Year 01/Lesson 18: Faith in Jesus Christ

What You'll Need: scriptures, GAK 608: Christ with Children, GAK 316: Jesus Heals the Nephites, hole punch, string, glue stick, small pot, popsicle stick, planting soil, sunflower OR grass seeds.

Scripture: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Article of Faith 4).

Opening Song: Faith (PCS #96) OR I Know That My Savior Loves Me

Lesson:

This month we are going to talk about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. In the scriptures we can read the fourth article of faith that tells us these four things to get us started to return to our Heavenly Father.

The first thing we must have is FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Hold up GAK 608: Christ with Children)

- Who is this?

- Do you remember ever seeing Jesus?

- Then how do you know who this picture is?

- Do you believe he is real even if you cannot remember seeing him?

In the book of Mormon we learn what Faith is. Alma 32:21 - “If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true”.

Faith is believing in things that we can't see but know are true. Even though we have not seen Jesus, we can have faith that He lives and loves us.

Our faith in Jesus Christ will grow as we read about Him. The New Testament teaches of when He was on the earth. We can read about Jesus healing a blind man and calming a storm. The New Testament teaches that He suffered for our sins, that He died, and that He was resurrected on the third day.

(Show Gospel Art Picture 316: Jesus Heals the Nephites)

The Book of Mormon teaches that after Jesus Christ was resurrected, He visited the people in America. The Prophets there had told the people he would come and they had faith in Jesus Christ. In 3 Nephi 11:15 we read... "And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come. "

Each person there got to touch Jesus and know for themselves that He was who he said He was.

Even though we cannot remember seeing or touching Jesus, we can know he lives just as much as the people in the Book of Mormon. When we read about him in the scriptures and say our prayers we can feel warm feelings in our hearts. That is the Holy Ghost telling us that Jesus is real and that He loves us.

Bear your testimony about the realness of Jesus Christ. tell your children about a specific time when you felt the Spirit confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ. Take this opportunity to explain in detail exactly what the Spirit feels like to you so that your children can begin to identify those feelings in their own hearts.

(For tips on sharing your testimony please click here.)


Practice Song: If you are teaching your family the May Song of the Month, go over the words and music with your family.

Activity: Choose from the following activities as they best suit your family.

I. ACTION POEM ON FAITH
By Chad E. Phares

My faith is like a tiny seed (Hold thumb and index finger close together.)
That is hard for me to see. (Make circles around eyes with thumbs and index fingers.)

But when I read the scriptures (Open hands in front of self.)
Faith grows inside of me. (Put both hands on chest.)

And when I say a prayer (Fold arms.)

I feel it in my heart. (Put hand on heart.)

My seed of faith becomes a tree (Put hands together above head.)
When I do my part. (Point thumb at self.)

II. FAITH IN CHRIST MOBILE (from Liahona Magazine)

CLICK HERE  to save mobile and print onto hard cardstock or glue it to heavy paper. Cut along the solid lines. Form the long panel into a box by folding the dotted lines and gluing the tab. Draw or glue a picture of yourself in the blank panel, and write something you will do on the blank lines. Fold the five small panels along the dotted lines so the pictures and scriptures are on the outside.

Punch holes where indicated. Attach pieces of string to the top of the box. Tie the picture of yourself to the strings at the top of the box so it hangs through the center of the box and 5″ below the bottom of the box. Tie the four remaining pictures to the bottom of the box.

III. GROWING SEEDS OF FAITH

You can plant a seed, but it needs water, food and light to grow. we must take care of it for it to become strong.  Faith is like a seed. We can plant it by believing in Jesus Christ, but we must then feed it by reading the scriptures, attending church and choosing the right.  Then our faith can grow.

- Fill each cup 2/3 full of planting soil.

- Put 2-3 sunflower seeds in each pot, pushing down 1/2 inch into soil.

- Moisten dirt with water.

- Print sheet of labels onto card stock. (CLICK HERE to download)

- Have children color the label for their plant.

- Use scotch tape to adhere labels onto front of cup OR use scotch tape to adhere label to a popsicle stick and stick into soil.

- Set in sunny place. Seeds should sprout within 4-6 days.

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