I enjoy doing family home evening lessons that correlate with holidays. This lessons works great around St. Patrick's Day.
Object: The object of this lesson is to teach your children about the Godhead.
Song Ideas: Joseph Smith's First Prayer (Hymn 26), Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow (Hymn 242), I Know My Father Lives (Children's Songbook page 5), He Sent His Son (Children's Songbook page 34), This Is My Beloved Son (Children's Songbook page 76)
Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:21 "And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
Lesson
Teach your children about some of the symbolism of St. Patrick's Day. We celebrate this day on March 17 each year. This holiday is a holy day and national holiday in Ireland. The purpose is to honor Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
According to the story, Saint Patrick was born to wealthy parents in England. When he was 16, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates and sold as a slave. He worked as a shepherd in Northern Ireland. While doing so, he decided to devote his life to Christ and teach others about his faith.
Saint Patrick eventually escaped and fled to France. He soon returned to Ireland. He taught people to read and write. He also taught them about the Christian faith.
One tradition with this holiday is to wear green. Green is a reminder of the green countryside of Ireland. This island is often called "Emerald Isle." Green is also the color of the Shamrock, which is the national flower of Ireland.
The story goes that the Shamrock was used by Patrick to teach about God. This small green plant looks like a clover. It has three leaves on each stem.
The Shamrock is like the idea of the Godhead. It is one Godhead, but has three different persons.
Lesson Application
Baby: If all you have is a baby, tell the story briefly. Then hold up a picture of a Shamrock. Point to each leaf and tell who each leaf represents.
Toddler and Preschooler: For the toddler and preschooler crowd, you can do a bit more. Tell the story--don't read it. Become familiar enough with it that you can tell the story to them. If you really want to read it, create a little book (draw or pull images from the Internet) so the children can look at pictures as you read it. It will hold their interest much better.
Earlier in the day, you can have your children who are old enough prepare to help with the lesson. Print off a picture of a shamrock (I put one at the end of this lesson. Simply click on it. It will open the picture on its own page. Then print from that page) or make your own for your children to color and/or decorate. You can also make them using
paint and potatoes. Tell them you will need them to help with the lesson that night. Children love to help.
During the lesson, ask the children to hold up their picture as you talk about what it represents.
Optional: Have green treats after the lesson.
This lesson inspired by Bright Impressions Family Home Evening Volume 1
The Godhead
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