Table of Contents
- Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause
- Why Serve
- Heavenly Father can bless others through me.
- God Wants Me to Serve and Strengthen Those In Need.
- I can joyfully serve those in need.
- I Can Share What I Have with Others.
- Ministering
- I am serving Jesus Christ when I serve others.
- Service Helps Others and Us
- Service Doesn't Have to Be Big
- How Can We Help
- I Can Help Others by Sharing What I Have Been Given.
- Holy Ghost Can Guide Us
- Never too Young to Serve
- Humanitarian Aid
- Community Service
- Service Ideas
- Secret Service
Service is?
Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause
Latter Day Kids “Anxiously Engaged in a Good Cause” Video, activities, and lesson ideas
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 58–59”
- Write phrases from Doctrine and Covenants 58:27–28 on strips of paper, and hand one to each child. Invite them to read the verses silently and ponder their phrase. Invite the children to sit in the order in which their phrases appear in verses 27–28 and share with each other what they learned. What is the Lord’s message to us in these verses?
Perhaps family members could make a list of some of the things they are “anxiously engaged” in. Are all of them “good cause[s]”? Why does the Lord want us to do “many things of [our] own free will”? Ask each family member to think of what they can do this week to “bring to pass much righteousness.” Later they can report on what they did. (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 58-59”)
- Sing a song about choices, such as “Choose the Right” (Hymns, no. 239). Ask questions to help the children ponder the words of the song—for example, Who helps guide you to make the right choice? Who tries to get you to make the wrong choice? How does choosing the right make you feel?
Ensign April 2020 “Family Study Fun” Gratitude Tower of Service
King Benjamin built a tower and taught his people that when we serve each other, we are really serving God (see Mosiah 2:17).
- Build a tower. It can be a chair, an ottoman, a few boxes, etc.
- Take turns getting up on your tower and thanking someone in the family for the service they have done recently.
- Now take turns getting on the tower again and sharing with the family one way you’re going to provide service this week.
Discussion: Why is it important to serve others? How does it make you feel when someone serves you? How can we serve someone (and God) as a family this week?
Friend July 2019 “Family Night Fun” A Family Home Evening lesson idea about helping others, coming up with ideas on how to help them, and making goals to serve. (Also includes a refreshment idea.)
Why Serve
Many People in the World Need Help
Friend January 2021 “You Can Help Like Jesus” When Jesus was on the earth, he helped all he saw. Today many people in the world need our help. Each of us can do something to help, even children. About years ago, children helped build the Primary Children’s hospital by collecting pennies. (See more at link)
Friend November 2019 “Helping Our Brothers and Sisters”
President Nelson told about some ways people need help in the world today, such as 1 out of 9 people don’t have enough food and many don’t have clean water to drink. The article discusses how the church helps and how we can help people in need. (The article includes photos of the ways people need help, a quote handout idea, and a coloring page.)
Friend May 2021 “Conference Notes”
Friend November 2022 “Conference News”
He often uses other people to help meet those needs
Doctrine and Covenants 81:5; 82:19
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 81-83”
Heavenly Father knows the needs of each of His children, and He often uses other people—like the children you teach—to help meet those needs. How can you help the children recognize the needs of others and serve them?
- Read Doctrine and Covenants 81:5 to the children, and help them understand phrases like “succor the weak” and “lift up the hands which hang down.” Let them act out ways we can do what the Lord asks in this verse. Use pictures or videos to tell simple stories of Jesus Christ serving others (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 41, 42, 46, 47, 55; biblevideos.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How can we follow the Savior’s example of helping others?
Friend August 2021 “Jesus Helped in Many Ways” When Jesus was younger, He helped His father with his carpentry work. One of His first miracles was helping His mother when the wine had run out at a wedding. When He saw someone who was blind, He healed him. He helped children feel loved and included.
Friend June 2017 “Jesus Healed People” Story of Jarius’s daughter being raised from the dead, and the story of the women with an issue of blood being healed when she touches the hem of Jesus’s robe.
Friend July 2017 “Jesus Fed Many People”
Friend September 2017 “Jesus is Kind” Jesus blesses the children.
- Read Doctrine and Covenants 82:19 to the children, emphasizing the phrase “seeking the interest of his neighbor.” Explain that this means doing things that help our neighbors—including our family. Help the children think of ways they can serve someone this week.Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 81-83”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 81-83”
- Sing the fourth verse of “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75) or another song about service. Tell about a time when someone helped you feel the Savior’s love by serving you.
Friend June 2022 “I Can Care for Others”
We made baptismal covenants to help and serve others.
Friend January 2024 “You Can Make a Difference” President Susan H. Porter, Primary General President talks about how to keep Baptismal covenants by serving and lifting others.
Who can I help today? Write your ideas on your paper chain!
We can be a light to others when we serve
Friend September 2025 “Candle Craft”
Heavenly Father can bless others through me.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Acts 1-5” What can you do to help children recognize ways they can bless those around them? Help them learn from the example of Peter and John healing the lame man.
Invite the children to do actions that go along with the story in Acts 3:1–10, such as putting out their hands for money and leaping for joy. How did Heavenly Father bless the man who couldn’t walk?
Bring a bag containing pictures that represent ways that we can bless and serve others. Let the children take turns choosing pictures from the bag and sharing how they can bless others in that way.
Friend June 2009 “How Many People Can We Help?”
New Era March 2016 “Can I Care for the Poor and Needy?”
Ask the children to share a time when they helped someone.
Additional teaching ideas: “Lesson 37: Peter the Apostle,” Primary 7: New Testament Lesson ideas
Friend January 2026 “Food & Fun” “As we [follow the Savior’s] perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart.” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
Jesus Christ wants me to help those in need. (Jr)
Show a picture of a child being baptized (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 104). Ask the children what the child is doing. Explain that when we are baptized, we make covenants, or promises. Read Galatians 6:2 or Mosiah 18:8 to help the children learn one of the things we promise to do: bear one another’s burdens. Invite the children to draw pictures of ways they can help others who are carrying burdens. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Galatians” )
Friend May 2020 “Ali’s Head Start” Ali learns that when she is baptized she will be covenanting (promising) to bear one another’s burdens, (or in other words, she will be promising to help those who are going through a hard time). Ali decides to get a head start on her covenants when she sees children without hair as she walked through the hospital to go visit a friend. She decides to donate some of her long hair so those children can have wigs.
Friend August 2023 “My Baptismal Covenant”
Read to the children this phrase from Galatians 6:2: “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” To illustrate what this means, give one of the children something heavy to carry. Then ask for a volunteer to help the child carry the object. Explain to the children that many things can feel like a burden, such as being sick or feeling sad or lonely. What could we do to help a person with this kind of burden? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Galatians”)
Friend September 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities for Little Ones” Help your little ones say, “Jesus wants me to help those in need.” Tell them that people in need might be those who are sick, hurt, or lonely. Think of what you can do as a family to help others.
God Wants Me to Serve and Strengthen Those In Need.
Friend January 2022 “Helping Like Jesus” Lesson ideas about using our helping hands to serve others like Jesus would like us to.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 81-83”
- Draw pictures of hands and knees on the board. Ask the children to read Doctrine and Covenants 81:5 to learn what the Lord says about these body parts. Watch the video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or share how you and the children have seen people serve each other. How can we be more aware of people in need around us? Invite the children to serve at least one person this week. For ideas about ways to serve others, sing a song about service, such as “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223).
- Invite the children to take turns setting up dominoes (or similar objects) while naming ways they can serve others. Ask a child to knock over one domino and notice how it affects the others. How can our service have a similar effect on people around us? (See also the video “Dominoes,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) Tell about how someone’s loving service encouraged you to serve someone else. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 81-83”)
Friend July 2021 “Scripture Time Fun: Words of Comfort”
- Sing “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223).
- Jesus taught that we should “lift up the hands which hang down” (Doctrine and Covenants 81:5). That means helping others and encouraging them when they are sad or tired.
- Make a helping hand! Trace your hand on a piece of paper and cut it out. Write something on it that you will do to help others and then hang it up where you can see it. If you want, you could hang your family’s hands up together to make a helping hands tree!
Friend July 2021 “Scripture Time Fun for Little Ones”
For Doctrine and Covenants 81–83: Think of someone your family can serve. Give them a treat or card or help them with something. Help your little ones say, “I can help others!”
Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 “Mosiah 4-6
Serving others makes us feel good. Perhaps your children could talk about a time when they loved or served someone and how that experience made them feel. What are some reasons people might not want to serve others? What could we say to someone to invite them to help people in need? Look for ideas in Mosiah 4:16–26.
Friend February 2023 “Twelve Smiley Stickers” Antonio’s Primary teacher said that one way to become like Jesus is to serve others, and she gave them each a paper and some smiley stickers. Every time they served someone they got to put a smiley sticker on their paper. That week when Antonio was serving others he saw the happiness that it brought. Pretty soon he was serving not for stickers but because he liked it and it made him feel happy as well.
Friend November 2019 “Helping Our Brothers and Sisters” President Nelson told about some ways people need help in the world today, such as 1 out of 9 people don’t have enough food and many don’t have clean water to drink. The article discusses how the church helps and how we can help people in need. (The article includes photos of the ways people need help, a quote handout idea, and a coloring page.)
Friend September 2018 “Caring and Coconuts”
Friend February 2020 “Garage-Sale Service” TeAroha wanted to help some people in a village who had lost their homes. Her mother suggested they send money to the Church Humanitarian Aid Fund because they use money to help places like that. TeAroha sold some of her toys at a family garage sale and she did chores to earn money to donate.
Friend April 2020 “Come Follow Me for Little Ones” Read Mosiah 4:26 together and help your little ones say, “I can help those in need.” This would be a great time to do a family service project. For example, young children could decorate paper bags and help fill them with snacks or other items to comfort people who seem sad or lonely.
I can show love for others as Jesus did.
Friend September 2023 “I Can Serve Others”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7” Jesus showed great love by healing the sick and afflicted. Ponder how you can teach the children to show kindness to people in need.
- Choose one or more accounts of Jesus showing love to someone in need, such as those in Matthew 8:1–4, 5–13, 14–15; Mark 2:1–12; 3:1–5; Luke 7:11–16.
- (See also the video “Widow of Nain” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) Share a time when someone showed love for you in a time of need and how you felt. Invite the children to share their experiences.
- Show the video “Gordon Hinckley: Lessons I Learned as a Boy” or “The Coat” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). How did the children in these videos follow Jesus’s example? Invite the children to share other situations when someone might be in need. What can we do to help them?
- Sing a song about showing love and kindness to others, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145).
Friend October 2023 “I Can Follow Jesus by Helping Others”
Friend December 2023 “Lighting the World Together” Dallin H. Oaks “As followers of Jesus Christ, we should be the friendliest of all people. We should serve those around us and those not of our faith. We should also notice the good done by others. Jesus Christ’s light guides all of us to help those in need.”
Show several pictures of the Savior (see Gospel Art Book,nos. 38, 39, 40, and 41), and help the children see things that He did with His hands. What can we do with our hands to help others?
Below song includes a story about a boy that didn’t have any friends and another boy learns in FHE and then befriends the lonely boy.
I Can Love Others
Read 1 Corinthians 13:13 and Moroni 7:47, and help the children repeat the phrase “Charity is the pure love of Christ.” Show pictures of Jesus being loving and kind, and ask the children how He showed love to others (see Gospel Art Book for ideas). (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )
The Red Crystal
Sing a song about loving others, such as “Jesus Said Love Everyone” or “Love One Another” (Children’s Songbook, 61, 136), with the children. Show pictures of different people (such as a parent, sibling, teacher, or friend), and ask the children to share how they could serve that person. Invite the children to think of someone they could serve and then write a note or draw a picture to give that person. If they need other ideas about how to serve, show the video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8–13” )
Friend February 2019 “Helper Like You” Tell how you could help out in each situation.
Latter Day Kids “Charity is the Pure Love of Christ” Lesson ideas
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 8-13” Paul’s definition of charity might make an inspiring motto for your family. You could assign each family member to study a phrase in verses 4–8 and teach the rest of the family what it means using definitions, examples, and personal experiences. How is the Savior an example of these attributes? You could also make posters together for each of these phrases and display them throughout your house. Be creative!
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
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!
- 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.
I can share what I have with others.
“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. 42, 44, 46). 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?
- 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.
I can joyfully serve those in need.
Every seven years, all debts are to be released—The people are admonished to care for the poor—Hebrew servants are to be released and given gifts during the seventh year—The firstling males of herds and flocks are the Lord’s.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Old Testament 2022 “Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34” The teachings in Deuteronomy 15:7–11 can help the children you teach understand that helping others involves more than just actions. It should be done with a willing heart.
- Write who, why, and how on the board. Invite the children to read Deuteronomy 15:7–11 to find out who we should help, why we should help them, and how our hearts should feel about helping. Let them write on the board what they find. Sing a song that reinforces the message in these verses, such as “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223).
Friend January 2021 “You Can Help Like Jesus” When Jesus was on the earth, he helped all he saw. Today many people in the world need our help. Each of us can do something to help, even children. About years ago, children helped build the Primary Children’s hospital by collecting pennies. (See more at link)
Friend November 2019 “Helping Our Brothers and Sisters”
President Nelson told about some ways people need help in the world today, such as 1 out of 9 people don’t have enough food and many don’t have clean water to drink. The article discusses how the church helps and how we can help people in need. (The article includes photos of the ways people need help, a quote handout idea, and a coloring page.)
- Ask the children to think of someone they could help—especially in their own family. Provide time for them to write down what they will do this week to help that person. If possible, make plans to reach out as a class to someone in need.
Friend May 2020 “Doing What Jesus Would Do” Care Package Ideas
Friend July 2023 “For Older Kids”
See additional ideas at Service
2 Corinthians CHAPTER 8 True Saints impart of their substance to the poor—Christ, out of His poverty, brought eternal riches.
2 Corinthians CHAPTER 9 God loves and rewards a cheerful giver—Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
2 Corinthians CHAPTER 10 Bring every thought into obedience—Paul glories in the Lord.
2 Corinthians CHAPTER 11 Maintain the simplicity that is in Christ—Satan sends forth false apostles—Paul glories in his sufferings for Christ.
2 Corinthians CHAPTER 12 Paul is caught up to the third heaven—The Lord gives men weaknesses that they may triumph over them—Paul manifests the signs of an Apostle.
2 Corinthians CHAPTER 13 Saints should test themselves as to righteousness—Be perfect and of one mind; live in peace.
I can cheerfully give to people in need. (Jr)
Invite the children to repeat the phrase “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). What does it mean to be “a cheerful giver”? Show a picture of a happy face and a sad face, and ask the children which one looks like a cheerful giver. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Sing together a song about service, such as “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, 198), several times. The first time, ask the children to sing cheerfully; then ask them to sing the song with different emotions or attitudes, such as sad, tired, angry, or scared. Remind the children that Heavenly Father wants us to help others gladly. Then sing the song cheerfully again. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Help the children make pictures of smiling faces and frowning faces. Ask them to hold up their pictures of smiles when they hear the words smile or smiling as they sing “Smiles” (Children’s Songbook, 267). They could do the same thing with their pictures of frowns and the words frown and frowning. Help the children identify which face is cheerful and which one is not. Explain that one way to be cheerful and serve others is to smile and help others smile. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “1 Corinthians 14–16” )
Plan a class activity to serve someone, such as a child who does not attend Primary or a ward member or neighbor in need. You might plan to visit this person’s home, write kind notes or draw pictures, or make a treat to share. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Friend February 2017 “Friendship Brownies” Grace’s Primary class makes brownies and a huge card to take to a classmate who hasn’t been coming.
Invite each child to plan an act of cheerful service for a member of his or her family. During next week’s lesson, ask them to share what they did. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Latter Day Kids “I Can Be a Cheerful Giver” Lesson ideas
Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8–13” Does your family know someone who could be described as “a cheerful giver”? How can we make our service to others more cheerful? Younger family members could make badges that say “I am a cheerful giver.” You could award the badges to family members whenever you see them serving one another cheerfully.2 Corinthians 10:3–7.
Comefollowmekid.com Badges
I can cheerfully give to people in need (Sr)
Write the words of 2 Corinthians 9:7 on the board, with key words left blank. Invite the children to guess what the missing words are. Then let them read the verse in the scriptures to fill in the blanks. What does it mean to give “grudgingly, or of necessity”? What does it mean to be “a cheerful giver”? (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
News with Naylors “A Cheerful Giver” Cover up some words below with thick papers. (See more lesson ideas at link.)
New Testament Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students “2 Corinthians 8–9” Read 2 Corinthians 9:6–7, looking for the comparison Paul used to teach the Church members in Corinth about giving freely.
To sow means to plant seeds. Who are the sowers in this comparison?
Consider how giving to others is like sowing seeds in a field. What happens if we only sow sparingly? What happens when we sow bountifully?
According to 2 Corinthians 9:7, how does the Lord expect us to sow, or give?
From 2 Corinthians 9:6–7 we learn the following truth: If we give to those in need with a cheerful heart, God will generously bless us.
Invite the children to help you find pictures of the Savior serving others (there are several in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Ask them what they see in these pictures that helps them know that Jesus served others with love. Set a goal as a class to say yes when family members or others ask us to serve in the coming week, such as by helping around the house or caring for others. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
The Red Crystal They can color in a heart when they have completed an act of service.
Help the children decorate small stones. Explain that these are “service stones” that they can carry in their pockets this week to help them remember to cheerfully serve others. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Sing together a song about service, such as “Fun to Do” (Children’s Songbook, 253). Help the children think of new verses to the song that describe a variety of ways to serve others. (Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 “2 Corinthians 8-13” )
Friend September 2023 “Come, Follow Me Activities: A Cheerful Helper”
Story: Paul taught that we can help our neighbor (see 2 Corinthians 9:6–7). As we serve cheerfully, we can help others feel God’s love!
Song: “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, 198)
Activity: On slips of paper, write down the names of people who might need your help. Then write how you can help that person. Put the papers in a hat or basket and shake them up. Choose one and do what it says!
I Can Share What I Have with Others.
Doctrine and Covenants Scripture Stories “Chapter 28: The Prophet Joseph Goes to Missouri Again”
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 77-80”
Heavenly Father wants us to share our blessings freely with each other so that we can be “equal in earthly things” and in “heavenly things” (verse 6).
- To teach what it means to be “equal in earthly things” (verse 6), give children pictures of people in need (such as people who are hungry, injured, or cold. (Tip: Google search for images)). Then give other children objects that would help (such as food, a bandage, or a blanket). Invite these children to share what they have to help the people in the pictures. Let other children have a turn sharing. Help the children understand that Heavenly Father wants all of His children to have what they need, and to do this He often asks us to share what we have with others.
- Ask the children to pretend they are helping someone build a house, sharing food, or serving in another way. How do we feel when we are helping and sharing? Help the children think of things Jesus Christ shares with us.
Friend March 2012 “The Coat” Young Heber J. Grant gives his new coat to a child that didn’t have one.
Friend December 2019 “Martin’s Favorite Toys” Martin was not happy about having to move, but eventually he got used to his new home. One Sunday, he noticed a lot of new people at church. He found out that they were refugees. He wanted to help them, but he didn’t want to give them any of his toys because he brought them from his old house. Then he realized that many of the children had to leave everything behind. He remembered how hard it was for him to move, but at least he got to bring his things with him. He then wanted to give them his favorite toys to help them be happier.
Ministering
Friend January 2019 “President Ballard Visits Texas” Ministering means serving and loving. Jesus Christ ministered to others, and so do His Apostles. How are the people below ministering? How can you help someone today?
I am serving Jesus Christ when I serve others.
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 We serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by serving people around us. Help the children consider ways they can serve others.
- Summarize the parable in Matthew 25:34–46. Help the children understand that when we are serving others, we are serving Jesus.
The “right hand”: In ancient times, being seated at the right hand of the king, or next to the king on his right side, was the most honorable position at a feast.
- Hold up a picture of a child with a picture of Jesus hidden behind it. What can we do to serve this child? Remove the child’s picture and explain that when we serve each other, we are serving Jesus.
Friend September 2007 “The Master Served” Link includes lesson ideas
The Red Crystal This site has great visual aid ideas.
- Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves serving others in the ways the Savior describes in Matthew 25:35–36. Ask the other children to guess what they are drawing.
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Match the pictures as the above scripture is read.
- Invite the children to share experiences when someone has shown Christlike service to them or their families.
“Lesson 27: Parable of the Sheep and the Goats,” Primary 7: New Testament
Read the following or similar situations to the children (use situations that are within the children’s experiences). Ask them what they think they should do if:
- They see a younger child who is thirsty but can’t reach the water.
- They know a child who hasn’t been to church for several weeks.
- They know someone who doesn’t have enough to eat.
- They see someone who doesn’t have a warm coat, and it is very cold.
- They know someone who has been home for a long time with an illness or disability.
- What would Jesus want you to do? Why do you think you should help others in situations such as these?
News with Naylors “Helping Others” Activity ideas
Come, Follow Me—For Primary: Doctrine and Covenants 2021 “Doctrine and Covenants 41–44”
The Lord wants His Saints to care for the poor and needy. Help the children understand that when they are serving people in need, they are also serving the Savior.
- If Jesus Christ were in our class today, what would we say to Him? How would we treat Him? Show a picture of the Savior, and explain Jesus’s teaching that when we show love to others, we are also showing love to Him. Help the children repeat verse 38 with you, a few words at a time.
After reading together Doctrine and Covenants 42:38, help your children think of ways they can serve Jesus by serving others. They can find some ideas from the video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). They could also look at pictures of the Savior helping others, healing the sick, or being kind to children (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 42, 47). (Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 “41-46”)
Friend December 2016 “A Shining Light”
You might show your children a Tithing and Other Offerings slip and talk about how to use it to give what we have to bless others (see also “Tithing and Donations Online”).
Friend February 2026 “Food and Fun”
Service Helps Others and Us
Friend April 2021 “For Little Friends”
Friend February 2024 “Tommy’s Very Bad Day” Everything had gone wrong during Tommy’s day and he wanted to just sit so nothing else bad would happen, but that just made him feel worse. Then he saw his neighbor raking leaves and having a hard time putting them in the bag. Tommy decided to help, and pretty soon he was having so much fun he forgot about his bad day.
Service Doesn’t Have to Be Big
Friend April 2022 “Meet Tristan from Canada” You don’t need to do big things to help others.Tristan likes to help in lots of small ways. He gives his mom and dad hugs and kisses when they feel tired. He cleans his room and gathers items for recycling. He prays, and he tries to help everyone feel good. He also sang at his friend’s baptism.
How Can We Help
Friend June 2024 “Serving Those in Need” The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is committed to serving those in need. It works with many people to do this. All children of God are inspired to serve one another the best they can.
A good example of service is a man named Mr. Gabriel. He saw that many children in East Africa needed help. He asked other teachers to help him make what they called “tree schools.” Children came to have lessons under the shade of a tree. Mr. Gabriel did not wait for others to do something. He did what he could to help thousands of children learn.
You can make a difference like Mr. Gabriel! Do as many of the activities below as you can. Can you do all 10?
Friend March 2019 “Service Survey” Questions to ask people to find out how you can help serve them.
Friend February 2019 “Helper Like You” Tell how you could help out in each situation.
Friend January 2018 “Family Night Fun” Hide slips of paper with difficulties someone may be enduring written on them. When someone finds a paper, have them say how they could help that person.
Friend August 2024 “Circle-Toss Game” Each player decorates four paper plates or paper circles so they can tell which is theirs during the game. Use rope or string to mark a big circle on the ground. Stand far away and take turns tossing your plates into the circle. With each turn, say one way you can serve someone. Whoever gets the most plates to land inside the circle wins!
Friend August 2024 “I Can Serve Others”
I Can Help Others by Sharing What I Have Been Given.
The Lord encouraged the Saints in Ohio to help other Saints by sharing their land and their money.
Explain that the Lord commanded the Saints in New York and other areas to gather to Ohio, but many of them didn’t have enough money to build a house when they arrived. Help the children find in Doctrine and Covenants 48:2 what the Lord asked the Saints in Ohio to do to help. Ask the children what they would want to do to help if they were living in Ohio at this time. What have we been given today that we could use to help others?
Friend May 2021 “Pioneers in Every Land: Sam Beazley”Sam loved to build things. He was called to serve as a Labour Missionary building a church school for teenagers. His labor also helped build the Hamilton New Zealand Temple which he later was called to serve in.
Friend March 2022 “Jesus Cared for the Sick” Wherever Jesus went, He cared for people who were sick or hurt.
Holy Ghost Can Guide Us
Ensign July 2019 “Family Study Fun”
After His Ascension, the Lord directed his Church through the Holy Ghost. Revelation helped leaders call a new Apostle, spread the gospel, and find those in need. This same practice is followed today.
- Scatter pillows, couch cushions, and other soft objects throughout the room.
- Assign someone in the family to be the “person in need” at the end of the obstacle course.
- Place a blindfold on a member of the family and assign someone else to whisper directions into the person’s ear to guide them safely through the course to the person in need.
Discussion: When was a time you felt directed by the Holy Ghost to help someone else? How did you recognize those promptings? What recent changes have been announced by President Russell M. Nelson and others? How are these changes evidence of the Lord guiding His Church today?
Never too Young to Serve
Friend September 2025 “Five Loaves and Two Fish” A boy gave his five barley loaves, and two small fishes to the Savior. Because he gave all he had to the Savior, many people were fed who were hungry.
You can give too! Draw a picture of a way you can serve others.
Friend November 2017 Sarah helps her little sister when her mom is sick.
Friend August 2016 “For Parents of Little Ones” Letting children help when they ask to help teaches them to serve others.
Friend March 2016 Ideas on what to talk about when visiting patients at hospitals or nursing homes.
“Cheer up a Friend” – Ideas of things to make and do for a friend who is sick. Friend February 1984
Friend January 2016 – Our Father lifts us and we can lift and help others.
Friend May 2016 Ideas on how to help family member who is grieving the loss of a loved one
Humanitarian Aid
Friend August 2019 “Elder Rasband Visits Cape Verde” Elder Rasband visited a school were many of the children don’t have parents to take care of them. The Church gives money to help the children’s school that Elder Rasband visited. (Activity: Four children donated money to the Church’s Humanitarian Aid Fund. Follow the shapes along the path to see what each child’s money was used for. (Also includes instructions on how to donate money to humanitarian aid.)
Community Service
Friend May 2022 “Sandy Service” This family is helping clean up the beach. Follow each path! Who picked up the most trash? Who saw the most starfish?
Friend January 2026 “Garden Service” This Primary in New Zealand used their helping hands to pick vegetables at a community garden to share with others. Find the hidden objects below.
Serving Homeless
Friend June 2022 “Jesus Fed the Hungry” A group of boys in Utah, USA, organized a sock drive to help local charities that serve people without homes. They delivered flyers. Then a few days later, they collected socks and money to buy more socks. They were able to donate 750 pairs of socks! (Photo at link)
Service Ideas
Friend January 2026 “The Doorstep Miracle” Sing comforting and uplifting songs (like caroling) to those who are suffering illness or upcoming surgeries.
Friend June 2023 “For Older Kids” Walking dogs is a fun act of service for people who can’t walk their dogs or for people who are out of town. It makes me happy to walk people’s dogs because it makes them so thankful. Alli G., age 11, Nevada, USA
Friend July 2022 “For Older Kids” Simple Service
Friend February 2021 “For Older Kids: Secret Service”
- Make a homemade gift for someone.
- Leave a nice note for someone to find.
- Help a friend or sibling with their schoolwork.
Primary 4 Manual: Book of Mormon ““Lesson 46: The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ (Christmas)” Service Calendar
- Make a copy of the calendar for each child to color and take home as a gift for the family. This calendar could be used during the year as a reminder to follow Jesus Christ.
- Read the ideas to the children and let them choose some they want to do.
- Make a copy of the calendar and cut out each section. The children can choose those ideas they want to take home as reminders.
- Using the calendar as a pattern, have the children make their own calendars.
- Draw the calendar on a poster for display in the classroom.
Friend February 2026 “Food and Fun”
Friend May 2019 “Friends by Mail” Children rake their neighbor’s leaves. (Picture included)
Friend January 2021 “Show and Tell” “I went on a litter-picking walk with my dad and collected 322 pieces of litter! It felt good to make our neighbourhood cleaner and tidier for other people to enjoy.” Sam D., age 8, Suffolk, England
Friend February 2019 “Show and Tell” Our family decided to collect food in our neighborhood for the homeless shelter. My brother and I decorated notes to tell our neighbors about it. A few days later we collected the food. It made me feel happy to help lots of people. Asher W., age 6, Ontario, Canada
Friend July 2018 “Show and Tell” As friends, we wanted to honor the people in our neighborhood who serve our country in the military. We sang patriotic songs and shared cupcakes with them!
Addelyn S., Julianne W., Connor M., Eli S., Ansel S., and Easton M., ages 5, 11, 8, 7, 11, and 6, Missouri, USA
To celebrate Pioneer Day, Primary children of the Lebanon Pennsylvania Ward, USA, and their friends helped refugees close to home by making cards and putting together hygiene, school, and cleaning kits to help welcome them.
Friend June 2018 “Show and Tell” “I was excited to donate 12 inches (30.5 cm) of my hair to make wigs for children with cancer!” Lavona R., age 8, West Java, Indonesia
Friend April 2018 “Furry Fun” Camila and her brother Tomás found a fun and furry way to serve their neighbors! Every Saturday, they walk dogs for people who have a hard time getting around.
Friend February 2018 “Show and Tell” I like to serve the sisters in our ward by playing with their children. I love the happy feeling I get from serving! Masha K., age 11, Central Federal District, Russia
Friend January 2018 “Show and Tell” (Click on link to show pictures of the following children.)
We made a paper kindness garden and put a flower or bug sticker on it every time we served or were kind to others. At Christmas, we sent it as a gift to our grandparents who live very far away. Adding stickers reminded us how much we love them! Deltree and Calan A., ages 10 and 8, Victoria, Australia
I fasted for my brother-in-law so he could get a good job. A week later, he got a job! Caden J., age 8, Ohio, USA
At school, I help a friend understand the assignments. Serving my friend helps me feel the love of my Heavenly Father. Allison M., age 9, Santa Ana, El Salvador
I like to play soccer with younger kids and teach them new skills. It is one way I like to serve! Sasha K., age 11, Moscow, Russia
Secret Service
Print the following secret service slips and put them in a jar. Have the children draw one a day or one week to do.
Friend November 2022 “For Older Kids”
Friend September 2022 “For Older Kids”
Friend May 2022 “For Older Kids”
Friend March 2022 “For Older Kids”
Friend January 2022 “For Older Kids”
Friend December 2021 “For Older Kids”
- Read a story to a younger child.
- Make a Christmas present for someone in your family.
- Write thank-you letters to your teachers.
Friend October 2021 “For Older Kids” Secret Service
- Make a card for your Primary teacher.
- Call a family member you haven’t seen in a while.
- Pray to know who needs your help this week.
Friend June 2021 “For Older Kids” Secret Service
- Write a note or poem for someone telling them how great they are.
- Say a prayer for someone who is going through a hard time.
- Multiply your age by two. Then pick up that many pieces of trash!
Friend August 2021 “For Older Kids” Secret Service
- Surprise a parent by doing something kind for them.
- Write a letter to a missionary or someone in the military.
- Forgive your friend or sibling when they do something that upsets you.
