"Behold, Thy King Cometh"

"Behold, Thy King Cometh"

Your kiddos will LOVE these activities and songs for Come Follow Me May 15-21 (Matt 21–23; Mark 11; Luke 19–20; John 12) New Testament topics.

TOPICS

[Click each topic to go to that section of the page.]

Luke 19:1–10

Heavenly Father and Jesus know me by name. (YOUNGER PRIMARY)

As I seek the Savior, I will find Him. (OLDER PRIMARY)

Matthew 21:12–14

The temple is a sacred place I should respect. (PRIMARY) / (FAMILY)

Matthew 21:28–32

I can be obedient. (YOUNGER PRIMARY) / (FAMILY)

Matthew 23:25–28

Jesus wants me to be righteous in my actions and my desires. (OLDER PRIMARY)

Matthew 22:15–22; Luke 20:21–26

Image and Superscription (FAMILY)

John 12:1–8 

Showing Love For Jesus (FAMILY)

John 12:42–43

Praise of Men vs. Praise of God (FAMILY)

FAMILY May 15-21 CFM CHURCH LINK

PRIMARY May 15-21 CFM CHURCH LINK

NEW TESTAMENT 2023 KIDS CFM ACTIVITY PRINTABLES BUNDLE (JAN - JUNE & JULY-DEC)

This Come Follow Me 2023 Kids Activity Book for Families & LDS Primary gives you simple, easy Come Follow Me printables for church and home.

With activity suggestions for every week of the month (Jan-June), you'll always have something quick and easy to give your kiddos to further engage them in the lessons each week while giving them plenty of variety* and fun while learning!

(42+ PGS of fun for Jan-Jun & lots more July-Dec! - Get when you join the printables library).

Includes: Coloring Pages, Scripture Trace & Color, Mobile crafts, Write/Draw activities, Puzzles, 

Matching and more!

[NOTE: Many of the Jan-June activities can be re-used if you didn't use them the first time for similar lesson topics later in the year!]

TOPICS

Luke 19:1–10

Heavenly Father and Jesus know me by name.

YOUNGER PRIMARY

* Show a picture of Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Tree (in this outline or at ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Help the children find Zacchaeus and say his name. Create actions for the children to do as you tell the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus—for example, standing on their toes to see over a crowd or pretending to climb a tree. Explain that the Savior saw Zacchaeus and called him by name. Testify that the Savior also knows each of the children and their names.

* Bring an empty picture frame to class, or make one out of paper. Invite each child to take a turn holding the frame around his or her face while the rest of the class says, “Heavenly Father and Jesus know [child’s name].”

Fun Song "Jesus Knows My Name" kids can sing along with HERE. 

* Sing together a song about Heavenly Father’s love, such as “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook, 2–3) - sing along with using the folder game or song slider craft. Help the children listen for things that help them know Heavenly Father loves them.

OLDER  PRIMARY

* Read Luke 19:1–10, pausing every few verses to discuss what the verses reveal about Zacchaeus. What did Zacchaeus do so that he could see Jesus? How did he respond when Jesus asked him to come down from the tree? Ask each child to share one reason why they would want to see Jesus. If the Savior came to our city, what would we do to prepare?

* Invite the children to think of people they know who, like Zacchaeus, might be seeking the Savior. Ask the children what they might do to help someone else learn about the Savior. (Use SHINE ON Folder Game for ideas & sing song).

*Invite the children to share experiences when they felt that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were aware of them and loved them. (Let kids color the "Jesus Loves Me" coloring page - click title to go to pdf)

TOPICS

Matthew 21:12–14

The temple is a sacred place I should respect.

How can the account of the Savior cleansing the temple help you teach the children about the sacredness of temples?

YOUNGER PRIMARY

Show the picture Jesus Cleansing the Temple (Gospel Art Book, no. 51), and tell the story recorded in Matthew 21:12–14. Help the children find money and animals in the picture. Then discuss why the Savior wanted the money changers and the people selling animals to leave the temple.

Show pictures of temples (for examples, see Gospel Art Book, nos. 117–19), and ask the children to share how they feel when they see a temple. You might explain that the temple is a place where we go to make promises with God, seek answers to prayers, and feel close to God. Help the children identify feelings from the Holy Ghost telling them that the temple is a special place. Ask the children to act as they would if they were inside the temple. For instance, they could talk in whispers and sit reverently.

* Sing together a song about the temple, such as “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95), and invite the children to make a goal to go inside the temple someday. (Let kids put together a temple puzzle as they sing.)

OLDER PRIMARY

* Invite the children to read Matthew 21:12–14. Show the picture Jesus Cleansing the Temple (Gospel Art Book, no. 51), and ask them which verse is depicted in the picture.

* Invite the children to share how they have felt when they have gone inside a temple, visited temple grounds, or looked at pictures of temples. What helped them know the temple is a sacred place? You might share with the children why you love the temple. Why is it sacred to you?

* Invite one or more youth to come to class and talk about how they have prepared to enter the temple. If they have been to the temple, ask them to talk about how they felt when they were there.

* Cut a picture of a temple into puzzle pieces**, and give each child one piece. Ask the children to write on the back of their puzzle piece one thing they can do to prepare to enter the temple. As each child shares an idea, add his or her piece to the puzzle. ** Use Path to the Temple game - older kids love the crack-the-code addition! 

* On the board, write the following: "...can help me prepare to serve in the temple." Invite the children to suggest ways to complete this sentence. Some ideas might include “Keeping my baptismal covenants” or “The Holy Ghost.”

Using the Path to the Temple printable, put pieces of puzzle on the board to build the path to the temple. 

(For Come Follow Me Primary or Family Lessons: Sing "I Love to See the Temple" primary song and place the puzzle pieces in the correct order as singing. Repeat the song and stop singing after each phrase and have someone name something they can do to prepare to go to the temple).

SEE THE TEMPLES POST FOR MORE LESSON IDEAS ON TEMPLES

TOPICS

Matthew 21:28–32

I can be obedient.

Heavenly Father wants us to be obedient. The parable of the two sons is an opportunity to teach about the importance of obedience.

* Draw a picture of two sons on the board, and use the drawings as you recount the parable in Matthew 21:28–32. Which son did the right thing in the end? Ask the children to name things they can do to be obedient at home. Let them draw pictures of themselves doing one of those things.

* Sing primary songs, "When We're Helping We're Happy" and "Have I Done Any Good" along with the folder games.

* Invite the children to share experiences they have had with being obedient to their parents. How were they blessed for being obedient?

* Sing primary songs, "Choose the Right," or "Choose the Right Way" along with the folder game (kids sort bubble gum circles into right or wrong) and other activities.

SEE THE OBEDIENCE POST FOR MORE LESSON IDEAS ON OBEDIENCE

TOPICS

Matthew 23:25–28

Jesus wants me to be righteous in my actions and my desires. 

Jesus taught the scribes and Pharisees about the importance of truly living the gospel—not just pretending to be righteous. What would help the children understand this truth?

* As you read Matthew 23:25–28 with the children, consider sharing this definition of hypocrite from the Bible Dictionary: “One who pretends to be religious when he is not.” Why is it bad to be a hypocrite?

* Show the children a cup that is clean on the outside but dirty on the inside to help illustrate the metaphor in Matthew 23:25. (See Glass Object lesson below). How can we make sure we are clean and pure on the inside?

Glass Object Lesson

Have a glass with some water in it. Tell the kids the glass of water is like the inside of each of them, especially our thoughts. An idea can be powerful. First comes a thought, then an act. The act begins in the mind. We do what we think of doing. Whether we plan to do good or evil, the plan and the act begin in the mind.

Point out that the glass is clean on the outside. That's like us saying or pretending to do the right things, but when we don't actually live the gospel (add a little bit of dirt to the glass), we aren't clean inside. Give the kids the hearer or doer circle cards. Read a situation from the HEARER OR DOER page and ask the kids to place a doer or hearer card over the text. For each "hearer," add a little bit of dirt to the water cup.

Play HEARER OR DOER

SIMON SAYS

(For a description of games, visit THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SONS POST.)

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES:

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

TOPICS

Matthew 22:15–22; Luke 20:21–26

His Image in My Countenance

* Children might enjoy making pretend coins with Jesus’s “image and superscription” on them. They could write on the backs of the coins some of the “things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21) that we can give Him.

You might also talk about what it means to have the Savior’s “image and superscription” on us (Matthew 22:20; see also Mosiah 5:8; Alma 5:14) - see "mirror activity" below.

MIRROR ACTIVITY

Bring a mirror and photo of someone most everyone will recognize like the prophet, a national leader, or your Bishop/Branch President. Describe the person in the photo to your class and ask the students to guess who it is from your description. Be vague in your description such as "This person has brown hair. This person is a man. The person in this photo looks friendly."

After a few moments of guessing, show the class the photo and ask them to name the person in the picture. Ask the class how they were able to recognize them so quickly when you showed them the photo.

Point 1: We can use words to describe Jesus Christ, but when others see His image in us, they will be able to recognize Him more easily. Read Mosiah 5:8 and Alma 5:14. 

Point 2: How can we help others recognize the Savior? We can be mirrors!

Hold the mirror in three different ways while asking the students if they can see their reflection:

1. Hold the mirror facing away from them. Emphasize that when we are not looking to God and learning about the Savior, we won't be reflecting his image.

2. Hold the mirror facing the class, but cover it with a piece of paper. -> There can't be anything between the mirror and our eyes. Others won't see his image in our countenances if there is something between us and Him, like sin, a bad attitude, or clothing that is distracting. And we won't see God in our image or become closer to Him either.

3. Wiggle the mirror as the students try to look at their image. -> We need to take time to "Be still and know that He is God." We need to spend time with our Father in prayer and scripture study every day so that we will become more like Him, and reflect his image.

2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Each of us can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his love and glory even more.

[Idea Credit - NoBoringLessons.com]

TOPICS

John 12:1–8

Showing Our Love For Jesus

WHAT YOU NEED:

Jesus Loves Me puzzle - in the CFM 2023 Kids Activity Book

Handout - "I Can Show My Love For Jesus By..." (In the printables library)

Optional: Ten Commandments Match

Tell the kids you are thinking of a person and you want them to try and figure out who it is from the clues you give them. You'll read a clue then hand that puzzle piece to the kids. Tell them to try and put the puzzle together as you give them the pieces. 

Read each clue then pass the puzzle piece to the kids. Continue until you've read all six clues.

Who is the person I was giving you clues about? (Jesus).

Read John 12:1-8. How did Mary show her love for the Savior? How do we show our love for Him?

We Show Our Love for Jesus Christ by Obeying the Commandments:

Let kids name a commandment and add to the COMMANDMENTS TABLETS and briefly discuss.

Have kids repeat: "I show love for Jesus when I keep His commandments."

We Show Love for Jesus Christ by Serving in His Church

Explain that there are many people in the Church who serve Jesus Christ by helping others every week. Ask the kids who they know serves in church (ex: Bishop, Primary teachers, choristers, organists, priests and deacons who administer the sacrament, and many others.)

We Show Love for Jesus Christ When We Love Others:

Sing "Love One Another" primary song. As you do, cross your arms (with hands closed) over your chests each time that word occurs. This means love in sign language. Then let the kids name a few ways they can show love to others. 

Have kids repeat: "I show love for Jesus when I show love and kindness to others." 

Sing “Jesus Said Love Everyone” (Children’s Songbook, p. 61).

Jesus said love ev’ryone; (arms outstretched)

Treat them kindly, too. (turn to neighbor, smile and shake hands)

When your heart is filled with love, (place hands over heart)

Others will love you. (spread both arms out and then bring them in to touch chest)

Bring a beanbag or other soft object to toss. Have the children sit in a circle on the floor. Ask them:

Do you love Jesus? How will he know?

Choose the right and it will show.

Recite this verse with the children; then call out a name and gently toss the beanbag to that child. The child with the beanbag shares one thing they can do to show Jesus Christ that they love Him. Then they toss the beanbag back to you. Continue until each child has had a turn. Each time something is names, have everyone repeat the sentence: "I show love for Jesus when I..."

We show love for Jesus Christ when we serve others.

“Accidentally” spill some crayons, papers, or other materials onto the floor of your classroom. Wait a moment before picking the items up to give the children a chance to help you. (If no children volunteer, ask the children to help.)

Thank the children for helping you and compliment them for taking an opportunity to serve. Explain that when we help others without asking for something in return, we are serving. 

Give each child 3 cut-out hearts to take home. Challenge them to

Explain that the children can use these hearts this week to show love. They should do something nice for someone and leave a heart.

Sing (tune: Give said the little stream)

Serve, then, as Jesus served.

Serve, oh, serve! Serve, oh, serve! 

Serve, then, as Jesus served.

Serve God to show our love! 

"I Can Show My Love For Jesus By..." in the printables library                                    "I Love Jesus" coloring pages in the Jan CFM bundle in the printables library

TOPICS

John 12:42–43

Praise of Men vs. Praise of God

What social consequences sometimes discourage us from expressing or defending our belief in Christ? For examples of people who would not give in to social pressure**, see Daniel 1:3–20; 3; 6; John 7:45–53; 9:1–38; and Mosiah 17:1–4. 

Sing primary song: Stand for the Right! 

Listen to & sing: “Rejoice, the Lord Is King!,” Hymns, no. 66.

** STAND FOR THE RIGHT SCRIPTURE EXAMPLES MOBILE

After discussing each person and how the kids can be like them, have them repeat: "I can stand for the right like (name)."

How can we show respect to others as they express or defend their religious beliefs?

Almost every religion has some truths. Let those points of agreement draw nonmembers to the gospel.

“He that is not against us is for us.” (Luke 9:50.)

• Actually listen - Too many times, even in friendly gospel discussions, Latter-day Saints seem to be listening to the other person only in order to think of some way to refute what he is saying.
• Be Kind. Don't say hurtful things about the religion or people. Bever ridicule another person’s manner of worship.
• Rejoice in your righteous desires together -  you both want to come to Christ and become more like Him. 
• Treat things that are sacred to them with respect.
• So far as it does not offend our own religious understanding, we can observe the customs of other people when we are their guests.
• Don't argue. Lift and enlighten.
• Be kind to representatives of other religions. (How would you want people to treat our missionaries. Treat others the same as you'd want them, or you yourself, to be treated). 
• Remember that they are no less children of our Father in heaven than we are. Always ask, "What would Jesus do?"

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