CLASSROOM PREP
Post sign on the board:
2/4th Article of Faith on the board
OPENING ACTIVITY
(something I have done in a previous lesson from Primary 5)
Hold up a popcorn kernel
Last week we had a lot of fun eating popcorn.
Let’s talk a little bit about this guy (refer to the kernel)
What’s inside? It’s the potential to become something else.
How are we like a popcorn kernel?
Remember, there’s a lot of potential in it, but potential to become what?
What does the kernel turn into? a piece of fluffy popcorn
What do we have to add to the kernel? Heat and oil
Faith = getting into the pot
Repentance = moving around in the oil and taking action to repent
Baptism by immersion = oil
Gift of the Holy Ghost = heat
Some kernels use that heat and oil for their benefit and turn into yummy popcorn.
They magnify themselves and find their true potential.
Some kernels don’t take advantage and just lie there and do nothing.
They enjoy the heat and the oil but they don’t do anything with it.
What happens to the ones who turn into yummy popcorn? They make the popcorn-eaters very happy, they find their true purpose
What happens to the ones who don’t take advantage of the heat and oil? They stay a hardened kernel, they aren’t able to reach their potential as fluffy popcorn
We want to be like those kernels that pop and become something better!
We want to endure to the end of the popping!
LESSON - OLYMPICS
Some ideas adapted from here
Welcome to the 2018 Adam and Eve Gospel Olympics!
Play Star Spangled Banner on a phone, tablet, laptop
Today, we’re going to be learning important things about Adam and Eve and the gospel.
And putting ourselves to the Olympics test!
Show them an official Olympic photo of each sport as you go so they get the image in their mind.
Or print out these coloring pages to show them:
1. Torch passing
Flashlight with orange tissue paper attached
What does it mean to “pass the torch”?
Show an image of an Olympic torch bearer.
Let’s think about how Adam was the first man on earth, the first prophet, the first to make the covenants that we make in our life too.
After Adam came many many other prophets, right?
Which prophet just passed away? Monson
Who did the “torch” get passed to after him? Nelson
In this gospel, that torch will never go out, it will never die.
Our Father in Heaven will never leave us without a prophet, without guidance.
In your life, who has passed the torch to you? Your parents, your ancestors, a missionary who taught you or your parents, etc.As this Olympic torch bearer is in control of the torch, what is everyone counting on them to do? Keep it going, keep it strong, pass it to the next person, be a respectful and admirable holder
In our life too, we need to keep the gospel going in our lives, keep it strong, pass it onto the next generation, and while we do all of that….to be respectable and admirable
So everyone stand up and line up.
I’m going to give the first person the torch and you’re going to run a slow motion circle around the room, and while you do so, you need to say at least one way that you can be a good gospel torch bearer in your life Ideas if they need help: read the scriptures, pray, attend church, show kindness and charity, etc.
Continue on until everyone’s had a turn.
Now, the gospel in our life is the same gospel that was in Adam and Eve’s life.
Why would the gospel be the same? Based on eternal truths
The gospel we’re basing all of this on - the scriptures, church, kindness, etc. - that gospel is the same gospel that they were taught. The Lord’s plan is an eternal plan, He does not change!
So let’s have some fun learning what Adam and Eve were taught.
2. Skiing - faith
Minifigures, Little People, or figurines of some sort (enough for one per kid) taped or somehow attached to popsicle stick skis and a box ramp down from a chair
Idea from here:
http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2018/01/easy-little-people-ski-ramp-for-kids.html
First, faith!
Does it take faith to strap two metal sticks to your feet and slide down a hill?
Yes indeed!
Why would someone still want to try the first time? They trust their ski instructor, they’re excited to learn, they think it would be fun, they’ve done similar things before, they want to be like a famous skierWe need to use our faith and take action.
If we know how to show our faith, it’s easier.
Maybe we trust our parents or leaders.
Maybe we’re excited to do something and think it will be fun and that motivates us to use our faith.
Maybe we want to be like someone we admire like our Bishop or Primary President.
I have some questions for you about faith.
Two of you line up your skiers at the top of the ramp, and when the right answer is said by either of you, you get to have your skiers go down the hill! It’s not a competition, you’re on the same team.
- Is faith a principle or ordinance? Principle - a principle is a basic doctrine or law
- Faith is like a little ______ - what? seed
- Name one way faith is like a seed you have to take care of it or it won’t grow
- What’s a way that Adam showed faith? Was obedient to the commandments, raised his children in the gospel, prayed, repented after following Satan
- How did we show faith in the premortal life? Choosing the Plan of Salvation
- How can we show faith in this earth life? Similar to torch bearing: scriptures, church, kindness, etc.
3. Snowboarding - repentance
Piece of paper per kid (or whatever you can think of to be a snowboard for them to stand on)
Everyone get on a snowboard! Have them hop “on” their paper or whatever you’ve brought in.
Turn on a fan you’ve brought in, set to low.
Play sound effect on your phone of a blizzard/snowstorm/storm/wind rushing
Then when someone answers, you’ll shift on your snowboard.
When I ask the next question, you’ll shift again….and so on.
- What does it mean to repent? The way provided for us to become free from our sins and to receive forgiveness from them
- How do we repent? Feel sincere sorry for our sins, stop sinning, keep the commandments
- What are examples of repentance we’ve learned about with Adam and his family? They followed Satan for awhile and then repented, Cain didn’t repent for his offering
- Tell me what this scripture means - Moses 6:53 Adam repented and was forgiven
- How often should we repent? Daily, whenever needed
- How does taking the Sacrament relate to repentance We renew our baptismal covenants if we are worthy to do so through repentance/the Atonement
4. Luge - baptism by immersion
Do you guys know much about the luge?
Show an image of an athlete on a luge track
The athletes are lying on a fiberglass sled that doesn’t have brakes.
They can go up to 90 miles an hour!
They have to lie perfect flat and know exactly how to shift their body weight to steer the sled.
What ordinance does this position remind you of? Baptism
So what’s an ordinance? a sacred ceremony with spiritual meaning that’s performed by someone with priesthood authority
Adam was also baptized!
5. Ice skating - Gift of the Holy Ghost
Two paper plates per kid
Let’s review what ice skaters do!
They spin, and they jump with a cool poses in mid-air.
Have everyone practice those (make sure they’re spread out away from each other)
I’m going to say something and if it’s true, spin around on your plates without lifting them off the ground.
If it’s false, jump with a cool pose in mid-air.
- Another name for the Holy Ghost is the Comforter true
- Adam was not visited by the Holy Ghost in the Garden of Eden false
- We receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost through the power of the Priesthood true
- Adam was baptized and he heard a voice out of heaven saying: Thou art baptized with fire and with the _____ _____. Holy Ghost
- If we haven’t been baptized, we can’t feel the Holy Ghost at all ever! False, someone may feel it temporarily even without the gift of the Holy Ghost
- The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and a member of the Godhead true
6. Hockey - 4th Article of Faith
Puck-shaped block or toy, or a ball
Split up the class and have them sit facing each other on the floor with some clear space in between
Slide the puck/ball back and forth as you sing the Fourth Article of Faith song.
Explain that if their side has the puck, it’s their turn to sing
You could do it this way:
Start off with the puck on one side
Side 1 sings: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are
Then they slide the puck over
Side 2 sings: First, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
slide the puck over
Side 1 sings: Second, repentance
slide the puck over
Side 2 sings: Third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
slide the puck over
Side 1 sings: Fourth, laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost
TESTIMONY/TAKE HOME IDEA
How being obedient and enduring to the end, utilizing what you’re given, you reach your potential and you become something better?
We did a lot of great learning today about principles, ordinances, and enduring to the end.
Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, and enduring to the end are the steps that are necessary for exaltation, so to be able to live with God.
These were all things Adam was taught - the gospel is the same today too!
Take home ideas:
- medal (edible or toy)
- winter sports-related toy
- something patriotic
- small bag of Fruity Cheerios (colorful rings)
