Lesson 5

JESUS IS THE TREE OF LIFE

Objective:  To understand the tree of life is also referred to as the love of God.

Visual aid: Tree

Lesson ideas:

* Branches of the tree (House of Israel):  Joseph is one of the branches and one broke away to the Promised Land, which was Lehi’s family (1 Nephi 5:14).

* Tell story of Lehi seeing the vision of the tree of life (1 Nephi 8: 5-33).

* The iron rod which is the word of God leads to the tree of life (1 Nephi 11: 25).  Let’s become hungrier to feast on the word of God.

* Stick of Judah is another title for the Bible.  Stick of Ephraim is the Book of Mormon.

* Faith:  Plant the word of God in our heart, nourish it by your faith and watch it grow into a tree.

* Remember trees take a long time to grow, so be patient as you let your testimony grow big and strong.

* We learn that if we “hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith… and overcometh, (Christ) will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God” (Revelations 2:7).

* Trees are also used for lumber to build homes or furniture.  We can think of Jesus, the tree of life, every time we go into our homes and see the furniture we enjoy that comes from the tree.  Jesus was also hung on a tree and by his death brought life, which literally makes Jesus the tree of life.

* Parable of The Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9) this parable is about a fig tree that had failed to bear fruit for three season so the owner told the dresser of the vineyard to cut it down. The dresser asked to let it alone this year so he could work with it and if nothing grew again it could be cut down.  (Matthew 21: 18, 19 - Jesus made a real fig tree wither).

* When we understand that the tree of life is known as the love of God, we should make every effort to live the same way, with faith, hope and charity as our guide in life.

* Often people carve initials on trees for their sweethearts.  Our tree of life, Jesus, has the nail prints carved in his hands and feet to show the love he has for us.  He truly has shown us the love of God.

* Jesus gives a new commandment to love one another; as I have loved you that ye also love one another (John 13: 34, 35).

Scriptures: 

Bible                                                                            

Proverbs 13:12 desire cometh tree of life.                

1 Corinthians 8:3 but if any man love God                 

Deuteronomy 6:5 love the Lord thy God                   

LDS Scriptures

Alma 5:34 come to me partake of tree

1 Nephi 11:25 led to the tree of life

Alma 33:23 plant word… become a tree

Activities:

* With a cardboard box outlined to look like a tree, blow up little white balloons and rub on your clothes for static and place on tree to look like the tree of life.

* Show a picture of some big red wood trees.  The roots on those trees intertwine with each other to make them strong as a group.  We too can attach our roots to Christ to make us strong.

* Stand up like a tree in a few different positions because all trees look a little different.

* Draw a tree and draw hearts on it to show the love of God.

* Pass out a nice piece of wood, possibly a wood key chain and ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” This question might help you think like Christ in the challenges you are facing.

* Build with Lincoln Logs for an activity.

* Tape hearts to the doors of people you love:  Have a “paper heart attack” to represent the love of God which the tree of life represents.

* Jesus Name Game.  (found in lesson one)

* Play White horse- if possible play it going around a tree.

White horse:

This game is usually played outside where people can run easily.  A group of people sit on the ground and one person is called to be “IT”.  Everyone on the ground picks a color in their head.  “IT” is standing in front and then starts naming colors,  if the color is mentioned of what someone is thinking of, that person stands up and runs around a designate tree.  He tries to get back to his same spot on the ground before “IT” touches him.  If he is touched he becomes the new “IT” if not “IT” stays “IT”

Songs:

Hymns                                                                         

# 308 Love One Another                                             

# 87 God Is Love                                                          

# 223 Have I Done Any Good?                                    

Children’s Songbook

# 240 In the Leafy Treetops

# 74 I Feel My Savior’s Love

# 228 My Heavenly Father Loves Me