Collect baptism pictures from the other primary leaders and let the kids guess
who's who. I'll compare the pictures with the picture of Christ's baptism, and
talk about how we're following in Jesus' footsteps when we get baptized, and how
we, too are "beloved sons" and daughters of God. (Christie Afualo)
(Idea from February 2007 Friend)
You may want to teach this song in several
successive weeks, giving more attention to the story contained in each verse.
Divide the children into three groups. Assign each group one of the first three
scriptures listed at the bottom-right corner of the music: Matthew 3:16–17; 3
Nephi 11:6–8; Joseph Smith—History 1:17. Ask the children to listen as each
scripture is read and discover what they all have in common. In these
scriptures, Heavenly Father introduces His Son and bears testimony of Him. Sing
the last line of the song, "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" Have the
children sing the line with you several times. Ask what was happening in the
first scripture that they read (Jesus was baptized). Display GAK 208 (John the
Baptist Baptizing Jesus) as you sing the first verse. Have the children join you
when you sing the last line. Repeat, having the children sing all of the
words. Ask what was happening in the second scripture (Jesus appeared to the
Nephites). Display GAK 315 (Christ Appears to the Nephites) as you sing the
second verse. Again, have the children join you when you sing the last line.
Explain that the verse says, "They heard the Father witness." That means that
Heavenly Father was bearing testimony of His Son. Have the children sing with
you. Ask what was happening in the third scripture (Heavenly Father and Jesus
appeared to Joseph Smith). Display GAK 403 (The First Vision) as you sing the
third verse. Once again, have the children join you when you sing the last line.
Explain that this time Heavenly Father was more than a voice from heaven—He was
right there! Have all of the children look up D&C 18:34–36. Ask them to listen
and answer the question, "Who else can hear the voice of our Heavenly Father?"
Sing the final verse to find the answer. Point out that the last note of the
song is different in the last verse. Have each of the three groups hold one tone
to create a chord on the final "Hear Him!" (A, C, F). At the end of the song,
they will hear the beautiful harmony of the chord.
Flipcharts (with pics from the GAK) here:
http://members.aol.com/jollyjenn/ThisIsMyBelovedSon.pdf
There is a PowerPoint Presentation from
Jennifer:
http://sugardoodle.net/Primary_Chorister/Jennifer/ThisIsMyBeloved.pps
There is a movie here:
http://sugardoodle.net/Primary_Chorister/Jennifer/ThisIsMyBeloved2.mov
There is sign language here:
http://www.lds.org/cm/asl/ASL_CS_ThisisMyBelovedSon_300K_eng.asx
(Credit Unknown)
I am going to teach the first 2 verses the first week by
writing out 4 word strips:
1) Jesus entered Jordan's waters when His work had just begun.
2) God the Father spoke from heaven: "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him."
3) Nephites gazing into heaven saw their white-robed Savior come.
4) And they heard the Father witness: "This is My Beloved Son. Hear
Him."
I am going to divide the primary into 4 groups (making sure there are
plenty of teachers to help the junior primary) and give each group a
slip of paper. They will memorize their line and then sing it for
everyone. Then we will switch papers until each group has seen all 4
lines. I have never used this method before, but I have heard that it
works well. I will hold up pictures for lines 1 and 3, particularly for
junior primary, just as a reminder.