Lesson 29: Acts 16-21

July 22-28
Acts 16-21
"The Lord Had Called Us to Preach the Gospel"

Materials: map of the missionary journeys of Paul, saran wrap, packing tape, assortment of candy, dice, oven mitts/gloves
Opening Song: "Give Said the Little Stream" (Children's Songbook, 236)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Matthew 25: 40 "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Attention Activity: 
Game: Guess Who to Help? Written below are five ways to help a mystery person. Read the clues below and have your family guess who the person is. (You can adjust the clues if you based on your family situation or create your own)

Mystery Person: Mom
1. Sweep the kitchen floor
2. Clean up your toys
3. Play nicely and quietly
4. Make your school lunch
5. Give her a back rub 

Mystery Person: The Missionaries
1. Always be friendly to those not in our church
2. Talk with your friends about what you learned at Primary/Church
3. Invite your friends to church activities
4. Write them a letter
5. Have them over for dinner

Mystery Person: Grandma/Grandpa
1. Send them a card/draw them a picture
2. Call them and tell them about your day
3. Ask them for advice
4. Ask them about their childhood
5. Give them hugs and kisses 


Lesson:
We have been reading about Paul in the scriptures. Paul was a great missionary. He traveled to many different cities and places with different companions to teach people about Jesus Christ. Show the map of the missionary journeys of Paul (there is one in the CFMFIAF Manual and in most scriptures) Point to Ephesus on the map. Paul went to Ephesus twice. The second time he told the people he would not be back and he reminded them of all the things he had taught them. Read Acts 20: 35 "I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give then to receive." What did Paul mean when he said it is "more blessed to give than to receive?" Why are we more blessed when we give rather than  receive?

Ask a family member,"Tell a story from your own life about a time you gave a loved one a special gift for Christmas or their birthday. How do you feel when you gave them their present? 
Other than giving someone a gift, what is another way we can be giving? Paul said that we need to "support the weak." This means we need to look for ways to support and serve others. Is there someone we know that could benefit from our service? How could we help them? Make a plan to help someone in need with your family. 

 Read Matthew 25: 40. Jesus said, when we serve others, it is like we are serving him. We are doing what He would do and that makes him happy and us happy too. Bear your testimony of service and how giving to others has blessed your life.

Optional Activity: go to justserve.org and find a service opportunity your family can do together. 

Closing Song: "Because I Have Been Given Much" (Hymnal, 219)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment/Game: 

How To Play the Saran Wrap Game

This Plastic Wrap Ball Game for Kids or Adults requires a group of children or grown-ups (or both!) Make a saran wrap/tape ball with candy like the one pictured below. 

The players will need to sit in a circle.  One player will start off with the ball. The player to the left of that player will receive dice. 

The player with the ball put on gloves or oven mitts, and will start unwrapping the ball. At the same time, the player with the dice will start rolling the dice. 
The person unwrapping the ball will continue until the player rolling the dice rolls a double. 
The player rolling the dice will want to roll a double as fast as possible so he or she could have a turn at trying to unwrap and win a prize. 
Any prize or party favor that is unwrapped during your turn is yours to keep!!!

Tip: Keep in mind that each player has to keep the plastic wrap ball on their lap (if someone has it on the ground it will get uncovered way too easy!) 

Lesson 28: Acts 10-15

July 15-21
Acts 10-15
"The Word of God Grew and Multiplied"

Materials: scriptures
Opening Song: "A Child's Prayer" (Children's Songbook, 12)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Acts 10:5 "Peter was therefore kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."

Attention Activity:
Tell the following story. Mikey was playing the backyard when he fell and cut his knee. The cut hurt badly and was bleeding. Mikey knew he needed a bandaid, but the bandaids were in the tallest cupboard in the kitchen. Mikey knew he couldn't reach the bandaids so he asked his dad for help. Mikey's dad cleaned the cut and put a bandaid on it and Mikey felt much better. He was glad he asked his dad for help. Sometimes we have problems we can't solve on our own and we need to ask for help. Who can we always go to for help? Heavenly Father is always there to hear and answer our prayers. 

Lesson:
Remind your family that Peter was the leader of the church after Christ's death. Just before Easter, Peter was cast into prison by King Herod. Herod wanted to have Peter killed after the Easter holiday so sent 16 guards to watch him. "Peter was therefore kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him." (Acts 12:5) Who was praying for Peter? What does is mean to pray "without ceasing"? 

The night Herod was to kill Peter, Peter was sleeping chained between two guards when an angel appeared and a light shined in the dark prison. The angel nudged him, raised him up, and told him to get up. He wanted Peter to get up, put on his shoes, and follow him. Peter and the angels went through two levels of the prison then came to the large iron gate the guards the entry into the city. The gate lifted all on its own and Peter and the angel went out. After Peter was safely out fo the prison the angel departed. 

Read Acts 12: 10. How were the prayers of the members of the church answered? Just like Heavenly Father answered the prayers of the members of the church, he also answers our prayers. We might not, and probably won't get angelic help when we pray, but Heavenly Father does hear us and answer our prayers. Heavenly Father loves us; he knows us; he knows what we are going to pray for even before we pray for it. And he wants to help us. But he has a plan for us and Heavenly Fathers plan might have things in store for us that we are unaware of. He might not answer our prayers right away or in the way we think.

Elder Brook P. Hales of the Seventy said, Brothers and sisters, sometimes our prayers are answered quickly with the outcome we hope for. Sometimes our prayers are not answered in the way we hope for, yet with time we learn that God had greater blessings prepared for us than we initially anticipated. And sometimes our righteous petitions to God will not be granted in this life. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “Faith also includes trust in God’s timing.”

Ask members of your family to share the following:
1. Tell of a time when you prayed to Heavenly Father and he answered your prayers.
2. Tell of a time when you received an answer to a prayer but it wasn't what you had originally had in mind? How were you blessed because of it?/
3. Tell of something you are currently praying for but have not yet received. Do you have faith in Heavenly Father's plan?

Remind your family of people you need to or are currently praying for. Just like the members of the ancient church prayed for Peter, we should also pray for President Nelson and the other leaders of the church. Bear your testimony on the power of prayer and how Heavenly Father answers prayers. 

Game: Prayer Popcorn
Children can sit in a circle. When the teacher says to START POPPING, the children will jump (pop) up one at a time and shout out something to PRAY about. That child will sit down and then another child or teacher can POP up and continue to name prayers until all the children have had an opportunity to POP up with a PRAYER. Continue as time allows and then serve POPCORN to the children in the circle to remember their POPCORN PRAYING!

Closing Song: "I Pray in Faith" (Children's Songbook, 14)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Popcorn Bar (plain, buttered, cheddar, carmel, kettle, candied, etc.)

Lesson 27: Acts 6-9

July 8-14 
Acts 6-9
"What Wilt Thou Have Me to Do"

Materials: "Oh the Places You''ll Stand" Poem, Stephen Handout, I See the Son of Man Standing on the Right Hand of God by Walter Rane, 
Opening Song: "Stand for the Right" (Children's Songbook, 159)
Opening Prayer: 
Scripture: D&C 87:8 Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.

Attention Activity: Read "Oh the Places You'll Stand" Poem by Jill Revelli. As you read have your family stand up every time the word "stand" is said. 

Lesson:
The apostles needed some help ministering unto the people, so they called some men to help them. One of these special men was named Stephen. Show handout of Stephen above and explain that Stephen is described in the Bible as full of the Holy Ghost, wisdom, obedience, and faith. Read Acts 6: 8. Stephen helped teach the people in Jerusalem about Jesus which lead to the number of disciples multiplying greatly (Acts 6:7) This made the Jewish leaders angry with Stephen, so they caught him and put him on trial for telling lies (blasphemy). They even called false witnesses against Stephen. When it was Stephen's turn to speak, he told the counsel that they were resisting the Holy Ghost as their fathers did before them. He told them they have persecuted the prophets and betrayed and murdered Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Acts 7: 52-53). 

Show I See the Son of Man Standing on the Right Hand of God by Walter Rane

This made the counsel very angry. Read Acts 7: 55-56. Stephen was so full of faith, he not only saw Jesus, but he also saw Heavenly Father. There are not many people who have seen Heavenly Father, but Stephen did. The people cried out and ran at Stephen. They threw him out of the city and stoned him. Stephen said, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit. Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7: 59-60). And he died. 

He was the first Christian martyr in the scriptures. That means he was killed because of his belief in Jesus Christ. Who else was martyred for their testimony of Jesus? Our opening song today was, "Stand for the Right." What does it mean to stand for the right? How did Stephen stand for the right? How can you stand for the right?

Optional Activity: "The Martyrdom of Stephen" Bible video (5:42)

Activity: Have each of the follow scenarios below printed, cut out, and placed in a bowl. Have members of your family take turns choosing a scenario. What could you do in each scenario to stand for the right?

1. A boy shows up at school with new glasses. All of the children in your class are teasing him and laughing at him, calling him "four eyes."

2. Your little brother has been working on a lego project in his room, but you accidentally knock it over when you go in there to get something. You want to pretend like nothing happened, but you know he'll be upset.

3. Your best friend tells you she was too busy to do her math homework, and asks if she can copy your answers. 

4. You can't find your red shirt and it's red shirt day at school. Your sister's is clean and it fits okay, but she doesn't like you borrowing her stuff. 

5. You heard some interesting news about a girl in your class, but you don't know if it's true or not.  You really want to talk to your friends about it.

6. You're at a friends house, and they want to watch a movie that your parents have already told you you're not allowed to watch. 

7. Your sister broke your mom's favorite lamp. She wants you to lie and say that the dog knocked it over. 

8. After you checkout at Walmart, you notice the chapstick you forgot to pay for peaking out from under one of your shopping bags.  

Bear your testimony about standing for the right. Tell a story from your own life about a time you had to take a stand for what was right. Stephen was a good example of standing for the right and because he did, he got the amazing blessing of getting to see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If we are righteous and stand for the right like Stephen, we too can see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in heaven. 

Closing Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymnal, 239)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Cinnamon Roll Cookies Recipe Here

Lesson 26: Acts 1-5

July 1-7
Acts 1-5
"Ye Shall Be Witnesses Unto Me"

Materials: Simple costumes, coins, coloring page, The Death of Ananias by Raphael, 
Opening Song: "I Believe In Being Honest" (Children's Songbook, 149)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Article of Faith 13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Attention Activity: 
Tell a story from your own life about how you learned the value of honesty and telling the truth. If you cannot think of one, recount the story of the boy who cried wolf or use a story from The Friend found here.


Lesson:
After Jesus was resurrected, he went back to heaven to be with Heavenly Father. The church was then presided over by Peter. He was the new President of the Church much like President Nelson is today and all the members of the church were living in harmony. Read Acts 4: 32 "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." Explain in that the saints were living the law of consecration which meant that everything you had was shared with the other members of the church. 

There was a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who had sold some of their land. Instead of taking the money to the apostles, they lied and kept some of the money for themselves. Peter asked Ananias, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost." (Acts 5:3) He knew Ananias had lied to the church, which is like lying to God. When Ananias heard what Peter said, he fell down and died. 

Show the following picture:

The Death of Ananias by Raphael

Peter then went and asked Ananias's wife, Sapphira,  about the money and she also lied to Peter. Peter told her he knew she was lying and that her husband had died after he lied to him. Sapphira then also fell down to the earth and died and was buried next to her husband. 

What did Ananias and Sapphira do that was dishonest? What happened to them when they found out that Peter knew they were lying?

Activity: Ananias and Sapphira role play. 
Using some coins and simple costumes like bathrobes, pillowcase headdresses, etc. have the children reenact the story of Ananias and Sapphira.

When Ananias and Sapphira lied about their money, they were being dishonest. They were also breaking a commandment by not living the law of consecration like they had been asked. This would be like lying about paying our tithing . Today we aren't living the full law of consecration--we are living the law of tithing. What does it mean to pay our tithing? How can we be honest when we pay our tithing? 

It is important to be honest. We might not die as a consequence for lying like Ananias and Sapphira did, but there are always consequences when we lie. What are some consequences  when we fail to tell the whole truth? We might not always be caught like in this story, but there is always someone who knows the truth. Peter said, "thou has not lied unto men, but unto God." (Acts 5: 4) When we are dishonest, God always knows the truth. So, it is important that we are always honest, tell the entire truth, and keep the laws of God like the law of tithing. 

Activity: Honesty Coloring Page


Closing Song: "I Will Be Valiant" (Children's Songbook, 162)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: No Bake Eclair Cake recipe here 

Lesson 25: Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21

June 24-30
Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21
"He is Risen"

Materials: Mission call letter (see below), envelope, "Feed My Sheep" Bible Video (Link Below), Coloring pages (links provided), "Feed My Sheep" by Kamille Corry (link below)
Opening Song: "Called to Serve" (Hymnal, 249)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture:

Attention Activity:

Have the following letter printed, filled out, and placed in an envelope. A member of your family should read the letter aloud.

Dear _______(Your Name)______Family, 

You are herby called to serve as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the ___________(Your city)____________Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for eternity.

You should report daily for prayer and scripture study to train for your mission beginning _______(Today’s date)_______.  You will preach the gospel in the ___(Your Language)_______ language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of your mission area. 

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the Church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living the family rules, and following the counsel of your parents. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, prioritizing the Lord’s will over personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to receive the gospel message.

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become and effective missionary.

You will not be set apart as a missionary at this time. Please pray promptly accepting this call to serve as a member missionary, and “feed his sheep.”

Sincerely,

_______________________________________

Your Signiture

What letter did we just receive? What does it mean? Today we are going to talk about the mission he gave each of his disciples after he was resurrected--"feed my sheep".


Lesson:

Ask member of your family to briefly summarize what happened on Easter morning. 

Show Picture "Feed My Sheep" By Kamille Corry

After Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, he appeared to two of his apostles that same day. Later, he revealed himself to all eleven of his remaining apostles, and they beheld him and touched the nail prints in his hands and feet and spear wound in his side (see John 20). After that his apostles went fishing in the Sea of Tiberius. Have them watch the "Feed My Sheep" Bible video.  

What did Jesus mean when he asked Peter to "feed his sheep?" Why is feeding sheep a good metaphor for nourishing and caring for God's children? 

*** For Teens and Adults: To better understand Jesus' message to Peter in John 21 it is important to know the different Greek translations for the word "love" found in verses 15-17. In verse 15 Jesus asks Peter, "lovest thou me more than these?" "Lovest" comes from the Greek word agapao, meaning Godly love; love with deep devotion or esteem (regent.edu). But Peter Answers with the word phileo which means love of friendship. Jesus repeats the question in verse 16, but Peter still answers using the word for friendly love instead of acknowledging a divine or godly love. Finally, in verse 17 Jesus uses phileo for love in acknowledgement that Peter wasn't grasping the concept of agapao or Godly love. 

The word for "feed" is also varied between the three verses. President Russell M. Nelson explained how an understanding of the Greek text deepens our knowledge of the Savior’s instructions to Peter and to us:
“In [John 21:15], the word feed comes from the Greek term bosko, which means ‘to nourish or to pasture.’ The word lambcomes from the diminutive term arnion, meaning ‘little lamb.’ …
“In [John 21:16], the word feed comes from a different term, poimaino, which means ‘to shepherd, to tend, or to care.’ The word sheep comes from the term probaton, meaning ‘mature sheep.’ …
“In [John 21:17], the word feed again comes from the Greek bosko, referring to nourishment. The word sheep was again translated from the Greek term probaton, referring to adult sheep.
“These three verses, which seem so similar in the English language, really contain three distinct messages in Greek:
“Little lambs need to be nourished in order to grow;
“Sheep need to be tended;
“Sheep need to be nourished” (“Shepherds, Lambs, and Home Teachers,” Ensign, Aug. 1994, 16).***

Elder Gary Stevenson said, "Who is a shepherd? Every man, woman, and child in the kingdom of God is a shepherd. No calling is required. From the moment we emerge from the waters of baptism, we are commissioned to this work. We reach out in love to others because it is what our Savior commanded us to do... Whenever our neighbors are in distress temporally or spiritually, we run to their aid. We bear one another’s burdens that they may be light. We mourn with those who mourn. We comfort those who stand in need of comfort. The Lord lovingly expects this of us. And the day will come when we will be held accountable for the care we take in ministering to His flock" ("Shepherding Souls" Oct. 2018). 

Elder Ulisses Soares said, "This need today is as great as or perhaps even greater than when the Savior walked on this earth. As shepherds we must understand that we should nurture each one of our sheep to bring them to Christ, which is the purpose of all we do in this Church" ("Feed My Sheep", Oct. 2005).

Before Jesus left the apostles he gave them a mission. He wanted them to "feed his sheep" or minister to all of God's children. He also told them, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matt. 21: 19-20). He wanted his apostles to go out and teach the people about him, and minister unto them. How can we help accomplish this? 

Bear your testimony of the ministering program of the church. We each have been given our own personal mission calling when we are baptized to be good "member missionaries" and feed his sheep by ministering unto all. When we turn 14, we are given a special ministering assignment to those in our wards and local areas. This includes doing service and showing compassion for our neighbors as well as sharing the good news of the gospel with others. 

Activity:
Choose one of the following coloring pages
I can be a missionary now
Serving Others

Closing Song: "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission" (Children's Songbook, 169)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: 
Marvelous Missionary M&M Bars Recipe Here

Lesson 24: Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

June 17-23
Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19
"It Is Finished"

Materials: worksheet (see below), video "Jesus is scourged and crucified", coloring page
Opening Song: "He Sent His Son" (Children's Songbook, 34)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 

Attention Activity:
Remind your family last week you discussed the sacrament and the atonement of Jesus  Christ. What does the water of the sacrament represent? What does the bread represent? Today, we are going to discuss what happened to Jesus' body. We are going to talk about how he died.

Lesson:
After Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was betrayed by his apostle, Judas and was arrested. The next morning, on what we now call "Good Friday," Jesus was brought before a man named Pontius Pilate. Pilate questioned Jesus. Pilate knew that the Jewish leaders like the Saducees and the Pharisees wanted Jesus to be put to death, but Pilate couldn't find a reason for this. He knew Jesus was an innocent man. Because he knew that the Jewish leaders wanted him dead, Pilate still gave the order to have him crucified. 

Using the worksheet provided below, read about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The worksheet explains how different parts of the Savior's body were hurt. Remind your family that as we eat the bread during the sacrament, we are supposed to remember Christ's suffering in our behalf. 

Why would Jesus endure so much pain and suffering? He was the Son of God and had authority over "legions of angels." The CFMFIAF Manual states, He voluntarily chose to endure unjust trials, cruel mocking, and unimaginable physical pain" (page 95). Read 1 Nephi 19:9. Jesus suffered all of these pains because he loves us. He chose to die so we could live again with our Father in Heaven. His death and suffering allows us all to be able to live with Heavenly Father again.

Optional Activity: Show the video "Jesus is Scourged and Crucified" (Note: this video may be too graphic for some children. You may want to view this video yourself before showing it to sensitive little ones.)

Bear your testimony of the atonement and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Remind your family that although Jesus' death was sad and full of sorrow, it was only temporary. He concurred death when he was resurrected, which we will discuss more next week.

Activity: Choose a coloring page from this website to have your children color. Write on the top of the page, "Jesus died, so I can live again."


Closing Song: "I Stand All Amazed" (Hymnal, 193)
Closing Prayer: 

Refreshment: Vinegar Pie recipe here

Lesson 23: Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18

June 10-16
Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22; John 18
"Not as I Will, but as Thou Wilt"

Materials: picture of the partaking of the sacrament (link below), picture of the last supper (link below), picture of Christ in Gethsemane, scriptures, coloring page (link below)

Opening Song: "Gethsemane" For sing-along video click here.
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Moroni 10:32 "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

Attention Activity:
Show a picture of the partaking of the sacrament like the one here. What is happening in this picture? When do we take the sacrament? Why do we take the sacrament? What do the bread and water represent?

Lesson:
Last week we talked about when Jesus met with his apostles on the night of the Passover Feast. He washed their feet and instructed them to "love one another as I have loved you." After they ate dinner, or supper, Jesus took some bread, broke it into pieces, and gave it to the apostles. He said, "This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. " (Luke 22: 19)

Show a picture of the Last Supper like In Remembrance of Me, by Walter Rane

Read Matthew 26: 27-28. Jesus said that the wine was symbolic of the blood he shed for you. When Christ says his blood is the "new testament," he means a new covenant. Partaking of the bread and wine is a covenant with God. 

Christ then told them that one of his apostles would soon betray him and he left with Peter, James, and John to go to the Mount of Olives, to a garden called, Gethsemane. When they came to the mount, Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to pray. He then went off by himself to pray. Read Luke 22: 41-46. When Jesus went to pray "his soul was exceedingly sorrowful [or sad]." This was because he was suffering for all of our sins. During this special prayer, he felt the suffering and sins of the whole world. The pain was so great, he actually sweat drops of blood. 

*** There are a lot of touching works of art depicting the Savior's suffering in Gethsemane, Please choose your favorite to display as you teach your family about the atonement.***

This was the most important event of all time. It is called the atonement. When Jesus prayed and suffered for our sins, he made it possible for us to repent so that we could live with Heavenly Father again. Sometimes we refer to this as "grace" as in the "grace of Jesus Christ." When we repent, we are utilizing the gift of the atonement. Brother Tad Callister, former General Sunday School President said this about the atonement: "It was to make possible for us to return to God's presence, become more like Him, and have a fulness of joy. This was done by overcoming four obstacles: 1. physical death 2. spiritual death caused by Adam and by our sins 3. Our afflictions and infirmities 4. Our weaknesses and imperfections." Christ's Atonement was not just to redeem us from our sins. He also suffered our afflictions (injuries), infirmities (disabilities), weaknesses, and imperfections. 

Optional videos: "The Last Supper" Bible Video via ChurchOfJesusChrist.org (6 min.)
                            "The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane" via ChurchofJesusChrist.org  (8 min.)

Hold up the picture of the partaking of the sacrament from the beginning of the lesson. Each week, we attend church to participate in the ordinance of the sacrament. We do this to renew our covenants with God and to remember the atonement of Jesus Christ. The hymn we sing before the sacrament is blessed always has lyrics to remind us of the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus. The bread we eat reminds us of Christ's body which was slain for us. We will talk more about Jesus' death next week. The water we drink during the sacrament represents the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed in Gethsemane and upon the cross. 

For older children and teens: remind your family the Christ referred to himself as the "bread of life." He also referred to himself as the "living water." Bread and water were often used by the Savior as symbols. What were some ways we've discussed previously how Jesus is like bread? Like water? 

How do you feel you are doing to remember Jesus and think about Him as you take the sacrament? What could we do better to stay focused on Christ while we take the sacrament? (sing the hymn, read the lyrics of the sacrament hymns, read scriptures about the sacrament or the atonement, read a story depicting the atonement, think about Jesus, look at pictures of Jesus, etc.) 

Encourage your family to try hard this upcoming Sunday to think about Jesus and the atonement as they partake of the sacrament. Bear your testimony of the atonement and the sacrament. 


Activity: Have your children color the this coloring page. On top of the page, have them write one thing they are going to do to remember the Savior as they take the sacrament this week. 


Closing Song: "To Think about Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 71)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Red Velvet Sandwich cookies For Recipe Click Here