do that one more pull up. The “bribe” could be put on the floor under where their mouth would be if doing push ups.
With verbal encouragement and the reward in sight, the family member will probably be able to do one more than they thought they could.
• Discuss how faith in themselves, the encouragement of good friends and family members, and keeping the eye on the reward, gave each power to do more than they thought they could.
“I can do it” is showing faith in oneself and it generates power. Tell the story of the “Little Engine That Could”. (This is also available on video.)
Challenge each family member to discuss something that is difficult for them and to make up a plan to overcome it. It can be overcoming a fear, developing a talent, doing better in a class in school, getting along with someone, etc. (power).
Tell any of the stories that follow these lessons, or one of your own, on how faith helped in achieving something difficult (power).
Show a piece of cross stitch from underneath. Don’t show the finished side. Ask the family to get on the floor and view the cross stitch from below. See if they can guess what the picture is about. Now have them come to the top and view the cross stitch from above. Which view was prettier?
• Discuss how God can see us from above and has a more perfect view than we do from below. He knows what the total picture is supposed to look like and can guide and direct us so we too can eventually see the finished picture from on top. This takes faith in Him and His knowledge.
Songs: “Faith,” page 96; “God’s Love,” page 97; “I Know My Father Lives,” page 5; Children’s Songbook. “Where Can I Turn for Peace,” page 129; Hymn Book.
Dessert:
• Prepare something new that no one has eaten before. This will give them “faith” to trust you that it is really good.
• Have food with hidden sayings such as a cookie, or food with other food in the middle such as a tootsie pop.
2 Weeks
Objective is to teach about faith, that faith has power, and we use it all of the time.
Lesson 1. The seed
Read Alma 32: 33, 37, 38. This is the account of comparing a seed to faith. Discuss how faith is like planting a seed.
Ahead of time prepare planting pots with soil and get a package of seeds. Let each child plant a seed and discuss what is needed in order for the seed to grow.
• How do we “nourish” our faith so it will grow?
Read stories from the scriptures of people who showed faith. Let the family members tell what their favorite one is or give them suggestions.
• Daniel and the lions den (Daniel chapter 6).
• Nephi getting the Plates of Brass (1 Nephi chapter 4).
• Christ’s disciples dropping their nets and following Jesus (Matt. 4:18-22).
• David and Goliath (1 Sam. Chapter 17).
• Brother of Jared moving mountains (Ether chapter 3 and Ether 12: 30).
• Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed-nego (Daniel chapter 3).
• Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel chapter 1).
• After reading the story, discuss the faith and power that faith brought.
• Act out the story and video tape it. Watch the production when finished.
Video: #8 “What Think Ye of Christ?” Family Home Evening Video Supplement 2. (This can be found in your meeting house library or purchased through the Church Distribution Center. There are two videos with many segments on each.)
Activity: Going through an obstacle course while blindfolded.
• Set up an obstacle course with chairs, boxes, rulers, people, or whatever you have.
Each family member is to work themselves through the course while blindfolded.
The only direction they have is the verbal commands from any other family
member of their choosing. Before each family member takes their turn, secretly
rearrange a chair or box so the course is unknown and different for each
participant.
• Variation: While going through the course under the direction of the chosen guide, have the other family members verbally try to get the participant to go a different way, or not listen to the guide. This is effective if the family members are part of the obstacle course. No touching allowed!
• Be sure to discuss what this experience has to do with faith. (Consider talking about obstacles in life, our chosen guide, trusting someone, peers or worldly things that try to deceive us, power in listening to who we can trust.)
Songs: “Faith,” page 96; “God’s Love,” page 97; “I Know My Father Lives,” page 5; Children’s Songbook. “Be Still My Soul,” page 124; Hymn Book.
Dessert:
• Prepare something new that no one has eaten before. This will give them “faith” to trust you that it is really good.
• Have food with hidden sayings inside such as cookies, or hidden food inside other food such as tootsie pops.
Lesson 2. Faith has power.
For each family member, choose an activity that would be difficult for him/her to do but is achievable with some encouraging and effort. Examples could be:
• Chin ups on a bar, push ups from the knee or toe (know your children’s ability), and dips from a chair
• Memorizing a 4 strand poem,
• Memorizing numbers to a combination lock that has locked up a box with a reward in it.
• Tell each family member their challenge and the reward they will earn if they can accomplish it. Let them do their challenge one person at a time. Encourage.
When the family member thinks he/she can’t do anymore, put a bribe in front of them. If they are doing pull ups, dangle a sucker or dollar bill (in an envelope for cleanliness) in front of them and high enough that they could get it with their teeth if they do that one more pull up. The “bribe” could be put on the floor under where their mouth would be if doing push ups.
With verbal encouragement and the reward in sight, the family member will probably be able to do one more than they thought they could.
• Discuss how faith in themselves, the encouragement of good friends and family members, and keeping the eye on the reward, gave each power to do more than they thought they could.
“I can do it” is showing faith in oneself and it generates power. Tell the story of the “Little Engine That Could”. (This is also available on video.)
Challenge each family member to discuss something that is difficult for them and to make up a plan to overcome it. It can be overcoming a fear, developing a talent, doing better in a class in school, getting along with someone, etc. (power).
Tell any of the stories that follow these lessons, or one of your own, on how faith helped in achieving something difficult (power).
Show a piece of cross stitch from underneath. Don’t show the finished side. Ask the family to get on the floor and view the cross stitch from below. See if they can guess what the picture is about. Now have them come to the top and view the cross stitch from above. Which view was prettier?
• Discuss how God can see us from above and has a more perfect view than we do from below. He knows what the total picture is supposed to look like and can guide and direct us so we too can eventually see the finished picture from on top. This takes faith in Him and His knowledge.
Songs: “Faith,” page 96; “God’s Love,” page 97; “I Know My Father Lives,” page 5; Children’s Songbook. “Where Can I Turn for Peace,” page 129; Hymn Book.
Dessert:
• Prepare something new that no one has eaten before. This will give them “faith” to trust you that it is really good.
• Have food with hidden sayings such as a cookie, or food with other food in the middle such as a tootsie pop.
Faith Lessons Ages 9 and up
1 Week
Objective is to teach family members about faith, the power that can come from faith, and encourage family members to increase their faith.
Do any of the activities and lessons outlined for ages 6-8.
Copy the “I Believe” sheet on page 65 for each member in your family and have them fill it out.
Tell the story of the Brother of Jared and his faith to see the finger of God and to move mountains (Ether chapters 3 and 12).
• Discuss his faith and how his faith gave him power.
• What blessings are we promised by exercising faith? Write the suggestions of the family members on your board. Some suggestions could be:
Miracles can happen (Mormon chapter 9: 15-21).
God will be with us (Moses 7: 13).
Healing (Alma 15: 10 and 11; Mark 5: 25-34).
Greater knowledge (3 Nephi 26:9; Moroni 10:4).
Tell and discuss any of the stories at the end of the lesson.
Fill a baby food jar or small container, with a lid, with 7 M and M candies. Have a jar for each family member. The letters M and M stand for Move Mountains like the brother of Jared. Challenge each family member to take ONE M and M each day before going to school or work. This is their reminder and strength to have faith throughout the day. Encourage them to record their experiences in their journal.
• The family members should think of something that they want to accomplish that week that would require faith so they have some direction. Some examples are:
Understanding homework.
Getting along with friends (trusting them, not taking offense, acceptance).
Trusting mom/dad (rules, what they ask, their intentions for what they do).
• Everyone is encouraged to report back at the next F.H.E. on how their faith was strengthened. If it didn’t increase faith, “why?” could be discussed in an unaccusatory way. This can be repeated as desired.
Discuss and make a list of suggestions on your board of how family members can remember the Savior throughout the day. Some suggestions could be whenever the phone rings, the bell at school rings, a horn honks, or the light is red the family member could stop and think about Jesus and what He means to them. What the family members choose to think about is up to them and personal.
Video: # 6 “The Consequences of our Choices,” Family Home Video Supplement.
Bear your testimony concerning how faith has helped in your life. Ask if any other family member if they would like to share an experience with faith in their life.
Songs: “I Believe in Christ,” page 134; “Lead Kindly Light,” page 97; “True to the Faith,” page 254; “Be Still My Soul,” page 124; Hymn Book
Dessert:
• Prepare something new that no one has eaten before. This will give them “faith” to trust you that it is really good.
• Have food with hidden sayings such as a cookie, or food with other food in the middle such as a tootsie pop.
Objective is to teach family members about faith, the power that can come from faith, and encourage family members to increase their faith.
Do any of the activities and lessons outlined for ages 6-8.
Copy the “I Believe” sheet on page 65 for each member in your family and have them fill it out.
Tell the story of the Brother of Jared and his faith to see the finger of God and to move mountains (Ether chapters 3 and 12).
• Discuss his faith and how his faith gave him power.
• What blessings are we promised by exercising faith? Write the suggestions of the family members on your board. Some suggestions could be:
Miracles can happen (Mormon chapter 9: 15-21).
God will be with us (Moses 7: 13).
Healing (Alma 15: 10 and 11; Mark 5: 25-34).
Greater knowledge (3 Nephi 26:9; Moroni 10:4).
Tell and discuss any of the stories at the end of the lesson.
Fill a baby food jar or small container, with a lid, with 7 M and M candies. Have a jar for each family member. The letters M and M stand for Move Mountains like the brother of Jared. Challenge each family member to take ONE M and M each day before going to school or work. This is their reminder and strength to have faith throughout the day. Encourage them to record their experiences in their journal.
• The family members should think of something that they want to accomplish that week that would require faith so they have some direction. Some examples are:
Understanding homework.
Getting along with friends (trusting them, not taking offense, acceptance).
Trusting mom/dad (rules, what they ask, their intentions for what they do).
• Everyone is encouraged to report back at the next F.H.E. on how their faith was strengthened. If it didn’t increase faith, “why?” could be discussed in an unaccusatory way. This can be repeated as desired.
Discuss and make a list of suggestions on your board of how family members can remember the Savior throughout the day. Some suggestions could be whenever the phone rings, the bell at school rings, a horn honks, or the light is red the family member could stop and think about Jesus and what He means to them. What the family members choose to think about is up to them and personal.
Video: # 6 “The Consequences of our Choices,” Family Home Video Supplement.
Bear your testimony concerning how faith has helped in your life. Ask if any other family member if they would like to share an experience with faith in their life.
Songs: “I Believe in Christ,” page 134; “Lead Kindly Light,” page 97; “True to the Faith,” page 254; “Be Still My Soul,” page 124; Hymn Book
Dessert:
• Prepare something new that no one has eaten before. This will give them “faith” to trust you that it is really good.
• Have food with hidden sayings such as a cookie, or food with other food in the middle such as a tootsie pop.
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