“October 23–29. 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon: ‘Be Thou an Example of the Believers,’” Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 (2021)
“October 23–29. 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon,” Come, Follow Me—For Primary: 2023
October 23–29
1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon
“Be Thou an Example of the Believers”
Paul taught that “scripture is given … for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). As you study these epistles, ponder how they can inspire the children to live righteously.
Invite Sharing
Ask the children to talk about someone who is a good “example of the believers” to them. What are they doing to be good examples to others?
Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children
Bishops lead the ward as servants of God.
Paul taught Timothy and Titus about the importance of bishops. How can you teach the children what the bishop does? (A branch president is comparable to a bishop.)
Possible Activities
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Draw a simple picture of your bishop on the board. Ask the children to name some things they know about the bishop. What is he like? What does he do? How does he bless the ward? (You can find some characteristics of a bishop in 1 Timothy 3:1–2 and Titus 1:7–9.) As the children share their ideas, write them on strips of paper and let the children place them on the board by the drawing.
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Write the duties of a bishop on slips of paper—such as helping children and youth in the ward, accepting tithing and fast offerings, extending callings, interviewing members, and helping those in need. Place these slips in a bowl, and invite each child to pick one. Then help the child to role-play these duties with you. Share your testimony that your bishop is called of God.
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Invite the children to draw a picture of the bishop serving ward members. Suggest that they give their drawings to him to thank him. What can we do to help him?
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12).
I can be “an example of the believers.”
What can you do to inspire the children to be “example[s] of the believers”?
Possible Activities
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Sing with the children “Do as I’m Doing” (Children’s Songbook, 276). Ask the children to follow your example by doing the actions you do. Let the children take turns leading the rest of the class in following their actions. Read 1 Timothy 4:12, and ask the children what they can do to be good examples to others.
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Share an experience when you tried to be a good example to someone or when someone was a good example to you (perhaps including the children in your class). Invite the children to be good examples to their family members and friends.
The scriptures will help me learn truth.
If you can help the children learn to love the scriptures, the teachings in the scriptures will bless their lives for years to come.
Possible Activities
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Display a set of scriptures, and help the children become familiar with them by showing them the title pages of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. Invite a child to hold these books as you read 2 Timothy 3:15–17. Tell the children why you love the scriptures, and let the children express their feelings.
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Ask the children to talk about their most prized possession. What do they do with it? How do they treat it? Let them take turns holding the scriptures and carefully turning the pages. What do we use the scriptures for? Why should we take good care of them? Testify that the scriptures contain truths that Heavenly Father wants us to know.
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Help the children create actions to go with songs about the scriptures, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109).
Teach the Doctrine: Older Children
I can be “an example of the believers.”
Timothy was young for a Church leader, but Paul wanted him to know that he could still be an example. You can inspire the children to set good examples for those around them.
Possible Activities
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Read together 1 Timothy 4:12, and ask the children to find six ways Paul said we can be “an example of the believers.” Divide the children into pairs, and invite each pair to think of a situation in which they can be an example of the believers. Ask them to role-play their situation for the rest of the class.
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Ask the children if they would like to share any experiences when they tried to be a good example to others. Tell them how they have been examples of the believers to you and how you have noticed them setting good examples for others.
Eternal things are more valuable than money.
The world places high priority on money and the things money can buy. How can you help the children keep their focus and love centered on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
Possible Activities
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Invite the children to talk about what they would buy if they had all the money in the world. Read 1 Timothy 6:7–12 with the children, and ask them to summarize what Paul taught Timothy about money. Then invite the children to read verses 11–12 again, searching for things Paul mentioned that are more valuable than money.
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Lay out pictures of worldly things (such as money, toys, or entertainment) and eternal things (such as families or temples). Invite the children to sort the pictures into two piles—things that bring us closer to Christ and things that might distract us from Christ if we love them more than we love Him. Why is “the love of money … the root of all evil”? How does focusing on Jesus Christ make us happy?
Heavenly Father gave us scriptures to help us know truth from error.
As you teach the children about the scriptures, look for ways to encourage them to have their own powerful experiences with the word of God.
Possible Activities
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Invite the children to read 2 Timothy 3:15–17. Display pictures depicting a story from each of the four standard works, and invite several children to pick a picture and tell the story. (You can find pictures in the Gospel Art Book and in Come, Follow Me materials.) Ask the children to share anything else they know about that book of scripture. How do the scriptures “make [us] wise unto salvation”?
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Share a favorite scripture verse or an experience when the scriptures helped you build your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Invite the children to share a favorite verse or experience of their own.
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Ask a child to read Moroni 10:4–5. What did Moroni promise in these verses? Ask the children how they have gained a testimony that the scriptures are true. Invite them to read or listen to the scriptures regularly and to ask God if they are true.
Encourage Learning at Home
Invite the children to share with their families what they learned about the scriptures and to find one verse of scripture that they can share with the class next week (with help from their parents, if needed).
Improving Our Teaching
Adapt activities to meet needs. Instead of viewing these outlines as instructions you must follow, use them as a source of ideas to spark your own inspiration as you ponder the needs of the children you teach. You can adapt activities to teach children of any age.