“December 4–10. Revelation 1–5: ‘Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever,’” Come, Follow Me—For Primary: New Testament 2023 (2021)
“December 4–10. Revelation 1–5,” Come, Follow Me—For Primary: 2023
December 4–10
Revelation 1–5
“Glory, and Power, Be unto … the Lamb for Ever”
The book of Revelation can be difficult for children to understand, but it also contains important doctrine that is beautiful and simple.
Invite Sharing
Invite the children to share how they might feel if they saw Jesus Christ in a vision. Ask them to share anything they know about John’s vision of Jesus in the book of Revelation.
Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children
I can shine the Savior’s light.
In Revelation 1:20, the Savior compared His Church to candlesticks. Help the children understand that they can shine the Savior’s light by living His teachings.
Possible Activities
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Show the children pictures of different sources of light, such as a light bulb, a candle, and the sun. As you read “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20), invite the children to point to the picture of the light mentioned in this verse. Help the children discuss how we, as members of Jesus’s Church, can be like the light of a candle—for example, when we do nice things for others.
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Sing a song about being a light to others, such as “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” (Children’s Songbook, 60–61). Share ways you have seen the children living the gospel of Jesus Christ and being a light to those around them. Share how being a light to others has helped you feel closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I can invite Jesus Christ into my life.
The metaphor of Jesus standing at the door and knocking can help the children understand that He wants to be close to them.
Possible Activities
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As you read Revelation 3:20, show the picture of the Savior at the door from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Invite the children to imagine that Jesus was knocking on the door to their homes. Let them talk about what they would do.
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Invite the children to tell you about times when they waited for someone to visit their home who they were excited to see. What was it like waiting for that person to knock on the door? What if we never let the person inside? Read Revelation 3:20, and let the children take turns holding a picture of Jesus and pretending to knock on a door. The other class members could pretend to open the door. What can we do to let Jesus be near us, even though we can’t see Him?
Jesus Christ is the only one worthy to be my Savior.
John learned from his vision that only Jesus Christ (represented by a lamb) could be our Savior and fulfill the Father’s plan (represented by the sealed book).
Possible Activities
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Before class, wrap up a copy of the Gospel Art Book using paper or string. Using a few key phrases from Revelation 5:1–10, describe the vision John saw. Show the children the book, and tell them that the only way to open the book is to find the picture of Jesus that you have hidden in the room. When they find the picture, open the book and share with the children some of the pictures in the book that represent blessings available because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement (such as a temple, baptism, and families). Testify that the Savior is the only one who could make those things possible.
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Summarize the vision described in Revelation 5:1–10, and invite the children to act out how John and others felt during different parts of the vision. For instance, they might pretend to cry when no one could open the book, or they might cheer when the Savior opened it.
Teach the Doctrine: Older Children
If I am committed to the Savior’s gospel, I will receive great blessings in heaven.
What does it mean to you to be “lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot”? Consider ways to help the children be the opposite of lukewarm—to be enthusiastic in their commitment to the Savior and His gospel.
Possible Activities
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Read together Revelation 3:5, 12, 21, and explain any words that the children might not know. What does it mean to “overcome”? Invite the children to draw one of the blessings promised in these verses and share it with the class.
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Read together Revelation 3:15–16. Ask the children to talk about things that are most useful or enjoyable when they are hot (such as soup) or cold (such as ice cream). How can being lukewarm about the Savior prevent us from the blessings promised in verses 5, 12, and 21?
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On the board, write lukewarm, along with some synonyms, such as halfhearted, indifferent, or casual. Use these words to help the children understand why the Lord does not want us to be lukewarm. What words can we think of to describe the way He wants us to be? Share why you want to be fully committed to the Savior, and invite the children to share their thoughts as well.
I can choose to let Jesus Christ be a part of my life.
How can you help the children you teach open their hearts and lives to the power and influence of Jesus Christ?
Possible Activities
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As you read Revelation 3:20, show the picture of the Savior at the door from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. To help the children draw meaning from the picture, invite them to work in pairs to answer questions like these: Why do you think Jesus is knocking on the door? Why isn’t there a doorknob on the outside of the door? What does it mean to let Jesus into our lives?
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Ask the children to write on the board different ways to “open the door” to Jesus. Some examples might include serving others, reading the scriptures, keeping the covenants we make at baptism, and partaking of the sacrament.
Jesus Christ is the only one worthy to be my Savior.
The vision described in Revelation 5 taught that only Jesus Christ was worthy and able to perform the Atonement and save us from sin.
Possible Activities
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Invite the children to tell about a time when they needed someone to do something they couldn’t do for themselves. Ask them to read Revelation 5:1–10 and look for what needed to be done that only one person could do (explain that the Lamb is Jesus Christ and the book represents God’s plan). What did Jesus do for us that no one else could do?
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Ask the children to look for a hymn or children’s song that testifies of Jesus Christ (such as “Beautiful Savior,” Children’s Songbook, 62–63). What do the words of the song teach about Jesus Christ? How might this song be like the hymn of praise sung about Jesus Christ in Revelation 5:9–10?
Encourage Learning at Home
Invite the children to share with their families ways they can invite the Savior’s influence into their homes.
Improving Our Teaching
Encourage reverence. An important aspect of reverence is thinking about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. You might remind children to be reverent by quietly singing or humming a song or displaying a picture of Jesus.