Fasting blesses me and others in need.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 58–66” Some of the children you teach may be old enough to fast. But even those who are not can benefit from learning about the Lord’s law of the fast and preparing to fast when they are ready.
- Write on the board Why do we fast? and How do we fast? Invite the children to write possible answers on the board. Encourage them to review “Fast, Fasting” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) and Isaiah 58:6–11 to find additional answers. How might Isaiah 58:6–11 help us when fasting is difficult?
Friend Feb 1983 “Why do we Fast”
“Fasting and Fast Offerings” You can fast for many purposes. You can fast as you ask Heavenly Father to bless the sick or afflicted (see Matthew 17:14–21). Fasting may help you and those you love receive personal revelation and become converted to the truth (see Alma 5:46; 6:6). Through fasting you can gain strength to resist temptation (see Isaiah 58:6). You can fast as you strive to humble yourself before God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ (see Omni 1:26; Helaman 3:35). You may fast to receive guidance in sharing the gospel and magnifying Church callings (see Acts 13:2–3; Alma 17:3, 9; 3 Nephi 27:1–2).
Encourage the children to think of a reason they might need special help from the Lord, and suggest they make that reason part of their fast during the next fast Sunday.
New Era August 2013 “Blessings of Fasting”
- Share with the children a personal experience with fasting, or share a story from a Church magazine about fasting. Emphasize the blessings that come from fasting with a spiritual purpose. If any of the children have fasted, invite them to share their experiences. Encourage the children to talk to their parents next fast Sunday about what it means to fast. Help them understand what it means to fast with a sincere purpose and a prayerful heart.
Friend September 2000 “Fasting and Prayer” Dad told the family that their grandma was very sick. They decided to pray and fast for her. That night their mom called to say that their grandma was going to be okay. They realized that fasting helped them feel closer to Heavenly Father, and it wasn’t as hard to do because they were fasting for their grandmother.
- Read together Isaiah 58:6–7, and explain that one way we “deal [our] bread to the hungry” when we fast is by donating the money we would have spent on food as a fast offering. Show the children a donation slip for tithing and fast offerings, and explain how to fill it out. Invite the children to read Isaiah 58:8–10, looking for the blessings we are promised when we fast. How can fasting bless us and those in need?
Friend November 2019 “Searching for Sir Crunch-a-Lot” Mackenzie’s family shop at the bishop’s storehouse for their food because they didn’t have much money after her dad lost his job. Mackenzie wishes she didn’t have to eat boring food like granola instead of her favorite cereal brand, and sandwiches instead of pizza at school. But then she finds out that a friend sitting next to her isn’t eating lunch because she is fasting for a family member. Mackenzie realizes how hard it must be to fast, and she is grateful for all the people who fast and give fast offerings so she and her family don’t go hungry.
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 58–66”
These verses suggest that to many ancient Israelites, fasting was more of a burden than a blessing. Family members might better understand Isaiah’s message about fasting if they act out the type of fasting described in Isaiah 58:3–5 and the type of fasting described in Isaiah 58:6–8. How can we make our fasts more like “the fast that [God has] chosen”? What blessings have we seen from fasting?
The Sabbath can be a delight to me.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 58–66”The Sabbath day is a time for us to remember the Lord and rest from our weekly activities. How can you help the children you teach make the Sabbath a delight?
- Ask the children to repeat the phrase “Call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord” (Isaiah 58:13) several times. Explain that “delight” means something that brings us joy. Ask the children to share some things that bring them joy. Testify that the Lord gave us the Sabbath day because He wants us to have joy. Tell the children why the Sabbath is a delight to you.
- Read to the children from Isaiah 58:14: “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” Explain to the children that the Sabbath is a special day—a time when we can think about the things Heavenly Father and Jesus did to help us be happy. Help the children think of things they can do on the Sabbath to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus. Invite them to draw their ideas and share their pictures with one another and their families.
- What is the difference between “finding [our] own pleasure” and finding “delight … in the Lord” on the Sabbath? How can we make the Sabbath “a delight”?
- “For Little Friends: Doing Good on the Sabbath Day”(September 2007 Liahona and Friend)
A list of things children can do on the Sabbath day.
- “Sunday Box: Pencil Spin” (July 2006 Liahona and Friend)
An game that can be played on the Sabbath.
Latter Day Kids “The Sabbath is a Delight” Lesson ideas
For additional teaching ideas see Teaching Children the Gospel “Sabbath Day” and Resources for Teaching Children “Sabbath Day”
I can shine the Savior’s light for others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Isaiah 58–66” Isaiah prophesied that in the last days, the Lord’s people would be like a light for those who are in darkness. Consider how you can help the children “arise” and “shine.”
- Invite the children to close their eyes as you read Isaiah 60:1–3. Ask them to open their eyes when they hear the word “light” and close them when they hear the word “darkness.” Explain that Jesus Christ and His gospel are like a light that helps us see our way back to Heavenly Father.
- Give each child a picture of a light (such as a sun, a candle, or a light bulb). Help them think of ways they can share the Savior’s light with others. As each idea is shared, invite them to “arise” and “shine” their light by holding up their picture. Tell the children about ways you have seen them sharing the Savior’s light.
Friend December 2016 “A Shining Light”
Friend November 2015 “Be a Shining Light” Ways we can become examples so our lights will shine.
- Sing together a song about sharing light, such as “Shine On” (Children’s Songbook, 144). Help the children notice words in the song that reinforce what they learn from Isaiah 60:1–3.
Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.
Isaiah 61:1–3 gives a powerful description of the Savior’s mission of teaching and healing. Ponder how you might best use Isaiah’s words to strengthen the children’s testimonies of Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer.
- Let the children hold pictures of Jesus teaching, healing, and helping others as you read Isaiah 61:1 (see the Gospel Art Book). Explain that God sent Jesus Christ to do these things for all of us. Ask the children to share their feelings about Jesus Christ. Testify of the Savior’s love for each of the children. (Or you could tape them to the board and let the children choose one they think best described each line of the scripture.)
- Give the children a few minutes to read Isaiah 61:1–3 on their own. Then invite them to write on a piece of paper or in a study journal what these verses teach them about Jesus Christ. Invite a few of the children to share their thoughts.
- Invite the children to share a phrase from these verses that is especially meaningful to them and explain why. How do these verses help us understand what Jesus Christ was sent to earth to do?
- Isaiah 61:3 describes those who listen to and obey the Lord as “trees of righteousness.” Draw a tree on the board, and invite the children to think of righteous things they can do. For each idea, let the children draw a leaf on the tree.
Friend October 2022 “Come, Follow Me Activities: Trees of Righteousness”
Story: Isaiah taught that Jesus Christ would come to heal and comfort those who are sad or need help (see Isaiah 61:1). He also said that those who obey Jesus’s teachings would be like “trees of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3).
Song:“I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75)
Activity: Draw a picture of a tree. Cut out some leaves. Write on the leaves ways Jesus helps you when you obey His teachings. Then glue the leaves onto the tree.
The Millennium will be a time of peace and joy.
Isaiah saw a time when God’s people will have peace and joy. This prophecy will be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns to earth and reigns for a thousand years—an era called the Millennium.
- Isaiah 65:17–25 describes what the earth will be like when the Savior comes again. Divide the children into small groups, giving each group a few of these verses to read. After a few minutes, make a list together on the board of how life will be different in the “new earth” described in these verses (verse 17). Why will this be a time to be “glad and rejoice for ever”? (verse 18).
- Before class, prepare word strips with words and phrases from the tenth article of faith. Invite one of the children to recite the article of faith, and ask the children to put the word strips in order. Help the children understand what this article of faith teaches us about the Millennium.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Jacob (or Israel) had 12 sons. Their families, or tribes, were scattered across the earth. Heavenly Father wants all of them to come back together and learn the gospel.
Zion is a name for those who love God and for the place where they live. The New Jerusalem is the city that faithful people will build before Jesus returns to earth. When Jesus returns, He will be our King. The earth will be beautiful and clean again, like a paradise (or paradisiacal).
“Article of Faith 10” (September 2011 Friend)
The pictures help illustrate what the tenth article of faith means.
Additional Resources
The Red Crystal “Isaiah 58-66” Lesson ideas
