How can I use the scriptures to know my Heavenly Father?

I actually had expected the majority of the class to complete their homework assignment.  I had an entire lesson planned that I was excited to share with the kids!  Well, I had one!  So, as warned, we passed out new copies of the handout and went through it one-by-one!  I was very grateful for the young lady who completed her assignment so I let her go ahead with this week's planned lesson on her own.  

First~(and this worked well for last week's lesson and this week's planned lesson), we listed on the board things we KNEW about Heavenly Father.  The kids came up with a pretty short, but precise list.  Then she took her notebook and scriptures and looked up "God" in the Topical Guide.  Of course they say, "God, Love of" but she wrote in her notebook new things, and scripture references for, she learned about her Father in Heaven.  

Second~Look up "God" in the Bible Dictionary.  Have the students write down one thing they learned about God that really stood out to them.  Then use the scriptures and it's resources to find scriptures that support their newfound knowledge.  

Third~ You can select a chapter from the scriptures that demonstrate what they can learn about Heavenly Father.  1 Nephi 1 teaches about His glory and mercy.  Other suggested chapters: Isaiah 55, 2 Nephi 26, Mosiah 26, Mosiah 2, D&C 1.  Have them get in small groups and look up those scriptures and discuss among themselves what they learned about their Heavenly Father, then teach it to the class!

I also created this handout for the students.  I told them that each of these scriptures are Bible scriptures, but we can find supporting scriptures for each in the Book of Mormon.  

Have a happy day~Kasey



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How can I see Heavenly Father's hand in all things?

As the kids completed their assessments and turned them in to me last Sunday, I was excited to read over them and see what they would like to learn about.  I was surprised to see that a big one they had trouble actually seeing and understanding is how to see Him in their lives directly.  I knew I wanted to make this lesson a priority for the next Sunday!  I read so many talks and articles, lesson plans from others in preparation for this.  I did a lot of praying and knew which direction to go.  

The first thing I did was hand out a paper with the lyrics to "How Great Thou Art" on it.  

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed;

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;

Refrain

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in,
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Refrain

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home- what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

The kids went through their copy and underlined or circled ways we can see God each day.  When everyone was done we talked about it as a group.  Then I passed out this letter from our Father in Heaven to each of the kids, with their name on theirs.

Dear (I wrote in their name)

I just had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you. Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon you'd want Me to walk along with you, too, so I painted you a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you.

As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted so much to touch you. I spilled moonlight onto your face – trickling down your cheeks as so many tears have.

The next day, I exploded a brilliant sunrise into a glorious morning for you.

I love you. I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky.

The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of the flowers. I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls.

I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with nature's sweet scent.

My love for you is deeper than the ocean. Please call Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait, because I love you.

Love,

Heavenly Father

Some of the kids really liked it and I hope it sticks with them!  After discussing these two things, we came to the conclusion that it was easy to see him in those physical type things because He created all.  So I brought in this talk by Elder Bednar titled "The Tender Mercies of the Lord.!"  I first explained what a tender mercy was.  I read the examples in the talk that he shared, the sister who spoke of the Christmas card from her deceased husband and the dream of the righteous Priesthood leader.  I read some other parts that I felt the class would benefit from.  A couple kids shared some experiences of loved ones in regards to receiving tender mercies.  I shared one of my many! :D  It turned out to be a great discussion!  

Our time was ending so I passed out this handout that I found at LDS Nest. She had so many, but I really liked this one.

The kids were asked to do this as homework, but warned that we would do it the next class if they didn't.  I really liked this handout and the meaning behind each of those scriptures!

Have a happy day~Kasey

 

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Assessment...and Godhead overview!

Our Sunday School class is using the same curriculum, with the same topics as last year.  I have nine of the same students and didn't want to bore them.  I went through all of the topics and sub topics and noticed the questions at the end.  I ended up making an assessment of the kids to fill out, completely anonymously!  Here is my questionnaire!!  

Rank each statement with a number, 1-5, with 1 being very unsure, and 5 being very sure.

I know how the Spirit speaks to me personally. 1 2 3 4 5

I know how to learn about my Father by using the scriptures. 1 2 3 4 5

I understand how to help others learn truths about Heavenly Father. 1 2 3 4 5

I recognize the Lord’s influence in my life. 1 2 3 4 5

I believe in God. 1 2 3 4 5

I am confident that I will serve a mission/marry in the temple. 1 2 3 4 5

I understand how to teach by the Spirit. 1 2 3 4 5

I understand the importance of the Plan of Salvation. 1 2 3 4 5

I see the symbolism of teaching the gospel in conjunction with the Plan of Salvation. 1 2 3 4 5

I feel I can influence others in Church settings to learn about the Gospel. 1 2 3 4 5

I believe I understand the doctrines of the Gospel enough to help others understand them  1 2 3 4 5

I can recognize the use of the Atonement in my life. 1 2 3 4 5

I know where to learn about the Atonement in the scriptures. 1 2 3 4 5

I know how to teach others about the Atonement. 1 2 3 4 5

I truly believe that I completely comprehend the Atonement. 1 2 3 4 5

I know the importance of teaching pure doctrine instead of opinions. 1 2 3 4 5

I think the Apostasy and the Restoration relates to me. 1 2 3 4 5

I understand the Apostasy and Restoration enough to teach others about it. 1 2 3 4 5

I feel I can really learn from the Latter-Day Prophet and Apostles. 1 2 3 4 5

I could use improvement in my scripture study. 1 2 3 4 5

Being reverent helps me receive revelation. 1 2 3 4 5

I understand the different, yet equal, roles between women and the Priesthood. 1 2 3 4 5

I can learn about the Priesthood from the scriptures. 1 2 3 4 5

I can effectively teach others about the Priesthood. 1 2 3 4 5

I know the difference between Ordinances and Covenants. 1 2 3 4 5

I can teach others the differences between Ordinances and Covenants. 1 2 3 4 5

I can effectively use the scriptures to learn about Ordinances and Covenants. 1 2 3 4 5

I need to prepare now to attend the Temple. 1 2 3 4 5

Partaking of the sacrament is meaningful to me. 1 2 3 4 5

I keep a journal. 1 2 3 4 5

Keeping a journal is important. 1 2 3 4 5

I know how to do family history. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important to know my family history. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important to keep the commandments. 1 2 3 4 5

I can help others understand my standards. 1 2 3 4 5

Modesty is important to me. 1 2 3 4 5

Keeping the commandments helps me learn more about the Gospel. 1 2 3 4 5

Heavenly Father blesses me when I keep the commandments. 1 2 3 4 5

I can use the scriptures to help me become more Christ-like. 1 2 3 4 5

I can inspire others to be more Christ-like. 1 2 3 4 5

I know how to be spiritually self-reliant. 1 2 3 4 5

Setting goals is important. 1 2 3 4 5

I need to prepare now to be financially self-reliant. 1 2 3 4 5

Service is important. 1 2 3 4 5

I understand the Second Coming and the signs of it. 1 2 3 4 5

I know how to learn about the Second Coming in the scriptures. 1 2 3 4 5

It is important for me to teach the Gospel to others. 1 2 3 4 5

One of the things I am really struggling to understand is…

You can best help me as a teacher by…

 This actually worked SO well!!!  A couple kids came up and talked to me about their open-ended questions, but most kept theirs anonymous and it has already been such a HUGE help for me in preparing my lessons!!!  

Feel free to use and enjoy!!!  

Since this took up the majority of the time, we had a simple handout for them. Which I found here.

Each class member was assigned a scripture.  We read them aloud.  Once each section was completed we discussed what we were those scriptures told us about the Godhead.  I was impressed with the amount of 

notes they each took in their journals!  So far~a hit!! 

Have a happy day~Kasey

 

 

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