Having Good Friends Will Help Me Choose the Right: 1st Week Sharing Time Idea for August 2012

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION (listening to a story): Tell the following story: "Two boys found a worn-out pair of shoes by the road.  In the distance they could see a man working in a field.  One of the boys suggested that they hide the shoes and then watch the man's reaction."  Ask the children to share what they would say to this boy.  Then tell the rest of the story: "The other boy suggested that instead of hiding the shoes, they should put a silver coin in each one, and that's what they did.  Soon the man returned.  When he found the coins, he was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he knelt down and offered a prayer of thanks.  He spoke of his wife, who was sick, and his children, who had no food, and he asked the Lord to bless whoever had helped him.  The boys felt something warm in their hearts and were thankful they had chosen the right" (see Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, April 1993, 71; or Ensign, May 1993, 54).  Invite several children to share times when good friends have helped them choose the right.

Ideas From Little LDS Ideas

Here are some ideas I came up with for this week’s Sharing Time.

They go along with the story of Gordon B. Hinckley that is found in the outline. Take a look and see what you think.

Friendly Feet:

Read the story from the outline or show the children the video clip that goes with the story.

Ask several children for their shoes (you could also ask some of the Mother’s to bring some of their children’s shoes from home).

After the story tell the children that you brought some shoes today (start laying the shoes out in the front of the Primary Room). Tell the children that someone has put something inside each shoe. Invite a child to the front and have him/her pick a pair of shoes. Have them look in the shoe to see what is inside.

Way to Play #1: Inside each shoe have a phrase that describes a good friend or a scenario of a time that a friend chose to do something good (like the story).

If you use phrases, discuss why each one is good and why we should choose friends with those qualities. If you use scenarios discuss why that friend chose the right. You could even include some scenarios where a friend might not have chosen to do good. Have the children tell you what that person could have done.

Way to Play #2 (Friendly Feet Match): As I was browsing the web I came across Darcee’s idea from her blog: Pergler’s Primary Place. She always has some really cute ideas. I liked her idea for this Sharing Time and decided to incorporate a little bit of hers into my ‘Friendly Feet’ Idea.

You will Need:

·     6 pairs of shoes (either your own or have a parent bring some of the children's from home)

·      6pictures of children- 2 copies of each child to make a total of 12 pictures total (Darcee shares where she found all of her clipart HERE.)

·       Each letter of the word ‘FRIEND’ typed/written on each picture- so on 2 matching pictures you will have an ‘F’, another matching set will have ‘R’, etc.

Object of the game:

 The 14 pictures are going to be inside each of the shoes. The children are going to look inside the shoes and find the matching friends. As you find each match you will discuss the phrase that goes with that particular letter on the picture. 

After all the ‘friends’ are found the children can unscramble the word.

It spells ‘FRIEND’.

I really like how Darcee used each letter of ‘FRIEND’ to discuss the qualities of a good friend. Here is what she came up with:

F-forgiving

R-respects your standards

I-inspires you to be Christ-like

E-example

N-nice & kind

D-dependable & loyal

Invite a child up to the front and have him/her pick 2 shoes (they do not need to be 2 of the same shoes). Have the child pull the paper out of each shoe to see if he/she has found a match. If the pictures do not match have them place the picture back in the shoe.

If they did find a match have them show the picture to the primary and tell you which letter they found.

As the children find the matches, for example ‘F’ for forgiving, read a story or discuss why, we as friends or good friends we may have, need to be forgiving.

And once again Darcee has included some great stories from ‘The Friend’ for each quality. Take a look HERE!

At the end, when all the matches have been found and the children unscramble the word ‘FRIEND’, show them a picture of your best friend...

Jesus Christ!

I have to give a big Thanks to Darcee for her great idea. I had my ‘Friendly Feet’ idea, but when I saw hers I just loved it! So thank you Darcee!

Click Here to take a look at Darcee's Idea.

Alright! Those are my ideas for next week. I hope all of you have a wonderful week and a great Sharing Time!!

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