I should read, listen to, and look at things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father: 2nd Week Sharing Time Idea for August 2012

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE (seeing an object lesson): Show the children a bowl filled with fruit and a bowl filled with dirt.  Ask the children which would be good to eat and why.  Explain that Heavenly Father wants us to fill our minds with things that are good for us rather than things that are harmful.  Invite them to say, "I should read, listen to, and look at things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father," doing simple hand actions for read, listen to, and look at.

ENCOUARGE UNDERSTANDING (discussing the doctrine): Tell the children that if we make choices that are not pleasing to Heavenly Father we could lose something very important.  Ask them to listen for what that important thing is as you read the first paragraph under "Entertainment and the Media" from The Strength of Youth (see also "My Gospel Standards").

Ask the children if they heard what we lose if we make wrong choices (the Spirit).  Divide the children into three groups and have them take turns visiting three stations: "Reading," "Listening," and "Looking."  At each station invite the children to read, listen to, or look at something that is pleasing to Heavenly Father.  Discuss how they feel when they read, listen to, or look at things that are pleasing to God.

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

I saw this object lesson from a previous Friend and loved it. This would be a great way to begin your lesson or with the other object lesson from the outline.

 Show the children a brown paper bag (with the scriptures inside) and a beautifully wrapped gift box (with garbage inside). Ask which they would choose, then let them open the packages. Discuss why they chose as they did. Explain that movies, books, and television programs could be compared to the packages: Sometimes bad things are made to look very attractive. Ask: “What kinds of garbage might be found in these kinds of entertainment?” Have the children turn to Moro. 7:12–19. Read these verses together, and discuss the standard for judgment that Moroni gives us.”

(“The Friend” Sharing Time: Warp and Weft; August 2000)

Sharing Time Activity Idea

Filling our Minds with Good

For FHE this week, we discussed this topic. I thought you could use this idea and change it up a little. Here is what we did:

I had a large bowl with a picture of a face on the front. We discussed with the kiddos why we should be careful what we watch, listen to, and read. I had the large bowl filled with water. I told them that this person’s mind is clean because she has been reading, watching, and listening to good things.

Then I shared a few scenarios where the person may have watched something bad, or played a violent video game, etc. As I read each scenario I let my kids add a drop of food coloring.

After we shared a few scenarios we looked at the water again. I asked them if this person’s mind was still clean.

My husband then added that if we fill our minds with garbage how will it come out? Through our mouths. J You could even say our actions too.

We then added some bleach (scriptures, church music, etc.) and told them as we listened, watched, and read good things our minds could become clean again.

But here's another idea I had for Sharing Time that you could do that goes along with our FHE lesson.

You will need:

A glass bowl

A picture of a child’s face (you can use the links from last week)

Cotton Balls

Some kind of dark object: cotton balls that have been colored black, black marbles, etc.

Scenario cards

Today the children will be ‘filling’ their minds with good.

Attach the picture of the child’s face to the front of the bowl. Now you can give your little ‘bowl child’ a name: Bobby Bowl.

Have your scenario cards in a bowl or hidden around the primary room. The children will pick a scenario card and then read what it says aloud. If the scenario is something good they will add cotton balls to the bowl. These represent things that they read, listen and look at that are pleasing to God.

If the scenario card is bad, they will add a ‘bad object’.

I thought on the good scenario cards you could have something like this:

 You listened to your Primary music instead

of the radio. You ‘filled’ your mind with good

music that is pleasing to God.

{Add a cotton ball and remove 2 bad thoughts}

As the children read the good scenario cards they will slowly remove the bad ones. You could tell the children as we listen, read, and look at things that are pleasing to God we can remove all those bad things that have filled our minds.

I just typed up some scenario cards really quick. You can use mine and add some of your own.

Click here to view and print my scenario cards.

Another Idea

I saw this idea in the 'Friend'. It's a hot potato game, and I thought Jr. Primary would probably like this game.

Have everyone sit in a circle. In the middle of the circle have 2 buckets. Have one bucket labeled 'I will read, listen to, and look at things that are pleasing to God' (or something like that). Then label the other bucket 'Trash' or something else that describes it as bad.

Have some items, pictures or scenario cards for the children to look at.

Begin by having the pianist play "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus". Have the children pass around a bean bag. When the music stops have the child holding the bag pick a card. If it's an item or picture have them look at it and decide if it's something that would be pleasing to God. If it is have them add something the the bucket. If it's bad have them add something to the 'Trash'. 

Ideas that others are sharing

I also saw another great idea from Hatch Patch Creations that would be great for Sharing Time. I thought this one would be great for Sr. Primary.

Take a look here!

You could use any of these ideas for a great Sharing Time or combine a couple of them to create your own.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone & a great Sharing Time!