For the STRENGTH OF YOUTH
DECEMBER – Doctrine and Covenants 101:36
“Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.”
“JESUS CHRIST BRINGS JOY“
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)
BUNDLE Includes:
4 LESSON LIFESAVER Activities:
(1) Find JOY time capsule,
(2) Teachings of Jesus JOY scripture,
(3) Happiness mirror motivator and JOY goal list,
(4) Grateful Heart bookmark and card
LESSON LIFESAVER Lessons and Activities
Jesus Christ brings joy.
Jesus Christ brings joy
Your Heavenly Father is joyful. He wants you, His child, to have as much joy as possible. This is why He prepared the plan of happiness. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be your Savior and teach His gospel. The word gospel means “good news,” and the good news is that because of Jesus Christ, you can have happiness in this life and a fulness of joy for eternity.
Eternal Truths
You are intended to have happiness and joy. That’s the purpose of your life. It’s the purpose of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. This doesn’t mean you will never be sad or have hard times. But it does mean that the Savior can help you get through hard times and find joy.
Joy doesn’t come from your circumstances; it comes from following Jesus Christ. You might have a bad day, a bad week, or a bad year. But joy is not the absence of sorrow in your life; it’s the presence of Christ in your life.
The Savior’s joy is greater and more lasting than anything else. Satan will tempt you to seek fun and satisfaction in selfish ways or from worldly pleasures. Anything that is contrary to Jesus Christ and His commandments cannot bring you true, lasting joy and happiness. Remember that the things of this earth are temporary. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers joy and happiness that are deep, holy, and everlasting.
YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. FIND JOY MONTHLY TIME CAPSULE. Youth can write their goals on each card and place them in the envelope. Then each month open and re-think each card strategy.
CARDS: (1) Finding joy in trials and difficulties. (2) Finding joy in knowing I can overcome temptation. (3) Finding joy in following my Savior Jesus Christ (4) Finding joy in knowing I am a son/daughter of God. (5) Finding joy in loving myself. SEE MORE …
SCRIPTURE ACTIVITY. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS BRING JOY – John 15:11. Memorize: “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” SEE MORE …
Invitations
Choose joy. Although it’s true that there is sadness and hardship in this world, Heavenly Father has also filled the world with many beautiful, wholesome things. Seek them out. Try to notice reasons to rejoice every day—maybe even write them down. These are gifts from your loving Father in Heaven.
Bring joy and happiness to others. Jesus Christ found a fulness of joy in bringing us joy. You can follow His example by finding joy and happiness in serving others. Help someone feel loved. Give a sincere compliment. Encourage someone who is struggling. If you ever feel like you need more joy in your life, try bringing joy to someone else.
Be joyful in worshipping the Lord. When you go to church, focus on the joy that Jesus Christ gives you, and praise Him for that! Do your part to contribute to a joyful spirit in your Church meetings. Make sacred music part of your worship at home and at church.
Promised Blessings
You can feel joy even when life is hard. You might wonder how this is possible, but it’s true. Your faith in Jesus Christ, His healing power, and His eternal promises can give you constant joy. His joy overshadows sorrow and brings peace that passes all understanding.
A fulness of joy awaits you in God’s celestial kingdom. Jesus Christ overcame all things that could keep you from RECEIVING ETERNAL JOY. As you trust Him and follow Him, this joy will be yours.
YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. HAPPINESS mirror motivator and JOY goal list. Youth can memorize the Prophet Harold B. Lee’s quote “Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you but what happens inside of you.” Then, in the journal “What I can do to find joy now …” write their goals to obtain that inner happiness. SEE MORE …
YOUTH GOAL – Greatful Heart Bookmark and gratitude card: With this “Happiness is a grateful heart!” bookmark youth can be reminded to express gratitude, to give thanks. With the star stationery/card they can write a note of thanks for sending to parents or a relative, a friend, or a leader to express their gratitude. SEE MORE …
MUTUAL NIGHT, SEMINARY, OR FAMILY NIGHT ACTIVITIES
EXPRESS GRATITUDE WITH A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART MARATHON:
Step 1: Ahead of time, make a large sign inside of a heart: “Mighty Change of Heart Marathon” and write the scripture Alma 5:14 in a large banner with large letters that stretch across the room as follows: “Have you spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts.” Write out thirty situations on slips of paper and place them in a bowl across the room. Post two signs, Christlike and Not Christlike. Place two tape dispensers near the bowl.
Step 2: As the activity begins, discuss this change of heart where we receive the image of God in our countenance (read Alma 5:14 from the banner). Discuss how we can express thanks to Heavenly Father by our actions for what He has done for us. Talk about repentance, which represents a change of heart, so we can have His image in our countenance, finding peace and happiness as we become more Christlike.
Step 3: Divide youth into teams and line up on the other side of the room opposite of the signs and bowl. Have them compete at the word “go” to race across the room, drawing from the bowl a situation, reading it silently, and posting it with a piece of tape under the sign Christlike or Not Christlike. The first team to complete wins!
Step 4: Place chairs near the signs and situations and have a discussion, reading the situations aloud, checking them for accuracy, discussing the actions.
Step 5: Award youth with a Church video that reflects a mighty change of heart. Serve heart-shaped treats, e.g., sandwiches cut out with heart-shaped cookies, Jell-O blocks cookie cutter cut-outs.
Step 6: Give youth the following message written on a large red heart to hang in their room: My Change of Heart: I will learn about Christ and His commandments. I will have faith in Christ and believe in His Atonement. I will ask for forgiveness, and be forgiven through the Lord’s mercy. I will make a covenant to keep the commandments, and do good all my days. – Mosiah 5:2, 5
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.
YOUTH LESSON ACTIVITY. MY CHANGE OF HEART STEPS 2-sided mobile. Youth can learn from King Benjamin’s counsel (Mosiah 5:2, 5). Steps 1-4 (1) Learn of Christ and the commandments (2) Have faith in His Atonement, (3) Seek forgiveness with His mercy, and (4) Make covenants. SEE MORE …
