Sharing: Lesson Ideas

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Friend July 2016 “For Parents of Little Ones” Ideas for teaching children to share.

  • Sing a simple rhyme or song when your children need a sharing reminder, like, “Sharing our toys is fun to do!” or “I can share to show I care!”
  • Before friends come over, ask your child if he or she would like to pick a favorite toy to not share, like a prized stuffed animal or favorite truck. Put that toy away before the playdate.
  • Set a timer to help children take turns. Sometimes children think that letting someone else play with a toy means they’ll never get it back.
  • Make sharing a part of everyday life. Practice sharing with your child, even when it’s just the two of you, and point out when you’re sharing. Try, “Would you like to have some of my crackers? Look, we’re sharing! May I have a piece of your apple? Thank you for sharing with me!”

Friend April 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones”  Play a game or activity that involves taking turns, like stacking blocks to make a tower. Each time it’s your child’s turn, help them say, “We can work together.”

The Lord Wants Me to Share What I Have with Those In Need.

Section 104 is a revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet. The occasion was likely that of a council meeting of members of the United Firm, which discussed the pressing temporal needs of the Church.

Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18

Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 102-105”

Consider how you will help the children understand the Lord’s way of providing for His people when they are in need.

  • Give the children a few minutes to make a list of blessings God has given them. Encourage them to list as many as they can. Then read together Doctrine and Covenants 104:13–18, looking for answers to questions like these: Who is the true owner of all things? Why does He give them to us? What does He want us to do with these things? Help the children think of ways they can share their blessings with others.

Friend November 2004 “Blessings Tree”

  • Share an experience in which someone gave you something you needed, and ask the children to share similar experiences. Or show a video about serving others, such as “The Coat” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What do we learn from these experiences about serving others? Invite the children to be aware of those in need and find someone to serve this week, such as someone at school or especially someone in their family. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 102-105)

Friend July 2021 “Meet Eta from American Samoa” Eta’s mom owns a dessert bakery. Eta and her older sister, Talai, love to share the desserts with their teachers and leaders and with people who might be having a hard time. (includes photo)

Friend March 2020 “Harry Shares” Harry is playing with toys. He is having fun. Harry sees a girl who looks sad. Harry shares toys with her. Now they are both having fun!

Friend July 2018

  • Invite the children to search the Children’s Songbook or Hymns for songs that have to do with service or helping others (see the topical indexes). Sing one or two songs together, and talk about what these songs teach us.

Friend September 2021 “For Little Ones”

Friend September 2022 “For Little Friends”

Friend August 2022 “Activity Time” Jamal is learning to share his toys with his little sister. Can you find the items below?

I can share what I have with others.

Proverbs 22:9

“Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022” Young children can learn to help people around them who are in need. How can you inspire them to share what they have with others?

  • Show the children several pictures of others serving or helping people in need, including pictures of the Savior (such as Gospel Art Book, nos. 424446). Ask the children to tell you what is happening in each picture. Read to the children Proverbs 22:9. Explain that one way we can serve is by giving “bread to the poor,” but there are many other ways to help those in need. Invite the children to draw a picture of themselves helping someone.
  • Bring to class several objects that you can share with the children, such as pictures or crayons. As you give one to each child, say, “I will share with [child’s name].” Let the children take turns sharing the objects with each other. What are some other things we can share with others?

Friend March 2020 “Harry Shares” Harry is playing with toys. He is having fun. Harry sees a girl who looks sad. Harry shares toys with her. Now they are both having fun!

  • Sing together a song about service, such as “‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream” (Children’s Songbook, 236). Or show the video “Gordon Hinckley: Lessons I Learned as a Boy” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children how they feel when they help others.

Testimony: Stories

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Why We Need a Testimony

Friend October 2017 “Elder Perry, Chickens, and Me” Elder Perry slips and falls in the dark as he helps Bonnie feed the chickens. He teaches that everyone needs their own light.

What is a Testimony

Friend August 2021 “Anna Shares Her Testimony” Anna learns what a testimony is, and then she shares her testimony at family home evening.

Friend January 2019 “Testimony Plants” In Primary, the children were supposed to draw a plant that represented their testimony, but Elisa wasn’t sure what that meant or if she had a testimony. She learns that a testimony is the things she believes in like Heavenly Father and Jesus. She also learns that testimonies grow and need to be nourished.

Friend February 2021 “Finding Sabrina’s Testimony” Sabrina didn’t know what a testimony was or if Heavenly Father answered prays. But in Primary she heard a story about a boy that had a quiet answer to his prayer. She learned that simple feelings and thoughts can be answers to prayers. She had a good feeling about being baptized and realized that it was the Holy Ghost telling her it was a good choice. After her baptism she got up and bore her testimony.

Gaining a Testimony

Friend January 2022 “Dinis Finds an Answer” Dinis and his family had joined the church, but a couple of years afterwards Dinis was questioning that decision. He knew he needed to ask God if the Church was true. He prayed harder than he ever had before. Then Dinis felt something. The feeling was strong and warm. It grew until he felt it all over his body. He knew it was the Holy Ghost telling him that the church was true.

Friend May 2020 “Conference Notes” Elder Tai told about a man who read the Book of Mormon Stories picture book to gain a testimony. The full Book of Mormon wasn’t in his language. So he carefully read each scripture story and looked at the pictures. He prayed and felt peace and joy. He knew it was true.

Friend January 1988 “Juliano’s Testimony” Juliano learns that even children can receive testimonies.

Friend April 2016  “Ethan’s Testimony”  Ethan wants a testimony. It seems like everyone has one except him. As he prays he realizes he does have one.

Friend April 2016

 Friend April 2021 “Matt and Mandy” Matt and Mandy and their parents discuss sustaining during conference. They also discuss how they can know that the prophet is called of God like the fifth Article of Faith states.


Praying for a Testimony

Friend December 2015 Elder Christopherson learned that it isn’t necessary to pray in a special place (such as in the sacred grove)  in order to gain a testimony.

Friend December 2015
Friend December 2015

Bearing a Testimony

Friend September 1988 “The Best Gift” Adam’s primary teacher tells the class they will receive something special if they sincerely bear their testimony in sacrament. The other children think it’s a treat from the teacher, but Adam learns it is a witness from the Holy Ghost that the things he is saying are true.

Friend March 2020 “For Older Kids” “A couple of Sundays ago during sacrament meeting, it was time for people to go up and share their testimonies. Suddenly I got an urge to go up to the microphone and tell everyone my testimony. I was shaking, but I knew I could do it. No matter how scared you feel, you should try to share your testimony. It doesn’t have to be to the whole church. It can even be to one person!” Ruth G., age 10, Nebraska, USA

Sharing Testimony

Friend August 2020 “Matt and Mandy” Mandy shares with her friend a time when she prayed about the Book of Mormon and felt it was true. She also shared that she is still praying and reading to help her faith grow stronger. 

Friend May 2023 “Conference Notes”

Friend November 2019 “Jesus is Real” Everyone at Ismay’s table at school were excitedly talking about Christmas and their favorite traditions such as going to a church service. Suddenly Charlotte spoke up and said, “Jesus isn’t even real.” Ismay was sad to hear this and she quietly bore her testimony to Charlotte that Jesus was real, and that she felt it in her heart. She was glad she had spoken up and planted a seed about Jesus.

Friend August 2018 “A Shining Testimony” Christian children at a school in Sri Lanka were asked to share their testimony, but everyone was too afraid. Stefani felt the Holy Ghost telling her to go and do it. After she did, she felt like she had been a light and an example to the assembly.  (Link includes photos.)

Friend April 2018 “Jesus is Our Friend” At the doctor’s office Carson asks a lady to read him a book about Jesus. He tells her that Jesus is his friend and that Jesus loves them and if they follow Jesus they will be happy. 

Friend January 2019 “Something Special to Share” Diego wants to take something special to share for Show and Tell. He decides to take a picture of Jesus and tell them that Jesus loves everyone.

Friend February 2016 “Testimony Treasure” Sabrina learns that a testimony is a treasure you want to share with others.

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Friend August 2015 – Elder Cook’s brother shares his testimony with him. After that he wanted his own witness from the Holy Ghost.

Friend October 2015 “My Golden Ribbon Dance” – Girl shares her testimony in a dance using church pictures and music

Friend June 2015 “Mia’s Testimony” Mia prays for a testimony but doesn’t feel any different Her father points out the times she has felt the Holy Ghost in her life witnessesing of the truth

.Friend June 2015

Strengthening a Testimony

Praying Strengthens Testimony

Friend May 1988 “The Testimony of a scientist” A scientist prays for a dying fish and his faith and testimony is strengthened when the fish recovers its health.

Friend January 2018 “Moroni and the Mechanic” When Elder Costa’s car breaks down while driving home with his family, his son, Moroni, says a prayer for the right person to come and help them. A mechanic with a tow truck stops and helps them. Moroni’s testimony is strengthened.