February: Why is learning an important part of Heavenly Father's Plan?

All Printables and Videos are found HERE

1. Introduction

• Plan of Salvation Activity
• Since this was the first lesson they would be having on this topic, I thought it would be a good idea to review.
• I cut out the pieces of the Plan of Salvation beforehand and the class glued them onto a piece of paper in the correct order.
• Then I had the class help me put larger cut outs in the right order at the top of the board.
• Discuss what the Plan of Salvation is. Why is it important? 
• Hopefully, someone mentions learning. If not, you can ask more directed questions, such as "Why must we come to earth?"
• Display Topic Poster.

2. Liken the Scriptures / Teach Others

• I printed out one of these scriptures on the back of each Plan of Salvation activity paper, just so they wouldn't have too many papers to juggle. 
• 2 Nephi 28:27-30
• D&C 98:11-12
• Alma 12:9-11
• D&C 50:40
• D&C 88:77-80
• D&C 109:7
• D&C 88:63
• Have the youth read the scripture, then draw a picture of what the scripture teaches about learning. 
• Then have them share with the class what their drawing represents.

3. Making it Personal

• Read the Education section in the "For Strength of Youth". I had each youth read one paragraph. Have them look for things that Heavenly Father wants them to do and the blessings that he promises.
• My class is usually full of energy, (benefits of one o'clock church), so I brought multiple pieces of chalk and had the kids come up and write what they found under the headings "Things Heavenly Father Wants Me to Do" and "Blessings He Has Promised".
• Discuss why learning is so important during our time here on earth? Are there things that you can work on?

4. Conclusion

• My team teacher would like the class to write down something they learned or a goal each week.  My team teacher is planning to compile these at the end of the year. So I passed out cards for the youth to write down a goal that they can work on to become a better life long learner of the Gospel.
• Watch the video "You Know Enough" from Elder Neil L. Anderson
• If you still have time, you could discuss the following questions.
• What would you say to a friend who is struggling because he or she does not understand everything about the gospel?
• How would they help their friend understand the role of learning in Heavenly Father's plan?

October: What can I learn about gospel learning from the Savior's example?

1. Attention Grabber:

• Display a picture of Christ on the chalkboard or whiteboard. Ask your class, "What words would you use to describe the Savior?" Write these words on the board around the picture of Christ. Or have a class member write them on the board
• "Which of these would you consider to be Christlike attributes or gifts from God?" Circle their responses.

(Option:  You could also do some sort of Scattergories-type activity, where you would give the class a couple of minutes to write down words that describe the Savior on a piece of paper.  You can find the worksheet here. Then select a class member to read their answers and have the other class members check off the word if they had written it down. Then continue around the classroom until all of the descriptions have been read and see who was able to come up with the most unique words.)

2. Introduction:

• Display the topic (Follow the link for the PDF here)
• What is a gospel learner?
• The Lord commands us to actively "seek learning, even by study and also by faith" (D&C 88:118). We seek learning not only because it is a commandment - we seek it because the desire to ask, to see, and to find answers to life's questions was planted in our hearts by our Heavenly Father. He wants us to continually seek eternal truth because this is central to how we come to know Him.
• Using the words that were circled on the board, ask the class members to think of an example when Christ demonstrated one of these attributes and how can that attribute help them become better gospel learners.

3. Learning from the scriptures:

• Use the scriptures listed below and/or found in the Come Follow Me manual to discover Christlike attributes. When reading these verses, ask the class members to find the attribute that the Savior exemplified and how can we use these attributes to become better gospel learners.
• Luke 2:40-47 - Teachable and teacher 
• I pointed out verse 46 that states, "both hearing them and asking questions"
• John 5:30 - Always sought His Father's will
• D&C 93:11-20 - Grace for Grace
• If you feel your class would benefit from a further discussion on Grace to Grace, read 2 Nephi 10:24; 25:23 and Helaman 12:23-24. I also found the following description: " The phrase “grace for grace” suggests an exchange. For example, as we seek to serve others, repent, and do other good works, the Lord gives us spiritual strength and power to improve in exchange for our efforts (seeD&C 93:12, 20). “Grace for grace” also implies a developmental process. For each grace we receive and worthily use, we receive another grace in our progress toward perfection." Book of Mormon Teacher's Manual
• D&C 1:26-28; 112:10 - Willing and Humble
• D&C 130:18-19 - Diligent and Obedient

4. Making it personal

• See the PDF here for the activity handouts. One side contains a Christlike attribute and a description of that attribute from Preach my Gospel. The other side contains the challenge for that week. 

(If you are printing these double sided, make sure to choose the print setting to flip on the short side.)

• I let each student pick one of the papers based on the topic at the top. Have the students read the description and write down how this attribute helps them be better gospel learners. My class is small, so I had each class member summarize or read the description of that attribute and how they think it will help them become a better gospel learner.

5. Wrap Up Activity

• Before watching the video below, ask the students to think about an attribute that they would like to work on during the week. It could be one of the attributes discussed in class or in the video. Have them write it down on their paper.
• Watch the Christlike Attributes video
• If you have time you can discuss the steps to developing Christlike attributes listed on the handout