Lesson 5: 1 Nephi 16-22

January 27- February 2
1 Nephi 16-22
"I Will Prepare the Way Before You"

Materials: scriptures, copies of scripture play
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, 109)
Opening Prayer: 
Scripture: 1 Nephi 19: 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

Attention Activity:
Ask each family member to share their favorite scripture story. Why do you like that story?
Lesson:
The scriptures are full of wonderful stories. Ask your family if they remember what a parable is? A parable is a fictitious story that demonstrates a gospel principle. There are also many true stories in the Bible and Book of Mormon. Stories from the scriptures are fun to read. We can also learn from the scriptures. How can we learn from reading scripture stories? What did you learn from your favorite story?

Read 1 Nephi 19:23. What does it mean to "liken the scriptures unto us?" This means that as we read the scriptures, we need to try to learn from them. We need to apply the gospel principles in the stories and apply it to our own lives "for our profit and learning." 


Activity: The Liahona and the Broken Bow Scripture Play

We are going to practice likening the scriptures unto us by acting out 1 Nephi 16. At the end we will talk about what we can learn from what Nephi and his family experienced in the chapter and how we can apply it to ourselves. 

Cast: Lehi, Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, Narrator for italic text, The Lord, Sam (Optional Cast: Sariah, Zoram, daughters of Ishmael,) *these rolls can be done by Laman & Lemuel as well

Props: A compass or ball (for Liahona), a bow or stick 

Setting: In the wilderness near the Red Sea. Lehi is sleeping on the floor of his tent. He wakes up and opens the tent to find a strange ball.

Lehi: (astonished) What is this? He picks up the ball. How curious? It looks to be a small ball with pointers like a compass, but is not pointing north. 

Laman: Let us go and pitch our tents elsewhere.

Sam: We can go hunting on the way—slaying our food with our bows and arrows, stones and slings.

Lehi: We shall follow the directions on the ball as we journey through the wilderness. 

After traveling many days, they pitched their tents for a time, so they can rest and eat. 

Nephi: I'm going to take my bow and go hunting for food tonight. Pretend to pull the boasting back. The bow breaks. Oh no! My bow has broken!

Laman: (angrily) What are we going to do now?

Lemuel: (angrily) Nephi, you wretch! How will you kill all our food with a broken bow?

Nephi: I guess we'll have to go back to camp and think of something

Laman: (complaining) I'm hungry. 

Lemuel: (whining) I’m starving. 

Laman: (irritated) I can't hunt myself. That's what Nephi's for. And now he's gone off and broken his ruddy bow. 

Lemuel: (hopelessly) I can't remember the taste of food. We'll die out here without food.

Lehi: (complaining) What are we going to do? We need food for our bellies. Oh Lord, how did you let this happen? We're so hungry. We've sacrificed everything and now we have no food. This isn't fair. 

Sam: All the other bows have lost their springs.

Nephi: We cannot lose faith. We will get through this. The Lord will help us if we have faith. I will go and see what is to be done for food.

Nephi leaves. He makes a new bow out of a stick. He takes his new bow and arrow, stones, and a sling to Lehi.

Nephi: Where do you think I should go to have the best chance to find food?

Lehi: (humbly) I'll ask it of the Lord. Lehi prays. I have been chastened by the Lord for murmuring and speaking against him. (Sadly) I am brought down in the depths of sorrow. I must humble myself and have more faith. 

Lord: Look upon the ball

Lehi looks at the ball. When he sees the words written on it he's afraid and trembles. 

Nephi: Looks at the ball. It appears that the pointers on the Liahona only work according to our faith, diligence, and heed we give unto them. This writing upon the ball changes from time to time according to the faith and diligence we are showing. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things. I will follow the direction on the ball and hunt for food on the top of that mountain. 

A short time later, Nephi returns after slaying enough wild beasts to feed their families. 

Lehi: Thank you Nephi for this food. Thank you Lord for providing it for us.

Laman and Lemuel: Thank you. 

End scene.

 

What are some lessons we can learn from Nephi's experience with the Liohona and the broken bow? How can you apply it to your life?

As we read the scriptures this week, we will hear more stories of Nephi and his family. These stories should be instructive to us. They should inspire us to live gospel principles. As we read the scriptures, ask yourself how the stories can help you personally. What can you learn from the example of Nephi or from the reactions of Laman and Lemuel?

“What all of us learn by studying the scriptures: Who we are. What we can become. Prophecies for us and for our posterity. The commandments, laws, ordinances, and covenants we must live by to obtain eternal life. And how we must live in order to endure to the end and return to our Heavenly Father with honor.”—Elder Robert D. Hales

Share your own favorite scripture story and bear your testimony of what you have learned from studying it. 

Closing Song: "Scripture Power" (Songs for Children link here)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Wild beast bear print cookies recipe here

Lesson 4: 1 Nephi 11-15

January 20-26
1 Nephi 11-15
“Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God”

Materials: video (link below), scripture color by number , crayons, scriptures 
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, 109)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture:  Article of Fatih #8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 

Attention Activity:
Play several rounds of telephone with your family. 

Lesson:
What did we talk about last week? Last week, we discussed Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Nephi wanted to see it too. "I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as i sat pondering in mine heart i was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord." (11:1) Nephi was also shown the Tree of Life, but he also saw a lot more in his vision. Nephi saw important events in the history of the earth: the life of Jesus Christ, the ministry and persecution of his apostles, the rise and fall of the Nephite nation, the apostasy and restoration, and the gathering of Israel. 

In Nephi's vision, he learned that during the apostasy many precious truths were taken out of the Bible. Read 1 Nephi 13: 28. Certain sects of Christian churches decided to pick and choose which doctrines to teach, leaving many truths and covenants to be forgotten over time. A lot of the truths in the Bible also ended up being lost in translation. This is like when we played telephone at the beginning. We started with one sentence but by the time it got to everyone in the room, it had been changed to be something quite different. 

Read 1 Nephi 13: 39-40. Through the Restoration of the gospel, we now have access to the plain and precious truths that were taken from the bible. Under the direction of the Lord, Jospeh Smith made many corrections and clarifications to passages in the Bible that had been misinterrepted through the years. This is known as the "Joseph Smith Translation." Nephi said that he "beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb." What are these other books? The Book of Mormon acts as a second witness of Jesus Christ and His gospel. It testifies of Him as the great Jehovah and Messiah and restores many of the plain and precious truths that were lost during the apostasy. 

What are some truths about the gospel that are found in the Book of Mormon and not in the Bible? (clarification on the fall of Adam and Eve, baptismal covenant, unnecessary to baptize children, etc.)

Watch the video "The Book of Mormon--a Book from God" by Tad A. Callister found on churchofjesuschrist.org 

Bear your testimony of The Book of Mormon. This year we'll study all of the wonderful doctrines and messages of hope found within this book. 

Activity: Scripture color by number 

Closing Song: The Eighth Article of Faith (Children's Songbook, 127)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Snickerdoodle bread recipe here
 

Lesson 3: 1 Nephi 8-10

January 13-19
1 Nephi 8-10
"Come and Partake of the Fruit"

Materials: 2 blankets (one dark colored, one blue), a pole, a tree or plant, sweet treats tied on strings (i.e. powdered donuts), a blindfold

Opening Song: "The Iron Rod" (Hymnal, 274)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 1 Nephi 8:12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ^ajoy; wherefore, I began to be ^bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was ^cdesirable above all other fruit.

Attention Activity:
I'm going to read items which all have something in common. Raise your hand when you know what the following elements have in common. (1. a river, 2. a tree, 3. mist, 4. a path, 5. fruit, 6. a great building, 7. an iron rod) These are all elements of the vision of the Tree of Life. Show the picture below.


Lehi's Dream by Jerry Thompson (Gospel Art Book, 69). 

Lesson:
When Lehi is traveling with his family in the wilderness, he has a dream--a vision. In his vision he saw a great tree with white fruit and many people trying to get to it. Today we are going to talk about Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.

*Before FHE, have the following set up. Tie a sweet treat onto a string and place them onto a small tree or plant you have in your home (fruit). Leading up to the tree, have a large dark blanket folded vertically to symbolize a path. On the blanket, have a pole like a broomstick (iron rod). To the side of the path have a blue blanket or blue paper laid down to symbolize a river. Also, utilize one of your couches as the great and spacious building. Finally, have a blindfold (mists).

Play out the 4 following scenarios with your family.

#1- Read 1 Nephi 8:21-23. Blindfold one member of your family. Tell them the blindfold represents the mists of darkness. Have him walk blindfolded down the path without holding onto the pole. Tell them that because they aren't holding onto to iron rod they get lost and don't make it to the tree. Getting lost in the mists of darkness is like becoming lost in sin. If we don't hold onto the iron rod--the word of god-- we will become spiritually lost when faced with temptation. How can we hold onto the word of God?

#2 Read 1 Nephi 8:26–27, 31–33 Have one person prepare to step onto the path. Have others in your family act like the members of the great and spacious building tempting her to not go on the path but join them. The great and spacious building is the pride of the world. There are those people in the world who care more about themselves than choosing the right. These type of people often make fun of others for choosing the right or being religious. What can we say to those who make fun of us for choosing the right?

#3 Read 1 Nephi 8:24–25, 28 Have one person blindfolded hold on to the iron rod and walk down the path to the tree. When he gets to the tree, the others on the couch (the great and spacious building) should laugh at him. He should act ashamed and then wander off leaving the fruit behind. These are those who once had testimonies of the gospel but have since left the Church. They listened to the adversary saying that living righteously is not fun, not necessary, or just too hard. How can we help those who have forgotten their testimonies?

#4 Read 1 Nephi 8:30, 33. Have this person blindfolded walk successfully down the path while holding onto the rod. When they reach the tree have them taste the treat. These people are those who repent after sinning, try to choose the right, and are happy with who they are as disciples of Jesus Christ. These are the people we ultimately want to be--receivers of eternal life. 

Everyone should have a turn eating the sweet treat (the fruit from the tree of life). Explain that after Lehi had his dream, Laman and Lemuel did not believe their father. Nephi believed but he also wanted to see the dream for himself. So he asked Heavenly Father to show it to him, and he did. When we want to know if something about the gospel is true, we can ask Heavenly Father in prayer. He will send the Holy Ghost to testify to us so that we may know that it is true. 

As we continue on our journey on earth, we will face many hardships. We will have to endure temptation, sincerely repent when we sin, and withstand those in the world who don't like our ways and want us to fail. We have been told that if we "hold to the rod" or "the word of God" we will be able to endure to the end and receive eternal life. This means, we need to be ever seeking the word of God: studying the scriptures, listening to the prophet and apostles, saying sincere prayers, and listening to the guidance from the Holy Ghost. We need to stay on the covenant path by keeping the commandments and repenting when we fall short. If we do this, we have been promised not just a little piece of white fruit, but "all that our Father hath." 

Optional Activity: Tree of Life coloring page


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

Refreshment: White powdered donuts 

Lesson 2: 1 Nephi 1-7

January 6-12

1 Nephi 1-7 

"I Will Go and Do"

Materials: video (see links below), poster print out, maze

Opening Song: "Nephi's Courage" (Children's Songbook, 120)

Opening Prayer: 

Scripture: 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 

Attention Activity: 

Read the short story from The Friend "I Can Do Hard Things" by Nita Facer (March 2010)

Jon thought that school was too hard and he wanted to quit because he didn't know everything right away. Jon's mom told him he could "do hard things" like learning how to tie his shoes. Usually we can't do something right the first time through. We all have things that are hard for us. Sometimes we have a hard time learning a skill like tying our shoes or solving a math problem. Other times we have a hard time breaking habits like swearing or complaining. Today we are going to talk about how we can do hard things. 

Lesson:

In The Book of Mormon, Lehi's family was tasked to do several hard things. First, God commanded Lehi to take his family and leave Jerusalem and flee into the wilderness. Then, God wanted them to go back to get the brass plates which had the scriptures written on them. These were hard tasks.  

Watch "Lego Book of Mormon Stories: Nephi and the Brass Plates" via Youtube (8 min)

or 

"Nephi is led by the spirit to obtain the plates of brass" via churchjesuschrist.org (25 min)

What was Laman and Lemuel's reaction to having to go and live in the wilderness? What did they complain about? Laman and Lemuel did not want to leave their home and their money. They "murmured" or complained. "And Laman and Samuel, being the eldest, ddi murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of God who had created them." (1 Nephi 2:12) They did not have faith in God. Later, when Lehi told his sons God wanted them to retrieve the brass plates, they complained again. "And now behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which i have retired of them; but behold i have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord." 

How was Nephi's reaction different from Laman and Lemuel's? (1 Nephi 3:7) Nephi boldly said he would go and do because he knew the Lord would always provide a way for him to obey his commandments. 

We each have been asked to keep the commandments of God, even though it can be hard sometimes. We each have things in our lives that are challenging and may take some time and practice to accomplish. Nephi and his brother's did not obtain the plates on their first try. Nephi had to be persistent and try again. 

So how can we do hard things? First, We need faith. Like Nephi, we need faith in the Lord and in his plan for us. Second, we need to ask the Lord for help. Nephi was succesful in his quest after he asked the Lord for help. Saying a sincere prayer will go a long way in overcoming a challenge we are facing. Third, we need a positive attitude. We may not be certain how we will accomplish or task but we need to believe that it is possible. We should try not to complain. We don't want to be like Laman and Lemuel constantly murmuring against God and against our parents. Fourth, we need to work at it. That is, we need to "go and do". We need to practice. "Thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:16).

Show the following video: "Go and Do" 2020 Youth Theme by David Archuletta 

Elaine S. Dalton said, "I can do hard things... In the strength of the Lord I can do all things." As we are asked to do hard things by the Lord, as we face the challenges and strife of this mortal life, the Lord will help us accomplish what He wants us to do just like He helped Nephi obtain the brass plates. 

Activity: 
 Nephi and the brass plates Maze found on churchofjesuschrist.org 



Closing Song: "I Will Be Valiant" (Children's Songbook, 182)
Closing Prayer: 

Refreshment: 
Yogurt Berry Bark recipe here

Lesson 1: Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon

December 30 - January 5
Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon
"Another Testament of Jesus Christ"

Materials: whiteboard and marker (or piece of paper), Book of Mormon, dot to dot (see below)
Opening Song: Book of Mormon Stories (Children's Songbook, 118)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: D&C 33:16 "And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things."

Attention Activity:
Hold up a copy of The Book of Mormon. What is this? On a whiteboard or large sheet of paper write down all the things your family knows about The Book of Mormon. 


Lesson:

This year we will be studying The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is a very special book. On the front cover under the title, is a tagline that reads. "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." The Book of Mormon, like the Bible, testifies of Jesus Christ. D&C 42: 12 says, "this church shall ^bteach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the ^cBook of Mormon, in the which is the ^dfulness of the ^egospel." The Book of Mormon  contains a fulness of the gospel. What do you think that means? It clarifies and builds upon the doctrine found in the bible. For example, in the Bible we learn about baptism,  in the Book of Mormon we read that little children and babies don't need to be baptized until they are mature enough to be held accountable for their actions. Can you think of any other doctrines that the Book of Mormon clarifies? 

Have a family member read the following quote from Joseph Smith. "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” 

This week we will be reading the introductory pages to the Book of Mormon. In these we will   read the testimony of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. 11 men were able to see the golden plates that the prophet, Joseph Smith, translated through the power of the priesthood. These 11 men signed their names as a witness that the golden plates were real and that the Book of Mormon was a sacred record from God. Even though we will not be able to see the golden plates, we can still be a witness to the truths and doctrines found in the Book of Mormon. How can we be witnesses to the Book of Mormon? 

Have your family complete the dot to dot below. When they are finished have them write, "I can be a witness to the Book of Mormon."  Invite your family members to share with their friends and loved ones inspiring things they learn from the Book of Mormon. A good way to start is by sharing your favorite verses on your social media pages. 

Bear your personal testimony of the Book of Mormon. 

Closing Song: "The Books of Mormon" (Children's Songbook, 119)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:

Pot of Gold Brownie Bites recipe here

Lesson 50: Revelation 12-22

December 23-29
Revelation 12-22
"He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things"

Materials: 4 pieces of paper, art supplies (crayons, colored pencils, etc.) Scriptures
Opening Song: "I am a child of God" (Children's Songbook, 2)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Revelation 21:7 He that ^aovercometh shall ^binherit ^call things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my ^dson.

Attention Activity:
What is a vision? Can you think of some famous visions or revelations? (i.e. The First vision, the Tree of Life, The Kingdoms of Glory [D&C 76]) 

Lesson:
We have been reading about John's Revelation about the World. Today we are going to talk more about John's vision and some of the specific things he saw. 
Divide your family into 4 groups (have parents help younger children). Give each group one of the sections to read below. Each group will draw a picture to depict what John saw in his vision and share the brief explanation provided.

Revelation 12: 7-11
"The dragon is a representation of Satan, who with his followers waged the War in Heaven against Heavenly Father and His faithful children. “The third part of the stars of heaven”  are that portion of the hosts of heaven who followed Satan in the premortal war in heaven and were cast out. Elder Bruce R. McConkie described the conflict that occurred in heaven: “What kind of war? The same kind that prevails on earth; the only kind Satan and spirit beings can wage—a war of words, a tumult of opinions, a conflict of ideologies; a war between truth and error, between light and darkness. … And the battle lines are still drawn. It is now on earth as it was then in heaven; every man must choose which general he will follow” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:518)." (New Testament Student Manual)

Revelation 13: 1-13

"John saw a beast rise out of the sea. The Joseph Smith Translation indicates that the beast is “in the likeness of the kingdoms of the earth” . The beast’s many heads, crowns, and horns suggest many different kingdoms and rulers with great power. The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught: “When God made use of the figure of a beast in visions to the prophets He did it to represent those kingdoms which had degenerated and become corrupt, savage and beast-like in their dispositions, even the degenerate kingdoms of the wicked world” (in History of the Church, 5:341).

Rather than attempting to specify an exact identity of the beast, it may be more profitable to note the following general characteristics about the beast: It had power over many nations ; it opposed God and blasphemed against Him; the power it wielded was like the power that predatory animals have over their prey; Satan gave it power; people of the world worshipped or followed the beast; and it was able to overpower many, including the Saints. It could be said that any kingdom or government that exhibits these characteristics manifests the spirit of the beast." (New Testament Student Manual)

Revelation 19: 11-16

"In his vision of the Second Coming, John saw the Savior riding “a white horse” . The white horse is symbolic of conquest and victory, as horses were used almost exclusively for war in John’s time. John also saw that the Savior would return to earth wearing “a vesture dipped in blood,” meaning that His garments will be the color of blood. This color calls to mind the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane, when His atoning blood was pressed from His body just as juice is pressed from grapes in a winepress.

Commenting on the Savior’s red robes, Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated: “Having bled at every pore, how red His raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak! No wonder, when Christ comes in power and glory, that He will come in reminding red attire (see D&C 133:48), signifying not only the winepress of wrath, but also to bring to our remembrance how He suffered for each of us in Gethsemane and on Calvary!” (“Overcome … Even as I Also Overcame,”Ensign, May 1987, 72).

The red apparel may also symbolize the destruction of the wicked at the Lord’s coming (see Isaiah 63:1–4; D&C 133:46–51). When Jesus comes again to the earth, He will bring justice against the wicked." (New Testament Student Manual)

Revelation 21: 10-25

"John saw in vision “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down” to earth, symbolizing God’s presence among His people. The city was depicted as an enormous cube, which recalls the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s temple, also representative of God’s dwelling place. The symbolic elements John saw that compose the city—clear glass, precious stones, pearls, and gold_—share the traits of reflecting light; resisting decaying or tarnishing; and symbolizing purity, beauty, and refinement. The walls of the city were made with all manner of precious stones. Precious stones often represent the Lord’s followers who have been refined and made holy.

The gates of the city were made of pearls and the streets of gold. Both pearls and gold can be seen as symbols of refinement: oysters produce pearls through pain and adversity, and gold requires fire to burn out impurities. The exalted will likewise have been refined through adversity.

There is no need of temples in the Holy City because all of the celestial kingdom will be as a temple; God Himself and Jesus Christ dwell there. There is no need of the sun there, for “the Lamb is the light thereof." (New Testament Student Manual)

Have each group share their picture and read or summarize the explanation from the New Testament Student Manual. Hang the pictures up somewhere in your home so that you can refer back to them as your family reads this week. 

The tagline for this lesson is "He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things." Sometimes the world seems like bleak place. It is sometimes hard to remember that there will be an end to all the pain and suffering in the world, but eventually good will conquer evil. The righteous will receive glory and all of the blessings of Heaven. If we remain true and faithful to our covenants, we will be able to receive the fullness of Heavenly Father's blessings. 

Closing Song: "I lived in Heaven" (Children's Songbook, 4)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:

Rolled Yummy Cookies (aka mom's sugar cookies)

1 c. shortening
1 c. sour cream
1 egg
2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
5 1/2 c. flour
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

Cream shortening, sugar, egg. Add sour cream and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients. Stir in creamed mixture. Roll out and cut. Place on ungreased sheet. Bake at 400 for 7 minutes. Frost and decorate as desired. 

Frosting Tip: crush up cinnamon imperils candy and add to cream cheese frosting. Ice the cookies with the frosting and then decorate with store-bought icing tubes or sprinkles. 

Lesson 49: Christmas

December 16-22
Christmas
"Good Tidings of Great Joy"

*Every family has their own Christmas traditions this time of year. So, instead of giving a word for word lesson, I'm encouraging you to celebrate the birth of our Savior in your own unique way. Page 196 of the CFM manual gives some amazing examples of Christ- centered family activities. Below I will also link to some other helpful things you might like to share with your family. 

"Teach The Children"-- A story where Santa teaches how all the symbols of Christmas are centered in Christ.

"Luke II"-- This is an older nativity video produced by the church. I grew up on this one and I love it.

Santa and the Christ Child  by Nicholas Bakewell-- Children's book where Santa visits the nativity 

Lesson 48: Revelation 1-11

December 9-15
Revelation 1-11
"Glory, and Power, Be unto... the Lamb for Ever"

Materials: plan of salvation diagram, coloring page
Opening Song: "I will follow God's plan" (Children's Songbook, )
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Rev. 5: 12

Attention Activity:
Ask your family if the remember what they dreamed about last night? Dreams can be strange. Some things that happen in our dreams would not or could not happen in real life. Sometimes things in our dreams represent something real. For example, if you were running from a dragon in your dreams, maybe that could mean you are trying to avoid something scary in real life like a big test coming up or a trial you've been facing. 

In the Book of Revelation, the author uses lots of symbols. Symbols are objects that represent something else. (i.e. the heart shape often represents love) John uses these symbols to talk about the Plan of Salvation.

Lesson:
What is the Plan of Salvation? The Plan of Salvation is Heavenly Father's Plan for us in order to return to His presence and receive His glory. Show a diagram like one of the ones below and have a family member briefly talk about each of the elements in the Plan of Salvation. The Plan of Salvation is also called Heavenly Father's Plan, The Plan of Happiness, and The Plan of Redemption. 


The book of Revelation was written by John the beloved, the apostle of Jesus Christ. John had a dream that depicted the Plan of Salvation. In his vision, an angel shows John different events on the earth. "The message of Revelation is the same as that of all scripture: there will be an eventual triumph on this earth of God over the devil; a permanent victory of good over evil, of the saints over their persecutors, of the kingdom of God over the kingdoms of men and Satan... [It speaks] of a day of victory that would come, and that the end would be better (i.e. more glorious) than the beginning. The victory would be achieved through Jesus Christ." (Bible Dictionary "Revelation of John") 

Revelation discusses how the Plan was only possible because of Jesus Christ. A good portion of Revelation is about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ or the Millennium. We talked about the second coming when we studied Mathew 25. Do you remember what some of the signs of the second coming are? Even though the second coming can seem scary, there is no need to be afraid if you are trying to choose the right. As we read Revelations, we will hear a lot about the destruction of the wicked during the second coming. We will also read about how the righteous shall be saved and glorified through Jesus Christ. When Christ comes again everyone will know that He is the savior. Read Rev. 5:11-13. 

Heavenly Father's plan is to give us a way to receive eternal life. He wants us to return to Him so He sent His son, Jesus, to atone for our sins and redeem us. That is why another name for the Plan of Salvation is The Plan of Redemption. 

* The New Testament Institute Manual is a great tool for understanding Revelation.

Activity: Coloring Page "To Prepare for the Second Coming, I Will Follow Jesus Christ"

Closing Song: "The Spirit of God" (Hymnal, 2)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: 

Carmelitas

50 caramels
1/2 c. evaporated milk
2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. margarin (softened)
1 t. baking soda
2 c. oats
6 oz. chocolate chips

dissolve caramels with milk in top of double boiler. Mix flour, brown sugar, margarin, and baking soda then add oats. Pat 1/2 inches 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 10 min. Cool slightly and then sprinkle chocolate chips. Drip caramel mix over and cover with remaining crumbs. Pat slightly. Bake for 10-15 min.