“Sharing Time: I Can Feel Peace as I Become More Like My Heavenly Father,” Friend, Feb. 1994, 12

Sharing Time:

I Can Feel Peace as I Become More Like My Heavenly Father

By Judy Edwards

All of you are children of the most High (Ps. 82:6).

Do people ever tell you that you look like your mother, or that you act just like your father did when he was a boy? Children are often very much like their parents. They may have the same color of hair or the same laugh or some of the same talents.

While ten-year-old David was picking up trash from the street and putting it into a garbage sack, an elderly neighbor walked over and thanked him, adding, “I used to watch your father do kind things like that when he was about your size. You’re a lot alike.” The compliment made David feel very happy.

When parents are good and kind and loving, we want to be like them.

A Church leader told nine-year-old Margaret, “You are like your mother—cheerful, loving, and hopeful, and you enjoy doing good to people. These are also qualities of Heavenly Father. You and your mother inherited godlike virtues because you are His daughters.” Every time Margaret thought of the leader’s words, she felt peaceful and happy.

We learn from the scriptures that we have heavenly parents as well as earthly parents. The very first chapter in the very first book of the Bible tells us, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27). To be created in His image means that we look like Him. It also means that we can become like Him.

Each of us is a son or daughter of God. And every time we are loving or kind or forgiving or helpful, we are doing the things that Heavenly Father does and are becoming more like Him. As this happens, the peace we feel grows greater and greater.

Instructions for Part A

In Part A, underline the word(s) or phrase(s) in each sentence that tell something about Heavenly Father.

Example: “He is a merciful Being” (Alma 26:35), What other words can you think of that describe Heavenly Father?

“Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2).
“Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Neh. 9:17).
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive” (Ps. 86:5).
“God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8).
“The Lord is able to do all things” (1 Ne. 7:12).
“God is mindful of every people” (Alma 26:37).
“Thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie” (Ether 3:12).
“He is full of mercy,/Justice, grace and truth, and peace” (D&C 84:102).

Answers:

Instructions for Part B

For Part B, first draw or paste a picture of yourself in the frame. Next, trace, color, cut, and paste the appropriate boxes here, or draw your own, spelling your name from the top to the bottom along the left-hand side of the remaining space. Then turn each letter into a word or phrase that describes an attribute of Heavenly Father that you also have or would like to have.

Example:
Sad to see evil
Tolerant
Encouraging
Patient
Humble
Eager to help
Nice

Sharing Time Ideas

Let each child create a picture-name-qualities page (see instructions for Part B, page 13) for his or her “Book of Peace” (see Sharing Time Ideas #3, Friend, January 1993, page 44).
Using pictures of people from the scriptures (such as Abraham, Daniel, Joseph, Mary, Nephi, Peter, Ruth, Samuel the Lamanite) who chose to become more like Heavenly Father, make a list of Godlike attributes using their names (see instructions for Part B, page 13) but mix up the order, and have the children figure out who they are. Then discuss how the children, like those in the scriptures, can make choices that lead to becoming more like Him.
Let each child decorate a special badge or certificate on which is written a Godlike attribute that he or she has. Example: (name) is (attribute, such as “kind”) like Heavenly Father is (repeat attribute).
Using simple costumes, have children role-play a “Who Are We?” game of scriptural parents and children who chose to become like Heavenly Father: Abraham/Isaac, Jacob/Joseph, Naomi/Ruth, Lehi/Nephi, Alma/Shiblon, Helaman/Nephi and Lehi, Mormon/Moroni. As a last clue, give scripture references for looking up the identity of those not yet guessed.
Have children tell and illustrate, or dramatize, “The King’s Son” (Walk in His Ways B manual pages 198–199) and the story of David (1 Sam. 16:1–13) when he was anointed king of Israel. Discuss the peace that comes from knowing that we are Heavenly Father’s children and are choosing to act like Him. Sing “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook, page 2).
Create a word-search game of words that describe Heavenly Father (see Part A answers on this page and the example in Part B, and add other words/phrases that you think are appropriate).