Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is aangry with his brother bwithout a cause shall be cin danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, dRaca, shall be ein danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Friend May 2023 “Be a Peacemaker” Lesson ideas
Friend April 2024 “5 Ways to Be a Peacemaker”
I Can Be a Peacemaker.
Abram returns from Egypt—He and Lot part—The Lord will make Abram’s seed as the dust of the earth in number—Abram settles in Hebron.
Come Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2” When Abraham’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen disagreed over their grazing land, Abraham proposed a solution that brought peace. You can use this example to inspire the children to be peacemakers.
- Share with the children the story from Genesis 13:5–12, and invite them to act it out. Let the children take turns pretending to be Abraham, his nephew Lot, and the herdsmen. Suggest ways they can follow Abraham’s example of being a peacemaker, such as taking turns with a toy when playing with a friend. Invite them to role-play these examples.
Latter Day Kids “Abraham and Lot” Lesson ideas to go with the above video
- Read Matthew 5:9, and explain that Jesus wants us to be peacemakers. Help the children think of what they can do to be peacemakers at home or with friends. Invite them to draw a picture of themselves being a peacemaker. Ask the children to share how they feel when they are peacemakers like Jesus Christ.
“Cease From Anger” (February 2010 Friend)
Take this quiz to see how forgiving you are. When we are loving and forgiving, we can be peacemakers.
Come Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”We all face situations that tempt us to become frustrated and contentious. Consider how the story of Abraham and Lot could help the children be peacemakers in such situations.
- Write Main Characters, Setting, Problem, and Solution on the board. Invite the children to read Genesis 13:5–12 and identify the parts of the story listed on the board. Help the children think of situations when they could be peacemakers, such as when someone argues or tries to fight. Then invite them to role-play how they could be peacemakers in those situations.
- Help the children find the topics “Peace” and “Peacemaker” in the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite each child to select a scripture about peace and share what he or she learns with the class. Help them think of some examples of the Savior being a peacemaker, such as in Luke 22:50–51. How can we follow His example?
- “Matt and Mandy” (October 1994 Friend)
Mandy learns to be a peacemaker by watching her mother’s example.
Friend June 2018 “Coloring Page”
What did Abraham do to create peace in his family? Perhaps your family members could practice being a peacemaker like Abraham by role-playing how to resolve conflicts that are likely to arise in your family. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2”
Lesson 10: Abraham and Lot,” Primary 6: Old Testament (1996), 39–4 To strengthen each child’s desire to show love to others.
Additional teaching ideas: Teaching Children the Gospel: Peacemaker and Resources for Teaching Children “Peacemaker”
For the Strength of Youth January 2023 “Being a Peacemaker: Your New SUPERPOWER”
I Can Be a Peacemaker.
Doctrine and Covenants 105:38–40
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 102-105”
There are many lessons we can learn from the experiences of Zion’s Camp. One that might be important to the children is that contention and fighting bring difficulties, while unity and peace bring blessings.
- In your own words, tell the children the story of Zion’s Camp. Pause periodically to point out lessons we can learn from Zion’s Camp—for example, that the Lord wants us to be peaceful and work together instead of arguing and fighting.
- Read Doctrine and Covenants 105:38–40, and ask the children to stand up each time they hear the word “peace.” Explain that the Lord wanted the Saints to make peace with the people who were being unkind. Help the children think of things that they can do to be peacemakers, and invite them to role-play some situations.
- Share a story about a child being a peacemaker from your own life or from the Friend or Liahona. Sing a song about loving others, such as “Jesus Said Love Everyone” (Children’s Songbook, 61), or complete this week’s activity page.
Latter Day Kids “Being a Peacemaker” Video and Lesson Ideas
Friend May 2019 “Choose to Be Kind” A girl pushed her way to the front of the line at the bus stop and sat where Samuel and his friend, Mike, had planned on sitting. This started an argument, but Samuel chooses to be kind instead of right, and figures out a solution.
“Cease From Anger” (February 2010 Friend)
Take this quiz to see how forgiving you are. When we are loving and forgiving, we can be peacemakers.
Bright Idea Poster: “Blessed are the peacemakers”(October 2010 Friend)
For additional teaching ideas see Resources for Teaching Children “Peacemaker”
Friend May 2022 “Finding Peace in Your Heart” President Nelson address from conference asking us to end conflicts in our lives.
Friend May 2022 “Jesus Was a Peacemaker” Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” He helped people feel peace by serving and blessing them. He still helps us feel peace today.
I made a “get-along bucket.” I filled it with slips of paper that said things that me, my sister, and my brother can do together. On the back of the papers, I wrote Primary songs that we know. I felt the Holy Ghost while I was making the get-along bucket. I felt grateful for my family.
Avalyn G., age 7, Michigan, USA
I can be a peacemaker.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6” The children you teach can have a powerful influence at home as they treat others with love and kindness.
“Lesson 22: Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A Explain that a peacemaker is someone who helps others be happy instead of angry. Peace means calmness and happiness. Explain that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are peacemakers, and each of us can also be a peacemaker.
Give each child a paper face. Have the children sing or say the words to “Smiles” with you, turning the faces to frowns or smiles as suggested by the words.
Ask the children to turn their paper faces to show how they think the people in the below pictures feel.
- Why do you think all these people feel happy?
Ask the children to turn the faces to show how they think family members would feel if they were arguing and fighting.
- Why does arguing and fighting make family members sad?
Have the children turn their paper faces to the sad face and each tell something that would make a family sad. Then have the children turn their paper faces to the happy face and tell things that make their families happy.
- Do you like it better when your family is happy or when your family is sad?
Collect the faces so they won’t distract the children. Return them at the end of class so the children can take them home.
- Read Matthew 5:9 to the children, and explain that peacemakers make any place peaceful, no matter where they are. Write on strips of paper some examples of contentious situations the children might face (for example, siblings fighting over a toy). Invite each child to pick a strip of paper. As you read each scenario, ask the children to share how they could be a peacemaker in that situation. Or share a few fictional scenarios, and help the children identify whether or not the people involved are being peacemakers.
“Lesson 22: Blessed Are the Peacemakers,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A Describe some situations to the children and help them think of and act out the way a peacemaker would act in each situation. Help the children think of ways everyone involved in the situation can be happy. Use the situations below or create some of your own:
- You are quietly looking at a book when your sister comes over and grabs the book out of your hands because she wants to read it.
- How would you like to be treated?
- What will you say or do if you are a peacemaker?
- You go to the kitchen to get one of your favorite cookies. Your brother runs to the cookie jar, takes the last cookie, and eats it. You are angry.
- How would you like to be treated?
- What will you say or do if you are a peacemaker?
- You and your friend are drawing pictures. She teases you for coloring a tree purple. Your feelings are hurt, and you think of a mean name to call her.
- How would you like to be treated?
- What will you say or do if you are a peacemaker?
- “Matt and Mandy” (October 1994 Friend)
For the Strength of Youth January 2023 “Being a Peacemaker: Your New SUPERPOWER”
Bright Idea Poster: “Blessed are the peacemakers”(October 2010 Friend)
- Invite a few of the children’s parents to visit your class and share examples of times when their children were peacemakers in the home.
I can be a peacemaker.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 5; Luke 6” Jesus taught that peacemakers will be called the children of God. How can you inspire the children to be peacemakers?
Explain that a peacemaker is someone who helps others be happy instead of angry. Peace means calmness and happiness. Explain that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are peacemakers, and each of us can also be a peacemaker.
- Invite a child to read Matthew 5:9 aloud. What is a peacemaker? What are ways we can be peacemakers with our families and friends? (For some ideas, see verses 21–24, 38–47.)
- Ask each child to think of a situation that would need the help of a peacemaker. What would a peacemaker do in the situation?
- “Matt and Mandy” (October 1994 Friend)
For the Strength of Youth January 2023 “Being a Peacemaker: Your New SUPERPOWER”
- Invite the children to share times when they showed love for someone, even if that person was different from them or was difficult to love.
Friend April 2015 “Flowers and Friends” A girl in Jenny’s class keeps demanding Jenny’s flowers that other classmates can only take if Jenny is talking. Jenny prays about it and tries to be a friend to the girl.
Friend May 2019 “Choose to Be Kind” A girl pushed her way to the front of the line at the bus stop and sat where Samuel and his friend, Mike, had planned on sitting. This started an argument, but Samuel chooses to be kind instead of right, and figures out a solution.
A Soft Answer Turneth Away Wrath
“Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022” In tense or frustrating situations, we may be tempted to respond with anger. Proverbs 15:1, 18 teaches us how we can turn away anger.
- Read Proverbs 15:1 to the children, and explain any words or phrases that might be unfamiliar to them. Share a few examples of situations in which a child might feel angry (such as an argument with a brother or sister). Help them think of “soft answers,” or kind words, they could use instead of angry words. Help them practice saying these things softly or in a calm voice.
Friend October 2019 “Words Matter” The words we say make a big difference. Trace your finger along the lines to see how the words you say can make others feel. Also, make some kind notes to give to others.
Friend January 2018 “Lucas and the Bully” Lucas stood up to a bully, but the words he used hurt the bullies feelings. Lucas apologizes and invites the bully to play and they become friends
Latter Day Kids “Kind Words” Lesson ideas
Friend May 2019 “Choosing Kind Words” Selene called Adriana a mean name when she missed the ball. Adriana told Selene that it hurt her feelings and asked her not to say that. Selene apologized. (Also a lesson idea about kind words children can use and when to use them. Have children tell which ones Adriana and Selene used.)
- Sing a song about kindness, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145). What does the song teach us about being kind?
- To help the children understand what it means to be “slow to anger” (Proverbs 15:18), tell a personal story about when you (or someone you know) felt angry but chose to be kind. Let the children share their own experiences too. Help the children think of things they can do instead of becoming angry. For example, they could think about Jesus, ask Heavenly Father to help them, sing a Primary song to themselves, or, if possible, just walk away.
Friend May 2019 “Choose to Be Kind” A girl pushed her way to the front of the line at the bus stop and sat where Samuel and his friend, Mike, had planned on sitting. This started an argument, but Samuel chooses to be kind instead of right, and figures out a solution.
Friend September 2018 “Show and Tell” “One day I wanted to sit by a bully at school to be friends with her. She yelled at me to go away. I wanted to get her back with my words. But I held my tongue and said, “It’s OK. I’ll sit by someone else.” When I walked away, I felt good for what I did.” Elijah V., age 12, Arizona, USA
Friend March 2022 “What’s on Your Mind?” Sometimes my siblings and I argue and fight. What can I do to get along with them better? (See more at link)
Practice: How do our words affect the spirit in our home? Perhaps family members could practice giving “a soft answer” to “grievous words” and try to use what they learn in their interactions with each other. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families Old Testament 2022
“Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022” Speaking in anger often makes a tense situation even worse. These verses teach that our words and our attitudes can turn away wrath or anger.
- Write the words wrath and strife on the board, and share an example of an argument that children might have. Then ask the children to read Proverbs 15:1, 18; 16:32 and find advice they could give to the children who are arguing. Each time the children share an idea, invite them to erase part of the words on the board. Invite them to replace those words with others describing Christlike attributes that bring peace.
“Cease From Anger” (February 2010 Friend)
Take this quiz to see how forgiving you are. When we are loving and forgiving, we can be peacemakers.
Friend May 2019 “Choose to Be Kind” A girl pushed her way to the front of the line at the bus stop and sat where Samuel and his friend, Mike, had planned on sitting. This started an argument, but Samuel chooses to be kind instead of right, and figures out a solution.
Friend September 2018 “Show and Tell” “One day I wanted to sit by a bully at school to be friends with her. She yelled at me to go away. I wanted to get her back with my words. But I held my tongue and said, “It’s OK. I’ll sit by someone else.” When I walked away, I felt good for what I did.” Elijah V., age 12, Arizona, USA
Friend May 2019 “What’s on Your Mind” Ideas on how to get along with siblings.
- Help the children think of accounts in the scriptures when the Savior exemplified what is taught in Proverbs 15:1, 18; 16:32. For ideas, they could look in John 8:1–11; 18:1–11. Sing together a song about the Savior’s example, such as “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79). How can we follow Jesus’s example as we interact with family members, friends, and others?
Friend September 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities”
Story: Proverbs is a book of wise sayings. One proverb says to “trust in the Lord with all thine heart” (Proverbs 3:5). Another proverb says that “a soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).
Song: “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145)
Activity: On page 40 read about using kind words. Then cut out some paper hearts and write kind notes or helpful sayings on them to give to others. You could even hide the hearts for others to find!
Friend September 2022 “What’s on Your Mind”
Friend November 2019 “Kindness Flowers” A kindness game like the game “hangman” you can play with a friend or family member. Think of a kind word that describes the other person. Have the other person guess which letters are in the mystery word. If they guess correctly, write that letter in the blank. If they guess a letter that’s not in the word, draw a petal on the flower and write that letter in it.’
