YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. IN HIS FOOTSTEPS mirror motivators. Youth can follow these feet to see the path that Jesus Walked: Resist temptation, Be obedient, Love and serve others, and Be meek and humble. As they visualize Christ beside them they will make better choices.
SPIRITUAL
Youth GOAL
FOLLOW JESUS 24-7
Practice living as if Christ were beside you, seeing everything that you do.
Goal Ideas
Ask youth what they would do to live 24 hours as if Christ were right beside you seeing everything you do (see the Social JESUS 24-7 (TIE A YELLOW RIBBON) below. Then start walking in His steps using the In His Footsteps mirror motivators activity below reminding you to: resist temptation, be obedient, love and serve others, and be meek and humble.
Inspiration
“We follow a perfect leader—not just one who tells us to do what he thinks we should do, but the only one who can say that we should be as He is in everything. In the Book of Mormon, the Lord asked the question, “What manner of men ought ye to be?” And then He answered by saying, “Verily I say unto you, even as I am. . . . Read these words “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).” – In His Steps, Ezra Taft Benson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, 1979
GREAT FOR Youth goals, Sunday School, Scripture Study, Family Night, and Come Follow Me
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
In His Footsteps Mirror Motivators
OBJECTIVE: These mirror motivators will help youth to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Following in his steps:
1. I will resist the temptation.
2. I will be obedient.
3. I will be meek and humble.
4. I will love and serve others.
ACTIVITY: They can post them on doors, school lockers, or other places they will help motivate and encourage. If they post one foot per week, they can practice one trait each day and color in nails as they achieve or try the trait for at least five days. Instead of using markers, girls can paint toes with nail polish.
THOUGHT TREAT: In His Footstep Fudge or Cookies. Make sugar cookies in feet shapes and top toes with candies. Or, melt 2 bags of milk chocolate chips with 1 can of sweetened and condensed milk. Add 1-2 teaspoons vanilla or orange extract. Stir. Mold into footprint shapes and top toes with small M&M candies or Skittles.
THOUGHT: Tell the youth, “As you take big or little steps to follow Jesus each day you will receive the inspiration from the Spirit to know what you should do step-by-step throughout your lives; especially if prayer is part of your making daily choices.”
SHARE QUOTE:
“We are here on earth to be tested, to see if we will choose to follow Jesus Christ, to repent regularly, to learn, and to progress. Our spirits long to progress. And we do that best by staying firmly on the covenant path.” – Moving Forward By President Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
MUTUAL NIGHT ACTIVITIES
JESUS 24-7 (TIE A YELLOW RIBBON): Have youth take the challenge of Sister Ames to “Live for twenty-four hours as if Christ were right beside you, seeing everything you do.” (The story, called “Twenty-four Golden Hours,” portrays how Charlotte, once an unhappy and discontented young lady, benefited from practicing the teachings of the Savior.)
Tie a yellow ribbon around their finger or wrist of each youth, and ask them to wear the ribbon when they are home to remind them to act as if the Savior were there.
YELLOW RIBBON TRADITION: This tradition of tying a yellow ribbon around a tree is a symbol that you look forward to someone’s coming home (the yellow ribbon is a symbol of acceptance and love). (Option: Sing “Tie a Yellow Ribbon [‘Round the Old Oak Tree]” written by Irwin Levine, music by L. Russell Brown.) If a ribbon is attached to their finger 24-7, they can be reminded to think about and look forward to the Savior’s coming, by living as He did, by following His example.
You can follow-up with a 24-7 Yellow Ribbon Night, or celebrate the following week’s youth’s activity. Tie a bunch of yellow ribbons to decorate the chairs or tables or pictures as you talk about the Savior. Have youth share their experiences. Follow up in the next few weeks so youth can develop the habit of living as the Savior would live. During your discussions ask, “Was it hard at first?” “Did it get easier?”
SEE YELLOW RIBBON COMMENTS (below)*
WHAT IF? SEARCH-N-PONDER CHALLENGE: Use Marion G. Romney’s example of solving dilemmas through searching the scriptures and praying (see Quotation in this lesson). Have a large jar with “What–if’s” written (challenging questions and easy ones, e.g., “What if you get a scholarship to Harvard and BYU?” or “What if a friend with questionable standards asks you to a party?”). Some can be sensitive questions but still real to today’s youth. Be tactful as you search for the Lord’s way. Acknowledge that some questions and answers take a lot of searching the scriptures, pondering, and praying.
Source YW1.03
July: “Ordinances and Covenants”
“In the ordinances … the power of godliness is manifest” (D&C 84:20).
*QUESTION “Come Follow Me” Lesson 6: What does it mean to take upon myself the name of Jesus Christ?
October: “Becoming More Christlike”
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
*QUESTION “Come Follow Me” Lesson: How can I become more Christlike?
MORE GOALS & ACTIVITIES:
*YELLOW RIBBON ACTIVITY:
Hi, I have used this poem for years. I think it is a perfect companion to your Yellow Ribbon (Group Activity). I share it for whatever it is worth. I have attached a link to the poem on the internet.
http://www.turnbacktogod.com/poem-if-jesus-came-to-your-house/
If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two-
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do.
Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room to such an honored guest.
And the food you’d serve to Him would be the very best.
And you would keep assuring Him you’re glad to have Him there-
That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.
But when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?
Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been?
Would you turn off the T.V. and hope He hadn’t heard,
And wish you hadn’t uttered that last, loud hasty word?
Would you hide your worldly books and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you keep right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day-to-day?
Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you
read and let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you’d planned to go,
Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet you very closest friends,
Or would you hope they’d stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on,
Or would you sigh with great relief when He, at last, is gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus Christ in Person came to spend some time with you.