Growing in Wisdom, by Simon Dewey

September

Heavenly Father Will Help Me Learn and Grow

Most of the stories in the New Testament tell of Jesus as a grown man who fully understood His mission. But it’s important—especially for children—to remember that “Jesus once was a little child” (Children’s Songbook, 55). Even though He was God’s Son, He didn’t receive a full understanding right away. He gained it little by little (see Doctrine and Covenants 93:13). As a child, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). It’s OK, then, that we still have a lot of learning and growing to do. Jesus had to learn and grow too. And He says to you and to the children in your class, “Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:18).

Heavenly Father has given me special gifts to develop.

• What skills, talents, or gifts do you see in the children in your class? Tell the children about them. You might ask some of them what they are doing to get better at those talents. You could also talk about the work you have done to improve a skill you have. During this conversation, you could share parts of Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s message “Do Your Part with All Your Heart” (Liahona, Nov. 2025, 22–24). Why has Heavenly Father given us these gifts? What does He want us to do with them?

  Do Your Part with All Your Heart

• The parable of the talents could help inspire the children to increase the talents or gifts Heavenly Father has given them. The children might enjoy acting the parable out while you read it to them from Matthew 25:13–30 or “The Parable of the Talents” (in New Testament Stories). Then you could invite them to think of one thing they will do to improve a talent they have. How can we use our talents to bless others?

  The Parable of the Talents

Heavenly Father wants me to learn.

• You could let the children take turns sharing one thing they learned this week (in school, at home, in a book, or in another setting). You could take a turn too; let them feel how excited you are to learn new things. Then you could read together Doctrine and Covenants 88:79 to find out what things Heavenly Father wants us to learn about. Why does He want us to learn about things other than the gospel? Help the children find reasons in “Truth Will Make You Free” (in For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices [2026], 58–61).

Jesus learned and grew, and so can I.

• To learn what Jesus was like as a child, you could read together Luke 2:40–52 or “The Boy Jesus” (in New Testament Stories). You could also sing together “Jesus Once Was a Little Child” (Children’s Songbook, 55). Ask the children to share things they love about the boy Jesus. How can we follow His example?

  The Boy Jesus

• The activity page at the end of this lesson can help the children think of ways they can learn and grow as Jesus did. Let them color the page. As they do, talk to them about how you’re trying to increase “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).