POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. I NEED MY OWN TESTIMONY Parable of the 10 Virgins story puzzle. “In this parable, the virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Christ. The Lord explained to Joseph Smith that the wise virgins are those who “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived” (D&C 45:57). SOURCE Youth will know from this parable to be prepared.
Great for COME FOLLOW ME Primary and Home, Primary, Family Home Evening, Sunday School, Bible Study, and Daily Devotionals, Sunday School
POST-AND-PRESENT Activity
I Need My Own Testimony:
“Parable of the Ten Virgins” (story-puzzle)
OBJECTIVE: Ask the youth, “How are our testimonies like having oil in the lamps in this Parable? Why is it important to have our own testimonies?”
Tell youth they will need their own testimonies if they are to keep their faith strong when adversity comes.
Inspire them to learn the truth for themselves. Tell them that the little things they do to grow their testimony is like adding oil to their lamps.
Having oil in their lamps helps them to prepare to enter the temple and be ready when Jesus comes again (like this story).
TO MAKE STORY PUZZLE – The puzzle comes in a large size (for larger groups) or a small size (for individuals or smaller groups).
Print both the picture and the 13-piece puzzle. Glue pages back-to-back. Cut out according to the lines on the back piece; this way there are no lines on the front piece of the puzzle. Each piece of the puzzle has one verse from Matthew 25:1-13 on it. The best way to glue backs together is using a spray adhesive. Laminate pieces if you choose.
NOTE: With the large puzzle, put two pieces of the front and two pieces of the back together per instructions before gluing back-to-back. Then once it is glued you can cut out the puzzle.
ACTIVITY: The puzzle is made to read right from the scriptures. Have youth put together the puzzle in Matthew 25:1-13 this way: 1) Tell the story starting with piece 1. 2) Post each piece putting together the puzzle as you read the story on the back. To post pieces on a board use magnets or tape, or assemble them on a table.
Also share “Chapter 47: The Ten Virgins,” New Testament Stories, 118–20, or the corresponding video on LDS.org).
THOUGHT TREAT Itty-Bitty Testimony Treats. Divide treats into pieces to share. Tell the youth that a testimony is not something that you can just give to someone. A testimony develops like the oil in the lamps drop by drop. As we bear our testimony and listen to others’ testimonies, we are getting small parts that make up our whole testimony. Serving others, scripture study, prayer, and being kind are those things that add to the oil in our lamp. Living the gospel principles and doing the things Jesus would do help build our testimony little by little and prepare us for when He comes again.
MORE LESSON IDEAS FOR OLDER YOUTH/ADULTS:
To prepare for the lesson by reading the LESSONS FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT “Oil in Our Lamps” by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, Of the Seventy – CLICK HERE TO VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE (see quote below).
QUOTE this and more from this article:
“When speaking of His Second Coming, the Lord has said, “I will suddenly come to my temple” (D&C 36:8; see also D&C 42:36; 133:2; Malachi 3:1; 3 Nephi 24:1). Because He will come to His temple, we would be wise to prepare to meet Him by being temple worthy.
Could the importance of temple worthiness be one of the Lord’s messages to us in the parables of the ten virgins (see Matthew 25:1–13) and the marriage of the king’s son (see Matthew 22:2–14)? These parables have more than one possible interpretation. However, one wise way to “liken [these parables] unto us” (1 Nephi 19:23) is to study them with the temple in mind. This perspective reminds us of the urgent need to have and to be ever worthy of a current temple recommend.
In the scriptures the Savior uses His title “the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17) in reference to His Second Coming: “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1).”
There is more about the wedding, Filling Our Lamps, The Keeper of the Gate, The Wedding Garment, Reminders of Covenants, and Helps for Home Evening
