Monday, September 22, 2014

Lesson 16

FAITH


Objective: Learning that faith is the first step in following Christ.
Lesson ideas:
* Here are some examples of people in the scriptures who put faith first. 
1.   Shadrack, Meshach and Abed-nego: (Daniel 3:17-18) These three men could have been killed but they had faith that their God would save them. They then said, “if not… we will not serve thy gods, nor worship thy golden image.”        
2.     Noah had faith in Christ and built an ark
3.   Lehi was given a ball or compass and when they had faith it worked, if not it didn’t.
* Gift of faith: can lead to healing, gift of tongues, interpretation of tongues, obeying the word of wisdom and others. One amazing healing took place with a woman who had been burdened with ill health for 12 years.  She was healed just by touching the hem of Jesus’ garments.  (Matthew 9: 20)  Others were also healed by touching the hem of his garments (Matthew 14:36)
* Faith needs work or action:  When Oliver Cowdery was trying to translate the Book of Mormon all he did was ask.  Faith needs study and prayer. (D&C 9: 8)
* By putting faith in Christ first, the rest of our life goes more smoothly.
* Even though God is capable of all things, we need to understand he also works in his own time frame.  We need to trust him.
* Review 4th Article of Faith
* Passover: The House of Israel had faith that if they put blood on their door the destroying angel would pass them by and if they didn’t, the oldest child would die.
* Can faith grow?  Can faith die , If it can, how?
* Seeds: Faith, like seeds, when planted and nourished the plant grows, so does faith.
* Pickles:  We can look at a pickle and learn that things don’t always happen fast.  When we take a cucumber and try and pickle it, it takes more than a few hours and more than a few days. It takes weeks for the pickling process to be completed.  That is true with faith; it is an ongoing process to help our faith grow.

Scriptures:
Bible
James 1:5-6 let him ask in faith nothing wavering
James 2: 14-17 Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead
Daniel 3:17, 18 Our God is able to deliver us
Mark 11:22 Have faith in God

LDS Scriptures
4th Article of Faith: faith in the Lord
Alma 32:27 Exercise a particle of faith
1 Nephi 16:28 work according to our faith

Activities:
* Bring out a jar, with several walnut sized rocks, several pebbles, sand and then water.  By putting the big rocks in first which can represent faith, prayer, and scripture study in the jar first the rest of the things we need to do like work, school, and play can all fit. Otherwise things are hard to all be put in. (To better illustrate the point try starting with the sand first.)
* Wrap up a gift and talk about the different gifts we have to increase our faith.  (Priesthood blessings, gift of the Holy Ghost, attending our church meetings, prayer and scripture study)
* Spin the bottle: Get a bottle and sit in a circle – Spin the bottle and when the bottle points to a person, that person thinks of someone that has shown faith in their lives.  (Like, Nephi going back for the plates, Captain Moroni going into battle trusting the Lord would help them, Daniel in the lion’s den or possibly someone in your own family)
* Piggy back ride:  Who has faith that Daddy can give you a piggy back ride and you can stay on.
* Faith to plant a seed and watch it grow.
* Water color a picture of some grown plants showing what a seed can turn into.
* Make play dough and cut out flowers or trees.
Play Dough Recipe:
            2 Cups water
            2 Cups flour
            1 Cup salt
            ½ Cup cornstarch
            1 Tbl. Salad oil
            1 Tbl. Alum (spice)
            Heat all ingredients and stir until smooth.  Add food coloring and knead.  Store in plastic bag.

Songs: 
Hymns                                                                        
# 84   Faith of Our Fathers
# 263 Go Forth in Faith
# 302 I Know My Father Lives                                    

Children’s Songbook
# 96 Faith
# 14 I pray in Faith
# 144 Shine On

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