Becoming Like Christ
by Shauna Gibby

"What would Jesus do?" or "What would He have me do?" are the paramount personal questions of this life. Walking in His way is the greatest achievement of life. (Ezra Taft Benson, "Think on Christ," New Era, Apr. 1994, 4)

Thought:
I testify to you that there is no greater, more thrilling, and more soul- ennobling challenge than to try to learn of Christ and walk in His steps. Our model, Jesus Christ, walked this earth as “the Exemplar.” . . . “What would Jesus do?” or “What would He have me do?” are the paramount personal questions of this life. Walking in His way is the greatest achievement of life.
(Ezra Taft Benson, “Think on Christ,” New Era, Apr. 1994, 4)

Song:
“Lord, I Would Follow Thee,” Hymns, 220.

Scripture:
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
(John 13:15)

Lesson:
Prepare four wordstrips: Obeyed Parents, Served Others, Prayed, Forgave Others.

Obtain a picture of Jesus Christ. Play a guessing game of “Who am I?” and give clues that describe an individual in your group. Use physical characteristics such as hair length, eye color, age, and so on. This can be repeated two or three times.

Following the game, point out that people can be recognized by their physical characteristics. People can also be recognized by their spiritual characteristics.

Play the game of “Who am I?” again. Explain that this time group members will try to guess who the individual is by spiritual characteristics. Pass out the wordstrips and have the children display them. Invite your family to guess what individual is described by all four wordstrips.

Show the picture of Christ. Explain that we can recognize Christ through these and other spiritual characteristics.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], p. 18-19.)

Scripture Stories:
Display pictures of stories from Christ’s life. Briefly tell each story in your own words.

Luke 2:42-52, Jesus teaching in the temple (Gospel Art Kit 205). Point out that Jesus was obedient to his parents and went home with them.

Mark 8:1-9, Jesus feeding the four thousand (GAK 212). Point out that Jesus had compassion on the multitude and did not want them to be hungry.

Luke 22:39-46, Jesus praying in Gethsemane (GAK 227). Point out how earnestly he prayed and that he encouraged his disciples to pray also.

Luke 23:33-34, the Crucifixion (GAK 230). Explain that Jesus asked Heavenly Father to forgive those who were crucifying him.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], p. 19.)

Activity:
Tell the following unfinished stories, or use stories of your own that meet the needs of your group. Have the group decide which action on the wordstrips would solve the story in a Christlike way.

1. Marcie came home from school one day and found her little sister playing in her room. Her sister had accidentally dropped a little porcelain ballerina that had been Marcie’s favorite. What should Marcie do? (Be forgiving.)

2. Timothy’s mother asked him to come home right after school to help rake leaves in the yard. But on his way home his friends invited him to play ball at the park. What should Timothy do? (Obey his parents.)

3. Karen was going to her friend’s house. As she walked down the sidewalk she passed her neighbor Mrs. Simmons. Mrs. Simmons was an elderly widow. Karen noticed that she was sitting in a rocking chair on her porch and that she looked lonely. Karen knew Mrs. Simmons would enjoy a visitor. What should Karen do? (Offer service.)

4. Aaron got lost in the woods when his family went camping. He was frightened and felt alone. What should Aaron do? (Pray.)

Explain that Jesus set a wonderful example for us to follow. We should often ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” Then we should do our best to try to be like him.
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], p. 19.)

Refreshment
Quick Fruit Dip
1 1/3 cups low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup strawberry jam
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients and chill for one hour before serving. This is a fast, delicious treat. Serve with strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and bananas.
(Hollee Eckman and Heather Higgins, All That Jam, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2003], p. 56.)