June 2009 Sharing Time, Week 1
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ strengthens me and my family.
References: (Alma 32:21; Ether 12:6; Faith, TTF, 54-56; Chapter 18)
This is a very simple sharing time with little preparation required. Give each child a sheet a paper and crayons. Give each teacher one of the stories listed below. Each story is from The Friend.
You might like to decorate the classroom with the scriptures, songs, and quotes found on this page:
Have No Fear,” Friend, Sep 1975, 42
Write on the chalkboard, "Faith and fear cannot coexist." Tell the children the prophets often tell us this and ask them to guess what it means. Once they understand, tell them that the more faith they have, the less scared they will be in their life, and that when they are scared, they can replace the fear with faith by remembering the teachings of Jesus and how much he loves them. Tell them the stories they'll be working with are all true stories about real people, just like them.
Ask the teachers to read the story you've given the class and to divide it into sections--one section per child, if possible. Each child should illustrate his section. Make sure the teachers have pencils so they can draw lines to divide the sections. They should number each section and also the papers. When the children are done, classes will take turns presenting their story. An adult will read the story--if a teacher prefers not to read, a member of the presidency should do it. The children will hold up their picture at the appropriate time. They will probably want to practice this first.
To intersperse this with singing time, have singing first. Then have the classes read their stories in their groups and divide them. Sing again. Return to draw the pictures, and then sing. Next, have a rehearsal--each class on its own. Sing again, and finish up with the presentations.
Stories:
Tidings of Great Joy!,” Friend, Dec 1981, 2
Gordon B. Hinckley, “Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: Be Not Afraid,” Friend, Feb 2005, 2
Patricia R. Jones, “The Opposite of Fear,” Friend, Jan 2007, 18–19
David F. Evans and Kimberly Reid, “Now Is the Time to Obey,” Friend, Aug 2008, 8–9
M. Russell Ballard, “‘You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey’,” Friend, Jul 1998, inside front cover
Dian Saderup, “Prairie Thunderstorm,” Friend, Jul 1980, 36
Thomas S. Monson, “Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: Courage Counts,” Friend, Nov 2005, 2
F. Burton Howard, “Friend to Friend: Hold to the Rod,” Friend, Aug 1980, 6
Paul R. Gentry, “A Rock of Faith,” Friend, Jul 1987, 3