Choosing Good Friends

A lot has changed since I last blogged.  I am now the 2nd Counselor in the Primary and that along with work and the kids have consumed my life (in a good way)  but I realize my blogging is getting neglected.   So I will do the best I can to update this blog weekly.

As a 2nd Counselor we rotate teaching sharing time on Sundays.   This has actually been such a blessing because it has helped me become more creative at teaching my kids.  One of the lessons I taught was on "Choosing Good Friends".   I searched high and low for a way to really help the children learn how to choose a good friends and there were a lot of different ideas out there, but not exactly what I was looking for.  So I decided to create my own.

1. I asked the children what they wanted in a friend.  Here were some of their answers - someone who is nice, someone who doesn't kick you, someone who loves you, someone who likes your mom (my favorite answer) and someone who won't make fun of you.
2. I found a picture from the church primary book and did some editing to it using photoshop and created a diagram to what they should be looking for in a friend.  The image is attached below.  I left the face off so that they can draw their own face in.

 

I told them when they are choosing their friends do the following:

• Look at their head - Does this person have Clean thoughts and Actions.
• Look at their eyes - Does this friend look for good in others
• Look at their mouth - Make sure they do not use bad words or speak unkind about others.
• Examine their hands - Are their hands found serving others
• Look at their heart - Is it filled with love for our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and others.
• Look at their Legs - Will they be quick to run from evil and temptation
• and Last Look at their Feet - Do they stand for truth and righteousness.

Then look at your self in the Mirror - Are you that same friend?

The kids loved this lesson and it really helped them know what to look for in a friend.  Their favorite part is when I covered up the words and pointed at the parts and they had the chance to tell me everything back.  They loved the challenge plus it helps them always remember what they are looking for in a friend.

* I find this extremely important to teach to your children.  As they grow up they will be faced with challenges we never dreamed of.  How can we help them surround themselves around people who will lift them up in the light of Christ and not bring them down.  We must teach them while they are young to surround themselves around friends with these attributes and to also be that same friend.

After the lesson I ended with this movie given by our Dear prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley and then followed up with my testimony. 

I hope that you enjoy this lesson and share it with your children you won't regret it for a second,

Much Love,
Lyza