Come Follow Me: Ephesians (September 30–October 13) Part one Preparing for General Conference

Edit: Thank you for being patience with me again!  The post has been updated :)

I did not forget about Come Follow Me lesson helps but I was unexpectedly busy today and late as usual getting this posted :)  Ephesians will be studied over the next two weeks and I'm going to be posting the lesson helps/ideas in pieces over the next week.  Tonight I have a couple of ideas to help you teach Ephesians 2:19–22; 4:11–16. "The Church is founded on apostles and prophets, and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone." (individual and family manual) I love that this goes perfect with preparing for General Conference next weekend.  Tomorrow I will share an additional idea that works for this topic or can be used as more of a countdown-it will be added to this post (edit it has now been added).  Then Tuesday or Wednesday I'll be sharing some fun General Conference activities.  If you have any requests for me to make please let me know and I'll try and accommodate :)  Then Friday or Saturday I'll post lesson helps for the rest of Ephesians for you to use the following week.  

For Family Night we are going to talk about the importance of having a living prophet.  I found this article on churchofjesuschrist.org. I plan to share these quotes from President Uchtdorf and then the video clip on that page as well. I also included a journal page.  Older kids can share their testimony of the prophet, maybe thoughts on a favorite talk or any thing they want.  Younger kids may like to draw a picture of President Nelson or of something he has asked us to do.

We are also going to talk about way we can prepare for general conference.  I used this article as a reference. There are actually 11 ideas on the page but I narrowed it down 6 and hopefully picked ways your kids can participate as well.  This can be done as a family or individually.  

Before the lesson cut out the cup and hot chocolate pieces.  As a family start with number 1 and build the hot chocolate cup.  There is a page of quotes that go with this that you can also use.  You can finish your lesson with a delicious cup of cocoa OR use the checklist page turn this in to a week long activity.  The idea is to do each of these steps during the week and as the step is completed you will earn something to help them make a yummy treat to enjoy during General Conference.  In this case hot chocolate (I was going to do ice cream sundaes but it is freezing here so I switched it).  Print of the checklist and as the task is done circle the item you get to enjoy.  During conference have your hot cocoa bar set up and let your family members make their treat based on their preparation.  For example if you "dedicated yourself to truly listening" then you will get a cup or a mug or if you you prpared your home and cleared your schedule then you get whip cream.  The last one is a candy cane but you can use any topping-maybe sprinkles! Explain that General Conference will only be as special and meaningful if we prepare ourselves to listen to the messages and act on the prompting we receive.  If we put little effort into it we will receive little just like with our hot chocolate if we only add an ingredient or two our hot chocolate their won't be much to it.

I'm not sure if my explanation made much sense so please don't hesitate to ask any questions!  I will be including some fun printables and activities to go along with this theme in the Conference pack.

To help with studying past talks I included this activity.  This is another one that can be used in one night or spread through out the week.  Print the leaves and the quotes (glue or tape the matching cards back to back).  I plan to pick 1-3 a day and read the quote.  This will be in place of our normal scripture study.  If you would like to use these to learn more about the apostles and prophet you can find some fun fact cards in the fishing post linked below.  You can hide the leaves around the house and have your family collect them, maybe add paper clips and a magnetic fishing pole to gather the leaves, or you can keep it simple and place them in a bowl.  I did include a basket that you can cut, fold, and tape the sides.  This would be a fun way to store and save your leaves.  I also included some planning sheets.  I like to use these with my kids and let them plan an fhe.  I know some of you do mini devotionals so I added that option and I added a page for personal study.  Use what works for you. 

That's everything for now :)  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.  Also quickly send in any requests for activities!  See you soon.

Download the printables here! 

additional ideas here

and here

Science Camp Activity Days

This was a really fun activity we did for activity days but it also works for any type of science camp or fun family or class activity.  It covers the requirements on education.  I will admit this one did take a little bit of set up time but it was so much fun.  Here's my quick outline and on the bottom my two outdoor experiments we did.  

The coloring pages I used can be found here. The video clip can be found here.  The handout is included in the download at the end of this post.

I had all of the science centers set up in the kitchen.  We had 4 stations.  Each station had the supplies and a cute card like this with the instruction.  (Included in the download-print, cut the cards apart, and fold in half).  This worked really well so the girls could do the experiment more independently and not wait on me to explain each one.  Also they worked in groups of two or three and this was much better then trying to do all of them together.  We had three groups and they rotated to the next station as they finished.

We made applesauce slime

erupting lemons

skittles experiment

colorful baking soda

Outside as a group we made exploding bags

 and the famous diet coke and mentos experiment.  I did buy this to make it easier.

Download the schedule, experiment cards, and handout here

23 Easy and Healthy on the Go meals

I have a great resource to share with you today! Its something I wish I had this summer when we went on our long 10 hour road trip.  I was going to just save it for our holiday travels but as I was scrolling through the list I realized it is also perfect for our busy sports days, school lunch boxes, and quick lunch and snack ideas for my kids.  CarRentals created an amazing list of 23 healthy road trip meals that will save you time, money, waste, and your health!

I have pretty picky eaters and there are several options that my kids would love and they are easy enough that they can make them!  This is perfect for after school snacks.  One of my favorite ideas is the necklace snack.  I'm going to be using it for this adorable 1 year old to keep her entertained during her brother and sister's soccer games.  Its probably a little bit healthier then this snack I caught her with the other day :)

So whether you are on the road trip you have been dreaming about or running from one practice to the next these snack and meal ideas will help save you money and time. Check out the full 23 recipes here and see below for helpful packing tips.

Come Follow Me: Galatians (September 23-29)

Thank you for all of the well wishes this week.  I am feeling much better and as usually running behind!  This week we are covering Galatians.  I have some fun idea that will work for your family or primary class.  You can find all of the free printables in a free download at the end of this post.  

Galatians 5:22–23: The Fruit of the Spirit. 

The primary manual has a lot of idea for teaching about the fruit of the Spirit and I created some activities that are a combination of these ideas.  I loved this first idea "Display or show pictures of several kinds of fruit, and ask the children to describe how each fruit tastes. Explain that just as fruits have different flavors, we can feel the Holy Ghost in different ways, such as love and peace. Ask them to describe how the Holy Ghost feels to them." As I read this idea I thought it would be so fun to do a taste test of some fruit or make a fruit salad.  I was happy to see the fruit salad idea was in the Individual and Family manual!

Here is a fun way to discuss these verses.  There is a page of fruit and a tree.  cut out the fruit and tape or velcro the fruit to the tree.  Let your kids take turns pulling off the fruit and discuss the meaning of the word and maybe share a time you felt that "fruit."

If you have older kids you can have them look up or help you define some of the words and use one of the pages below to write about it.  However if you have little kids or want to skip that step I have you covered with these adorable posters.  The definitions are all from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org from various talks and the bible dictionary.

Update: I just added an option with all  9 of these cute posters on one page.  I printed two on cardstock and used them as a match game.  My family loved it!

Update: I just added a single page with the definitions for those that do not want to print out all of the posters.

The next two activities are similar.  The first is a mini book or you can use just one of the half pages if you want to focus on just one of the fruits.  They can draw or write about a time they experienced that fruit of the spirit. 

These pages can be used the same way but they would draw or write inside the fruit.  For older kids this would be a fun way to have them learn more about each of the fruits by having them write a definition or what they learn about their assigned fruit.  It would be great to have the write about an experience as well.

Galatians 6:7–9: Our actions, both good and bad, have consequences.

This next idea goes with an activity from the primary manual.  Show the kids the pack of pumpkins seeds.  Pull out the seed and explain when you plant the seed it will grow into a...(pull out the pineapple) and say pineapple! They will tell you no and ask them why this is impossible.  What will it grow into?  Then show them the pumpkin.  "How is making wrong choices and experiencing positive consequences just as impossible?"

*Before your lesson-cut out all of the pieces.  There is a box connected to the seed pack.  Do not cut these apart!  Cut around the seeds packet and box then fold in half.  Tape the long edges to create a seed pack to hold your seed.

From the primary manual "Invite the children to list some of the blessings they hope to receive from Heavenly Father. Help them think of the “seeds” they must sow in order to “reap” these blessings."  For this idea they are going to make their own seed packet.  Cut the Seed packet out like above and then fold in half and tape the sides.  Cut out the seeds.  The seed packet in the download is blank. Have them think of a blessing or blessings and write it down.  Then on the seeds write choices they can make to help them receive that blessing (or blessings).  They can store their seeds in the packet.

Seed Match game.  This goes along with the idea of sowing and reaping or choices and consequences.  Print the two pages on cardstock and cut apart.

Again this idea goes right along with the primary manual.  You are going to make a line down the middle of the room.  Have the kids stand on the line.  On one side place the happy face and on the other side place the sad face.  Read a scenario and if its a happy choice they move to the happy side a sad choice they move to the sad side.    Once they move to the correct side discuss the consequences of that choice.  Have everyone go back to the center.and read another card.  Continue for as long as you would like.

Galatians 3:11

Galatians 6:2

Jesus Christ wants me to help those in need.

We are going to build a bear for this activity.  First read the scripture and talk about what it means to "Bear ye one another's burdens." What are some burdens that others may have and how can you help?  You will have two pages to print per person.  They are going to cut out the bears body, head, arms, and legs.  On the arms and legs write or draw one way they can help someone in need.  They can now color and glue the cute bear together.  The arms and legs are tucked behind the body and the head goes on top.

That is all for this week!  I hope you find something that works for your family or class :)  As always if you have any questions or trouble with the download please let me know.

Download Here

2 Corinthians 9 Free Printable

I had a request to make a printable to go with 2 Corinthians 9:7.  I love this scripture and was happy to make it.  I decided to post them as is so you can print and adjust the size as needed.  If you need help I can turn it into a pdf document just let me know :) I love printing these out to display in my home-on the fridge, framed, on the mirror, etc.  Sometimes I leave them out just for the week other times I frame them and they become part of our decor for a while.  This are also great to print and give to your ministering sisters.

To Print:

Click on the picture.  Right click to save to your computer.

Print at home or send it to your favorite place to print pictures.

If printing at home I like to insert the picture in a word document.  Size and print 3 or 4 to a page depending on how many you need.  

These are formatted to fit a letter size page but can easily be resized to fit your needs.

Fonts used with permission by Kimberly Geswein Fonts

  

Come Follow Me: 2 Corinthians 8-13 (September 16-22)

Hello and sorry for the late post!  I have some really fun and as always free lesson helps for next weeks Come Follow Me lesson.  We are covering 2 Corinthians 8-13.  These ideas are perfect for families or primary classes.  I'm going to keep it brief tonight and will edit and add the cover picture tomorrow.  A stomach bug hit and I'm just running really slow right now.  Please forgive me if half of this doesn't make sense :)  

I loved the intro in the individual and family manual  and most of my activities go along with the idea of helping those in need.

"What would you do if you heard that a congregation of Saints in another area was struggling in poverty? This was the situation that Paul described to the Corinthian Saints in 2 Corinthians 8–9. He hoped to persuade the Corinthian Saints to donate some of their abundance to Saints in need. But beyond a request for donations, Paul’s words also contain profound truths about giving: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). In our day, there are still Saints throughout the world who are in need of help. Sometimes the most we can do for them is to fast and donate fast offerings. In other cases, our giving can be more direct and personal. Whatever forms our sacrifices take, it’s worth examining our motivations for giving. Are our sacrifices expressions of love? After all, it’s love that makes a giver cheerful."

This week I want to focus on teaching my children about ways they can help and serve others who are in need of help.

First we are going to talk about the importance of a fast and fast offering. I can't remember the talk I was reading but it said that something like even if our children are young we should still teach them about fasting so that when the time comes for them to fast they have the testimony to do so. First I found this cute story in one of the primary manual.  It is a fun way to teach how fasting can help those in need. I included story cards that you can use as you tell the story.  After play the fill the candy bag game.  Print the empty bag page and the question cards.  You can use the printable candy in the download or use pom poms, candy.  When using pom poms I like to let the kids use tongs to pick up the pom poms and transfer them to the bag.  Have a child pick a card and answer the question.  Then add one "candy" to the bag. EDIT: When playing this game I had the kids roll a dice and add that many pieces of candy to the bag.  It would be fun to make a treat together and deliver it to a neighbor.

I found this cute story here and her idea inspired this idea :)  Again this goes along with how teaching about fast offerings and how it blesses those in need.  Sometimes I think it may be difficult for children to comprehend how it helps others for them to go with out eating for a day.  So to illustrate this point we are going to go shopping in our house.  Print and give them the grocery list.  Have them shop the kitchen (or if you prefer play food) to find the items on the list.  Check off each item and put it in a bag-I tried to keep it generic but if there is an item you do not have cross it off before you have them shop.  Explain that this is the food we would have eaten during our fast.  When we give a fast offering its like we are giving this bag of food to someone who needs it.  We don't take the actual bag of food to the family (often we don't know who needs it) instead we give the amount of money we would have spent on the food to the bishop and he gives the money to a family that needs it.
*If you don't want your kids raiding your kitchen I did include printable food.  The food has the question on them from the activity above.  There is also a printable bag that you can cut the top out and then they can put the food in the bag.
*Another idea if you want to add the food into a wagon like the story you can use Little LDS Idea's printables.  She has a super cute wagon and food ready for you to print!

 While some people are in need of financial help others need a hug, a conversation, their yard raked, a babysitter, a friend, etc.  Kids aren't always in a position to give money but they can give and help in so many ways.  Help them brainstorm some ideas.  This would also be a good time to talk about specific people that may need help and how they can help.  Cut out some hearts (I did include a printable but I always find it easier to just free hand them :) and print out a wagon for each person.   They can color their wagon and on the hearts write ways they can give. If possible plan as a family a way you can help someone in need then carry out that plan.

All of this goes right along with the topic of ministering.  It even mentions it a couple of times in these verses.  I love this quote (found here)"Ministering is learning of and attending to others’ needs. It is doing the Lord’s work. When we minister, we are representing Jesus Christ and acting as His agents to watch over, lift, and strengthen those around us."   Isn't that what we are teaching our kids to do?  Love and Serve others.  There are some awesome videos and quotes here  that I plan to share with my family.  

2 Corinthians 9:7 We learn that we should serve others cheerfully.  I loved the idea in the primary manual that suggests we sing the song When we're Helping and change the emotion each time you sing it.  So when you pick the happy card you are going to sing the song happy, silly sing silly, etc.  Remind them that Heavenly Father wants us to serve cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 "Explain that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a trial, such as a physical weakness. Even though Paul asked God to remove the trial, God did not. Instead, God taught Paul that challenges can help us learn to be humble and trust Him. Then God can make us strong." (primary Manual) Use the "blessing and thorn" page to discuss some of the trials people may experience.  Write their ideas by the thorns.  Then discuss some of the blessing that come from trials and write their ideas on the petals.  I also included a journal page where they can share some of their own thoughts or experiences on this subject.

That's all for this week :) I hope there is something that will work for your family or class.  Like I mentioned above I'll be back hopefully tomorrow to edit this post a little and add some more black and white options in the download.  I know many of you have asked for that option. I did include some but have a few more to add.   If you have any questions or trouble with the download please don't hesitate to ask.  I know I rambled quite a bit this week and I'm pretty sure some of it doesn't make any sense.  Thank you all for being amazing and sticking with me even when I'm running late and sometime sound a little crazy :)  

Download FREE Printables Here

Come Follow Me: 2 Corinthians 1-7 (September 9-15)

The weeks are flying by and I can't believe fall is just around the corner.  Looking at the activities I planned for the week it looks like I must be ready for a new season :)  This week for Come Follow Me we are covering 2 Corinthians 1-7. I pulled a couple of topics from the Individual and Family and the primary manual.

I can forgive others (2 Corinthians 2:7–8, 10) This was a cute story from last years primary manual.  I included some cute puppets to you to use as you tell the story.  Cut around the box and add a craft stick.  

To follow up with the story we are going to play a roll and cover game.  You can play as a group or print one per person.  The idea is to roll a dice.  If you land on the number 6 ask question number 6 from the review question page.  If they answer correctly they get to cover the leaf with the number 6 on it.  The next person will roll.  If the number is already covered move to the next person.  If its not covered then ask the question that goes with that number.  To cover the leaves you can use pompoms, candy, glass gems, etc.

You can find additional activities on forgiveness here.

I believe in being honest. (2 Corinthians 4:1–2) 

I included some bracelets for the kids to decorate.  Print, cut, and tape around the kids wrist after they color it. (idea from primary manual)

This is one of my favorite stories to use to teach about honesty.  I've shared this before but but added the story and recipe page in the download.  Print and cut the story cards apart and show while you read or summarize the story.  I found it here. The applesauce cookie recipe is one my mom made when we were young. They are delicious and perfect for fall!

This game is probably my favorite I've ever done and probably my kids favorite too. Game: We are using this fun "Pinocchio" inspired game to learn a little more about honestly.  This game was included in this primary lesson post (lots of honesty activities included) .  My class had so much fun that I wanted to use it with my kids.

 Print the 2 board games (the girl and boy) and situation cards. Cut the cards mix them up. I'm going to toss them in a brown paper bag.  You will also need blocks, legos, or something you can stack.
Briefly tell the story of Pinocchio and that when he told a lie his nose would grow.  Divide into two groups and give one board to each team.  Take turns drawing a card.  Read the situation.  If the child was dishonest add a block where the nose would be.  If the child was honest take a block away.  Keep going until either a certain number of questions have been asked, a set time period, or you run out of blocks haha.  The team with the smallest nose wins!

My trials can be a blessing. (2 Corinthians 1:3–7; 4:6–10, 17–18; 7:4–7) As I was reading this it reminded me of when Joseph Smith was in Liberty jail. I love the scriptures D&C 121:7-8 and 122:7.  As I was studying for this week I also found this talk that I really liked and went well with this topic. 

This can be a little tricky for young ones to understand.  It reminded me of a baby bird hatching and how that struggle helps them survive.  Start by explaining this process (more help on this in the download).  Discuss some hard things they have had to do and how it has helped them.  Then play this cute baby bird matching game.  You will match the baby bird color to the same color of egg.  If you want you can save your discussion for the game and as they find a match they can share something hard they have done or do and how it blesses them.

This quote from Elder Holland came to my mind this week and its one of my favorites.  I included a printable and there is a video that goes along with the talk.  I love any time I can hear and have my children hear the voice of the prophet and apostles.  There is a special spirit that comes as we listen to them speak.  You can find the video here. 

"he is a new creature" 2 Corinthians 5:17  I love this scripture and I love the suggestion in the individual and family manual  "Can your family think of—or find—examples in nature of things that go through remarkable transformations and become new creatures? What do these examples teach us about how the gospel of Jesus Christ can change us?"  To help you out I included some fun puzzles for you and your family to complete.  Print and cut the puzzles.  (I recommend cardstock) mix them up and see if you can find the correct transformation.  If there is a need for black and white let me know or if you want the names of the stages written on the puzzles please let me know :) 

That is all for this week.  As always I hope there is something that will work for your family or primary class.  Also thank you for being patient with me as I posted these ideas a little later then usual.  You all are the best!  If you have any questions or trouble with the download let me know!

Download your Free Printables Here

I just wanted to pop in and let you know I'm just about done with next week's Come Follow Me post.  I'll have it up later tonight :)  I had some unexpected mothering duties this week. Lets just say it was a hard week but things are looking up.  And since every post should have a picture here's a little cutie to make you smile :)

 

See you in a little bit!