Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father's
Firstborn Son - I am also a child of God
by Melanie Day


 

FOR STARTERS: Ask the children to stand up whenever you make a statement that describes them. Ask them to stay sitting down if the statement does not describe them. (Use statements that demonstrate general similarities and differences among the children such as—everyone with a nose, everyone with brown eyes.)

Discuss how families are similar and different. We all have characteristics similar to our Heavenly Father because we are His children. We can grow spiritually to be like our Heavenly Father. On one side of the chalkboard write, “Heavenly Father is,” and on the other side write, “I can be.” Have the children list some of Heavenly Father’s characteristics (loving, kind, generous, and so on). Then have them list some of those qualities that they have or would like to develop.

ASK: Can you name your favorite Primary song?  Ask them why they chose the particular song? You probably enjoy them because they have a good melody or an important message.
 

One song that is a favorite for Primary children throughout the world is “I Am a Child of God.” It was written for a Primary conference in 1957 by Sister Naomi W. Randall and Sister Mildred T. Pettit. Sister Randall prayed for help in writing the message. She awoke in the middle of the night with the words of the song in mind. She mailed the words, or lyrics, to Sister Pettit, who lived in California. Sister Pettit put the words to music.
 

A few years later, President Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, suggested changing “Teach me all that I must know” to “Teach me all that I must do.” He said that “to know isn’t enough. … We have to do something.” 
 

In Primary, you learn some important truths when you sing this song. You learn that you really are a child of God. You learn that Heavenly Father has sent you to a home with parents to help you. And, especially, you learn that when you do what is right, you can one day return to live with Heavenly Father.

SING: I am a child of God. (CS pp. 2-3)

On two separate pieces of paper, write know and do. Show the words to the children. Tell them to watch closely and sing the word when you hold it up. Sing the chorus two more times. The first time, hold up the word know in place of do. Ask the children to sing it again using the word do at the appropriate time. Ask how changing the word know for do changes the meaning of the song. President Spencer W. Kimball asked Sister Naomi Randall, the author of the song, if they could change the word know to do. He felt that while it is important to know what is right, it is more important to do what is right. Only in this way can we be sure of returning someday to our heavenly home to live always with our Heavenly Father.

DISCUSS: Review some of the Savior’s qualities and what each child might do to develop these qualities. Divide the Primary into eight groups and give each group one of the following GAK pictures representing His teachings: 208, 212, 213, 216, 217, 218, 221, 226.

Have the children review the story on the back of the picture or read the scripture references given there, then decide what quality Jesus taught or exhibited. Have them think of a modern situation in which they could use the same quality. Have the groups take turns presenting their modern situation to the Primary, then showing their picture and telling the story of what Jesus taught or did in that situation. Sing songs that reinforce the principles each group teaches.
 

Use the same GAK pictures to sing the first verse of “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (pp. 78–79). Have the child raise their picture when it comes their turn:
 

“I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways. [GAK 208]

“I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say. [GAK 226]

“At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice, [GAK 221]

“But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers, [GAK 217]

“ ‘Love one another as Jesus loves you. [GAK 216]

“ ‘Try to show kindness in all that you do. [GAK 218]

“ ‘Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, [GAK 213]

“ ‘For these are the things Jesus taught.’ ” [GAK 212]

ACTIVITY:  Gifts from God - Use this to review the fact that each one of us is blessed with different gifts and abilities.  Do the chain activity listed in the article.

SUMMARY: Share your testimony with them that we are all God's children.  We are created in his image and likeness.  He loves us.
 

SOURCES:

“Sharing Time: I Am a Child of God,” Friend, Jan. 2004, 15
“Sharing Time: I Am a Child of God,” Friend, Mar. 2003, 18