Play the game "Don't Get Poisoned." Set a folding chair in the middle of the classroom. On one piece of paper, write alcoholic drinks, and on another piece of paper, write tobacco. Tape the label "alcoholic drinks" to the top of the chair and the label "tobacco" to the seat of the chair. Pass a six-foot-long string through the space between the backrest and the seat (see the illustration on the next page), and place a ring on the string. Tell class members that the object of this game is to pass the ring from one end of the string to the other without touching the "alcoholic drinks" and "tobacco."
(Image is Copyright 2010, Intellectual Reserve. Used by permission.)
Invite a class member to try to do this alone. If other class members want to try, allow them to do so. Then have the first class member choose a partner, and have the two work together to pass the ring. (They will probably find it easier than the person working alone did.) Ask the first class member:
Was it easier to accomplish this task by yourself or with another person?
Point out that keeping the Word of Wisdom is easier when you have the help and support of other people. Encourage class members to support each other in their commitment to keeping the Word of Wisdom. Briefly discuss ways they might do this.
Note to the teacher: For information on other games that teach, see Teaching—No Greater Call, 143–44.
Source: Lesson 26: The Wisdom of the Word of Wisdom, Preparing for Exaltation: Teacher’s Manual, 147
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM10...
Item needed: an owner's manual from a vehicle or appliance
Explain that when a consumer purchases a new vehicle or appliance, the manufacturer provides instructions on the care and maintenance of the machine. (If you brought an owner’s manual, show it to class members with a short explanation of what it contains.) By following the recommended instructions, a person can expect better performance and longer use from the vehicle or appliance.
What may happen if the owner ignores the manufacturer's instructions? (The machine may break down or even become dangerous.)
Tell class members that each of them has a wonderful mechanism. This mechanism can repair itself when it has minor breakdowns, it has automatic "windshield wipers" and an automatic cooling system, and it usually works more efficiently the more it is used.
What is this wonderful mechanism? (The human body.)
What revelation could be considered an "owner's manual" for our bodies? (The Word of Wisdom.)
Explain that just as a manufacturer provides instructions on the care of a machine, the Creator of our bodies has provided instructions on how to take care of these bodies. If we follow these instructions, many of which are included in the Word of Wisdom, we can expect better performance from our bodies and minds. This does not mean that we will never get sick or that our bodies will never need repairs, but the Lord will bless us as we try to keep our bodies in good condition.
Source: “Lesson 26: The Wisdom of the Word of Wisdom,” Preparing for Exaltation: Teacher’s Manual, 147 (http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=32c41b08f338c010VgnVCM10...)
(This makes a 3-D snowflake. Better directions can be found on the internet, if needed, but this is how I used it. here's one site it can be found on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ausJdGcgs0k)
When a man becomes converted (square off an 8 1/2" x 11" paper & cut off excess),
if he is truly converted then he allows God to change change him (fold twice - corner to corner).
It's important that he be truly converted & holds tight to his convictions because the process of true conversion can be difficult or trying & brings trials that will test his choice. (cut 3 slits in paper towards the fold).
But as he holds true to his convictions (unfold paper & tape corners of smallest slit together to form a tube shape),
he discovers changes have occurred (tape next slit corners opposite side as the 1st one was taped).
He discovers that he has become a small part of something beautiful & joyous (tape last slit corners on same side as 1st slit);
truly an instrument shaped by the Lord's own hands. His joy becomes overflowing as he is joined by others. (Make 5 others & connect them at bottom tip(center) & on sides leaving gap where 6th one will be).
This was used discussing Alma the Younger the Sons of Mosiah's true conversion, there trials among the Lamanites, & Ammon's expression of joy in chap. 26 after the meaning conversions. Concluded with v. 12-13, & 16.
We can experience this same joy if we become truly converted & hold tight to our convictions. "God can do more with us than we can with ourselves so we ought to let him." (as quoted by Thomas S. Monson)
Hold up a cell phone and ask if anyone has ever used one. Ask them to name places where they've used a cell phone. Answers may include in a car, outside, in the house, even on a boat.
Now ask the class why they have used a cell phone. Answers may include I needed information, when I needed help, when I may be lost and not know directions, or when I just want to talk to someone.
Briefly relate a few instances of when you use your own cell phone.
Ask the students, "Can you just call any number to reach my cell phone?" (No, you must know the correct phone number.)
Tell the students, "Did you know God wants us to call Him? He even gives us a way to call him -- prayer -- and His number."
We can't just call any number and reach God. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me." There is no other way to call on God except through Jesus Christ, His Son. When we pray, we must pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
We can use our cell phone (prayer) to call on Heavenly Father anytime and anywhere. Read Alma 34: 17-27.
We can have a phone, we can know someone's number, but until we choose to actually dial the number, we'll never reach them. It's our choice to call on God; we must act upon our choice by praying. Heavenly Father is there anytime, anywhere and for anyone. Close with D&C 88:63.
Pass around the kiwi fruit. Make the point that the kiwi has a rough, unpleasant, hairy, tasteless exterior. Ask the students the following questions:
When the fruit has been examined by everyone, peel off the skin, and slice up the inside to share. Make the following points:
You might also ask the class if they notice certain times when they are more likely to be judgmental. Are they more unkind when they are around certain groups or people?
When teaching groups of girls, you may also wish to emphasize how focusing on the outside can cause us to ignore the good inside (self-esteem / self-worth).
Challenge the students to get to know the inside of a person they have been avoiding this week.
Adapted from Everyday Object Lessons for Youth Groups By Helen Musick, Duffy Robbins
http://books.google.com/books?id=272pThk4OLAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=obj...
Take a picture of someone in the group with a digital camera, or bring a photo of someone most everyone will recognize like the prophet, a national leader, or your Bishop/Branch President.
Describe the person in the photo to your class and ask the students to guess who it is from your description. Be vague in your description such as "This person has brown hair. This person is a man. The person in this photo looks friendly."
After a few moments of guessing, show your class the photo and ask them to name the person in the picture. Ask the class how they were able to recognize them so quickly when you showed them the photo.
Point 1: We can use words to describe Jesus Christ, but when others see His image in us, they will be able to recognize Him more easily. Read Alma 5: 14-19
Point 2: How can we help others recognize the Savior? We can be mirrors!
Hold the mirror in three different ways while asking the students if they can see their reflection.
2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Each of us can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his love and glory even more.
Adapted from http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/Christianobjectlesson.html
You could use a clock, pocketwatch, or even just a watch as a visual aid to teach the scripture "This life is the time to prepare to meet god" (Alma 34:32 or "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh" Matthew 25:13.
The first part of the following video shows an example of how one pastor teaches Matthew 25:13 using an enormous pocketwatch:
The following object lesson is from YouTube. This evangelist preacher does a fantastic job demonstrating how temptation is all around us, and how Satan will change his attacks to wear us down. You could use it to teach a variety of gospel topics:
After having a discussion with the students on what makes us angry, we searched Alma 20:8-15 for reasons why King Lamoni's father became so very angry with his son. We discussed reasons he may have been angry and then we discussed ways to avoid being angry. We read a few scripture references that give guidance on not allowing anger to control you.
I then showed them several balls of different sizes and made of different materials. I told them that they all bounce. Some bounce higher, harder, farther, and with greater force than other balls. I told them that their anger was like a bouncy ball.
I asked for a volunteer to come up to the front of the room. I gave them a green bouncy hard ball and had them bounce it the entire time I read the following story... pausing at significant points to emphasize the drama of the story. The story is entitled Anger Bounces Back by Jed Layton and is found in the New Era Jan 2006 24-25.
When we got to the part where the author is about to throw the ball out of the window, my science students were alert and aware of why this was not a good idea.
It was a very captivating way to get their attention on how anger bounces back.
Assemble some gardening aids (small bag of fertilizer, trowel, watering can, picture of sun, etc.), and put them into a box or bag.
Paper, tape, marker for making labels
Pictures of trees in various stages of growth
Help the children memorize Alma 32:21.
Then have them follow along in their scriptures as you read or tell Alma 32:27–43.
Discuss the importance of planting the word of God in our hearts.
Assemble some gardening aids (small bag of fertilizer, trowel, watering can, picture of sun, etc.), and put them into a box or bag.
Have children pick an item and tell one thing we can do to nurture the word of God by our faith in Jesus Christ (believe, keep the commandments, pray, etc.).
Label each item with a word suggested by the child.
Display pictures of trees in various stages.
Help the children realize that this is an ongoing process. Let them each plant a real seed either individually or as a Primary that they can tend and watch grow. Sing “Faith” (CS, pp. 96–97).
Source: Friend, January 1999
