Luke CHAPTER 22 Jesus institutes the sacrament—He suffers in Gethsemane and is betrayed and arrested—Peter denies knowing Him—Jesus is smitten and mocked.
John CHAPTER 18 Jesus is betrayed and arrested—He is examined and maltreated first before Annas, then before Caiaphas—Peter denies knowing Jesus—Jesus is arraigned before Pilate.
Jesus suffered for me because He loves me.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Luke 22; John 18” Consider how you can help the children feel Jesus’s love for them as you discuss the account of His suffering in Gethsemane.
- Tell the story of Luke 22:39–46 to the children, perhaps by using “Chapter 51: Jesus Suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane” (in New Testament Stories, 129–32, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
- Explain that Jesus felt all the pain and sadness that everyone has ever felt. Ask the children what might make a person feel sad, hurt, or upset. Testify that Jesus can help us feel better when we feel these ways.
- Pass around a picture of the Savior in Gethsemane (such as the one in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). As each child holds the picture, say, “Jesus suffered because He loves [child’s name].” Invite the children to repeat these words with you.
Ensign July 2010 “Jesus Christ, Our Perfect Friend”
New Testament Coloring Book “Gethsemane”
- Sing a song with the children about Jesus’s love for us, such as “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75). Help them think of ways they have felt Jesus’s love.
Latter Day Kids “The Garden of Gethsemane” Lesson ideas
In Gethsemane, Jesus Christ took upon Himself my sin and pain.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Luke 22; John 18” Knowing about what Jesus did for us in Gethsemane can help the children repent of their sins and turn to the Savior when they experience difficult trials.
- Invite the children to read Luke 22:39–46, looking for words or phrases that describe how Jesus felt in Gethsemane. What was Jesus experiencing that caused Him to feel this way? (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19). Give the children the opportunity to share their feelings about Jesus and His sacrifice for us.
- Invite the children to share a time when they were sad or in pain. Ask them if they know anyone who has felt the same thing. Invite them to read Alma 7:11–12. What do these verses teach us about Jesus Christ and His suffering for us?
Liahona March 2022 “Turning to God and to Our Families” Emotion Colors
- Assign each person an emotion based on the color they’re wearing most of:
- Yellow = happy
- Blue = sad
- Red = angry
- Green = calm
- Orange = scared
- Other = confused or surprised
- Each person will share a specific experience when they’ve felt that emotion.
- Can we tell how people are feeling just by their appearance or what they’re wearing?
- Who sees all our emotions, including our afflictions and sorrows, even when others might not be able to?
Liahona October 2021 “Temples, the Name of the Church, and Including Others”
The Weight of Affliction
- Gather some heavy items, such as rocks or large books.
- Have everyone sit in a circle.
- For each affliction mentioned place a rock in the middle of the circle.
- Have each family member add one more rock to the pile to represent a trial they have gone through.
- Who has felt the pain of all of these trials? Imagine how it would feel to carry them all.
- Give a child a stick that is longer than the width of the classroom doorway, and ask him or her to hold it horizontally and try to walk through the door. Explain that the stick represents our sins, which keep us from entering God’s kingdom. Take the stick away to demonstrate that Jesus took upon Himself our sins so that we can be forgiven when we repent.
I can pray when I need help.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Luke 22; John 18” When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, an angel appeared to strengthen Him. How can you help the children you teach understand that they too can pray to Heavenly Father for strength?
- Summarize Luke 22:41–43 for the children. Share an experience in which you prayed for help and Heavenly Father strengthened you through the Holy Ghost or by sending someone to help you.
Friend May 2022 “A Prayer in the Storm” Alexis was scared of the thunder in the storm and didn’t feel safe. She found her dad and asked if they could say a prayer. After the prayer she felt peaceful and wasn’t afraid anymore.
Friend April 2018 “Lost and Found” Cael knows Heavenly Father answers prayers because when he found himself alone and scared on a mountain trail, he prayed. His father felt the Holy Ghost telling him to go look for his Cael.
- On strips of paper, write some things we might say in a prayer, such as “Heavenly Father,” “I thank thee,” “I ask thee,” and “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” Put the strips on the floor in random order, and help the children put them in the order in which we might say them in a prayer. What can we thank Heavenly Father for? What else can we say to Him? Testify that the children can pray to Heavenly Father anywhere and anytime.
I can follow Jesus’s example by being obedient to Heavenly Father.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Luke 22; John 18” Jesus showed obedience to the Father when He said, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). How can you help the children learn from Jesus’s example?
- Help the children memorize the phrase “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42) and discuss what it means. What can we do to obey Heavenly Father’s will?
- Help the children identify some reasons it is sometimes hard to do what Heavenly Father wants. What blessings have we received by being obedient to Heavenly Father, even when it was hard?
Friend September 2018 “Just Like Grandpa” William’s dad received a calling to preside over the sign language branch. William is sad he will have to leave his friends, but his mom helps him by telling him a story about his great grandfather Turner who sacrificed to obey the Lord.
For the Strength of Youth July 2022 “The Choice” Ben forgot to write a book report that was due the next day. He has to make a choice whether he will follow God or cheat and copy a book report from the internet.
- What blessings have we received by being obedient to Heavenly Father, even when it was hard?
Liahona February 2023 “Life Isn’t Fair–and That’s OK” But there are certain blessings we can expect as we keep the commandments. We are promised to always have the Spirit to be with us (see Moroni 4:3). And as we turn to the Lord in faith, we will be given strength to face the trials that inevitably come.2
We are promised true joy and peace (the kind that is not determined by our circumstances).3 And we are also promised the greatest gift of all—eternal life. As Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “Your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be rewarded more than you can imagine.”4
“… Because of Him, we can have peace in this world and be of good cheer. If we let Him, Jesus Christ will consecrate unfairness for our gain [see 2 Nephi 2:2]. He will not just console us and restore what was lost [see Job 42:10, 12–13; Jacob 3:1]; He will use the unfairness for our benefit.”6
“Happiness and Obedience” (August 2020 Liahona and Friend)
President Russell M. Nelson shares some blessings we receive when we try to keep all the commandments.
Ask the children if they can think of a time when they obeyed one of God’s commandments. How did they feel? Sing together a song about obedience, such as “Keep the Commandments” (Children’s Songbook, 146–47), and identify blessings of obedience mentioned in the song. Discuss some of the things God has commanded us to do. How does God bless us when we keep those commandments?
Jesus loved His enemies.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Luke 22; John 18” Learning how to be a peacemaker is not easy, especially when others are not kind to us. How can the account in Luke 22:50–51 inspire the children you teach to be kind in all circumstances?
New Testament Stories “The Trials of Jesus”
- Invite the children to read Luke 22:50–51. What do we learn about Jesus from this account? During the week, ask some of the children’s parents to tell you about times when their children showed kindness, even when it was difficult. Share those stories with the class. (Remind the children that being kind doesn’t mean allowing others to hurt them; they should talk to their parents or another trusted adult if someone is hurting them.)
Friend January 2016- “Question Corner” A girl at school is always mean to me. How can I still be kind to her?
Friend March 2022 “Cake and Kindness” Juli didn’t think her aunt liked to her because her aunt was so strict and never smiled. She decided to be patient, kind, and brave in trying to speak Spanish with her aunt. She agreed to help her aunt make a cake for Juli’s parents anniversary. Her aunt was patient with her as she tried to speak Spanish and was less strict and even smiled. Juli was glad her prayer was answered.
- Sing a song about being kind, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145). What does this song teach about kindness?
- How can we show kindness to others like the Savior did?
Friend September 2022 “How Can I Show Respect for Others?” By Elder Gary E. Stevenson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Friend May 2020 “Sister Squabble” Jaide’s little sister borrowed her tennis shoes without asking and accidentally got them muddy. Jaide was so mad that she told her sister, “I wish you weren’t my sister.” She felt terrible about what she said. She read a scripture about Jesus forgiving and healing someone (people who came to arrest him in Garden of Gethsemane), and she realized she needed to forgive and try and fix what she had done to her sister with her words.
Friend April 2019 “The Right Reply” Emily received a mean email from a friend. She wanted to send a not-so-nice reply, but her mom suggested she wait and little bit. While she waited, she saw a picture of Jesus. She remembered that people had been mean to him, but he was never mean back. She decided to follow Jesus and not send the mean reply.
Friend September 2022 “What’s on Your Mind?” A child asks, “Sometimes kids at school say mean things. How can I make them stop?”
Response: You can’t make anyone do anything. But when you speak kindly, others might follow your example. Words are powerful. Especially when you use your words for good. Mean words can be hurtful, but kind words can be helpful, healing, and inspiring.
Friend June 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities for Little Ones” Sing “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79) with your little ones. Give them a picture of Jesus to hold. Tell them lift it up high each time they hear “Jesus” in the song. Then help them say, “Jesus loves me.”
Additional Resources
- Lesson 30: Jesus Christ in Gethsemane,” Primary 7: New Testament Some great lesson ideas.
- “Returning Safely to Heavenly Father” (Apr. 2009 Liahona and Friend)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches that because of the Atonement, we can repent and always have hope.
Strengthen Others
Liahona June 2023 “Deeper Connections to Christ: Come, Follow Me Family Fun”
Jesus Christ gave Peter this counsel on conversion: “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32).
- Read Luke 22:32 with your family.
- Invite family members to sit on the floor.
- Ask them to try to stand up without using their hands for balance.
- Choose two family members to sit on the floor, back-to-back, linking arms.
- Instruct the family members to push against each other at the same time and stand up. By working together, standing becomes easier.
- Repeat the game until everyone has a chance to work together.
Discussion: When we are truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can strengthen others. What are some ways Heavenly Father can strengthen us? How can we use our conversion to strengthen others?
New Testament Stories “The Trials of Jesus”
Jesus is Tried by Caiaphas – Peter Denies Jesus
Come Follow Me with Living Scriptures “To This End Was I Born” Lesson ideas
