Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children
God will always fulfill His promises.
The prophet Habakkuk was troubled by the wickedness he saw among the people of Judah (see Habakkuk 1:2–4). The Lord reassured him that His promises would be fulfilled in His time (see Habakkuk 2:3).
Possible Activities
Share some examples of things that are good but only after we wait—like fruit that needs to ripen or dough that needs to bake. What would happen if we tried to eat the fruit or the dough before it was ready? Tell about the prophet Habakkuk, who wanted to know when the Lord would stop the wickedness he saw around him. Read to the children the Lord’s answer, found in Habakkuk 2:3. Emphasize that Habakkuk needed to wait for the Lord’s promises to be fulfilled, just as we sometimes need to do. Share a time when you had to wait for a blessing.
When teaching this first lay out the sides of the cards with the words, on the floor. Then one at a time pull out a picture card and have the children match that one. Read the story (or let the children tell you what they know). If you lay them all on the floor, the children will be more interested in making matches then listening to each story(:
Help the children think of things that God has promised—for example, that Jesus Christ will return to the earth or that we can live with God again. With each example, invite the children to repeat the phrase “Wait for it; because it will surely come.”
Click on the image to be taken to the churches website for this story.
The Carnival Pops are found at Dollar tree. Or you can give two marsh-mellow, like the marsh-mellow test..if you watched the movie. The bag topper is for a 5 inch snack bag.
I can help fill the earth with knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Habakkuk prophesied of the day when the whole world would know about Jesus Christ. That prophecy is beginning to be fulfilled in our day. Consider how you can help the children be part of its fulfillment.
Possible Activities
Display an empty jar, and give each child a small object. Ask each child to share something that Jesus did or taught and then put their object in the jar. Read aloud Habakkuk 2:14, and explain that just as the children filled the jar with their knowledge of the Lord, we can also fill the world with knowledge of Him.
Love it! The primary manual is so inspired.
Show the children a map of the world (see Church History Maps, no. 7, “Map of the World”). Help them find the place where they live and places where missionaries they know have served. Bear your testimony that Heavenly Father wants all people throughout the earth to know about Jesus Christ.
How can we help teach other people about Jesus? Tell the children about things you have seen them do that teach you about Jesus Christ. Help them think of other things they can do.
Sing together a song about sharing the gospel, such as “I Want to Be a Missionary Now” (Children’s Songbook, 168). What can we tell others about Jesus Christ? For some ideas, see the Articles of Faith.
(click on the image)
“Seek ye the Lord.”
Zephaniah taught that we should seek the Lord during times of great wickedness, such as in these latter days. Ponder how you will encourage the children to seek Him.
Possible Activities
Display a picture of Jesus, and read to the children Zephaniah 2:3. Invite them to cup their hands around their eyes like glasses and look at the picture every time you read the word “seek.” Explain that the prophet Zephaniah wanted the people to seek the Lord. How do we seek the Lord? Where can we find Him?
Here are some paper glasses form a old lesson, you are welcome to use. If you don't want to take the time to color them you can print them on colored card stock.
Use this week’s activity page, or think of another game that encourages the children to seek the Lord. Play or sing together a song related to this topic, such as “Seek the Lord Early” (Children’s Songbook, 108). Discuss what the song teaches about how we can find Jesus Christ in our lives.
This is my cute friend Mitzi from comefollowmekid.com her book is published and ready, just in time for Christmas. Click on her picture to be take to the place to order it.
Speaking of the New Testament, don't forget to look at next years reading chart.
I'm showing you Christmas gifts ideas for you primary children now, so you can cross that off the list.
Teach the Doctrine: Older Children
“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble.”
Each of us faces our own “days of trouble.” How will you help the children turn to the Lord, “trust in him,” and find spiritual safety in their days of trouble?
Possible Activities
Show the children a picture of a stronghold or a fortress. What are some reasons people might need a fortress? Invite the children to read Nahum 1:7 to find out what the prophet Nahum said is like a stronghold or fortress for us. What can the Savior protect us from?
This picture is from a video game(: But I really like how it shows the two different layers of protection, and the war, that is very similar to what these children are facing today. It is very important they build up their fortress and protection, gain a relationship with our Savior before the "days of trouble."
Invite the children to draw a picture of themselves and their families inside a stronghold or fortress. Encourage them to write words around the stronghold that describe some of the evil influences in the world. Invite them to write words inside the stronghold that describe Jesus Christ. What does He ask us to do to receive His strength and protection? (see Doctrine and Covenants 35:24).
Click on the image to be taken to the talk "Build a Fortress of Spirituality and protection."
If you are doing this as a family, listen to the talk as you build with legos and blocks. Primary teachers, may just want to select a small portion to listen to.
I can have joy in Jesus Christ, even when things aren’t going well.
Habakkuk described some trials that might happen to his people, including trees or vines that bear no fruit. He then said that even if these things happened, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”
Possible Activities
Invite the children to read Habakkuk 3:17 and identify the trials described in this verse. How might a person feel if these things happened? Help the children think of trials that could happen to them. Then read together verses 18–19 to learn how Habakkuk said he would feel even if these things happened to him.
Object lesson
1. Prepare with a sponge and a bowl of water.
2. Compare the sponge to the children, their testimonies, and spirit.
We are going through life, learning the gospel, praying, building a good relationship with God and soaking up a lot of great things. (Put the sponge in the water).
3. But then we have some really hard times, like in Habakkuk 3:17. That might be compared to not having money or a job. Maybe a love one dies? How will we react to trials?
4. These trials are putting a-squeeze on us. What will come out? The same good things we soaked up or anger and turning away from God? In Habakkuk 3:18-19, When the squeeze was but on this man what came out? Squeeze the sponge while someone reads "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation...." I'm sure Habakkuk cried and was sad, it's ok to have bad days, but as we turn to God we will find joy.
Help the children find other examples of people in the scriptures who rejoiced in the Lord even during hard times. They can find examples in Acts 16:19–25; Mosiah 24:10–15; and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Grateful in Any Circumstances” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 70–77), especially the section “Being Grateful in Our Circumstances.” Why were these people able to be joyful in hard times? How can we follow their examples?
Please listen to this, even if it just helps you prepare to teach this, it is wonderful!
Cut up these letters into a cup or bowl. When a child draws out letter, they need to choose something that they are thankful for that starts with that letter.
Those who follow Jesus Christ will find peace and joy.
Zephaniah 3:14–20 describes the joyful day when Jesus Christ, “the king of Israel,” will reign among His people and “joy over [us] with singing” (verses 15, 17).
Possible Activities
Read together Zephaniah 3:14. Then invite each child to choose one of the verses in Zephaniah 3:15–20 and study it, looking for something that can help us “be glad and rejoice.” Ask them to share what they find.
Help the children find hymns or children’s songs that help them “be glad and rejoice with all the heart” (Zephaniah 3:14). Sing a few songs together, and encourage the children to talk about the joy they find in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This seems to go with this part of the lesson.
Encourage Learning at Home
Ask the children to write down the reference to a scripture that they want to share with their families (or write it for them).