YOUTH CAN TEACH With These LESSON LIFESAVERS
JESUS LOVES ME
Fun Activities for CHURCH & HOME
“The Savior loves you and knows you personally.
He knows of your challenges.
He knows of your circumstances.
He knows the profoundest concerns of your souls.
He also knows your faith and your desire to serve Him.”
– Gospel Living “A Message from President Russel M. Nelson: The Savior Loves You“
“The Lord knows you and loves you.
He is your Savior and your Redeemer.
He leads and guides His Church.
He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life—each and every day.”
– Russell M. Nelson “Jesus Christ Will Guide Your Life”
Start with these 19 JESUS LOVES ME activities
FIND MORE
• See our JESUS, SAVIOR Index (HERE)
• See our JESUS CHRIST Index (HERE)
• See more YOUTH CAN TEACH posts (HERE)
YOUTH CAN TEACH, so please let them teach with you. The best way youth can learn to teach is to know they have to teach it and explain it to someone. This way their testimony grows and their love for teaching and serving increases.
#1-5 “Jesus Loves Me”
Ages 1-5 JESUS LOVE ME – Count-the-Ways
LOVED FROM UP ABOVE Hearts-on-a-String
1-5 HEAVENLY FATHER & JESUS LOVE ME poster or coloring page
“I FEEL MY SAVIOR’S LOVE” song visuals
8-11 JESUS DIED FOR ME that I might live again! ponder wheel
HOW HAS JESUS SHOWN ME THAT HE LOVES ME?
YOUTH CAN TEACH many ways Jesus shows his LOVE for us as they turn the pages of this mini-book to show from the time Jesus was born to the time He died, was resurrected, that He LOVES them.
ACTIVITY:
Help the children understand that Jesus Christ LOVES each one of them. With this book, they can count-the-ways as each page spotlights what Jesus did to show His LOVE to them.
Discuss other ways our heavenly father and Jesus show their LOVE for us.
Ask each child how they can show their LOVE for Jesus in return.
HOW ARE WE LOVED BY GOD?
YOUTH CAN TEACH children just how much Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ love us and want us to return to Them. In the beginning, Jesus volunteered to come to earth to teach us His gospel and to save us from sin and death. This way we can return to heaven again someday.
ACTIVITY:
Ask children, “Have you ever created something special like an art project, a sand castle, a balloon or clay object, or baked something good in the kitchen? Were you happy with your creation?” If so, then you know a little about how Heavenly Father and Jesus feel about creating you. Let’s look at these hearts on a string to see how much you are LOVED.
HEARTS-ON-A-STRING:
• Children can unclip a heart and read the LOVE note from heaven. Ask, “What is it saying about YOU, Their creation?” Example: “Heavenly Father gave us a family.”
• Children can tell ways to thank Them for creating YOU. Example, “Show love to my parents,” or “Be kind to my brothers and sisters, or help someone in need.”
HOW MUCH DO I LOVE HEAVENLY FATHER & JESUS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH the children that our Heavenly Parents and Their Son, Jesus Christ have perfect LOVE for each of us individually. They loved us before we came to this earth; They continue to LOVE us now, and their great love for us will never change.
During His earthly ministry, the Savior demonstrated great love for little children in particular (see Matthew 18:5, 10; Mark 10:13-16; and 3 Nephi 17:11-24).
ACTIVITY:
This lesson helps children learn about the great LOVE we have from Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus LOVED us so much that He gave His life for us and spent His life teaching us the commandments and how to be happy.
It can be difficult to understand this kind of LOVE. Perhaps asking the children to express their feelings about their mother or father, a puppy, or a grandparent can help them begin to understand this LOVE. You can let them know that this love is great and a lot like the LOVE Heavenly Father and Jesus have for us.
HOW DO WE FEEL THE LOVE OF JESUS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH children that the Savior’s LOVE is there to speak to them through the Spirit. By following Jesus they will feel His LOVE and want to serve Him. The Prophet (name him, e.g. Russell M. Nelson) receives our Savior’s LOVE and revelation for the Church today. We can feel our Savior’s LOVE through His revelations and our personal revelation.
ACTIVITY:
Do you have a favorite blanket or quilt? How about favorite slippers or pj’s? These bring comfort. The SCRIPTURE John 15:10-12 reminds us, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” This scripture brings us comfort. It tells us we are LOVED by our Savior Jesus Christ. It reminds us we can feel a fullness of JOY as we love others. Serving others can fill us with the great love of our Savior Jesus Christ. It brings us joy!
HOW DID JESUS SHOW THAT HE LOVES US?
YOUTH CAN TEACH older children and youth of Jesus Christ’s great love for us. Turning the wheel shows the scripture that references the LOVE actions Jesus did and continues to do for all mankind.
ACTIVITY:
For example, we learn from turning the wheel to Luke 23:43 that Jesus could see into the future. Telling the man who was hanging on a cross next to Him, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Talk about sacrifice, how a person gives up something he has so another person could be helped. This is what Jesus did for us. He wanted to live, but He knew that the only way we could live forever is for Him to die on the cross, to become our Savior. Then, everyone could be resurrected like Jesus. On the third day He rose from the dead.
SACRIFICE can be difficult. For Example:
– Giving up a bad habit for a good one.
– Giving of your time or money can be hard too.
Our Savior gave up his life so that we can have the opportunity to return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Parents. This was a supreme act of LOVE.
The statements on the wheel tell of the power and character of Jesus that helped Him do these things.
#6-10 “Jesus Loves Me”
Ages 11-16 I STAND ALL AMAZED sacrament thought card
HEAVENLY FATHER HEARS & ANSWERS PRAYERS prayer mail
4-7 JESUS LOVES ME! mirror message poster
STORIES OF JESUS Heart-to-heart match game
1-5 JESUS LOVES ME sacrament mini portrait
WHAT FEELINGS DO I HAVE ABOUT MY SAVIOR?
YOUTH CAN TEACH how Jesus Christ loves us so much that He volunteered to be our Savior.
#1 Jesus suffered in Gethsemane for the sins of all mankind, making it possible for all to repent and be forgiven, showing us the way back to our heavenly home.
#2 Jesus suffered on the cross an agonizing death so we can all be resurrected, making it possible for all mankind to live again, never having to die again.
ACTIVITY:
Youth can use this “I stand all amazed at the LOVE Jesus offers me” sacrament thought card activity to grow closer to the Savior.
They can memorize 3 Nephi 11:14 on the front of the card and write their feelings and thoughts about Jesus Christ, on the back.
Sacrament Story. Janet’s father suggested the family consider preparing for the sacrament before going to church. Janet pondered that and prayed asking Heavenly Father to help her see the sacrament differently. As the sacrament portion of the meeting began, Janet noticed the sacrament table. It was as if the body of Christ was under the beautiful white cloth – that it must symbolize purity.
She then opened her scriptures to D&C 20:77, 79 and read along with the priests as they blessed the bread and then the water. She noticed words like “sanctify,” “willing,” and “in remembrance.” Also, the promise that she could, by keeping the commandments, “always have his Spirit” to be with her.
Janet felt that Jesus truly loved her enough to die for her. She felt renewed and ready to take upon herself His name. Looking at her father, she was thankful that he challenged her to prepare.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY PRAYERS MORE MEANINGFUL?
YOUTH CAN TEACH children the four parts of prayer as they write letters to Heavenly Father. Know that Heavenly Father hears and answers sincere prayers.
By inserting a written prayer in an envelope and into the Prayer Mail box they can know that their prayer will be heard and answered. They can pray anytime, anywhere and they will be heard.
ACTIVITY:
This PRAYER MAIL box can be placed in the youth’s room or in a classroom to send out prayer mail (on postcards with a LOVE stamp). They don’t need to sign their name as Heavenly Father knows them and their hearts.
POSSIBLE DISCUSSION POINTS:
• We can have confidence that Heavenly Father hears all our sincere prayers.
• Heavenly Father answers our prayers according to His will and timing, not ours.
• Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father. He pleads for us. We pray in His name.
• The four parts of prayer are:
#1 Acknowledge Him (Dear Heavenly Father),
#2 Thank Him,
#3 Ask for what we need, and
#4 Close “in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.”
HOW DO I KNOW JESUS LOVES US?
YOUTH CAN TEACH with this poster that frames of child’s face as they peer into the mirror to see themselves reflected there. Then they can read, “Jesus loves me!” to feel His LOVE.
ACTIVITY:
The lesson helps children feel that Jesus Christ LOVES and blesses all children. Prayerfully study Matthew 25:34, Mark 10:13-16, and 3 Nephi 17:11-25* where Jesus asks that the children come to Him. Jesus directs the people to ponder His words and pray for understanding; angels bless the *Nephite children.)
See the video Jesus Christ Prays and Angels Minister to the Children (HERE 3 Nephi 7:11-25).
To Make: Print the poster. Cut out the center heart so the child can see their face reflected in the mirror.
HOVER OVER or ZOOM IN (to view)
WHY DID JESUS COME TO EARTH?
YOUTH CAN TEACH the LOVE Jesus has for us by matching hearts with hearts. These tell of His purpose for coming to earth and how He showed His LOVE for us. Children/Youth will take these teachings to “heart” as they learn that Jesus LOVES everyone.
ACTIVITY:
Using this STORIES OF JESUS Heart-to-heart Match Game the youth match hearts with hearts and get to know the Savior and His purpose for coming to earth.
The “2B” JESUS HEART. Tell how Jesus showed His LOVE. Example: “Jesus showed His LOVE by being baptized to show that everyone must be baptized.” This matches the “2A” SYMBOL HEART “John the Baptist asked Jesus, who had never sinned, why He wanted to be baptized.”
WHY DOES JESUS WANT US TO TAKE THE SACRAMENT?
YOUTH CAN TEACH by giving children this portrait of Jesus to pull out when it is time for the sacrament. Tell them, “When we take the bread and then the water we think of Jesus and how He showed us His love.”
ACTIVITY:
Youth can explain to the children that Jesus gave the sacrament (bread and drink) to His Apostles before He died on the cross (Luke 22:19-20) to help them remember Him and His sacrfice for them.
He also brought the sacrament to the Nephites (3 Nephi 18:1-11). Today we partake of the sacrament of water and bread after a prayer is said so we can think of and remember Jesus and keep His commandments.
Print or copy the activity and tell the children they can take this Jesus portrait with them to Sacrament meeting to remind them to think about Jesus when they partake of the sacrament. This will help them remember Jesus and follow Him. Color image with pastel markers.
#11-15 “Jesus Loves Me”
Ages 1-5 GUESS WHO LOVES ME mirror or frame
KEEPING INSIDE THE FENCE commandments keep us safe
4-7 FIND THE LOST LAMB picture puzzle (Jesus the shepherd)
JESUS VOLUNTEERED TO BE MY SAVIOR John 15:13 poster
WARM FUZZY RIGHTEOUS REMINDERS poster & bookmark
HOW MUCH DO HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS LOVE ME?
YOUTH CAN TEACH the children that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have perfect LOVE for all of God’s children. They LOVED us before we came to earth. They continue to love us now, and Their great LOVE for us will never change. During His earthly ministry, the Savior demonstrated a great LOVE for little children in particular.
ACTIVITY:
Some great scriptures for this lesson are Matthew 18:5, 10; Mark 10:13-16; 3 Nephi 17:11-24.
Our Heavenly Parents love us so much and knew we could only understand this great LOVE by our own experiences here on earth. Part of this experience is to understand how much They love us and want us to love ourselves and others. The children can place their picture in the frame or mirror (to peer into) to see themselves as our creators see us.
HOW IS THE SAVIOR LIKE THE GOOD SHEPHERD?
YOUTH CAN TEACH this fun quiz KEEP INSIDE THE FENCE Commandments Keep us Safe. The prophet today encourages us to keep God’s commandments. They tell us how to be safe from spiritual and physical dangers. Like the sheep inside the fence, we can be safe from the dangerous wolves, rocks, rivers, and pits. If we sin we can repent and go back inside the fence by keeping the commandments and being safe.
ACTIVITY:
Youth can help others know that we can be safe from physical and spiritual dangers. As we (the sheep) keep the commandments, we can stay inside the fence (see commandments on the fence).
What are the dangers you see in the world today? How do you think we can be safe from these dangers? How do we get back inside the fence to safety?
The Holy Ghost helps us stay close to safety. Have you ever felt something you were doing was not quite right? That is the Holy Ghost nudging you to think about what you are doing and make corrections. It is about paying attention!
STAYING INSIDE THE FENCE helps us to avoid Satan’s lies and temptations (2 Nephi 28:6, 8, 21-23, 29).
ARE WE IMPORTANT TO JESUS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH with this LITTLE LOST LAMB picture puzzle that they are important to Jesus who LOVES them. The parable of the lost sheep Jesus told tells us how much He LOVES us. Our Savior doesn’t want one sheep (one child of God) lost. They can search this puzzle for a sheep wearing a tennis shoe, a necktie, a baseball hat, a bell, a bow tie, and more. They are told to “Color the lost lambs as soon as ‘ewe’ find them.”
ACTIVITY:
Have you ever been lost? Being in an unfamiliar place, around people you do not know can be frightening. When you were found, how did you feel?
Have you ever seen newborn lambs? They are excited to be alive and run everywhere. Sometimes they run too far away from their mothers and find themselves in a strange place and cannot see their mothers. They begin to cry “baa baa” for mama. Did you know each mother knows the exact sound her little lamb makes? When she hears it she runs to find her lost lamb.
The GOOD SHEPHERD our Savior Jesus Christ knows each one of us. Like the shepherds (of sheep), He knows our names and everything about us. He wants us safe. He wants us to know Him and follow Him.
WHY DID JESUS VOLUNTEER TO BE OUR SAVIOR?
YOUTH CAN TEACH that JESUS VOLUNTEERED TO BE OUR SAVIOR! See John 15:13 bite-size memorize. Remind youth that in premortal life Jesus willingly said he would be our Savior as they memorize: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
ACTIVITY:
Youth can use the bookmark to look up scriptures (on the topics written below each circle) that will help them find peace and happiness. They can use the poster to practice ways of living the gospel daily to feel their Savior’s love. Scripture for “LOVE” Ephesians 5:2 “walk in love, as Christ also loved us …” Scripture for “Obedience” D&C 130:20-21) is the first law of heaven where all blessings come from.
You will need six cotton balls or pom-poms (found at a craft store).
Warm Fuzzy Righteous Reminders. Youth can cut out a smiley sticker and glue the sticker on the pom-pom as a reward for practicing these goals.
HOW CAN LIVING THE GOSPEL HELP ME FEEL MY SAVIOR’S LOVE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH ways to find peace and happiness with this poster and bookmark (reminder). The poster shows ways they can live the gospel daily to feel their Savior’s LOVE. Warm Fuzzy Righteous Reminders (circles): LOVE, Service, Obedience, Prayer, Study, and Work.
ACTIVITY:
Youth can use the bookmark to look up scriptures (suggested below*) that will help them find peace and happiness. They can use the poster to practice ways of living the gospel daily to feel their Savior’s LOVE.
You will need six cotton balls or pom-poms (found at a craft store).
Warm Fuzzy Righteous Reminders. Youth can cut out a smiley sticker and glue the sticker on the pom-pom as a reward for practicing these goals.
#16-19 “Jesus Loves Me”
“I STAND ALL AMAZED” song visuals, Hymn 193
Ages 1-5 JESUS IS OUR LOVING FRIEND
poster or coloring page
“I KNOW THAT MY SAVIOR LOVES ME” song visuals
“EVERY STAR IS DIFFERENT” song visuals
HOW & WHY DID JESUS RESCUE US FROM SIN AND DEATH?
YOUTH CAN TEACH this song using these song visuals. The first words are, “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me …” Answer the question above, pondering the words in this song (see lyrics HERE). Then see the “I Stand All Amazed” sacrament thought card (HERE or #6 above).
ACTIVITY:
Youth can read the words to this hymn and discuss their meaning.
As they talk about the words such as grace, rescue, rebellious, pride, LOVE, mercy, redeeming, devotion, praise, and adore they can express how they feel about our Savior and His willingness to give His life for us.
Youth can also lead a discussion about our responsibilities to our Savior for giving us this great gift of the Atonement.
Then talk about what our Savior needs us to do?
HOW CAN I BE A LOVING FRIEND LIKE JESUS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH children that they can be loving and kind like Jesus with this activity. They can say, “I can ‘BEE’ a friend! Jesus is our loving friend.”
Children can learn to be a friend. For example, say please and thank you, to be kind at church and home. Discuss the Home Activity.
ACTIVITY:
Perhaps ask questions such as:
. What does being kind mean?
. What does sharing mean?
. Do you say please and thank you?
As you discuss kindness and sharing help them connect these attributes with Jesus. . How is Jesus kind?
. How does He share? (heals the sick, feeds people, teaches, blesses, loves)
Explain that as we follow Jesus, we are willing to share our blessings with others who are in need. Sharing is a way of thanking Heavenly Father for our blessings. Sharing is a way to make and keep friends too.
I WONDER WHAT JESUS TAUGHT THE CHILDREN
YOUTH CAN TEACH this song using these song visuals. The first words are, “A long time ago in a beautiful place, Children were gathered ’round Jesus. He blessed and taught as they felt of His love… wouldn’t it have been wonderful to be there and learn at the knee of Jesus?
ACTIVITY:
This song helps the children understand the great LOVE of our Savior for them. When they sing, “I KNOW THAT MY SAVIOR LOVES ME,” they can feel His LOVE and be reminded of the time long ago when Jesus gathered the children around Him to bless and teach them. “Each saw the tears on His face, The love that He felt for His little ones,” and more. This will encourage them to learn the teachings of Jesus as they develop a great LOVE for Him. Help them understand that someday they will again be with Jesus.
HOW CAN WE SHINE BRIGHT FOR JESUS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH this song using these song visuals to learn that “Ev’ry one is needed.” We can understand that our Heavenly Father created us with unique traits and talents to help us shine brightly, to be the best we can be, and to serve others.
ACTIVITY:
This song can help others see people differently. “Some are bright and happy and some are meek and mild.”
Ask “WHAT ARE MY TALENTS AND GIFTS?”
. What has my Heavenly Father given us to share with others?
“Shining” STORY.
Leah was quiet and shy, but she noticed that Shelly was quiet and shy. They met on the first day of school during lunch. Leah asked Shelly to sit with her.
Because Leah was brave enough to ask Shelly to sit with her, Shelly’s first day at the new school was better than she thought it could be. They became fast friends.
Shelly understood from Leah’s example that kindness can soften the most difficult days for others. Shelly began seeing ways to serve others in the same way.
