For the STRENGTH OF YOUTH
NOVEMBER – John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
“TRUTH WILL MAKE YOU FREE“
CHURCH & HOME – LESSON PLAN
(In 20 minutes you can review the lesson (that YOUTH CAN TEACH). Then send youth home with a handout to place in their journal/notebook to reinforce gospel learning. Use one per week (printing all fro the bundle or individually below.
YOU’LL FIND:
#1 Activities BUNDLE For Lesson-Match Activities (shown right)
#2 “Strength of Youth” lesson (below or here)
#3 Mutual Night ACTIVITIES (shown below)
Activities BUNDLE Includes:
• 2 Post & Present Activities: Testimony Spin-the-Bottle; Two-Testaments of Jesus
• 1 Youth Goal Planner: Courage to Show Integrity
• 1 Lesson Lifesaver Activity: Light of the Gospel candle box
LESSON LIFESAVER Lessons and Activities
Truth will make you free.
John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Your Heavenly Father is a God of truth. He is all-knowing. All truth comes from Him and leads to Him. You show that you value truth as you seek learning, live with integrity, and bravely stand for what you know is right—even if you have to stand alone.
Eternal Truths
Heavenly Father wants His daughters and sons to always be learning. You have both temporal and spiritual reasons to seek and love learning. Education is not just about earning money. It is part of your eternal goal to become more like Heavenly Father.
Living with integrity means you love what is right in the sight of God—more than you love personal comfort, popularity, or convenience. It means doing what is right simply because it is right.
You have something precious to share. The gospel of Jesus Christ holds the answers to life’s questions. It is the way to peace and happiness. You may not know everything, but you know enough to love your neighbor, share true principles with them, and invite them to learn more.
The main idea is you don’t have to be an expert or know everything to share what you sincerely believe and invite someone to discover more.
Everyday Life Practical Examples:
- With a friend: “I’ve been going through a difficult time, and my faith in Jesus Christ has really helped me find peace. If you’re interested, I’d love to tell you what I’ve learned.”
- With a neighbor: “We’re trying to follow Jesus Christ by helping people around us. Is there anything we can do to help you?”
- Sharing a principle: “One thing my faith has taught me is to forgive others. I’ve found that forgiving someone can bring a lot of peace, even when it’s difficult.”
- Inviting someone to learn more: “I don’t have all the answers, but learning about Jesus Christ has made a big difference in my life. Would you be interested in learning about Him with me?”
- Through your actions: Helping someone who is struggling, listening without judging, forgiving someone, or simply being kind can all be ways of sharing the gospel without immediately talking about religion.
WEEK #1
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. DON’T BOTTLE-UP YOUR TESTIMONY Share it! spin-the-bottle. Youth can learn how to build a strong belief in the gospel and testify of truth. They can spin to find the topic and then share their beliefs on the topic. Also, great for Discussion Starters; Scripture Chase; and Table Talk. SEE MORE …
Invitations
Always be learning. Look for opportunities to expand your mind and your skills. These opportunities can include formal EDUCATION AT SCHOOL or vocational training, as well as informal learning from sources you trust. Involve the Lord in your efforts, and He will guide you. Here’s an example.
The student who kept learning. Imagine a young person who struggled in a particular subject at school. Instead of deciding, “I’m just not good at this,” they asked for help, practiced, watched educational videos, and kept trying. Over time, something that once seemed impossible became understandable. The lesson is that learning doesn’t stop when we struggle—it often begins there.
Learn spiritual truths. As you learn about the world around you, learn also about the Savior, who created the world. Study His life and teachings. Make seminary, institute, and personal gospel study part of your lifelong learning. It can prepare you to serve a mission and share the gospel throughout your life.
Live with integrity. Do not steal, lie, cheat, or deceive in any way—at school, at work, online, everywhere. Be the same faithful follower of Jesus Christ in public and in private.
WEEK #2
YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. I GIVE A HOOT! Vocation Future Focus planner. Youth can choose a vocation they are interested in and interview someone who WHOO has that vocation, writing their comments on the planner, GIVING A HOOT. SEE MORE …
WEEK #3
TWO TESTAMENTS OF JESUS CHRIST puzzle. Youth can learn and testify to two testaments of Jesus Christ. #1 The BIBLE. Jesus organizes His Church, teaches His gospel, heals the sick, dies for us, and is resurrected. #2 The BOOK OF MORMON. After the resurrection, Jesus visits ancient America, organizes His Church, teaches, and heals the sick. This book contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which was given to Joseph Smith the latter-day Prophet (on gold plates). READ MORE …
Promised Blessings
Education increases your ability to serve the Lord, including as a missionary. It empowers you to bless others, especially your family. The more you learn, the more you can help build God’s kingdom and influence the world for good.
Honesty brings peace and self-respect. When your words and actions align with truth, you show that you can be trusted by other people and by the Lord. Learn about being HONEST (regarding the above activity) in our HONEST IN HEART blog post HERE.
When you stand up for the teachings of Jesus Christ, He stands with you. Jesus Christ is your strength! Others may not agree with your beliefs, but your courage and sincerity will be noticed. Whether or not others follow your example, your testimony, confidence, and faith in Christ will grow.
You may want to sing “We’ll bring the World His Truth” song (using the song visuals HERE). President Dallin H. Oaks image is featured in these visuals. This would be a great time to share his words on “Why Do We Do Missionary Work?” He said,
“The purpose of our missionary work is to help the children of God fulfill a condition prescribed by our Savior and Redeemer. We preach and teach in order to baptize the children of God so that they can be saved in the celestial kingdom instead of being limited to a lesser kingdom. We do missionary work in order to baptize and confirm. That is the doctrinal basis of missionary work.”
The song goes on to tell “We will be the Lord’s missionaries to bring the world His truth.”
Week #4
YOUTH GOAL PLANNER. COURAGE TO SHOW INTEGRITY. This helps youth learn from the courage of others who have integrity: Joseph of Egypt, Esther, Job, Daniel, Apostle Paul, Hyrum Smith, and Joseph Smith. Then share a time they had experienced these qualities (especially when it was not easy or popular). SEE MORE …
Week #4
YOUTH GOAL/LESSON ACTIVITY. LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL candle gift box. Youth can be reminded to “share” their “greatest gift … the light of the gospel” (Matthew 5:15-16) with this gift box (including a candle). The gift box notes three steps to sharing the gospel: Be friends; Invite to activities; Invite missionaries to teach.
SEE HUMANITARIAN PROJECT for a Mutual Night Activity below (to invite less activity youth). SEE MORE …
Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony | Gary E. Stevenson | October 2022 General Conference
Nourishing and Bearing Your Testimony By Elder Gary E. Stevenson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles By Elder Gary E. Stevenson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
“You bear your testimony when you share spiritual feelings with others. As a member of the Church, you have opportunities to bear your spoken testimony in formal Church meetings or in less formal, one-on-one conversations with family, friends, and others.
Another way you share your testimony is through righteous behavior. Your testimony in Jesus Christ isn’t just what you say—it’s who you are.
Each time you bear vocal witness or demonstrate through your actions your commitment to follow Jesus Christ, you invite others to “come unto Christ.”4
Members of the Church stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places.”
REACH OUT TO OTHERS HUMANITARIAN PROJECT: Start with the Church website JustServe, or ask humanitarian representatives in ward or stake, city, or library for ideas. Make sure the less active young men and women are brought to this activity. Go out of your way to include all!
Idea #1: Get together with the youth to a humanitarian center to serve. Give young men the assignment to cut out small wooden blocks or animal shapes that young women can sand and paint to share with young children.
Idea #2: Go around and collect teddy bears, and donate them to your local fire department, police department, hospital, or homeless center.
Idea #3: Make quilts or collect food or hygiene items to donate to homeless shelters.
These Mutual Night Activities were written by Fern Law, a Young Women leader of six years – these are her experiences with the YOUTH. Collect them all; there are over 200 in this series.
President Gordon B. Hinckley famously taught that every new or returning member needs three fundamental things to stay active: “a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God’ (Moroni 6:4).”
YOUTH GOAL PLANNER. GIVE SERVICE OUTSIDE YOUR FAMILY. Youth can use this in council meetings with the bishop to plan projects or individually to find opportunities on the JustServe website or app. The ideas can be written here. The reactions of the person served can be recorded. Goals for future service opportunities can be listed. It’s great for brainstorming and planning. SEE MORE …
YOUTH CAN TEACH
So, please let them teach as it helps them learn the gospel and grow their testimony as they share it.
Use this BRIGHT IDEAS LESSON Planner to plan lesson objectives, activities, and discussions (included with each activity).
