Lesson Helps

FHE: Being Christlike

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?” by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, Ensign, May 2011, 103.

Thought:
May your efforts to develop Christlike attributes be successful so that His image may be engraven in your countenance and His attributes manifest in your behavior.

(Elder Lynn G. Robbins, “What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?” Ensign, May 2011, 103.)

Song:
“Beautiful Savior,” Children’s Songbook, p. 62.

Scripture:
And know ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am. (3 Nephi 27:27)

Object Lesson:
Materials Needed: Several leaves, two sheets of paper for each person, and crayons.

Procedure: Show the group a leaf. Pass out paper and crayons and ask them to draw a picture of the leaf as accurately as possible. When the drawing is finished, give each individual a leaf. Have them cover their leaf with the second piece of paper and color lightly over it to create a leaf rubbing. Discuss which image is a closer replica and why. Using the leaf as a direct pattern produces a very similar likeness.

Compare this to our efforts to become like Christ and develop his attributes. By developing a close relationship with him through study, prayer, and obedience, we can become more like him. Over time, his likeness or image will even show in our countenances.

(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Object Lessons Made Easy, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2010], p. 18.)

Story:
Now let’s talk about some of the consequences of seeing yourself first, foremost, and always as a Christian. The first consequence is that the juggling stops. If you think of all your tasks, jobs, and roles as balls that you somehow have to keep in the air, then your religious service is just another ball to add. Sooner or later, you’re going to drop the balls, because no one can juggle forever. But if you are a Christian, then that is your permanent identity and everything else is temporary. Think of this example. You dash into the grocery store to pick up some ice cream for supper. You’re a harried mom, a frantic shopper, eager to get in and get out. Other people are in your way—the person stocking the shelves, the people ahead of you in the checkout line, the checker. You’re even more frazzled when you reach the car.

But suppose you go in as a Christian disguised as a shopper. You see other people on your way to the ice cream, excuse yourself and smile when you reach past the person stocking the shelves, comment on the weather to the person standing in front of you at the checkout stand, and thank the checker who whisks the ice cream into a bag for you. You reach the car having had three very pleasant encounters and feeling good.

If we see every place, every job, every responsibility as an opportunity to be with another precious child of God who needs our ministry, the ministry we can bring as a Christian and as a disciple of Christ, then even a very busy schedule doesn’t feel like juggling any more. Something has taken the fragmentation out of it and given us a unified purpose.

My husband, Ed, was this kind of Christian, an every-day Christian, even an every-minute Christian. Sometimes we think that the life of a disciple is hard, but if you knew Ed, you would know that it is a joyous, rewarding life.

(Chieko N. Okazaki, Aloha!, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1995].)

Activity:
Divide the family into two teams. Play tic tac toe, but the teams must correctly answer a questions before they can place their mark on the game grid.

Questions:

1. What kind of body did Jesus have? (Flesh and bones)
2. How did Jesus die? (Crucified on the cross)
3. Who appeared to Jospeh Smith in the Sacred Grove? (Heavenly Father and Jesus)
4. Who was the mother of Jesus? (Mary)
5. In what town was Jesus born? (Bethlehem)
6. Who appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born? (Angels)
7. How many apostles did Jesus choose? (Twelve)
8. Where was Jesus baptized? (River Jordan)
9. Who are we to remember when we partake of the Sacrament? (Jesus)
10. Who did Jesus help to walk on the water? (Peter)
11. What do we call the last meal that Jesus ate? (The last supper)
12. Who baptized Jesus? (John the Baptist)
13. Who brought gifts to Jesus after he was born? (Wise men)
14. How many lepers did Jesus heal? (Ten)
15. What is the name of the garden where Jesus suffered for our sins? (Garden of Gethsemane)
16. Where was Jesus buried? (In a tomb)
17. What happened to Jesus after he had been in the tomb for three days? (Resurrected)
18. Who was the first person the resurrected Jesus appeared to? (Mary Magdalene)
19. Jesus said we should build our house on what? (A rock)
20. When Jesus called the apostles he told them he would make them fishers of what? (Men)

Refreshment
Chewy Chex® Mix
This treat is a hit with all ages.

8 cups Rice Chex (or the Chex cereal of your choice) 1 cup coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup chow mein noodles
1⁄4 cup butter or margarine
6 cups miniature marshmallows

Combine Chex, coconut, almonds, and noodles in a large bowl. Melt butter over medium heat; blend in marshmallows and stir until melted. Pour over cereal mixture; spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container or individual plastic bags. Makes about 10 cups.

(Julie Badger Jensen, The Essential Mormon Cookbook, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 130.)

To get the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

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