To show that ordinances and covenants are inseparable, display a coin. Then ask which side of the coin is more important. (Neither side is more important.)
Ask learners if they can separate the sides of the coin. Then explain that ordinances and covenants are inseparable, just as the two sides of a coin are inseparable.
Also point out that ordinances and covenants are necessary for admission into God's presence, just as coins are sometimes needed for admission to events.
(Source: Teaching, No Greater Call, F: Methods of Teaching, Comparisons and Object Lessons)
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The best way to describe is just to describe how I used it in Relief Society. I put a cup to represent the RS president under the board and then stood on it (I represented the demands of serving in Relief Society). Of course I crushed it!
Then did the same thing with 4 cups to represent the presidency. Again, CRUSH!
But then I put a cup to represent each member of the RS board under the board, then stood on the board and the cups supported my weight.
(I've done this in Seminary before, but I used a student to stand on the cups, small bathroom paper cups, and a cookie sheet for them to stand on because I didn't have a board. My students were astounded that the cups would hold up a student's weight! This is a great object lesson if the majority of the group hasn't already seen it, so it's probably best for youth and children. - Jenny)
We bought inexpensive 24 piece puzzles. We had enough for two people per puzzle. Before we started I took out one piece from each puzzle. The kids had to put the puzzle together as a team. None of them could complete the puzzle as I had the last piece.
I had the pieces in a bowl and then asked for one person per team to come and find their lost piece.
This can be related to missionary work, finding the lost sheep, missionaries working together to make sure no one is missed. God's plan includes every one of us, if one piece is missing our eternal family will not be complete.
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Instruct the class you are going to invite a member of the class to reach the "Goal" through a maze of chairs in the classroom. The student will be blindfolded, but will able to choose a guide to help him/her get to the Goal (you could even use a picture of a Temple or family to use as the Goal). Blindfold the volunteer and then ask him/her to choose another class member to guide him verbally through the maze of chairs to the Goal. While the chosen guide is directing the blindfolded class member to the Goal ask these questions:
Source: Geocities
Here are some legos and right on front is a picture of what you can build with these. Do I have to build exactly what is here? Can't I choose to make any design that I can imagine?
In fact, there are lots of different choices of really fun things that I can make with just these few blocks. If your friend makes a rude comment or does something mean to you, that is like handing you the box of Legos. You can choose to react in any way that you want. The most common thing would be to get mad and maybe give him a punch or yell and say two mean things back. But you don't have to. You can make a choice to react in a different way. Geocities
(If I were doing this, ahead of time I would use the legos to make a bridge. Once we talk about how we can change our actions, we can discuss how reacting with kindness can build bridges. - Jenny)
First tell the students that there is a great reward hidden in the building somewhere and that you will give them a map to help them find it.
Next turn out the lights and then hand each student the map. Give them a few minutes to try and read the map (they can not read it in the dark).
Then collect the maps and turn the lights back on.
Then ask the students if they feel ready to go and find the reward.
Explain to the students that the Lord has given us scriptures as a map we need to return to him in the Celestial Kingdom and the Light of Christ to use to read the map. Used together they will lead us to the our reward in heaven. Without both the inspiration of God and the scriptures, we will fumble in the darkness.
To discuss:
What other things could the map represent? (the scriptures, the gospel, conference addresses, Savior's example)
What are other sources of light in our lives? (Holy Ghost, priesthood, prayer, patriarchal blessings) Source: Geocities
Teach the class that following instructions exactly is important by drawing a picture on the chalkboard different than the one for which you give oral instructions.
Tell the class members you will give them some instructions to draw a picture. Instruct them to listen carefully to the instructions and follow them closely. Encourage the class members to refrain from talking or discussing the class activity while you're giving instructions. Don't follow your own instructions as you draw a picture on the chalkboard, but read the following instructions to the class: Beginning with your pencil in the middle of the paper, draw one continuous line:
Some students will realize you are not drawing the same picture I was describing to them by the time we got about half way through, but will be unable to finish the picture correctly because they missed the first instructions. Most of them will copy the drawing on the chalk board, instead of my verbal instructions. Now, repeat the activity. This time, lead the class by drawing the correct figure on the chalkboard as the instructions are read. Things to discuss:
We often hear that "Actions speak louder than words." Do they? Who might be affected by a bad example? (siblings, friends, nonmembers, members)
"Do as I say, not as I do." are nearly impossible instructions to follow, as this object lesson shows. Can we get off track by not carefully listening to and following the Prophet's words? Whose example was perfect in word and deed? (The Savior)
Where are good written and oral instructions for our lives found? (scriptures, conference talks, parents) Source: Geocities
Alma 57:21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.
Showing the bad banana, ask the class if they'd like to eat it? Why not? How do you know it won't taste good?
Show the good banana and ask, what is the inside of this banana like? How do you know?
Teach from the following scriptures the Savior's teachings, "by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20)
Scriptures: 3 Nephi 14:15-20, Luke 6:43, Alma 5:41, Moroni 7:5
During class, give each child a sheet of paper with FRIENDS printed on it and a pencil. Tell them to use the pencil to color in all the letters completely and very dark with the pencil. This may take a few minutes.
After they are finished, you will have them rub their fingers over the letters to see that the graphite from the word friends has rubbed off on them.
The friends you choose in life can have a big impact on the way you act. Friends can influence what type of clothes you wear, the type of music you listen to, what you believe, the words you use when you speak, the way you treat others, and the list goes on and on. In other words, friends can rub off on you.
Alternate: You can also have someone write the word "Friends" on the chalkboard and then have them rub the letters instead of using a pencil and paper.
Discuss: Talk about positive ways that each of us can rub off on our friends. Who is a friend that we want to have rub off on us? (the Savior) Scriptures: Proverbs 22:24-25; Proverbs 18:24; D&C 23:6; John 15:14 Source: Children's Sunday School Object Lessons, some additions by me
Pour a small amount of salt on the plate. Talk about the salt being like us--pure.
Sprinkle a little pepper in the salt. None of us is perfect; we all sin and become like this salt with pepper in it: impure.
Is there anyway for us to clean the salt without destroying it?
Bring out the plastic spoon and rub it on your clothes. Talk about the miraculous power of the Atonement. Tell the class no matter how serious our sins are, or if we think there's no way we can ever be clean again, the Atonement of the Savior makes it possible for us to be clean again.
Place the spoon over the salt and pepper--the pepper will LEAP to the spoon, leaving the salt clean again.
Source: Based on an object lesson from Children's Sunday School Object Lessons
