I Show Love for Jesus Christ When

When I Keep the Commandments

1st & 2nd Week Sharing Time Idea for September 2010
From: Little LDS Ideas

Use this to introduce the theme. This is from the ‘Friend,’ June 1999:
“Jesus Christ loves little children. When He lived on the earth, He blessed them. He healed them. He wanted
them to come to Him. When He prayed for the Nephite children, the angels of heaven came down and
surrounded them (see 3 Ne. 17).” You could show the Gospel Art Kit picture of Christ blessing the Nephite
Children when talking to the children. When someone loves us that much, we want to love that person right
back. How can we show the Lord that we love Him? Tell the children that there is a scripture that tells us this
answer. This scripture is in the New Testament, it is John 14:15.
Ask for 2 children to come up and help you. Give each of the 2 children one of the scripture signs. Read the first
sign ‘If ye love me,…’. Have the children repeat that. Then have the second child hold up his/her sign and read
it to the children, ‘Keep my commandments.’ Have the children repeat that. Have everyone stand up and repeat
it a few times. Have the children hold their sign up really high, when you say there part. Come up with a new
way to repeat the scripture each time. You could have them plug their noses, pull on their ears (elephant ears),
close their eyes, stand on one foot, etc.
Then discuss the scripture with the children. You could ask them: ‘Who do you think is talking in this
scripture?’ ‘What must we do to show Jesus we love him?’ etc. Keeping the commandments helps us be happy
and grow closer to Him.
Tell the children that we have been given commandments and we have been asked to obey these
commandments. When we obey these commandments we show our love for Jesus Christ and in return we will
be blessed. Tell them that today we are going to talk about some of the commandments we are asked to live by.
I have included some games that you can play to help the children learn the commandments/Standards we are
asked to live by.

Bean Bag Match Toss: (This would be good for Jr. Primary)
Make a list of some of the 10 Commandments and ‘My Gospel Standards’ and number each one (15-20
commandments/Standards). On square pieces of paper (I would make them at 5”X5”) write the numbers 1-15 twice (or
however many Commandments you have listed). You should have 2 sets of paper numbered 1-15.
For Sharing Time: Display the list of Commandments/Standards somewhere everyone is able to see it. Scatter the
numbered pieces of paper on the floor. Take turns choosing a child to come to the front and toss a bean bag onto one of
the pieces of paper. Flip the piece of paper over and then have the child toss the bean bag again and try to find the match.
If they make a match, have them find that number on the list of Commandments/Gospel Standards. Read the
commandment aloud and then have the child show or tell a way that we can follow that commandment. Remove the 2
pieces of paper once you have found the match. Then choose another child to come up and toss the beanbag.
-You could have 2 children come up. One could toss the first bean bag and then the second child could toss the other.
(This idea came from the June 2006, Friend)

Fishing: (This would be good for Jr. Primary)

Before primary, type up different scenarios that have to do with obeying the commandments/gospel standards (I
have included some below that you can print out). Attach a paper clip to each piece of paper/scenario or attach
something magnetic. Get a small fishing pole and attach a small magnet to the end of the fishing line. You could
also display the Ten Commandments and also ‘My Gospel Standards’. You will also need 2 baskets. One with a
picture of Jesus Christ and/or a smiley face that says, “I show love for Jesus Christ when I keep the
commandments”. On the other basket have a picture of a Frowny Face and have a sign that says ‘I didn’t keep
the commandments’ or something similar.
For Sharing Time:: Scatter the pieces of paper/scenarios on the floor. Place the 2 baskets on the floor or on a
table where everyone is able to see them. Take turns inviting a child to come up and fish. Once the child has
‘caught’ a piece of paper read it to the child. Ask him/her which basket it should go in, the Happy face or the
frowny face and have them place the piece of paper in the correct basket. If they chose one that is an example of
not obeying a commandment, you could have them share what they could do instead.
Commandment Scavenger Hunt: (This idea came from the June 1999, Friend)
(This would work great for Sr. Primary)
Post the following scripture references (but not the words in parentheses) on a chalkboard or bulletin board:
Alma 13:28–29 (pray);
D&C 1:37 (study scriptures);
Ex. 20:8–11 (keep the Sabbath holy);
D&C 59:9–12 (attend church and take the sacrament);
D&C 119:4 (pay tithing).
Also prepare these objects:
a picture of a child praying, a book of scripture, a calendar with Sabbath days circled, a picture of a
meetinghouse and a sacrament cup, a tithing envelope.
Ask a child to choose a scripture reference. Have all the children look up the scripture. Ask which
commandment it is talking about, what we should be doing about it, how often we should do it, etc. Have the
child choose the object/picture matching the scripture and place it next to the scripture reference. Repeat the
activity until all the commandments are “collected.” Remove the objects, rearrange the references, and see if
anyone can replace the objects correctly. Ask: “Is it always easy to keep the commandments?” Talk about the
need to be strong when we are in difficult situations. Tell, or have a child tell, the story of Nephi going to get
the brass plates (see 1 Ne. 3–4), emphasizing that the Lord provides a way to keep His commandments (see 1
Ne. 3:7). Nephi had experience in keeping the commandments long before he went for the plates. As we keep
the commandments, our faith in the Lord grows and we strengthen our ability to choose the right. Sing “Nephi’s
Courage” (CS, pp. 120–121).
Commandment Match: (This would work great for Sr. Primary)
Before Primary type up some commandments/gospel standards on pieces of paper. Make 2 copies of each
commandment that you choose.
For Sharing Time: Have everyone sit on the floor in a circle. Pass out each slip of paper to each person, but tell
them not to show anyone their commandment/standard. Take turns choosing someone to give a clue about their
commandment. Here’s an example: Commandment- Keep the Sabbath Day Holy; Clue: I go to church every
Sunday. Once the clue has been given everyone in the circle has to decide which commandment that is and if
they have the matching commandment. Have the child raise their hand if they think they have the matching
commandment.
Another way of playing this game: Choose a child to give a clue about their commandment. Instead of giving
a clue that has to do with obeying that commandment, they could give a clue that has to do with disobeying.
Example: Keep the Sabbath Day Holy; Clue: I decided to go to the movies instead of going to Church. Then
whoever has the matching commandment will raise their hand and then share a way that they can obey that
commandment.
At the end of you Sharing Time, remind the children the importance of obeying the commandments and that
when we obey them we are showing our love for Jesus Christ. Bear your Testimony.
 You spent the You’re playing
night at a friend’s at a friend’s house.
house. For He turns on the T.V.
breakfast she asks and starts watching
if you want coffee. a show that you’re
You tell her that parents have told
you don’t drink you not to watch.
coffee, but you You decide not to
would love some say anything and
Milk. watch it.

You hear your

friends saying
You read your bad words.
scriptures Instead of saying
every night. them, you ask
your friends to
please not say
those words.

You have a
soccer game
coming up, but
it’s on a Sunday. You talk bad
you decide to about
play in the someone.
Game and miss
church.

Your Friend asks

if she can copy
your answers. You.
You tell her You love and
‘Sorry, that’s serve others.
Cheating. I don’t
think we should
do that.’
 You’re at the
grocery store
and see some You obey the
candy. You put it word
in your pocket
of Wisdom.
and leave
without paying
for it.

You show
You say your
envy, Greed or
prayers. jealousy.

You bring a You take the

friend to lord’s name in
church. vain.

You honor You remind

your Father your family
and your to say family
Mother. Prayer.
 You
borrowed a
You spend your
book and
tithing money
didn’t on a new toy.
return it.

You went You went

to see a to Church
movie with and partook
Your friend of the
on Sunday. sacrament.

Your Mother
You wore asked if you
broke her lamp.
clothes that You didn’t want
weren’t very to get in
modest. trouble so you
told her your
sister did it.