Use for COME FOLLOW ME Sunday School, Family Home Evening, Young Women/Young Men, and Seminary
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
MEDIA INFLUENCES: TV Topper, Phone Friend, and Bookshelf Buddy tent-cards
Youth place these wholesome media quote tent-cards on their television, next to their phone or bookshelf to remind them to be aware of media influences. They can memorize quotes and write what they will do to choose worthy: 1) Television programs and movies, 2) Internet surfing and texting and conversations, and 3) Books and magazines.
THE MEDIA INFLUENCES or quote tent cards read:
• “That which holds our attention determines our action.”
– William James
• “Avoid whatever weakens your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, … increases the authority of the body over the mind.” – John Wesley’s mother
• “Vice is a monster of frightful mien, As to be hated needs to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” – Alexander Pope
TO MAKE Print activity in color or black and white. Cut them out, cutting slit on bottom, folding and inserting tab into slit.
THOUGHT TREAT: TV, Cell-phone, or Book Cookie. Make a gingerbread or sugar cookie in the shape of one of these media objects of which one might obtain influence. Frost and decorate with candies and a piece of licorice for the antenna for the TV or bookmark for book. Tell youth that their life can go “down the tube” or “in the trash” (etc.), if they are not careful how they use their time and mind to make right choices (what they choose to watch, listen to, or read).
TESTIMONY SHARING: Ask youth to share their testimony on the following. How do I guard my virtue? “Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It includes chastity. We live in a world in which virtue is belittled and attacked. We can guard our virtue by avoiding impure thoughts, language, and actions. Pornography is especially dangerous. As we “put on the whole armor of God” (see Ephesians 6:11–17) and rely on the strength of the Lord, we can protect ourselves against the adversary’s attacks on virtue and keep our thoughts and actions pure.”
MUTUAL NIGHT, SEMINARY, SUNDAY SCHOOL, FAMILY HOME EVENING
VIDEO: Things as they really are – Elder David A. Bednar warns of the harmful effects digital technologies can have on our souls and invites us to ask ourselves two questions to see if we are using these technologies properly. See video below.
QUESTIONABLE MEDIA AND QUESTIONABLE COOKIES OR BROWNIES:
1. Prepare ahead chocolate chip cookies or brownies and have them ready on two separate plates (showing the same treat). Attach the following note to one of the plates of cookies or brownies: Questionable Cookies / Questionable Brownies
2. With the two plates of cookies or brownies in front of youth, talk about movies, Hollywood standards, movie ratings, etc. Lead the discussion into phrases that people use after going to these movies (for example, “The movie isn’t too bad,” “There’s only a little swearing,” “Just a little talk about sex.” “You didn’t see much,” or “I’ve seen worse”).
3. Tell youth you made some cookies or brownies with the best ingredients (real butter, highest grade chocolate chips). Then hold up the plate with the sign Questionable Cookies or Questionable Brownies and say, “What if I told you that in this batch I added a little bit of doggie-do? Just a little never hurt anyone. Try them.” What would you do?
4. After getting their reaction, say, “These are completely edible cookies. There’s really no doggie-do in them.” Talk about ways Satan leads people “carefully down to hell,” by adding just a little here and there (through desensitization).
5. Read 2 Nephi 28:21. While you enjoy the cookies or brownies, make some new resolves. Have youth always ask themselves before participating in media, “Do I like doggie-do in my brownies?”
MEMORIZE ARTICLES OF FAITH 1:13 SCRIPTURE USING SCRIPTURE POSTER(S):
Choice #1 Articles of Faith 1:13 SCRIPTURE POSTER
Choice #2 REBUS MESSAGE: Virtues We Believe In – Articles of Faith 1:13 SCRIPTURE POSTER
SING SONGS USING SONG VISUALS:
• I Will Follow God’s Plan (CS, 164)
• Seek the Lord Early (CS, 108)
• Nephi’s Courage (CS, 120)
QUOTES TO PONDER:
“Technology with its substantial benefits also brings challenges. … Be courageous! Be strong!” —Elder Gary E. Stevenson
Source YW1.33
Watch Your Step: See how a moment’s decision can have far-reaching consequences—for good or bad. Read the original address from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland “Place No More for the Enemy for My Soul” by clicking here http://bit.ly/loSpCj
Things as They Really Are – Elder David A. Bednar warns of the harmful effects digital technologies can have on our souls and invites us to ask ourselves two questions to see if we are using these technologies properly.
