Lesson 21

SCRIPTURES

Objective: To help us understand how scriptures in our daily lives can strengthen us and open our understanding.

Visual aid: Bear(s) (Be Enthusiastic About Reading Scriptures)

Lesson ideas:

* Scriptures are messages whether written or spoken that comes from God to man by the power of the Holy Ghost. (Mormon Doctrine page 682)

* Why are scriptures important in our daily lives?

* We can have scriptures in our lives is by:

             1.  Reading alone or with family.

             2.  Have a scripture on the refrigerator or other easy to read spot.

             3.  Listen to recorded scriptures.

             4.  Send a favorite scripture to a friend.

* “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5: 39).  By searching the scriptures we gain a better understanding of Christ.

* Jesus went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and read from the book of the prophet Esaias and closed the book and told them that “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (Luke 4: 16-24)  Jesus read from the scriptures also.

* Check to see that everyone has their very own set of scriptures.  Even the three year old primary class encourages the children to bring their own scriptures with them. 

* Think of a topic and look up the scripture that covers the topic.

* Memorize a scripture, that keeps your mind focused on righteous subjects. Maybe start with the Articles of Faith as a family.

* Changes:  typewriter, phones, music, and phonograph records all change but God doesn’t change.

* Take President Hinckley’s challenge to read the Book of Mormon again.  His challenge was, “Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program regardless of how many times you previously may have read the book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandment and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." (August 2005 Ensign)

Scriptures:

Bible

Matthew 26:56 the scriptures of prophet be fulfilled

Matthew 22:29 ye do err, not knowing the scriptures

Romans 4:3 for what saith the scriptures

                                                                                              

LDS Scriptures 

1 Nephi 3:7 I will go and do

3 Nephi 23:6 expounded all the scriptures 

J.S. History 1:12 passage of scripture

Activities:

* Organize a container or bag with scriptures for each child they can mark, marking pencils and possible stickers.  As you read a passage together show even the little preschoolers where to mark that verse to get in the habit of marking their very own scriptures.

1.  Underline favorite scriptures or even just words like Jesus, Lord, or Christ

2.  Stickers can be used for special passages

* Make a scripture coloring page for the scriptures you are reading and color it.

* Pass along cards can be used as book marker or used to look up a scripture that would go with the pass along cards; put a page number on the card so they can put it in the spot where the scripture is.

* Make a reading chart with stickers to be placed for either every day they read or for progress they are making.

* Pass out gum or gummy bears and challenge the children to read scriptures until the flavor or candy is gone.

* Find a word in the index like Zoram and look it up then report on what you found. Could also be a word like Vain (Large and spacious building, vain imaginations, not take the Lords name in vain, etc.

* Play the Urim and Thumnin Game:  Convert the alphabet to numbers and write out a sentence using the numbers then have family find out what the sentence is. A=1 B=2 c=3 d=4    etc. so 214 would be BAD.

* Investigator:  Why is Abinidi being held prisoner?

* Ten Question Game:  This is a game that will have more than one answer.  The person who has the most answers without someone else duplicating them wins.  (You can think of other questions.)

1.  Name a baby for the scriptures (Moses/Jesus)

2.  Name a military person. (Moroni/Helaman/Mormon)

3.  Name a place (Zarahemla/Jerusalem)

4.  Name a prophet (Adam/Lehi)

5.  Name a woman from the scriptures (Mary/Eve/ Ester)

6.  Who built a boat (Noah/Nephi)

7.  Name a miracle (Walk on water/ healed the blind)

8.  Name an animal mentioned in the scriptures (horse/dove)

9.  Name one of Gods creations (Moon/plants)

10.  Where can we pray? (Fields/closets/church)

* Pretend to be Captain Moroni or Nephi going back for the plates or any other person in the scriptures.  Dress up in costumes and recreate some of the events.

* Clues:   He built a boat about 591 B.C. by the sea shore to get to the Promised Land (Nephi).

Think of other people and come up with other clues.

* Scavenger hunt - with the treasure being scriptures.  Have the clues be like a little sword, golden plates, Liahona, title of liberty.

1. Other clues can be on small stuffed bear animals hidden throughout the house.  Remember bears (Be Enthusiastic About Reading Scriptures.

* Scripture chase activity – if old enough, have children find the Noah story or David and Goliath in the scriptures.  For younger children have pictures taped to the wall and have children find the story.

* Make finger puppets or people on sticks to tell stories of scripture events.

* Fill in the blank game like D&C 66:2 My Father who is full of grace and ______ (Truth)

* Read from a scripture picture book like Noah’s ark.  Also have Church Magazines like the friend on hand to retell stories.

* Liahona:  Compare it to a cell phone that has a GPS to find or give directions to a location to the Liahona.   What are the differences?

* Wars: The scriptures are full of wars. 

War Game:  Set up figures, small stuffed animals,, or empty toilet paper rolls on a table to be           soldiers.  With a small ball, roll the ball across the table toward the soldiers (like bowling) and knock them down.  There are several war stories in the scriptures that this game could be used for.

* Use a child’s scripture book to retell that story, like Noah, Jonah, or Queen Ester.

* Certificates:  If you make a scripture challenge you can pass out certificates to all who do the challenge.

* Project:  As a family organize a library with scriptures, pictures or spiritual articles you want to know where they are.

Songs:

Hymns

# 277 As I Search the Holy Scriptures

# 297 From Homes of Saints Glad Songs Arise

# 298 Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth

Children’s Songbook

# 34 He Sent His Son

# 109 Search Ponder and Pray

# 108 Seek the Lord Early

Treat:

Make a cake and decorate the top to look like a book and write Holy Scriptures.