Did You Think to Pray first verse

Hymns can be tricky to teach to young children.  Sometimes there are words in the hymn that aren't commonly used.  Read through the words and become familiar with the words and message so you can explain the meaning and define any words that might need explanation.

"Did You Think to Pray," hymn # 140, is a perfect way to teach children, and adults, too, about prayer.

I like to begin with the verse because the chorus will be easy as they repeat it after each verse.

First verse:

• Show a picture of a child kneeling by their bed. Sing "Ere you left your room this morning,"
• Draw a "?" mark on a piece of paper. Every time you sing "Did you think to pray?" hold up the question mark.
• Sing the whole first line using the picture and question mark.
• Show a picture of Jesus and sing the next phrase.  Explain that we begin our prayers by saying Jesus, name.
• Sing the next phrase.  Ask if anyone knows what the word "sue" means in this hymn.  Explain that the word has several different meanings but in this hymn it means to ask, plead, seek request, beg.  Sing the phrase again substituting one of the other words in place of "sue."
• The last part of the phrase, "as a shield today" means that when we pray and ask Heavenly father to watch over us and protect us that it is a shield for us and a reminder to do what it right throughout the day. Draw a picture of a shield perhaps with the letters "C T R" on it.
• Sing the verse several times using the visual prompts to help the children.

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

Many of the songs used in the Sacrament Program are repeated from year to year, so some of the children will already know the songs.  This year, 2019, the songs go along with the "Come Follow Me" church wide theme.

"I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus," p. 78, explains about many ways we can be like Jesus. 

• Sing the first verse. (If the children know it, they can sing with you.)
• Ask the children to tell what ways we can be like Jesus that are mentioned in the song.
• You can list them on the board or
• make word strips of the list: follow Him, love, listen, etc.
• or just verbally share the list
• Sing the second verse and repeat the same above activity.
• Love my neighbor, serve my friends, etc.
• The chorus has several ways to be like Jesus.

Challenge the children to do at least one thing this week that Jesus would do and share it next week.

Review

Musicians that perform regularly are constantly reviewing music that they have learned - even pieces that they have learned years ago.  Reviewing is critical!

So far this year (2019) we have learned 6 songs:
Come, Follow Me
A Child's Prayer
Jesus Once Was a Little Child
Baptism
I Will Follow God's Plan
He Sent His Son

This week's theme could be "We Love to Sing Our Primary Songs."
(You could continue this theme throughout this year for continuity.)

• Cut out 6 red hearts large enough to print the song titles on each
• Print each song title on each heart (one title per heart)
• Place each heart on the board with the title facing the children
• Sing each song
• Ask the children which is their favorite
• Take a vote for each song (let them vote for two of their favorites)
• Place the hearts on the board according to how many votes each receives.
• If time permits, sing them all again
• Ask a few children why their chosen song is their favorite.

If you are able, make note of several children's favorite song and mention it throughout the year.  Of course their favorites might change but children love to hear their names.  example:  "This is one of Susan's favorite songs" then sing the song.

He Sent His Son

"He Sent His Son," p. 34, asks a question and then answers it.  The following activity is great for reviewing it if your primary already know this song or if it's new.

Prepare the following:

• draw a large "question mark" (?) on 6 pieces of paper
• find pictures of the following:
• baby Jesus
• Christ teaching/blessing others
• Christ on the cross
• scriptures or show a set of scriptures
• Christ helping others
• print "faith" and "hope" on a piece of paper
• picture of Christ

Hold a "?" up as you sing the question then show the picture that answers it.

When you sing "What does the Father ask of us?" and "What do the scriptures say?" show the scriptures with the words "faith" and "hope" and then show the picture of Christ each time you sing live like His Son."

The pictures will help the children remember the words as well as understand the meaning of the song.

Baptism

The baptism of Jesus is very important to learn about and this song, p. 100, does a perfect job.  Once they know this song (all verses), they will never forget it and it will be great blessing to the children throughout their lives.

Begin by telling the children about John the Baptist, his birth and purpose.  Although he baptized many people, his main purpose was to baptize Jesus.

• obtain several pictures of Christ being baptized
• pictures of other people being baptized - anciently and modern day
• write on the board or prepare a word strips of the words "HOW?" and "WHY?"

1. Sing the first verse.  Show pictures of Christ. Point out that He was baptized in the Jordan River.
1. How was He baptized?  Immersion
2. Who baptized Him?  John the Baptist
3. What authority did he have?  John was given priesthood authority to baptize.
2. Sing the second verse.
1. What did John the Baptist ask Jesus?  (Why He needed to be baptized - He was already perfect?)
2. Why was He baptized?  Answer is in the 2nd verse
3. Sing the third verse.  Show pictures of others being baptized.
1. Why must we be baptized?  Answer in 3rd verse

You may need two weeks to teach this song but remember that repetition is the best way to learn.

Jesus Once Was a Little Child

"Jesus Once Was a Little Child" p. 55, is a song sung by children for many years!  The theme this yer is "Come Follow Me," and this is the perfect song to introduce the children to becoming like Jesus and following Him.

First verse:

• make word strips of the following words (or you can write them on the board)
• pure
• mild

Second verse:

• make word strips of the following words (or you can write them on the board)
• played
• games
• vexed
• spoke the truth

Chorus:

• Write "try" on 4 word strips

Sing the first verse and hold up the words as you sing them (or point to them on the board).  You could also find a picture of Christ as a boy.  Have the children sing it with you 3 times.

Sing the chorus and ask 4 children to hold up the word "try" as you sing.  Ask all the children to sing with you and choose 4 different children to to hold up the word strips each time you sing the chorus.

Sing the second verse.  Ask if anyone knows what "vexed" means.  Explain its meaning. Hold up the words as you sing it again. Have the children sing it with you 3 times. 

Sing the whole song.

A Child's Prayer

Last week's post was on ideas for teaching the Hymn, "Come Follow Me."   Hymns can be a little more difficult to learn for children but constant review will seal them in their minds so when we sing a hymn that they have learned in Sacrament meeting, their eyes will light up and they will sing along.

Take time each week to review "Come Follow Me."  Challenge them and yourself to learn all verses.

"A Child's Prayer" is a favorite of children once they know it.  They love singing the duet part.

Choose two pictures of a child or children praying.  Use one picture for the first verse and the second for the second verse.  Use the same two pictures as you are learning the song.  The children will identify each verse with the picture.  Learn the first verse well.  Then learn the second verse just as well.

When you sing the duet, hold the first verse picture for one side of the primary to sing and the other picture for the other side to sing.  Then switch sides.  the pictures will determine which verse is to be sung.