July 2008 Sharing Time—Fishers of Men
by Shauna Gibby
This sharing time will engage the children in an activity that helps them learn to be missionaries.
Preparation:
From stiff paper, cut out eight fish shapes. Label each fish with a number (1 through 8). Attach a paper clip to the nose of each fish. Make a “fishing pole” by tying a string to one end of a stick and tying a magnet to the free end of the string. Obtain a picture of Christ calling his disciples (such as Gospel Art Kit #209). Familiarize yourself with Matthew 4:18–22.
Presentation:
Show the children the picture of Christ calling the fishermen. Briefly retell the story. Invite a child to come to the front of the room and read Matthew 4:19. Ask the children what they think being a “fisher of men” means. [Peter and Andrew’s job had been using nets to catch (gather in) fish, now Jesus wanted them to use their time teaching the gospel to people (or gathering in men and women).] Explain that another word for this is being a missionary.
Tell the children that today you are going to go fishing to learn more about being a missionary. Spread the fish out on the floor and ask a child to come “catch” one with the fishing pole. Have the child answer the question (or all the children sing the song) that corresponds to that fish’s number. Discuss their answer and let the other children give answers if they’d like. Repeat with the remaining fish.
Fish:
1. One of your friends heard something on the news that made them think members of the Church do bad things. What can you do to help them know what we really believe?
2. Missionaries need to teach people about the scriptures. What can you do now to help you be ready teach the gospel when you are a missionary?
3. Sing “Called to Serve,” Children’s Songbook, p. 174–75.
4. One of your friends is not a member of the church. They don’t want to come to church with you on Sunday, but what other activities can you invite them to? (Cub Scouts, Activity Days, Quarterly Activities, Ward Dinners, Family Home Evening, etc.)
5. One of your friends asks you where you go every Sunday. They say they don’t have a church to go to. What could you do?
6. How is using good language and treating others kindly being a missionary? (They will see your example and judge the Church by how you act.)
7. Sing “We’ll Bring the World His Truth,” Children’s Songbook, p. 172.
8. Missionaries often have to walk or ride bicycles to do their work. What can I do now to help me be physically prepared to be a missionary?
Bear your testimony about the missionary work. Help the children understand that they can be full-time missionaries when they get older and that they should prepare for that. Also, teach them that they can be good missionaries now.
Posted by Linda
from Oregon
The children in our Primary love to be involved in sharing time. This will give them the chance to learn while they participate. We will definetly use this next month.
|
Posted by Judy
from Slidell, LA
Thank You for this Sharing Time idea. I think that we can all use help on how to be a better missionary. Your article gives a lot of ways to do this as well as ways to involve the children in Sharing Time. Truely motivating!
|
Posted by paige
from California
The idea of "fishing" has been done to death since these children were in Nursery. This is about as original as playing "Concentration." This is not a good sharing time idea!
|
Posted by aleshia
from Pensacola, FL
I think the children learn and listen so much more when they are involved. What a great way to teach! Thank You.
|
Posted by Julia
from Boston
Hey - I got some great ideas from this - even though I'm not going to do a fishing theme this week. The 8 questions/activities are just what I needed. Thank you!
|
Posted by Rosemary
from Nevada
As I read this idea for sharing time, it gave me some great ideas. I am brand new in primary, this time around. My first week teaching will be this week. I called my primary president and asked for suggestions. She told me missionary work and I related this idea to her and she thought it was great. Thanks for helping me in a pinch.
|
Posted by Laura
from Georgia
Our ward rarely has used the fishing thing - so this was a refreshing idea. We used it during the 2nd week sharing time.- I'm including the case studies I put on the back of our fish - For our Jr.'s we had them read the case study that was printed on the back of their fish and then talked about what the CTR answer would be and some alternative things they could do and say. For our Sr.'s (we like them to use thier scriptures) - we had the reader also read out the scripture that went along with the choice and we talked about how important it was to follow the counsel of the scriptures. Thanks so much for this!
• You are playing at your friend’s house and you are thirsty! He offers you some sweet tea or a coffee to drink. What can you do to show your faithfulness and obedience?
SR – D&C 89
• You are shopping with your father and ask for a candy bar. Your father says no, but while he is busy paying for the groceries; you see that you could slip the candy into your pocket without anyone noticing. What will you do to show faithfulness and obedience?
SR – Alma 27:27
• Our prophets have asked us to treat our body like a temple. While you are at your friend’s house they ask if you want a fake tattoo – What can you do to show faithfulness and obedience.
SR - For the Strength of Youth, Dress and Appearance, pg.14
Your team is having a big show and you have all been working really hard for a whole season. When you look on the calendar you realize that the show will be on a Sunday. What can you do to show your faithful and obedient? SR – Mosiah 18:23
You just received $20 for your birthday! Your Mom reminds you to put $2 away so that you can pay tithing, but you are worried you won’t have enough money to buy that toy you really want. What should you do to show faithfulness?
SR – D&C 119:4
It is the end of the day and you are tired. You just want to read a good book for a few minutes before you fall asleep. You look and see the new book you got at the library and you also see your scriptures. What can you do to show your faithfulness and obedience?
SR – Isaiah 34:16
Something happens to you while you are with your friends and you are scared. What can you do to show your faithfulness that will make you feel better?
SR – D&C 19:38
Your older neighbor lady is outside trying to rake up some leaves but she is having a hard time because it is hard for her to bend over and the leaves keep blowing. What can you do to show your faithfulness and obedience?
SR – Mosiah 2:17
|
Posted by Joanne
from New Zealand
It's not about us but definitely about the children and this is a great idea for the younger primary to learn about missionary work. No matter how repetitive it may become we are still learning the concept of missionary work and how we can become involved. Thanks again for the idea.
|
