Ponder how you can share the allegory of the olive trees in a way that the children can understand.
So they say there are more than one meaning to these stories of the olive trees. It can mean different things for different ages and stages of your life. So I'm thinking as a small child if could mean a simple thing like repentance. That being said here is my grand idea.
I thought my daughter would have fun cutting/pruning away the bad branches. But it turns out that she liked breaking the twigs off with two hands and throwing them into the fire. We talked about each olive, what it meant and how we don't want that in our lives.
After all the "withered" branches were cut away only the good olives were left and I read all of the words on the good branches, and we talked about what a beautiful tree it was.
If you don't have branches you can draw a tree on a board and have the kids pull off the olives and put them in the fire.
After you are done watch the Little Current Bush Movie found Here
Here are the Printable's:
Come Follow Me -for Primary page 45 ”Briefly review the main points of the allegory of the olive trees in Jacob 5. For example: the Lord of the vineyard (who could represent Jesus) worked very hard to look after his olive trees (which could represent the people on earth) because He cared so much about them. He called labors (who represent missionaries) to help care for the trees.”
Here is a fun hands on way to teach this idea:
When assembling I recommend using an x-acto knife and a cutting board.
Ask the children if they know someone who has served a mission, or talk about someone you know. Help the children locate on a map the places where those missionaries are serving.
What do missionaries do to bless Heavenly Father's Children?
Here is a printable that helps show the other things missionaries do besides knocking on doors:
You can print this activity here.
Look together for some answers to this question in a song such as "Called to Serve."
After singing this song point out that it says "chosen to witness for his name."
May want to pass out these name tags and put the kids name on them challenging them to do that.
Invite the children to give themselves a hug. How do we feel when someone we love gives us a hug? Read Jacob 6:5 to the children, and explain the phrase ....teach that Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to come back to Him someday.
There has always got to be an object lesson(:
Our Heavenly Father will always be holding his side of the rope.
Sing together a song about love, such as "I Feel My Savior's Love". Invite the children to name things that help them feel the Savior's love.
You can print this song Here
For Older children:
Share Elder Allen D. Haynie's story about getting dirty in a mud pit:
Younger: Tell the story of Jacob and Sherem (Jacob 7:1-23) in a way the children can understand. You could use "Chapter 10: Jacob and Sherem." Then tell the story again, but this time allow the children to help fill in details.
For older children it says: "Invite the children to act out the interaction between Jacob and Sherem.
Here are some masks to help with the acting and retelling of the story:
Invite the children to sing a song about choosing the right, such as "Stand for the Right"
You can print this song Here
Come Follow Me- For Individuals and Families page 48 "Some Families have found it helpful to draw the symbols from the allegory of the olive trees as they read it.....with an object, such as a puzzle, that can be divided into pieces (to represent the scattering of Israel) and then brought back together (to represent the gathering of Israel)."
Here is an idea from Mitzi @ comefollowmekid.com
Español
