This week we are studying the vision of the tree of life. This scriptures story is so rich in imagery and there are so many layers of lessons to be found. As we considered what doctrines to pull out we decided to focus on REPENTANCE. This is HOW we stay on the path and hold to the rod of iron.
For many of us, “repentance” might feel like a negative word. We might mistakenly associate it with punishment or with getting in trouble. But repentance (the true meaning) is a wonderful and joyous thing! It is an awakening. A turning point. It is a choice to abandon past mistakes and habits and to fully embrace a higher and holier way of living. Repentance is turning our hearts to the Lord. Whenever this kind of change occurs in our hearts, angels rejoice!
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➤ L E S S O N
Open the lesson with a song and a prayer.
🎶 O P E N I N G S O N G : "Come Unto Jesus"
➤ I N T R O D U C T I O N
Hold up an image of Jesus Christ. Invite all children to stand and face the image. Now invite children to turn around (so that they are facing away from the image). Ask them how they feel when they are turned away from Jesus Christ. Ask them what they want to do (turn around).
Now invite children to turn around and face Jesus Christ again.
Explain: “When we are not keeping the commandments, it's like turning our hearts away from Him. But when we are keeping the commandments, it's like turning our hearts towards Jesus again. Repentance is when we choose to turn our hearts around!”
🎥 V I D E O : "Repentance | Animated Scripture Lesson for Kids"
Say: “We are going to watch a video about something called repentance. After the video, I’ll ask you what repentance means. See if you can remember what repentance means.”
Discuss the following questions after watching the video:
1) What does it mean to repent? (Turning around.)
2) What is it called when we are going away from God? (Sin.)
3) What is it called when we are going towards God? (Righteousness.)
4) If we get really far away from Heavenly Father, can we still turn around and go back to Him?
(Yes.)
5) Who helped us so that we can always go back to Heavenly Father? (Jesus Christ.)
➤ S C R I P T U R E
Read the following scriptures together and discuss the questions that follow.
"And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and Nephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go."
1) Who did Lehi see in this verse? (Sariah, Sam, and Nephi.)
2) Did they know where to go? (No.)
"And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit."
1) What did Lehi do when he saw Sariah, Sam, and Nephi? (Told them to come to the tree and eat
the fruit.)
"And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also."
1) What did they do after Lehi called to them? (They went to Lehi and ate the fruit.)
2) What are some times when we feel like we want to go to Heavenly Father? (Discuss)
"And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them."
1) Who did Lehi look for next? (Laman and Lemuel.)
"And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit."
1) Did Laman and Lemuel go to Lehi and eat the fruit? (No, they would not partake of the fruit.)
2) What are some times when we don’t feel like we want to go to Heavenly Father? (Discuss.)
3) What can we do if we feel like this? (We can repent, and turn our hearts to Heavenly Father.)
➤ A C T I V I T Y
Play “Arrows and Ladders.” Cut out the race cars and fold on the dotted lines. Cut out the numbers and place them in a bag or cup. Take turns drawing numbers to move forward. If you land at the bottom of a ladder, you can climb up! If you land at the start of an arrow, you have to slide down. First to the finish line is the winner! Use this activity to start a discussion about going towards Heavenly Father (righteousness), going away from Heavenly Father (sin), and repentance (turning around).
➤ T E S T I M O N Y
Bear testimony of the truths found in the scriptures.
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'Come, Follow Me' is a resource offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is designed to be used in the home to support personal and family scripture study to build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Come, Follow Me is self-contained and adequate, when used properly. Products and materials designed to supplement this resource, though they may be helpful in some instances, are not necessary for a successful home study program.
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