I remember a lesson similar to this from when I was little and it must have stuck because it was probably 15 years ago that I was taught it and this is what stuck out when I was going through the outline for this week.
It was about how when we take the steps of repentance we can take out the "rocks" of our lives and become better. Jesus Christ, through the Atonement, has given us the gift of being able to be forgiven of the rocks in our lives when we repent.
I love how the outline brought in the scripture about Alma the Younger, perfect example! I wanted to be able to use some visuals though so these are from the Alma the Younger story cutouts (this isn't all of them),
you can purchase them for just $1.60 (below printouts). It includes Alma when he's wicked, laying down and then when he has repented and an angel to visit him. These are about the size of a computer paper so all the kids can see them.
NOTE: If you purchase the cutouts, the free lesson plan below (including the shoe page) is included for your convenience.
THIS IS INCLUDED IN THE DOWNLOAD BELOW:
Materials Needed:
-small river rocks/pebbles for the kids (you can find them at the dollar store) they look like this:
-Printouts for board
-Picture of Garden of Gethsemane
Lesson (Included in download of printouts):
Begin by handing out the rocks and have the kids put them into their sock/shoe. Ask, "what is the Atonement?" (you can also write their answers on the board)
(Hold up picture) After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, there He left the disciples and prayed and went through great pains as He suffered every temptation, every pain, every sickness and every sin that anyone on Earth, had been on Earth, or would be on Earth would go through. He did this because He loves us and helps us through those things and He wants us to return to live with Him and Heavenly Father.
The Atonement accomplished two things, first everyone would be resurrected, second; those who would repent of their sins will be forgiven.
The Atonement was accomplished by Jesus because He was perfect and could suffer. It was an act that
we couldn't do for ourselves.
(Share story from President Hinckley)
Put up the printout shoe and have a few kids come up and walk around with the rocks in their shoes and ask how that feels? Is it uncomfortable? Can you walk a long time with that in your shoe?
The pebble in your shoe is a sin. How is repenting and being forgiven like taking the rock out of your shoe?
As we sin and make mistakes (which we all will), we have this uncomfortable thing come into our lives that we know isn't right and if we continue to make the same bad choices we can lose the promptings and help from the Holy Ghost. But when we take out the rock and repent, we are doing the things that Heavenly Father wants us to do and will be blessed and forgiven.
How do we repent? (Go through the "rocks" and discuss any that you feel necessary or if kids have questions).
Thank you so much for stopping by, for the pins and repins, for the comments, for the purchasing on Etsy. This blog has helped me find who I am, my family and my talents.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me latterdaychatter@hotmail.com
Please note that included in the download are two files. The single jpeg is an ENGINEER PRINT for the board (these can be printed at Staples for about $2). The pdf file contains the at home printer material. For this lesson, you will need to create scenarios for the dirt clods to discuss mistakes that we make which are cause for repentance. (Lesson included in the pdf file) These could range from cheating at school, stealing from the gas station, lying about doing chores, etc I've included a single printout of the boy and girl for you to hand out if you'd like for the older kids to write their own answers. When we are baptized we are clean and pure, each day when we make mistakes it is like getting dirt on ourselves and it is only through the power of repentance and the Atonement and we can become clean again.
