2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March Week 3: We are led by a living prophet today.

2016 Sharing Time Outline Theme: "I Know the Scriptures Are True"

March 2016 Sharing Time Topic: Heavenly Father Speaks to Us through His Prophets

March 2016 Scripture: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, … whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” (D&C 1:38).

March 2016 Song: “Stand for the Right” (CS, 159)


March Week 3 Topic: We are led by a living prophet today.

Preparation:

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

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Sharing Time Instruction:

Begin class by playing a simple game of Teacher Says. To play the game, stand in the front of the room and say, "Teacher Says, (touch your nose). Teacher Says, (touch your head), Touch your elbows.) If you do not say teacher says, before the action and the children still do the action, then they need to sit down. Continue the game for a few minutes. Then ask the children what are they doing when they follow the directions?  Ask them, What am I doing when I give you directions?  Answers might include that they children are being obedient or that they are following directions. The person giving the directions is leading or guiding. 

Explain that we have someone on this earth right now that guides and leads us. Give some simple clues to who this might be and invite the children to guess who this person is. Clues might include that this person served in the US navy and has said, "Dare to Stand Alone"; He was the general manager of Desert News Press; He was ordained an apostle at the age of 36.  Hopefully they will be able to guess that it is President Monson.  

Show the primary children his picture.

Show the primary children the month's theme poster and invite them to repeat, "We are led by a living prophet today." Explain that we know that our Heavenly Father loves us so much, because he has given us a living prophet to guide us and lead us today.

Explain that on this journey at this very moment in our lives, President Monson is like our Journey Guide. He gives us the direction and instructions that our Heavenly Father's knows that we need to stay on the path. 

In a back pack have the following items, that correlate with some of the talks, articles and instructions that President Monson has given us (see list below). Invite a primary child to come up and choose one of the items out of the backpack. Read the guidance given by President Monson, that is with the item. Invite the primary children to share what we might use the items for on a journey and how President Monson's guidance might help us on our journey. For example, the flashlight would be used to help light the path. In President Monson's message he speaks of using our light to shine for others to see, this will help us to live our lives so we can be a bright light for others.

Continue with each item, discussing them with the children.

Close by sharing your testimony and inviting the children to read and listen to the guidance given by the prophet and live those teachings. This would also be a great time to bring up the opportunity to listen to the Prophet, his apostles and the leaders of the church at General Conference.

- Flashlight, lantern or led tea candle: "Be an Example and a Light" ("I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.

Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others.")

- Map: "Guided Safely Home" ("Our Father provided the sun, the moon, and the stars—heavenly galaxies to guide mariners who sail the lanes of the sea. To us, as we walk the pathway of life, He provides a clear map and points the way toward our desired destination. He cautions: beware the detours, the pitfalls, the traps. We cannot be deceived by those who would lead us astray, those clever pied pipers of sin beckoning here or there. Instead, we pause to pray; we listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come, follow me.”)

- Hiking Boots or Paper Boot Prints: "Ponder the Path of Thy Feet" ("I am certain we left our Father with an overwhelming desire to return to Him, that we might gain the exaltation He planned for us and which we ourselves so much wanted. Although we are left to find and follow that path which will lead us back to our Father in Heaven, He did not send us here without direction and guidance. Rather, He has given us the tools we need, and He will assist us as we seek His help and strive to do all in our power to endure to the end and gain eternal life.

To help guide us we have the words of God and of His Son found in our holy scriptures. We have the counsel and teachings of God’s prophets. Of paramount importance, we have been provided with a perfect example to follow—even the example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—and we have been instructed to follow that example.")

- Binoculars: (If you don't have any they are simple to make out of two toilet paper rolls) "Finding Joy in the Journey" ("This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.")

-Walkie Talkies or Cell Phone: "We Never Walk Alone" ("We were not placed on this earth to walk alone. What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves, He who sees the larger picture and who knows the end from the beginning, has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask. We have the promise: “Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”

As our prayers ascend heavenward, let us not forget the words taught to us by the Savior. When He faced the excruciating agony of Gethsemane and the cross, He prayed to the Father, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Difficult as it may at times be, it is for us, as well, to trust our Heavenly Father to know best how and when and in what manner to provide the help we seek.")

What else have the primary children learned this month? Here are links to this month's past sharing times:

1. 2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March Week 1: Prophets speak for Heavenly Father.
2. 2016 LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March Week 2: Prophets speak for Heavenly Father.

Want more ideas:

• LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March 2015 Week 3: There is safety in following the prophet.
• LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March 2015 Week 4: God speaks through prophets.
• LDS Sharing Time May 2014 Week 1: God speaks to us through prophets.
• LDS Primary Sharing Time May 2014 Week 4: The prophet speaks to us at general conference
• LDS Sharing Time May 2014 Week #3: My family will be blessed as we follow the prophet.
• LDS Sharing Time May 2014 Week 2: The prophets in the scriptures are examples to my family.
• LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March 2015 Week 2: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ
• LDS Sharing Time Ideas for March 2015 Week 1: Prophets are called by God.
• LDS Sharing Time Ideas for October 2015 Week 1: Following the prophet will help us come unto Christ.
• Family Home Evening on the First Presidency Message: "Follow the Prophets"

Click this link for past Sharing Time post: LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas

***Basic ideas for this sharing time came from the 2016 Outline for Sharing Time, you can find a link here: 2016 Outline for Sharing Time