Sharing Time Outline 2014 Week 3: Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me to follow.

Preparation:
Prayerfully study and think about what the specific needs of your primary are and how you can teach them this doctrine.

Identify the doctrine: Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me to follow. Identify this through out the sharing time. Prepare to play the game "Teacher Says" (To play this game you ask the children to do various actions, such as, "Teacher says, put your finger on your nose."  If you say, "Teacher says" then they follow your direction.  If you do not say "Teacher says",  then they do not do the action.) Have a piece of chalk and eraser handy. And the printable below, "Jesus Christ is the Perfect example for me to follow".

Help the Children Understand the Doctrine: Gather the four pictures of Jesus. They can be found here: Jesus Washing The Apostles Feet Scripture: John 13:14-15 ; Sermon on the Mount Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2 ; Lost Sheep Scripture: Luke 15:4 ; Christ Healing those in the Americas Scripture 3 Nephi 17:1-10. Also print out the scripture references and foot prints, see printable below.

Help them apply the doctrine in their lives: Have them think of ways they could follow each of Jesus' examples.  Have them think of a particular way, commit to it and tell them you will be following up with them next week. 

Free Printables:

Jesus Christ is the Perfect Example for me to follow.

Follow Jesus Christ's example foot prints and scriptures

Sharing Time Instruction:

Begin sharing time by saying, "Teacher says, stand up".  Continue playing "Teacher Says", by asking them to do different actions. Probably do 10 actions or so.  Thank those who participated.  Ask them what it was they were doing during the game?  Answers should be something about following directions.  Ask the children who some people are that they follow, or who are some good examples to them?  Write down their answers on the board.  Thank them for their answers. Explain to the children that our Heavenly Father loves each of us so much that he sent us someone who is a Perfect Example, someone that we could follow that would help us do the things we need to do to return to our Father's presence.  Ask the children if they know who that person is?  Place the picture from above labeled "Jesus Christ Is the Perfect Example for Me to Follow" onto the board.  Explain that Jesus is our Perfect Example.  Heavenly Father sent him to this earth so we had someone to follow. Place the pictures of the Savior on the board.  There should be four, see above for links.   Also place the footprints randomly on the board. Ask a teacher or older child to come and read one of the scriptures, pointing to the picture the scripture correlates with.   After they read the scripture ask another child to come and pick one of the foot prints and put it with the picture it goes with.  For example:  John 13:14-15 would be for the picture of Christ washing his apostle's feet.  The foot print that would then go under it would be "Do as I have Done to you".  Then, discuss with the children how what Jesus did is an example to us and how they can follow that example in their lives.

For example:
- "Do as I have done to you", Jesus showed by example to serve those around us.  He washed his apostle's feet and asked them to do like wise to each other.  We can follow his example by serving those people that we come in contact with.  Things as easy as visiting and talking with an elderly person. Helping a younger sibling clean their room.  Helping mom clear the table.  Opening a door for someone at the store.  These are all ways we can serve.

- "Opened his Mouth and Taught Them", in Matthew 5:1-2 we are taught that Jesus taught others.  We can also do this be sharing the Gospel with our friends and family members.  We can help teach family home evenings, we can share in our classes the things we have learned and we can tell those who do not know about the Gospel,  the things we have learned about the Gospel. Bearing your testimony is a powerful way to teach.

- "Go after that which is lost, until he find it", we learn that every soul is important.  If one was lost, then Jesus would leave the other's to go find it.  To follow this example we need to recognize that each one of us is a daughter or son of God.  That we all have the same importance to him.  He desires each of us to return to his presence.  Some ways to find and help the one, is by being a friend to everyone.  Being kind to everyone.  And by being a good missionary, sharing the gospel and help our friends by being a good example to them. Don't give up on anyone. Invite our friends to family home evenings, to church activities and activity days and scouts.

- "Behold my bowels are filled with compassion towards you", Jesus showed us a great example.  Even though he was tired and need to go, he had compassion.  He stayed and blessed and healed all those who were sick and afflicted.  We can follow this example by having compassion on others.  If we have compassion we are more understanding of others.  We help them with the things they need help with, we love them and we serve them.  If someone is unhappy, sad, or sick we should make a special effort to show our love for that person. Sometimes a kind word or a heartfelt card can go a long way.

End by asking each child to think of something they can do to follow Jesus' example this week.  Have them commit to do it and tell them that you will follow up next week to see how it went.  Bear your testimony.

***Basic ideas for this sharing time came from the 2014 Sharing Time Outline, you can find a link here