July 14-20, Come Follow Me Youth lesson, Sunday School

Here is an idea from the primary lesson, that is still youth worthy(:

You can have a bag ready for those who don't pass the test, if you are one of those teachers who don't want to make your youth cry(: How does the Lord bless us a 100 fold, if we are grateful?

Doctrine and Covenants 78:19

I can receive all things with thankfulness.

To prepare to study Doctrine and Covenants 78:19, you could make a list of good things that have happened to you today. Then make a list of things that don’t really seem like blessings to you. Ponder these lists as you read Doctrine and Covenants 78:19. What difference does it make in your life if you receive “all things” with thankfulness—even things that might not seem like blessings?

This is coming from my 14-year-old's real-life experience.(:

To learn more about how gratitude to God can influence your life, explore these scriptures and make a list of the truths you find: Psalm 107:8–9; Luke 17:11–19; Philippians 4:6–7; Mosiah 2:19–24; Alma 34:38; 37:37; Doctrine and Covenants 46:32; 59:7, 15–21.

Consider searching President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Grateful in Any Circumstances” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 70–77) for counsel about how to be grateful. You could look for similar counsel in the video “President Russell M. Nelson on the Healing Power of Gratitude” (Gospel Library). How does gratitude affect your relationship with Jesus Christ?

I want to play a game; it's been a while since we've had a good competition in our class, so it's time to wake these kids up. I want to do a "Guess the word" challenge.

I call it "Describe to Survive."

First, split into two teams and randomly distribute scriptures or conference quotes to each member of the class. Like this:

These are in my store, at the bottom of the page.

Tell them to read and ensure they know their scripture or quote well, because someone will be describing it, and only they will see that it's theirs. Also, instruct them to be prepared to answer the question at the end; they can seek help from their teammates.

After they have had a chance to prepare.

You will pass around a bowl with cards inside like this:

You can use this one as an example for the youth to show them how to play.

Another person will draw out their card and try to get everyone in the class to guess the list of words on the cards without saying the actual words. (If they get their own, tell them to put it back in the bowl.)

When others are guessing the list of words, they might sound familiar to a person in the class who has a scripture or conference quote with those words in it. They will raise their hand, read their card, and hopefully answer some questions at the bottom of the card. This will ensure that her/his team gets a point. They can ask their teammates for help, but it is essentially up to them to answer the question.

This is also a good time for the teacher to encourage discussion about the scripture or quote. Then move on and let someone else pick out of the bowl.

You will find that randomly picking out of the bowl might be favoring another team, just because it happens that way. I would play innocent; they are the ones choosing from the bowl. (: Tell them to stop picking cards from the same team. Eventually, it should work out if you have enough time. If they start to look through the cards, hold the bowl up so they can't see what they are picking.

There are 15 sets of cards. If you have a small class, you can add more cards to the bowl and hand out more scriptures/quotes as time moves along. You must have a card in the bowl if you have a card for the youth, and vice versa. Don't worry, I've got you covered. There is an easy way to make sure the cards are matched up.

Your board is only used for keeping points, but I do have some board art if you are interested; it's all in the same lesson bundle at the bottom of the page. It is available in black and white.

As I said before, 15 sets of cards. This gives you plenty of cards, in case you would like to play the entire class hour. If you don't want to play the whole class hour, I recommend watching  “President Russell M. Nelson on the Healing Power of Gratitude.”

Here is a printable that can help with discussion of gratitude:

Print Here

Personal experience:

I have 4 sons, one is on a mission in Brazil Belem, a younger son just got a mission call to Pittsburg Pennsylvania. My older son called on his P-day and gave the younger son some really good advice. He said that there are missionaries who are miserable in Brazil and he is pretty sure they would be miserable if they were serving in the states. But if you love your Savior and give your life to Him you will find happiness where ever you are serving.

President Russell M. Nelson taught that the joy Latter-day Saints feel has "little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives,"

I love tying very lesson back to their relationship with their Savior. Use your own personal experiences, or better yet, use one of the youths, but I feel like it is important to testify of Jesus Christ, in every lesson.

This gift tag is already in the lesson bundle, but you can purchase it separately below.