Remembering Jesus

By Karen Ashton

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19).

Before the earth was created, Heavenly Father chose His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. Because Jesus loves us, He was willing to give His life to save us from death and to help us overcome our sins.

When Jesus lived on the earth, He loved His disciples (followers), and He taught them many things. He taught them to love one another and to forgive one another. He also asked them to keep the commandments of God and to repent of their sins.

Many people were blessed and healed by Him. His disciples loved Him very much and wanted to be close to Him.

At the end of His ministry, Jesus gathered His Apostles around Him for He knew that the time for His great sacrifice had come. He knew that His blood would be shed and that His body would die. To help His Apostles remember Him, Jesus took some bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matt. 26:26).

He then took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of it” (Matt. 26:27). He explained, “This is in remembrance of my blood … , which is shed for as many as shall believe on my name, for the remission of their sins” (JST, Matt. 26:24—it is after the Bible Dictionary in the LDS edition of the Bible).

Jesus’ Apostles partook of the sacrament and later taught the other disciples about this new ordinance.

If you try to follow the Savior, you are His disciple. He loves you, and you can remember this when you partake of the sacrament.

As you sing the sacrament hymn each week in sacrament meeting, listen carefully to the words. They will help you remember what the Savior has done for you.

Carefully listen to the sacrament prayers. When you partake of the bread and water, you promise to always remember that Jesus’ body was given and His blood was shed for you. You promise to take His name upon you and to keep His commandments.

When you keep these promises, which you make when you partake of the sacrament, Heavenly Father will bless you with His Spirit.

Instructions

Carefully color the sacrament picture on the next page. Mount the page on a heavier sheet of paper. Cut out the puzzle pieces. See how quickly you can assemble the puzzle. You might share this puzzle with your family during family home evening.

Illustrated by Matthew H. Maxwell

During the Sacrament …

I Promise:

To remember that Jesus’ body was given and His blood was shed for me.
To take upon me the name of Jesus Christ and always remember Him.
To keep His commandments.

Heavenly Father Promises:

That I may have His Spirit to be with me.

Sharing Time Ideas

1. Tell the story of the baptism of Jesus Christ. (See Matt. 3:13–17.) Explain that baptism has always been practiced whenever the gospel of Jesus Christ has been on the earth. Tell the children that there are many examples of baptism in the scriptures. Give each class a slip of paper with a different baptismal story reference on it. Allow the children enough time to read the account and choose a spokesperson for their class. Have each spokesperson share the story his or her group read. Baptismal accounts that might be used: Adam is baptized (Moses 6:64–68), Nephi speaks of baptism (2 Ne. 31:16–17, 21), Alma baptizes the believers (Mosiah 18:7–16), Jesus teaches about baptism (3 Ne. 11:22–27), Joseph Smith is baptized (JS—H 1:69–72). Remind the children of the sacred covenants they will make or have made at the time of their baptisms. Suggest that they share one of the scripture stories of baptism with their families during family home evening.

2. Visit the baptismal font in your area if possible. Let the children examine the clothing used for a baptismal service. Ask a member of the bishopric or branch presidency to explain what questions are asked during a baptismal interview and what happens during a baptismal service. Invite a priesthood holder and a new member of the Church to explain how they felt while participating in the ordinance of baptism. Suggest that the children ask their parents how they felt when they were baptized.

3. Divide the children into two groups. Have one group find the sacrament prayers in Moroni 4, 5. Have the second group find the sacrament prayers in D&C 20:77, 79. Have the children compare the prayers as you read them aloud. Discuss the fact that the sacrament prayers are exactly the same in both references and have been given to us word for word, except that we use water instead of wine per the instructions of the Savior (see preface to D&C 27). Emphasize the parts of the covenant we make as we partake of the bread and water: We covenant, or promise, to (1) remember that Jesus Christ’s body was given and that His blood was spilled for us, (2) take upon us the name of Christ and always remember Him, (3) keep the commandments. Heavenly Father covenants, or promises, that we shall always have His Spirit to be with us. Point out that there is another promise we learn about in John 6:54: “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” This is the promise of eternal life.

4. After reviewing with the children the sacred nature of the sacrament, reverently visit the area in the chapel where the sacrament is prepared and blessed. Invite a priest, a teacher, and a deacon to explain to the children the responsibilities of preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament.

5. Invite several adult members of the ward to share with the children a favorite sacrament hymn. Teach the children that singing a hymn before partaking of the sacrament is important preparation for participating in the ordinance. Singing a hymn helps to direct our thoughts to Jesus and the Atonement. Ask the guests to tell the children how their favorite hymn helps them prepare to take the sacrament and think of Jesus. Provide hymnals for the children so that they may join in singing one verse from each song mentioned.

6. Discuss with the children times and ways they can remember Jesus. They can think of him at Church, during prayers, in scripture study, while looking at the beauties of nature created for us, and during the sacrament. They can show that they remember Him by forgiving others, by being kind, by thinking of their blessings, by keeping the commandments, etc. Clear a space in the middle of the room. Divide the children into two or three groups and form circles. Place a bottle in the middle of each circle of children. Say “I will remember Jesus by, …” then spin the bottle. When the bottle stops spinning, the child it is pointing to is to complete the phrase. Suggest to the children that they play this game with their families.

7. For additional Sharing Time help on baptism and the sacrament, see the following Sharing Time pages: “Be Grateful for the Sacrament,” Nov. 1987, p. 22; “I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Jan. 1990, pp. 10–11; “Remember Him,” Oct. 1990, pp. 14–15; “When I Go to Church,” Jun. 1991, pp. 12–13.