AGES 4-7 I AM HAPPY WHEN I FOLLOW JESUS decision maze. Children can learn the difference between following Jesus and not following him with this FIND THE JESUS ACTION maze. Examples: Love Others, Say a Bad Word (which one would Jesus do?) This is how they will find their way out of the maze as they choose the Jesus path. Children can compete to see who gets there first.
Great for COME, FOLLOW ME Lessons: Use in Primary classes, at home for Family Home Evening, or Activity Days.
Little LESSON LIFESAVERS
I am happy when I follow Jesus. decision maze
OBJECTIVE: The lesson helps strengthen each child’s desire to follow Jesus Christ.
ACTIVITY: Help children learn how to choose the right and follow Jesus, guiding them through the maze.
START at the beginning and guide them past the wrong choices. Pencil or color in the right choices to the FINISH line, where they will find Jesus.
TALK ABOUT CHOICES:
GOOD CHOICES: Love others Read the scriptures Comfort the sad Visit the sick Forgive Say kind words Speak the truth Pray Love yourself Obey Smile Be polite Show love
ON THE WRONG CHOICES, talk about how these can make us sad. Talk about how we can change these to follow Jesus and choosing the right can make us happy.
THOUGHT TREAT: In His (soft) Steps Marshmallow Feet. Use toothpicks in two large marshmallows to attach five mini marshmallow toes. Use flat (safe) toothpicks or collect sharp toothpicks for safe disposal.
Source: CTRA Lesson 15 “Choose the Right and Follow Jesus”
MORE LESSON IDEAS (on the subject):
• Share the “Choose the Right and Follow Jesus” Lesson 15 in the CTRA manual (some details below).
Jesus Christ Wants Us to Follow Him
Attention activity
Let the children play “Follow the Leader.” Have the children stand in a line at one side of the room. The first child in line runs, hops, skips, or does some other action to the other side of the room. The other children follow the first child, doing what he or she did. Then the first child goes to the end of the line and the second child becomes the leader. Continue until each child has had a turn to be the leader.
Tell the children that in today’s lesson they will learn about following Jesus Christ.
Story
Display picture 2-23, Child Following in His Father’s Footsteps, and tell the following story in your own words (if the children in your class are unfamiliar with snow, you may want to adapt the story to fit your own climate and environment):
Sam went out to help his father gather wood for the fire. It was winter and the snow was very deep. Sam and his father each took an armload of wood and started back toward their home. It was hard for Sam to walk in the deep snow with his heavy load. Sam’s father told Sam to walk in the footprints that he left in the snow. It was much easier for Sam to walk when he followed his father’s footsteps.
-
Why did Sam follow his father’s footsteps?
-
Why do you think it was easier for Sam to walk in the snow when he followed his father’s footsteps?
Scripture story
Display picture 2-24, Calling of the Fishermen. Tell the story found in Matthew 4:18–22 and Luke 5:1–11. Explain that when Jesus Christ was on the earth he called men to be his disciples, or helpers.
As you tell the story, read aloud Matthew 4:19 at an appropriate time. Explain that “I will make you fishers of men” meant that Jesus wanted these men to help him teach the people.
-
Why did these fishermen follow Jesus?
-
What would you do if Jesus asked you to follow him and be his disciple?
Discussion
Compare the story of Jesus Christ calling his disciples with the story about Sam and his father. Just as Sam’s father asked Sam to follow him, Jesus asks all of us to follow him. Sam’s father knew that it would be easier for Sam to walk if he followed his father’s footsteps. The Savior knows that our lives will be easier and we will be happier if we follow him.
-
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
-
Why is life easier for us when we follow Jesus?
Testimony
Tell the children how following Jesus Christ has made you happy. Testify that if we follow him, Jesus will lead us back to live with our Heavenly Father again. Sing “Come, Follow Me” (Hymns, no. 116)
DOWNLOAD “Come, Follow Me” song visuals (HERE or below)
VIDEO “Lessons I Learned as a Boy” by President Gordon B. Hinckley. He tells the story of an older boy and his young companion as they find an old coat and a badly worn pair of shoes by the roadside.
SING SONGS using song visuals you can download here or below: Sing or say the words to the first verse of
“I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, p. 78),
“Love One Another”(Children’s Songbook, p. 136), or
“Keep the Commandments”(Children’s Songbook, p. 146).
