POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. FACING THE SUN/SON OF GOD sunflower stories. Youth can know with this activity that the sunflowers turn their faces toward the sun to grow. They follow the sun all day rotating to always face the sun. We too can learn to turn our face toward the Son of God as He provides light and warmth through His wisdom and Godly attributes we too can obtain. As we follow His example our testimonies can grow and we can become more like Him – thus “FOLLOWING THE SON.”
YOUTH GOALS &
LESSON LIFESAVER ACTIVITY
SPIRITUAL
Youth GOAL
Turn Toward the Light
Follow the light of Jesus Christ to a happy purposeful life.
Goal Ideas
Youth can realize through these activities that turning toward the light gets you out of the darkness. Read the Light of Christ, e.g, “The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things.” Have youth recall and possibly share times of darkness and when they turned their face toward the Son of God (having faith in Christ), through study and prayer and work, they were led out of the darkness.
Inspiration
“Turn your soul toward the light. Begin your own wonderful journey home. As you do so, your life will be better, happier, and more purposeful.” – A Yearning for Home, By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency (see VIDEO below)
In his talk, he tells of Bobbie the Wonder Dog while traveling got lost. Having to leave him, six months later Bobbie was on their doorstep. traveling 2,000 miles.
He said, “When I read of this powerful instinct in animals, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Is it possible that human beings have a similar yearning—an inner guidance system if you will—that draws them to their heavenly home?'”
Patterns of Light: The Light of Christ
A Yearning for Home
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
Follow Jesus: Facing the Sun/Son of God stories
GREAT FOR Youth goals, Sunday School, Scripture Study, Family Night, Come Follow Me
OBJECTIVE: Help children/youth learn about the stories of Jesus so we like the sunflowers (who follow the sun, turning their heads) can follow the sun/Son of God.
TO MAKE Print and cut out the stories, the Jesus sunflower, and sunflower word-strips.
TO PRESENT:
1. Post one sunflower on a poster, wall, or board and say, “When the sun comes up in the morning, the sunflowers turn their face toward the sun. The sunflowers need the warmth of the sun to grow. When the sun travels through the sky, the sunflowers turn their heads to follow the sun.”
2. Post Jesus on the board and say, “We too can face the Son of God (Jesus Christ) to help our testimonies and faith in Him grow. Each day we can read the scriptures to learn about the life of Jesus Christ and the stories He taught. We can follow Jesus Christ by living His commandments. The Apostles of Jesus looked to Him to learn of the commandments and how they should live. These apostles testify of Jesus Christ in the scriptures, and we can learn of Him by reading their words. Let’s read about these stories of Jesus so we can learn to follow Him.”
3. Tell youth, “These are the stories Jesus taught. Let’s read them to learn how we can follow His light.”
4. To present the stories, have youth take turns drawing sunflower from the container. The leader or older children could read the stories and post the sunflowers around the Jesus sun. Talk about each story and how you can follow the Son of God (Jesus Christ).
THOUGHT TREAT (not found in the pdf): Sunflower Sugar Cookies. Make your favorite dough recipe and roll 2-tablespoons of dough into a ball and press into a 1/3-inch x 4-inch round cookie. Cut petals into a cookie by cutting 1-inch slits and then pinching petals into a point. Option: Sprinkle orange decorator-sugar on top and press into dough. Bake 8-10 minutes at 370 degrees. THOUGHT: Review the lesson about following the Son of God turning out to face/thoughts toward Him. Comparing this to the sunflowers who turn their heads to face the sun. As we look toward the light we will feel God’s influence (the warmth that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings).
• Jesus lights the way as my example (3 Nephi 18:16)
• Jesus lights the way with His teachings (D&C 84:45-46; Primary 7 manual, lessons 10, 12)
• I will follow His light and be an example (3 Nephi 18:24; Primary 1, lesson 36; Primary 2, lesson 29)
• As I follow His light, I am protected (Psalm 27:1; Primary 4, lesson 25, 26)
• See New Testament Stories (picture storybook) see Media Library
GROUP ACTIVITIES
For Church or Family
TURN OUR FACES TOWARD THE SON: To encourage youth to feel the warmth that can come from having Jesus Christ in their lives and to see things clearly with His light, begin by setting up a room with a sun lamp. Talk about repentance and the Atonement. Turn out the lights and talk about Satan’s plan. Tell how some people see physically (the light) but do not see spiritually (the light of Christ). Blindfold the youth, and talk about how some don’t see physically, but they can see spiritually (with their hearts through the Spirit).
SUNFLOWER COOKIES. Make your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe and roll 2-tablespoons of dough into a ball and press into a 1/3-inch x 4-inch round cookie. Cut petals into a cookie by cutting 1-inch slits and then pinching petals into a point. Option: Sprinkle orange decorator-sugar on top and press into dough. Bake 8-10 minutes at 370 degrees.
Thought: Review the lesson Following Jesus – Facing the Sun/Son of God stories of Jesus (on this page) comparing this to the sunflowers who turn their heads to face the sun. As we look toward the light we will feel God’s influence (the warmth that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings).
MORE GOALS & ACTIVITIES:
Scriptures About the Light of Christ
Scripture Study Resources
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Topical Guide, “Light of Christ”
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Bible Dictionary, “Light of Christ”
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Guide to the Scriptures, “Light, Light of Christ”
