NEW TESTAMENT 2019

Come, Follow Me

with

Rejoice With Me

Reinforces this week’s “Come Follow Me” study: John 7-10
“I Am the Good Shepherd”

Scripture:

John 10:14-15

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Song:

I Feel My Savior’s Love (vs 3&4) Children’s Songbook page 74

Lesson:

Jesus taught us not to judge people based on their outward appearance. He showed mercy to those who had sinned, those who were sick, and those who were blind or lame. When we treat each other with love and kindness, even if someone may not deserve it, we are showing mercy. For example, if someone is unkind to you, you can be merciful to them and continue being kind anyway. If someone makes a mistake (we all make mistakes!) we can continue to show love and forgiveness.

Every blessing we receive from our Heavenly Father is an act of mercy. A few of the merciful gifts we receive from Heavenly Father are: answers to our prayers, guidance and comfort from the Holy Ghost and being healed through the power of the priesthood.

By showing mercy to those around us, we can find opportunities to share the gospel. We can teach others about the goodness and mercy of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We can help Him gather His “lost sheep”.

Quote:

“The infinite mercy of God cancels any punishment if the person repents, asks for forgiveness, and promises to follow Christ. God’s mercy comes from his unlimited and unconditional love for us. Likewise, we should show mercy to others…” Robert E. Wells

Q&A:

What is mercy? (Discuss ideas.)
“Mercy is the compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved, and it is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father knows our weaknesses and sins. He shows mercy when He forgives us of our sins and helps us return to dwell in His presence.” Gospel Topics

Should we show mercy towards others? (Discuss ideas.)

How can we show mercy towards others? (Discuss ideas.)

How can being unmerciful affect our lives?(Discuss ideas.)

How does showing mercy to others help us keep the commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34-35)?

How does showing mercy help us to share the gospel? (Discuss ideas.)

Why do we celebrate when we help bring the sheep who have gone astray back to the fold?(Discuss ideas.)

 

Story:

A Call to Grandpa

“Mommy, can I call Grandpa James when we get home?” Gwen asked as the car pulled out of the church parking lot.

Mother smiled. “Of course. Grandpa always loves talking to his grandkids!”

“I talk to Gwampa, too!” Luke exclaimed.

“Yes, Luke. You can talk to Grandpa, too,” Mother responded.

After the family arrived home and the children had changed into playclothes Mother dialed Grandpa’s number and handed the phone to Gwen before going into the kitchen to make dinner.

“I talk to Gwampa,” Luke said grabbing at the phone.

“No, Luke,” Gwen protested, raising the phone above her head out of Luke’s reach. “I get to talk first.”

Luke let out a high pitched scream and began kicking Gwen in the shins. Gwen began to cry and dropped the phone as she tried to hold Luke away from her.

Father heard the commotion and came running into the room. “What is going on?” he asked, pulling the screaming and kicking child away from his sister.

Luke continued to scream, “I talk, I talk, I talk…”

“Luke, stop it right now!” Father said firmly. “You can’t kick your sister.”

“He hurt my legs,” Gwen cried. “And I didn’t do anything to him,” she said defensively.

“Luke, you need to tell Gwen your sorry,” Father pleaded. “She loves you. It’s not nice to hurt her.”

“No,” Luke said stubbornly. “She not let me talk to Gwampa.”

Father picked Luke up and looked into his eyes. “If you won’t apologize you’re going to time-out,” he said.

Luke began to cry. “No time-out,” he wailed. “I talk to Gwampa. Gwen is meany!”

“I am not mean and if he won’t apologize, I’m never speaking to him again,” Gwen pouted.

Father turned and gave Gwen a warning look before carrying Luke to his bedroom for time-out.


After Father left the room, Gwen mumbled to herself. “I don’t know why he’s looking at me like that. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Hello. Hello,” Grandpa James spoke loudly into the phone, “anybody there?”

Gwen scrambled to find the phone. “Hi, Grandpa,” she said picking it up. “I’m here.”

“Well, thunder and lightning! What’s going on there?” Grandpa asked.

“Oh, Luke’s being a brat,” Gwen answered. “Mommy gave me the phone so I could talk to you and he started screaming and kicking me for no reason.”

“I see,” Grandpa said. “Well, what’s on your mind, kiddo?”

“Do you have any lost sheep?” Gwen asked. “Sister Green said the Good Shepherd wants us to help find all the lost sheep, but we don’t have any sheep. So I want to help you find your lost sheep?”

Grandpa chuckled. “Well, darlin’ all my sheep are accounted for. You see, old Ranger is such a mighty fine sheep dog that not a one of my sheep is lost,” he explained. “Are you sure you don’t have any lost sheep at your house?” Grandpa teased.

“I promise, Grandpa. We don’t have any sheep at all!”

“Gwenny, do you remember how that little lamb was a’bawling the last time you came to visit me?”

“I remember, Grandpa,” Gwen sniffled, “She was sad ’cause she had wandered away from her mama.”

“That’s right, Pumpkin. And remember how happy the ewe was when she found the little critter?”

Gwen laughed. “She was so happy she licked him so hard, he almost tipped over.”

“Well, the way your little brother was a’bawling and a’carrying on, I’m thinking he just might be a little bit lost right now.”

“Oh, he’s not lost Grandpa. He’s just in time-out for being naughty,” Gwen explained. “And I’m so mad at him I hope he has to stay in time-out for a long, long time!,” Gwen confessed.

“Well, you see, Gwen. Jesus’ is the Good Shepherd, but his flock is all of God’s children. When one of us is naughty or not doing what’s right, we’ve strayed from the flock. That’s when Jesus needs our help finding ’em and bringing ’em back,” Grandpa explained, “And the best way for us to do that is to be forgiving and show mercy to ’em.”

“But, Grandpa, Luke wasn’t even sorry!” Gwen protested.

“That’s why they call it mercy, Sweetheart. You see, if you stay mad at Luke, he’s likely to stay mad at you, too. But if you show him mercy and forgive him, even if he’s not sorry, well then he’ll see what a great sister he has. And before you know it, he’ll be apologizing. Then, you, Little Lady, will have helped find one of Jesus’ lost sheep! But, if you don’t, well, you just might get lost, too!”

Gwen paused for a moment. “I gotta go now, Grandpa. I’ve got to find Luke and tell him I’m sorry so neither of us are lost sheep! And, Grandpa, when I find him, I’m going to be so happy that I’m going to hug him so tight he almost tips over!”

by Margie Nauta Lee

Activity idea:

Lost Sheep Activity

Lost Sheep Hunt


This "treasure" hunt activity will help your children understand the importance of reaching out to "lost sheep" by being merciful and gracious.

Treat idea:

Sheep Shaped Rolls

Lost Sheep Rolls


The aroma of fresh baked bread will help your family quickly find the "Lost Sheep," made with RhodesTM frozen dinner rolls... delicious!

These lessons are perfect for Family Home Evening at the beginning of the week, or to recap the following Sunday. Or use portions of the lesson throughout the week to enhance your family scripture study.

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