“June 12–18. Luke 22; John 18: ‘Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done,’” Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 (2022)
“June 12–18. Luke 22; John 18,” Come, Follow Me—For Primary: 2023
Gethsemane Grove, by Derek Hegsted
June 12–18
Luke 22; John 18
“Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done”
Learning from Luke 22 and John 18 with the children is an opportunity to help them deepen their love for Jesus Christ and their faith in Him. Prayerfully consider how you will do this.
Invite Sharing
Show pictures of the events in these chapters, such as Christ in Gethsemane (Gospel Art Book, no. 56) and the pictures in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite the children to tell what is happening in the pictures.
Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children
Jesus suffered for me because He loves me.
Consider how you can help the children feel Jesus’s love for them as you discuss the account of His suffering in Gethsemane.
Possible Activities
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Tell the story of Luke 22:39–46 to the children, perhaps by using “Chapter 51: Jesus Suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane” (in New Testament Stories, 129–32, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that Jesus felt all the pain and sadness that everyone has ever felt. Ask the children what might make a person feel sad, hurt, or upset. Testify that Jesus can help us feel better when we feel these ways.
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Pass around a picture of the Savior in Gethsemane (such as the one in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). As each child holds the picture, say, “Jesus suffered because He loves [child’s name].” Invite the children to repeat these words with you.
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Sing a song with the children about Jesus’s love for us, such as “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook, 74–75). Help them think of ways they have felt Jesus’s love.
I can pray when I need help.
When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, an angel appeared to strengthen Him. How can you help the children you teach understand that they too can pray to Heavenly Father for strength?
Possible Activities
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Summarize Luke 22:41–43 for the children. Share an experience in which you prayed for help and Heavenly Father strengthened you through the Holy Ghost or by sending someone to help you.
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On strips of paper, write some things we might say in a prayer, such as “Heavenly Father,” “I thank thee,” “I ask thee,” and “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” Put the strips on the floor in random order, and help the children put them in the order in which we might say them in a prayer. What can we thank Heavenly Father for? What else can we say to Him? Testify that the children can pray to Heavenly Father anywhere and anytime.
Christ Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, by Hermann Clementz
Teach the Doctrine: Older Children
In Gethsemane, Jesus Christ took upon Himself my sin and pain.
Knowing about what Jesus did for us in Gethsemane can help the children repent of their sins and turn to the Savior when they experience difficult trials.
Possible Activities
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Invite the children to read Luke 22:39–46, looking for words or phrases that describe how Jesus felt in Gethsemane. What was Jesus experiencing that caused Him to feel this way? (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19). Give the children the opportunity to share their feelings about Jesus and His sacrifice for us.
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Invite the children to share a time when they were sad or in pain. Ask them if they know anyone who has felt the same thing. Invite them to read Alma 7:11–12. What do these verses teach us about Jesus Christ and His suffering for us?
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Give a child a stick that is longer than the width of the classroom doorway, and ask him or her to hold it horizontally and try to walk through the door. Explain that the stick represents our sins, which keep us from entering God’s kingdom. Take the stick away to demonstrate that Jesus took upon Himself our sins so that we can be forgiven when we repent.
I can follow Jesus’s example by being obedient to Heavenly Father.
Jesus showed obedience to the Father when He said, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). How can you help the children learn from Jesus’s example?
Possible Activities
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Help the children memorize the phrase “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42) and discuss what it means. What can we do to obey Heavenly Father’s will?
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Help the children identify some reasons it is sometimes hard to do what Heavenly Father wants. What blessings have we received by being obedient to Heavenly Father, even when it was hard?
Jesus loved His enemies.
Learning how to be a peacemaker is not easy, especially when others are not kind to us. How can the account in Luke 22:50–51 inspire the children you teach to be kind in all circumstances?
Possible Activities
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Invite the children to read Luke 22:50–51. What do we learn about Jesus from this account? During the week, ask some of the children’s parents to tell you about times when their children showed kindness, even when it was difficult. Share those stories with the class. (Remind the children that being kind doesn’t mean allowing others to hurt them; they should talk to their parents or another trusted adult if someone is hurting them.)
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Sing a song about being kind, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145). What does this song teach about kindness? How can we show kindness to others like the Savior did?
Encourage Learning at Home
Invite the children to share their testimonies of the Savior with their families. They could also ask their family members to share their testimonies of Him.
Improving Our Teaching
Invite children to share what they know. “Ask [the children] to share with you their thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to the principles you are teaching. You will find that they have insights that are simple, pure, and powerful” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 26).