GAME: Prepare the word strip “Treasure Hunt,” and gift wrap a set of scriptures. Post the word strip in the front of the room and hide the wrapped scriptures. Tell the children there is a “treasure” hidden in the room. Then ask a child to leave the room while you show everyone where the treasure is hidden. Bring the child back in the room and have him/her look for it. Have the children guide the child to the treasure by saying “cool” or “cold” if he/she is far away from it or “warm” or “hot” if he/she is close to it. When the child finds the treasure, have him/her open it.  ADDITIONAL SUGGESTION: (by Angela Bigler) I am doing your August theme bullet about likening the scriptures.  I decided to add a little pirate theme when looking for the "treasure" The closer they get to the treasure they make a pirate grunt, the further away they get we'll say "Walk the plank".

ACTIVITY: 

Post the following numbers on the board:

12, 9, 11, 5, 14

Can anyone tell me what this has to do with the scriptures?  (Children should look confused…)

This is what we’re going to be talking about today, but it looks like it’s all scrambled up.  How about we figure it out together?  Each number represents it’s position in the alphabet.  For example, the number one represents A, two B, etc.  (Answer is Liken)

DISCUSSION:

What does it mean to liken?  (To see, mention, or show as similar, compare)

Share the following scripture from 1 Nephi 19:23:

"And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

What are some of the things we can learn from the scriptures?  What is your favorite scripture story? Is it Daniel in the lions den? Is it Nephi going back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates? Maybe you have lots of favorite stories. If you wanted to read one of those stories, could you find them in your scriptures?

The more we read our scriptures, the more we will come to know and love the teachings and stories that are there. If we each have our own copy of the scriptures, we can carefully underline a scripture or part of a story to help us find it again. Sometimes when we are reading, we find a scripture that speaks peace to our hearts or gives us great courage. Those are good scriptures to underline.

Discuss why the scriptures are a great treasure to us. Ask the children to name some valuable scriptural teachings (e.g., good health, happiness, peace, family, honor, wisdom, eternal life). The older children or classes could look in the Topical Guide to learn what the prophets have said about a teaching and report to the group. Younger children might draw a picture of something that they enjoy (food, family) that represents a treasured scripture.

SONG:  Heroes of the Scriptures (June 1998 Friend)  You could either have a group of children sing this song for everyone else or you could learn one of the versus together.  If planned well in advance you could provide a copy to your chorister and ask to work on this song for your sharing time.

ACTIVITY: Using these flannel board figures, cut them out and divide stories into four different envelopes numbered 1-4.  (For some added fun you could tape the envelopes under various teacher's chairs.  You then choose a child to see if their teacher has one of the four envelopes).  As each envelope is opened, have everyone help tell the different scripture stories and how they can be "likened" to today.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTION:  I plan on bringing a hand mirror. I'll ask a child to come up and have him look into the mirror. I'll ask the children what he sees, (his reflection, his image, his 'likeness') Then I'll emphasize that he sees himself or his 'likeness' in the mirror. Next, I'll take away the mirror and then hold up the scriptures to him in the same way. I'll explain that when we 'liken' the scriptures to ourselves, it means we see ourselves in the stories. I'll try to get the point across that we can put ourselves into the scripture stories and learn from the teachings, just as the great scripture heroes learned lessons from their experiences. (Judy Higueira - ga08032006)

HANDOUT:  Click here for my scripture handout.   Choose two particular scripture stories you would like to read about and write the name of the story on each flower.  Color the flowers.  Staple flowers to a green pipe cleaner to make stems.  Have the children place their flowers in their scriptures as bookmarks for the two stories they've chosen to read throughout the week.

TESTIMONY: Close with your testimony and/or personal experiences where likening the scriptures has blessed your life.
 

MY SOURCES:

- August 2006 Sharing Time
- Scriptures
- Sydney Reynolds, “Sharing Time: Getting into the Scriptures,” Friend, Feb. 1998, 36
- Teaching, No Greater Call