Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children
I can be kind to others.
Abraham’s servant was impressed with the remarkable kindness that Rebekah showed to him by offering water not only to him but to his 10 camels as well. Her example can be a reminder for the children to always be kind to others.
Possible Activities
Show the picture of Rebekah in this week’s activity page. Point out details in the picture as you summarize the story in Genesis 24:10–21, in which Rebekah showed kindness to the servant of Abraham. Point out that her words and act of kindness were the sign that Rebekah was the one that God wanted to marry Abraham’s son Isaac. Invite the children to pretend to be the servant arriving with his camels or Rebekah getting water for them. Give them phrases to recite from the scriptures, such as “Let me … drink a little water” (verse 17) and “I will draw water for thy camels also” (verse 19). Why is it important for us to be kind to others?
I'm excited about this interactive story. Lots of hands on twisting and turning as you tell this really neat story.
Tell a story about how the Savior showed kindness to someone. Invite some of the children to share their own experiences of showing kindness.
Suggest several scenarios in which a child can show kindness, such as playing with friends or meeting someone new at school. Ask the children what they could do to be kind in these scenarios.
Sing with the children a song about kindness, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” or “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 145, 78–79). Invite the children to listen for the word “kindness” (or a similar word) and stand when they hear it. How can we show kindness to others? This week’s activity page could help with this discussion.
Click on the pictures to take you to the pages to print these songs.
I can choose the things that are most important.
Because Esau was the oldest child in his family, he was supposed to get special responsibilities and privileges, called a birthright. One day when Esau was hungry, he traded his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for some food. This story can teach the children that we should choose lasting things over temporary satisfaction.
Possible Activities
Bring to class some objects that could help tell the story of Esau selling his birthright, such as a bowl and a picture of someone getting a priesthood blessing. Invite the children to use the objects as they tell you what they know about the story. “Jacob and Esau” (in Old Testament Stories) can help. Read together Genesis 25:34, and explain that whoever had the birthright would have special privileges and responsibilities to care for the rest of the family.
(Just click on the picture)
Here is a coloring page:
For Senior Primary, or for families that want more discussion:
Show the children two pictures: one of something of great spiritual worth (like a temple) and one of something that brings only temporary happiness (such as a game, toy, or treat). Ask them to choose which thing will better help us return to our Heavenly Father. Repeat with other pictures.
Here is an idea from Mitzi at Comefollowmekid.com
Sing a song about making good choices, such as “Choose the Right Way” (Children’s Songbook, 160–61) with the children. Testify that we are blessed and happy when we choose the right.
Teach the Doctrine: Older Children
I will be blessed as I act in faith and show kindness to others.
Abraham’s servant showed faith by trusting God’s guidance to find a wife for Isaac. Rebekah showed kindness in the way she treated Abraham’s servant. How can you help the children you teach follow the examples of Abraham’s servant and Rebekah?
Possible Activities
Read Genesis 24:1–28 together, and help the children identify examples of faith and kindness (see, for example, verses 12–14 and 17–20). How were Abraham’s servant and Rebekah blessed by showing faith and kindness? Write on the board We can show faith by … and We can show kindness by … , and invite the children to suggest ways to complete these sentences.
On strips of paper, write things Abraham’s servant said or did and things Rebekah said or did in Genesis 24:1–28. Invite the children to each select a strip of paper and work together to guess who said or did these things (they can refer to the scriptures if they need help). What does this story teach us about kindness? What does it teach us about faith? Other examples of kindness and faith are found in Genesis 24:29–33, 58–61.
Pass out the cards and have the children look up the scriptures to figure out who said what is on the card. Then have them line them up under the person who said it.
Invite the children to think of an act of kindness they have seen. Invite them to write it down and share it with the class or their families at home. How do we feel when someone is kind to us?
I will value eternal things instead of temporal things.
Esau chose to trade something of great value, his birthright, for something of lesser value, some bread and a bowl of soup. As you read these verses, ponder how you can help the children prioritize things that are eternally important.
Possible Activities
Read together the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:21–34. As you read, invite each child to choose something to draw from the story. Then invite them to use their pictures to tell the story in their own words. If they need help understanding what a birthright is, encourage them to read “Birthright” in the Bible Dictionary or Guide to the Scriptures (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite the children to imagine that Esau asked for our advice about whether he should trade his birthright for the pottage; what would we say to him?
Tell about a time when you had to sacrifice something good for something else of greater value. Or show the video “Continue in Patience” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How does your story or the story in the video relate to the choice Esau made in Genesis 25:29–34? Help the children think of blessings Heavenly Father wants to give them (such as a stronger testimony, temple blessings, or eternal life with Him). Encourage them to think of things they would be willing to sacrifice in order to receive these valuable blessings.
I'm planning on doing this with my Young Woman, I think it would be fun. It just doesn't fit with this weeks lesson, but I'll keep it in mind for later.
Cut out the pictures-from the printable below. And pass them out to the children.
Write the numbers 10-1 on the board and have the children place them in order of their favorite to their worst.
It might look different then mine, but for example, ask the children if they would trade a choc. chip ice cream sandwich for broccoli? Of course not, that would be dumb. Then ask them if they would trade their baptismal covenant, or temple covenant (a chance to repent, to take upon Jesus name, an eternal relationship with God, The guidance of the Holy ghost etc.) for that delicious looking ice cream cookie?
If you feel like it's appropriate maybe share how people make these silly decision every day, for popularity, or money.
Ask them what they would be "willing to sacrifice for a stronger testimony, temple blessings, or eternal life with him."
Close with your testimony of these eternal blessings.
Youth Lesson
Playing around with my lesson for YW, I usually like to do an object lesson or an activity before I start my lesson. I think it would be fun for the girls to match up the pictures of the apostles and prophet and their wives. Since the lesson is on marriage and the proclamation to the family.
That is finally it.
Love Crystal