Beth Lefgren - Object Lessons Made Easy: Memorable Ideas for Gospel Teaching

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lefgren, Beth.

Object lessons made easy : memorable ideas for gospel teaching / Beth Lefgren, Jennifer Jackson.

p. cm.

Includes index.

Summary: Practical, creative object lessons arranged by subject for gospel teachers of all ages.

ISBN 978-1-60641-899-4 (paperbound)

1. Object-teaching. 2. Christian educationTeaching methods. I. Jackson, Jennifer. II. Title.

BV1536.5.L4495 2010

268'.6dc22 2010032917

Printed in the United States of America Malloy Lithographing Incorporated, Ann Arbor, MI

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Also by Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson:

Young Women Activities, Revised Edition

Dedicated to our families.

Thanks for teaching us, inspiring us, and supporting us.

Preface

This book was written for you! No matter what teaching situation you find yourself inhome, church, classroom, Scouts, or communityobjects are a creative way to clarify and strengthen your lessons. This helpful resource provides object lessons flexible enough to personalize, yet structured enough to be the basis of a lesson.

These teaching tools can be modified easily to fit almost any group or situation. You will discover that many activities can be quickly interchanged to meet your individual needs.

Topics are arranged alphabetically for easy location. Additionally, three valuable indexes are included in the back: one for scriptures referenced in a lesson, the second for main objects used, and the third for all lessons which could pertain to a particular subject. These indexes provide for easy reference and serve as a springboard, expanding the versatility of each object lesson.

As you use object lessons, your ability and creativity in teaching will greatly increase. You will find that your lessons will be more enthusiastic and memorable. We hope this book will contribute to your success in the most important job anyone could haveteaching.

Adversity

Objective

To demonstrate that one of the purposes of adversity is to improve character.

Materials Needed

A small piece of coal and a diamond.

Procedure

Show the piece of coal. Ask what it is and what it is used for. Show the diamond, and ask what it is and how it is used.

Explain that each diamond is made of carbon, just like coal, but extreme pressure and heat transformed it into a beautiful diamond. Without so much heat and pressure, the carbon likely would have become a simple piece of coal.

Teach that Heavenly Father allows us to face adversity so that we can become better individuals. When we use trials and learning experiences to transform and enhance our character, we can become more Christlike.

Note

Although the real objects are preferred, pictures can be used effectively in their place.

Scripture References

1 Nephi 20:10; 3 Nephi 24:17.

Adversity

Objective

To illustrate that a strong testimony can help us handle adversity.

Materials Needed

Two paper sacks (carefully unseal part of the bottom seam of one) and three or four lemons.

Procedure

Hold up the sack with the unsealed bottom and explain that it represents a person whose testimony is not as strong as it could be. Show a lemon and explain that the lemon represents the adversity that everyone experiences in life. Drop the lemons, one by one, into the bag. The bag will fail to hold the lemons. Explain that when our testimonies are weakened, we may not be able to handle adversity as well.

Contrast this by holding up the other bag and likening it to a person with a steadfast testimony. Drop the lemons into the bag one at a time. Close the opening of the bag by folding it and then shake the bag. Explain that a strong testimony gives us inner strength and helps us cope with adversity. Even though we may be stretched and strained by the weight of the experience, we can remain strong and handle the challenge well.

Scripture References

Job 19:2526; John 16:33.

Adversity

Objective

To show that adversity can help us become better people.

Materials Needed

A piece of rough wood, sandpaper, and a piece of newspaper to catch sawdust.

Procedure

Show the rough wood to the class and briefly discuss how it would feel. Now show and pass around the sandpaper. Ask class members to comment on how it feels. During the following discussion, rub the rough edges of the wood with the sandpaper (holding it over the newspaper). Discuss what happens as you use the sandpaper on the rough wood. Be sure to include why the sandpaper makes the wood feel smooth (rough particles cut off the rough bits of wood).

Liken the sandpaper to adversity and the wood to ourselves. Tell class members that adversity can soften and smooth our rough edges. Give some examples or ask the class to think of examples of this principle (for example, an extended illness may make a person more compassionate).

Scripture References

Doctrine and Covenants 136:31; 122:57.

Atonement

Objective

To help class members understand that the Atonement can help us with our burdens.

Materials Needed

A backpack and several heavy rocks.

Procedure

Ask for a class member to assist with this lesson. Show the backpack to the class and ask what it is used for. Have the volunteer put it on. Liken the backpack to our lives. Sometimes things happen in our lives and leave us with a heavy feeling. Ask: What are some things that might do this? (Examples include illness, financial problems, sin, etc.). As each item is named, put a rock into the backpack.

Point out that we sometimes allow the negative things in life to weigh us down. Ask the volunteer how the backpack feels now.

Tell the class that Heavenly Father has provided a way to ease our burden. Ask for ideas. Explain that through the Atonement, Jesus Christ can lighten the burdens of mortality.

Scripture References

Alma 7:1112; Mosiah 24:14.

Attitude

Objective

To inspire us to have a positive attitude about life.

Materials Needed

A sheet of paper and a clear glass.

Procedure

Hold up the sheet of paper and liken it to our lives. Explain that life holds many challenges, problems, and occasionally, disappointments (for example, having a flat tire in the middle of a desert, caring for a sick relative, missing an important appointment, or losing a parent). As you name a specific problem, tear off a small piece of paper and put it in the glass.

When you are done, show the glass filled with torn paper. Explain that some people would look at these scraps of paper and say, Look at this. My whole life has been nothing but problems. Yet others would look at the same papers, toss them in the air, and celebrate what has been overcome.

Scripture References

Mosiah 24:1415, 2122; Romans 8:18.

Attitude