March 20–26

Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5

The Creation

Before you read any additional materials, read Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; and Abraham 4–5, and record your spiritual impressions. This will invite the Spirit into your preparation. Come, Follow Me for individuals and families and the ideas below can help you understand and teach the doctrine in these chapters. As you study, think about the children you teach and how you can help them understand the account of the Creation.

Improving Our Teaching

Help children express their creativity. When children build, draw, or color something related to the story or principle they are learning, they often remember it better. Encourage them to use their creations to teach their families. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25.)

Invite Sharing

One of your objectives as a teacher is to help the children learn from the scriptures on their own and with their families. One way you can do this could be to invite them to share their feelings and experiences about the principles and stories in these chapters. This may include experiences they have had learning at home.

Teach the Doctrine

Younger Children

Moses 2

Jesus Christ created the earth.

Knowing about the Creation can help the children feel God’s love. This knowledge will also increase their appreciation for the world around them. How can you make learning about the Creation fun for the children?

Possible Activities

• Help the children think of actions that represent the different stages of the Creation (as described in Moses 2 or “Jesus Makes the Earth,” chapter 2 of of Old Testament Stories).

• As the children color this week’s activity page, remind them that Jesus Christ created the world for us because He loves us.

• Sing “The World Is So Lovely” (Children’s Songbook, 233), and let the children draw pictures of the creations described in the second verse.

Moses 2:26–27

Our bodies are like God’s body.

When children understand that their bodies were created in God’s image, they can develop a sense of reverence and respect for their own and others’ bodies. What truths in these verses do you think will be especially important for them to understand?

Possible Activities

• Help the children repeat “I, God, created man in mine own image” several times.

• Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves or sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” (Children’s Songbook, 275), and explain that Heavenly Father created their bodies to look like His.

• Invite the children to act out things they can do with their bodies (such as running or playing a game), while the other children guess what they are doing. Invite the children to share why they are grateful for their bodies.

Moses 3:2–3

The Sabbath day is holy.

Children who develop a habit of keeping the Sabbath day holy when they are young are more likely to keep this commandment when life becomes busier and more demanding. How has the Sabbath been a “blessed” and “sanctified” day for you?

Possible Activities

• Read Moses 3:2–3, and ask the children to listen for what God did on the seventh day.

• Let the children take turns counting to seven with their fingers or on a calendar, and when they get to seven, have everyone say, “Sabbath day!”

• Let the children draw pictures of things they can do each day of the week. Help them think of things they can do on Sunday to make it a holy day. You may want to share your experiences.

Teach the Doctrine

Older Children

Moses 2

Jesus Christ created the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father.

You can use Moses 2 to help the children see that the world was created not by chance but purposefully as part of God’s eternal plan. As you read Moses 2, what ideas come to mind that would help strengthen the children’s testimonies of the Creation?

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to draw pictures on the board (or on this week’s coloring page) of things Jesus created on the seven days of the Creation (as described in Moses 2).

• Use the “Topics” section of the Children’s Songbook to find songs to sing about the Creation. How can we show that we are thankful for God’s creations?

Moses 2:26–27

Adam and Eve were created in the image of God.

The world will give children many false messages about their bodies. The doctrine in Moses 2:26–27 is powerful motivation to respect and care for our bodies. How has this doctrine influenced your life?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to draw a picture of their families and note what they have in common with their family members. Use this activity to illustrate the point that we are children of God, created in His image.

• After reading Moses 2:26–27, show the video “God’s Greatest Creation” (LDS.org; see also Russell M. Nelson, “Thanks Be to God,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 77–80). What does President Nelson say we can do to show gratitude for our bodies?

  God's Greatest Creation

Moses 3:2–3

The Sabbath day is holy.

Children may have to explain to their friends why they won’t do certain things on Sunday. Moses 3:2–3 teaches why we keep the Sabbath day holy. What can you do to help the children better understand and explain this doctrine?

Possible Activities

• Help the children role-play scenarios in which they explain to a friend why they choose not to do certain things on Sunday. Suggest that they refer to Moses 3:2–3.

• Make a list of ways we can honor the Sabbath. Suggest that the children take the list home with them and refer to it when they need ideas.

Encourage Learning at Home

How can you encourage children and their parents to continue to learn from the Old Testament at home? For example, you could invite them to look for five creations during the week that remind them of Heavenly Father’s love.

Sharing Time

Singing Time

Children will remember the messages of the music they learn in Primary throughout their lives. Use the Children’s Songbook to select a variety of songs that reinforce the doctrine the children are learning. Here are some that relate to principles taught this month:

• “I Am a Child of God,” Children’s Songbook, 2–3

• “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook, 228–29

To help engage the children in singing, invite them to do actions that correspond with phrases in the song.

Sharing by Children

Create opportunities for children to share how they are learning and living the gospel.

Younger Children

• Invite the children to share things they can do to keep the Sabbath day holy.

• Draw an outline of a body on paper, and cut it into parts. Pass the parts out, and let the children work together to reassemble them. Share your testimony that our bodies are created in God’s image.

Older Children

• Invite the children to share what their families do to keep the Sabbath day holy.

• Invite each class to teach the rest of the children what happened on one of the seven days of Creation.