Behold the Great Redeemer Die

We have the great opportunity to teach children the hymns.  Where will they learn them if we don't teach them in Primary and at home.  Yes, some of them are difficult to learn and understand - even for adults, but we must still do our best.

Behold the Great Redeemer Die, # 191, is a beautiful hymn about the Savior's crucifixion, resurrection and the meaning of the sacrament. 

Teach phrase by phrase by singing each each one and then have the children sing it with you a few times.  The repeated phrase at the end will be the easiest.  Explain each phrase after you sing it.  Perhaps some of the children could also explain the meaning.  Repetition is by far the best way to learn a song. 

I like to teach the first and fifth verses.  All 5 verses are important to understand the full meaning of the sacrament and the gift that Christ unselfishly gave to each of us.  Never forget the verses beyond the ones written in the staff!  Often times they are the best!

The 5th verse tells about the triumph over death.  Sing it boldly with joy and love, just as Christ would love to hear it sung.  Use a pictures of Christ in Gethsemane, on the cross and the resurrection.  These pictures will help the children visualize what they are singing about.

*** Look up "Did Jesus Really Live Again" on this blog for ideas to teach this song.

Jesus Has Risen

What a great day to teach "Jesus Has Risen," pg. 70!  This is an easy song to teach - 1 verse.

• Sing it through once.
• Ask how many times they heard the phrase "Jesus has risen?" (3)
• Sing it again and have them count as you sing.
• Sing the first 4 phrases then have them sing with you.
• Sing the last 2 lines.
• Tell the children that "Jesus has risen, Savior divine" is repeated.
• At Easter we should all sing praises to Jesus and that's what we are doing in this song.
• Sing the last 2 lines with the children.
• Sing the whole song several times as time permits

If you have time, review songs that you have taught so the children will remember them.

I love to hear the children as they meet their parents after church, singing the songs we have sung in primary.  You make a difference!

Easter

Help the children understand the event leading up to the resurrection of Christ.

Choose songs (about 8) from the Easter songs that the children know, include Popcorn Popping, p. 242, In the Leafy Treetops, p.240, Rain Is Falling, p. 241, My Heavenly Father Loves Me, p.228.

Choose several pictures (8) that tell about the last week of Christ's life. Use large pictures from your ward library so they are big enough for the children to see. Tape or hang them around the room.  Ask the children to put them in chronological order or have a child tell about the event.  Sing a song in between each picture.

Eastertime

Easter is 4 weeks away (counting this week).  There are several Easter songs listed in the index of the Children's Songbook.  I like to add a few "springtime" songs as well.  "Heavenly Father Loves Me," p. 228  fits into this genre so you could review it with the children so they keep it up for the Sacrament Meeting Program. 

This year our primary will have an "Easter Pageant" during singing time.  It isn't a "big" program, just a little different from what we usually do during that time.  I will be reviewing the Easter songs and springtime songs with the children - two or three songs a week.  We will also continue learning the rest of "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" this month.

As you review or learn the Easter songs, ask questions about this event that are answered in the songs.  Questions for "Did Jesus Really Live Again" could be:
What day was Jesus risen?  "Yes, when the third day came."
Who did He see first?   Mary
What did He eat?   Fish and honeycomb
What was in His hands?   nail prints
What was in His side?   spear wound
Is Jesus the only one who will be resurrected?  No, "and so shall I."

Easter Presentation through Music

Using the Easter Primary songs, you can teach a beautiful lesson on the resurrection of Christ.

• He Sent His Son  p. 34
• Did Jesus Really Live Again  p. 64
• He Died That We Might Live Again  p. 65
• Easter Hosanna  p. 68
• Jesus Is Risen  p. 70
• Hosanna  p. 66

If your primary knows all of these songs, it will probably take most of singing time.  Have a few pictures of Christ's last week.  In between each song ask the children to tell about one of the pictures.  This is also a great time for you to share your testimony.