For the STRENGTH OF YOUTH
FEBRUARY – DOCTRINE & COVENANTS 8:2-3
“GOD WANTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU“
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 GOD WANTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU (below or here)
#3 Mutual Night ACTIVITIES (shown below)
BUNDLE Includes:
LESSON LIFESAVER Activities:
- 3 Color Quotes on Priesthood Keys, Sustaining Leaders, and Serving.
- Plus, Priesthood Keys doorknob reminder
LESSON LIFESAVER Lessons and Activities
God wants to communicate with you.
Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3 “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.”
The Restoration of the gospel began when a teenager named Joseph Smith prayed, and Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, answered him. God continues to guide His Church through living prophets. He also wants to speak to you, His child, through the Holy Ghost. Learning to recognize how the Holy Ghost speaks to you is one of the most valuable skills you can gain.
Eternal Truths
The Spirit leads you to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This is an important role of the Holy Ghost. He will also inspire you to repent and follow Jesus Christ so you can receive the blessings of His Atonement. As you repent, the Spirit purifies you and helps you change.
The Holy Ghost speaks to your mind and heart. Messages from the Spirit can come to your mind in many ways—through inspired thoughts, warnings, clear understanding, and spiritual memories. The Holy Ghost can speak to your heart through uplifting feelings like comfort, confidence, peace, love, joy, humility, gratitude, and patience.
POST-AND-PRESENT ACTIVITY. INVITE THE HOLY GHOST Invitation Brainstorm. Youth choose an invitation, e.g, “You’re Invited! because I read the scriptures.” Then tell why this ACTION (obeying that commandment) would invite the Spirit. Invitations are posted, then placed in an envelope. This commitment-filled envelope can actually serve as a time capsule to review again at a later date. SEE MORE . . .
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION. “ASK GOD” Moroni 10:4-5 scripture poster. Moroni engraved this PROMISE on gold plates that he gave to Joseph Smith hundreds of years later, called The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Christ visited Moroni’s people the Nephites. We are to “ask God” and “he will manifest the truth of it” “by the power of the Holy Ghost.” SEE MORE . . .
Invitations
“Receive the Holy Ghost.” These words were spoken when you were confirmed a member of Christ’s Church. How do you receive the Holy Ghost? By obeying the teachings of Jesus Christ. He is your strength. Following Him invites the Holy Ghost into your life.
Seek your Heavenly Father in prayer. Pour out your heart to Him. Thank Him for the many wonderful blessings He has given you. Share with Him your joys, worries, and questions. Be still and listen for His answers, which may come as feelings of peace, thoughts in your mind, or impressions to do something.
Hear God’s voice in the scriptures. The scriptures are God’s words to you! Learn from them daily to discover His voice and feel His love. As you read, ponder what He might be teaching you, and write down impressions that come. Make it a daily habit to study the scriptures—especially the Book of Mormon—throughout your life.
Act on spiritual impressions you receive. If you have a thought or impression to do something kind that will bless someone, do it! All good things come from God. Show your Heavenly Father that He can trust you to follow impressions from Him.
STRONG SPIRIT I can say “no” to temptation! poster. Youth can be reminded to: DECIDE to choose the right! PRAY to avoid temptation. LISTEN to the Holy Ghost. KNOW that Heavenly Father loves me and will help me. Inspired by 1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” SEE MORE . . .
Promised Blessings
The Holy Ghost will comfort and guide you. He is known as the Comforter. He will support you in times of trial. He will help you know what to say or do. With His influence, you can tell the difference between what is true and what is false. He can help you find the good in others and in yourself. The Spirit can also warn you of danger. He will guide you toward Jesus Christ and away from sin.
You can receive spiritual gifts. There are many gifts that God gives His children through His Spirit. Some mentioned in the scriptures include revelation, believing in Jesus Christ, teaching, discernment, and wisdom. Pray to ask Heavenly Father about the spiritual gifts He has given you, how you can develop them, and how He wants you to use them to bless others.
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION. HOLY GHOST The Comforter Can Guide & Teach Me JOHN 14:26 rebus. Youth can guess the picture prompts to help them memorize, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” SEE MORE . . .
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth ways to do this by:
• Writing on the front side of the card HOW to pray and WHAT to pray for (reading Alma 37:37 I will “Counsel with the Lord” in all my doings).
• Then, on the back of the card, read, Don’t forget to pray, and then use the chart to mark morning and night prayers to form a habit.
SEE MORE . . .
SPIRITUAL GIFTS BOX: Create a Spiritual Gifts Box that youth can cherish to remember their spiritual gifts. Ask them to take small slips of paper and write on them special talents, gifts, and positive character traits they see in each young woman or young men. If there are ten youth, they should all receive ten notes for their box, plus notes from leaders. Ask them not to talk during this time so others can feel inspired as they write. Open, and close activity with prayer.
EXCHANGE SPIRITUAL GIFTS: A week ahead, have youth draw names to exchange gifts the following week. Have them thoughtfully select an item that represents a spiritual gift Heavenly Father has given her/him. Write a note about the gift, exchange gifts, and read the note aloud. Ideas: A magnet could represent a “magnetic” personality; a plum could say she/he is “plum” nice; a jug of water (a pure heart and mind); a bolt (she’s like a “bolt of lightning, fun to be around); a diaper pin (she’s/he’s good with children); a picture of Jesus (she/he follows in His steps); picture or poem describing this person; a handkerchief (enjoy her/his testimony).
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.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS writing activity and match game. Read D&C 46:8-9: “Seek ye earnestly the best gifts . . . for they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments.” Also Timothy 4:14: “Neglect not the gift that is within thee.”
2. Read the instructions on the envelope to find lasting gifts.3. List ways on the envelope that you can focus on spiritual gifts. SEE MORE . . .
⇐ GO BACK to “THEME” For The Strength of Youth ACTIVITIES
GO to NEXT “THEME” For The Strength of Youth ACTIVITIES ⇒
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).
