YOUTH LESSON ACTIVITY. HONEST IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED Drawing Hones and Dishonest Faces story poster. Youth can read and discuss the stories in Acts 4 and 5 of Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira. Then draw their honest or dishonest faces as they ponder their choices.
USE FOR: COME FOLLOW ME, Primary and Home (family home evening), Activity Days, Sunday School, Seminary, Bible Study
Little LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
I will be honest in thought, word, and deed.
Drawing Honest and Dishonest Faces (story/poster)
OBJECTIVE: Help youth learn about honesty and how being honest can bring happiness as they keep this commandment.
ACTIVITY: Tell youth the story of Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira found in Acts 4:36-37; 5:1-2, 7-11 (see scriptures* below). While they are listening to the story a second time have them draw Barnabas with his HONEST face and Ananias and Sapphira with their DISHONEST faces.
TO MAKE Print and color the poster for each youth.
THOUGHT TREAT Honest face pancake. These pancakes are served cold, but they leave children with a warm feeling.
TO MAKE BATTER: After making the batter put aside 2/3rds of the batter. Then divide the remaining 1/3 of the batter into two parts: 1) Drop 2 drops of blue food coloring into the first half and stir. 2) Drop 2 drops of red food coloring in the second half and stir.
TO FRY CAKES with the 2/3rds part batter making oval (face-shaped) cakes. After turning the pancake, drop two dollops of blue pancake batter on the top of the cakes to make two eyes (1 teaspoon of batter for each eye). Then two teaspoons full of the red pancake batter create a smiling mouth. Then turn the pancake over for 30 seconds to cook facial features.
As youth eat, smiling, honest-face pancakes, talk can talk about how happy they feel when they are honest like Barnabas.
SCRIPTURE CARDS: Help youth Search and Ponder this scripture card by filling in the blanks. PRINT this 5 x 7 scripture card from the pdf included with the above activity. You can punch the two holes on the left and tie a ribbon to attach cards or use two metal rings to connect cards.
Acts 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”
. . . MORE LESSON IDEAS . . .
For I will be honest in THOUGHT, WORD, & DEED drawing faces story poster
The above activity illustrates DISCUSSION in the lesson (see ideas above or click the Lesson 38 link below).
LESSON. To add to and enhance the above activity see (HERE) Lesson 38 – Primary 7 Manual – Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira.
Discussion & Questions
Read the scriptures together.
SHARING?
As you read Acts 4:31–35 ask the youth how they would feel if our Church leaders asked us to share everything you have.
Story of BARNABAS
As you read Acts 4:36–37 about Barnabas, what did he do that was honest? QUIZ them:
• What does being honest mean? (Telling the truth, not stealing or cheating, not deceiving in any way, and so on.)
• How do you feel when you are honest?
Story of ANANIAS and SAPPHIRA
As you read Acts 5:1–2 how were these two dishonest?
• Read Acts 5:1–2, 7–8. Why did Sapphira go along with her husband’s lie? If she was honest, what might have happened?
ANALYZING HONESTY
• Who is hurt by another person’s dishonesty?
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Lord and lost their lives (Acts 5:3-10).
• Dishonesty may not cause immediate consequences (like Ananias and Sapphira did) but we still hurt ourselves.
• We may also hurt others with our dishonesty.
CONSEQUENCES FOR BEING DISHONEST
• Ask the youth to share examples of honesty and dishonesty.
• What are the consequences of honesty and dishonesty?
• How do you feel when someone is honest or dishonest?
• Who knows when we are telling the truth?
• How does being honest bring us closer to Heavenly Father?
• How can you help others be honest?
• At home, why is it important to be honest with your parents and siblings?
• Earning someone’s trust takes courage; yet telling the truth can bring peace.
How would the world be different if everyone were honest?
Read the following quotation from President Ezra Taft Benson, the thirteenth President of the Church:
“Be honest. Do not lie nor steal. Do not cheat. …
Heavenly Father sent you to earth at this time because you are some of His most valiant children. He knew there would be much wickedness in the world today, and He knew you could be faithful and obedient” (Ensign, May 1989).
HONEST CHOICES
Help youth look ahead at situations where they decide to be honest. IDEAS:
• You promised your friends that you could go with them, but you were wanted at home.
• You were to watch your little brother but you had homework.
• You accidentally broke your mother’s bowl.
Start brainstorming situations and how you can decide to be honest.
TESTIMONY
Encourage youth to share their thoughts on being honest. Talk about how the Holy Ghost will give us a feeling of peace.
Help youth memorize Articles of Faith 1:13
“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”
Small Children Reciting Articles of Faith 1:13
Sing or read the words to these songs.
DOWNLOAD the song visuals (below)
• “Dare to Do Right”
• “Keep the Commandments”
• “I Will Be Valiant”
• “Stand for Right”
