Gratitude

This Sunday is a great day to sing "thankful" or "gratitude" songs.

Ask the children to think of things that they are thankful for.  Have several share one thing then sing a "thankful" song.  (Several are listed below.)

Ask the children to think of ways they can show gratitude.  You may need to share a few examples: thank Mom for fixing dinner or packing your school lunch.  Have several share one thing then sing a "thankful" song.

Continue sharing thankful and gratitude ideas then sing a song.  The hope is that the children will go home singing these songs to help remind them to be grateful.

I Am Glad for Many Things p. 151
For Health and Strength p. 21
I'm Thankful to Be Me p.11
A Song of Thanks p. 20
For Thy Bounteous Blessings p.21
I Think the World Is Glorious p. 230

See "Gratitude" in the topics of "The Children's Songbook" for more songs.

Tell Me, Dear Lord

Seeking the lord's help in all we do is so important to teach children - and we as adults need the reminder. Tell Me, Dear Lord, p. 176, is the perfect teaching tool.

List on the board or make word strips of the following:
(I like using word strips so I can use them again as needed.)

• Say
• Do
• Know and love thy will
• understand thy loving word

2nd verse:

• guided
• hear thy voice
• obey
• Know thou art near
• strength impart
• banish every fear

Explain to the children that this song is bout asking the Lord to be with us in all we do.  It is important to ask for His help each day to know what He would like us to do or say or how we can help others.

Ask the children to count or listen for the many ways we can ask for Heavenly Father's help to guide us each day as you sing through the song.

Using the word strips as prompts, have the children sing the song with you as you point to the words.

Sing the song several times.  You can mix up the words on the board and have the children put them in order.  OR, give the word strips to the children and have them bring them up as they sing them.

Search, Ponder & Pray

We have been studying The New Testament in Come Follow Me this year. Teaching the children to "Search, Ponder & Pray" is critical to understanding the scriptures.  This song, p. 109, is a perfect teaching tool.

Sing the song for the children.
Ask the children what it means to search the scriptures.

• It could mean to understand the scriptures
• It could mean to read the scriptures
• It could mean to tell favorite scripture stories
• It could mean to explain the scriptures

Ask what ponder means.

• Think about
• write in a journal questions and thoughts about the scriptures
• Talk about them

Sing the first verse, then have the children sing it with you.

Ask the children why it is important to pray about the scriptures.

• Pray to understand the scriptures
• Pray to know that they are true
• Pray that the scriptures will help you make good decisions

Sing the second verse, then have the children sing it with you.

Sing the chorus and then have the children sing it with you.

After they have sung the song a few times, ask again why it is important to search, ponder and pray about the scriptures.  Use some of the phrases in the song to answer that question.