Come Follow Me: Luke 2, Matthew 2 (January 14-20)

How's your week going?  I'd love to hear what you are doing, what's working for your family or your personal study, or any thoughts you've had while studying.  I've enjoyed the lesson on Elisabeth and Mary as well as this one.  It seems like we often study these during December and with all the Christmas prep and activities the message and some of these stories sometimes gets lost in the extra fluff of Christmas.  It was so nice to go back and really study these chapters.

Here are some fun lesson helps for January 14-20,  Luke 2, Matthew 2.  I studied and used the manuals for Families and individuals, primary, and I even took a little bit from the one for Sunday School to plan and create these activities.  These helps can be used for family study, primary, and there are even a few things that work for individual study.  These were created with my family and primary class in mind but hopefully there are some things that will work for you.  With all of these lessons I try to get to as much as I can but I always seem to over plan and we often don't get to everything.

Under Ideas for Family Scripture study and FHE (I&F) the first activity suggests selecting a person in Luke 2, read a few verses about that person's interaction with the Savior and share something that they learned that increases their faith in Jesus.  I created 4 different cards that can be used...I did include the wise men even though they are not in Luke 2.  If using these as a family I thought it would be fun to divide into groups and have each group take a person or two.  In your group read the scripture passage and discuss. Use the cards to take some notes. After a few minutes share what you learned, any thoughts, or favorite scriptures that you just read.  This can also be used for individual study or use them together during family scripture study to take notes.

 Nativity Match game and Find the Star game: Print two of the match game on cardstock. It would be a fun way to review the different scripture stories.   Find the star-Have one person step out of the room.  Hide the star somewhere in the room.  Play hot and cold to help them find the star.

I'm going to show this movie clip called "Wise men still seek him"

Here are two activities that go along with this clip.  The first is a crown. Decorate the star by drawing or writing a way you can "seek him" or you've probably heard of giving a gift to Jesus, its the same idea :)  Once its finished help them glue or tape it to their crown.  For the Coloring page-same idea but draw or write your gift inside the present.

UPDATE: For FHE I read the long quote below and then we used this board game to discuss ways we could make room in our heart for Christ.  It seemed to go well :)

Seek Christ Board Game:  Take turns rolling the dice (one is included if you need it).  Move the number of spaces the dice landed on and then share one way you can "seek" Christ.  Be ready to help them with ideas until they get the hang of it...a few ideas are reading our scriptures, going to church, family prayer, helping our mom with dishes, reading a book to our brother, etc. another option would be to ask questions from the lesson, or give them scenarios and ask if this is a way to seek Christ.  There are scenario cards in some of my other lessons- here and here if you need some.    *For game board pieces buttons, candy, pieces from other games work :)  I wanted to focus on us seeking Christ not so much the wise men seeking Christ so in this download I've included the board with the little girl.  If you would like the other board you can find it in this post.

This one was a last second idea and I'm so excited about it!  We are going to talk a little about what they think Jesus was like as a child.  Then read Luke 2:52.  I'm going to have 4 station set up.  The number circles are your labels for each station.  We are going to move to each one and do an activity that goes along with "growing in _____."  The purpose of this is to explain that Jesus was once little too and and just like Jesus we  can grow in these different areas and become more like him!

You can pick your own activities but I've included a few ideas and printables for you:

1. Wisdom (intellectually): Any type of learning activity or challenge. We are going to play a game my husband created that we call "1 step, 2 step" it's a trivia game and my kids love it!  Here's how you play.  Everyone lines up at one end of the room, the question person (usually a parent) on the opposite side.  Ask the first person a question-(we usually do church related but sometimes academic...it doesn't really matter. These are made up on the spot and fit each players knowledge level).  The player then has a chance to answer.  If they answer quickly with no help they get to take 2 steps towards the question person.  If it takes a little longer, need a hint or help but still get the question right they get to take one step.  If they answer incorrectly they do not get to take any steps.  Continue taking turns answering questions until someone get to the question person (think red light green light).

2. Stature (physically): We are going to use the exercise dice included.  To make print (preferably on cardstock), cut along the solid lines, fold on the dotted lines.  I tape mine together.  Roll the dice and do 10 of each activity.  You decide how many time you want to roll.

3. favor with God (spiritually): have each person share their favorite scripture story.  Another idea would be to read a few scriptures for the lesson-maybe Jesus in the temple :).

4. favor with others (socially):  Create Valentines or Coupons for family members or friends.  I included some super hero coupon cards in the download.

Update: If you have older kids there is a great article this month in the New Era on growing in these 4 areas.

I found this quote in the Sunday School manual and really wanted a copy for myself.  Its included in the download.  Here's a cute song and video for kids to go with quote (found here)

For Primary I think any of these ideas would work.  I like to make sure we go over the scripture stories and then play one of the games or do a coloring page (the crowns would be fun!)

Download your free Lesson Helps Here!

Adorable graphics from Melonheadz, Whimsy Clips, Krista Wallden - Creative Clips,  The Kinderhearted Classroom, DSart, P4 Clips Trioriginals,  Mather's Music, Chirp Graphics     and Fonts by Hello Literacy