CHILDREN AGES 4-7 ACTIVITY. FASTING HELPS ME FEEL THE SPIRIT fasting tree. Children can really grow close to Heavenly Father when they fast, and this tree filled with FASTING MOTIVATORS help. For example, I will pray for others when I fast. Fast Sunday is a happy day. When I go without, I won’t pout.
USE FOR: COME FOLLOW ME, Primary and Home lessons, Family Home Evening, Activity Days
Little LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
I can grow closer to Heavenly Father when I fast. FASTING TREE
OBJECTIVE: This lesson activity helps children understand that fasting can bring them closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that they can fast and pray for special blessings.
ACTIVITY: Fasting Tree
Children can glue six fruit stickers on the tree to show how they can grow closer to Heavenly Father as they fast.
Have each child read or tell about how they can make a fast day a happy day.
Tell children that they are not expected to fast until they are older. Joseph F. Smith said, “Neither should parents compel their little children to fast” (Gospel Doctrine, 244).
TO MAKE Print or copy, color, and cut out the activity on cardstock paper.
THOUGHT TREAT: Samaritan Sack-of-Sacks. Give children a sack of cereal or snacks they can share with others, telling the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-34).
LESSON IDEAS ON FASTING (Source: ⇒)
1. Fasting and prayer have been linked in the scriptures since ancient times. Give each class one of the following scripture references. List 2 headings on the board: Who? and Result. Have each class locate its scripture assignment and determine who prayed and fasted and what the result was. The class should plan how they will tell the story—dramatize/pantomime it (see Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 166); each class member says one sentence; read directly from the scripture; etc. Then ask all the children to identify who fasted and prayed and the result; write or post each answer under the proper heading. Suggested scriptures:
2 Chr. 20:1–3, 13–24 Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, called the people together in prayer and fasting when their enemies came to battle. They were promised victory, and they won without having to fight!
Ezra 8: heading, Ezra 8:21–24, 28–31 Ezra and his people fasted and prayed for guidance in taking temple treasures to Jerusalem from Babylon. They were delivered from the hands of enemies and thieves and arrived safely in Jerusalem.
Dan. 6:16–23 When King Darius was tricked into throwing Daniel into the lions’ den, he fasted all night for Daniel, and Daniel’s life was spared.
Alma 5:1, 45–46 Alma testified that he had fasted and prayed many days to gain an understanding and a testimony of the gospel truths that he taught.
Alma 17:2–3 The sons of Mosiah were valiant and powerful missionaries because of fasting and prayer.
Matt. 4:1–11, including footnotes 1b, 2c, 5a, 6a, 8a Jesus fasted for 40 days as He prepared Himself for His great ministry. He was able to withstand Satan’s temptations and was ministered to by angels.
Bear your testimony of the power of fasting and prayer in your life. Give each child a list of the scripture references and suggest that they share this activity with their families.
2. Prepare a reader’s theater (see Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 177), using the story of Esther (see Primary 6 manual, Lesson 38, pp. 167–171, for the story of Esther and other activity suggestions). Choose children who read well to present the story. Tell the children to listen well because after the story, there will be a game, and the story of Esther will help them to play the game. When the reader’s theater is over, pin the name of one of the characters (Haman, Mordecai, Esther, Servant, King) on the back of each child. The children may work in pairs or in small groups. They must ask each other questions that can be answered only with yes or no as they try to determine which persons they represent. Bear testimony of the strength you have received from fasting and prayer.
For younger children: See “Esther Saves Her People” (Friend, Sep. 1998, pp. 38–39) for the story and flannel-board figures. Let the children place the figures on the flannel board and retell the story several times. Help them understand that fasting and praying by Esther and her people helped Queen Esther to be brave. Bear testimony of the power of fasting and prayer in your life.
3. Have the children find heroes in the scriptures by giving them clues such as “This person fought a giant.” Have them use the Topical Guide to help them locate the reference; then have them share the story with each other. Discuss what they can learn from each hero that will help them keep their baptismal covenant.
Teach the song “Heroes of the Scriptures” (Friend, June 1998, p. 14). You might use simple costumes, such as a scarf or a paper crown, to suggest each scripture hero mentioned in the song. Play a game, matching the name of the person with the quality mentioned in the song. Tell the children how the stories of the heroes in the scriptures have been a “lamp unto [your] feet” in helping you keep your baptismal covenant. Help the children memorize Ps. 119:105.
For younger children: Tell the stories of the heroes featured in “Heroes of the Scriptures.” Sing the song and let the children wear simple costumes (like shawls) or carry props (like scriptures) depicting each hero.
4. You may want to use this idea as a class presentation. Prepare the children in the class to tell the story of Helaman’s stripling warriors (see Friend, Aug. 2000, pp. 34–35, for flannel-board figures and story, or help the children plan how to tell or dramatize the story in their own words). In Sharing Time, have the class tell or dramatize the story. Help the children understand that the mothers had taught those warriors to be obedient and live righteously. Sing v. 6 of “Book of Mormon Stories” (CS, pp. 118–119). Then sing v. 3, and discuss what Alma’s father had done to help his son live righteously (see Mosiah 27:11–14). Our parents, teachers, and leaders teach us of Jesus Christ and His great love. When we are baptized, we covenant to remember Him and to keep His commandments. Sing v. 8. Have the children write about or draw something that their parents, teachers, or leaders do or have done to help them live righteously and keep their baptismal covenant. Suggest that the children share this activity with their families. Bear your testimony about the influence of parents, teachers, or leaders in helping you keep your baptismal covenant.
5. Additional Friend resources: “Fasting for Billy” (Feb. 1998, pp. 2–4), “Like Alma—Me?” (June 1998, pp. 2–5), “Hold On” (Jan. 1998, p. 26), “When I Hear the Scriptures” (song—Jan. 1998, pp. 34–35), “Prayer of Faith” (Nov. 1998, pp. 48–IBC).
MORE ACTIVITIES ON FASTING:
