February 17–23

2 Nephi 11–25

“We Rejoice in Christ”

Your preparation to teach begins as you read 2 Nephi 11–25. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families can help you understand these chapters, and this outline can give you teaching ideas.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Briefly review with the children what they learned about the Savior and His Atonement last week. If they shared what they learned with their families, encourage them to talk about that.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

2 Nephi 12:2–3

The temple is the house of the Lord.

Isaiah’s prophecy about “the mountain of the Lord’s house” could be an opportunity to teach the children about the temple and help them look forward to going there someday.

Possible Activities

• Let a child hold a picture of a temple (this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families has one), and ask the children to share what they know about the temple. Read 2 Nephi 12:3, and explain that in this verse a prophet named Isaiah prophesied that there would be temples in the last days. Read the verse again, and emphasize that when we go to the temple, the Lord “will teach us of his ways” and help us “walk in his paths.”

• Make a path on the floor, and at the end of the path, place a picture of the temple with a covering over the picture. Let the children walk on the path, and as they do, help them repeat the phrase “walk in his paths.” When the children reach the end of the path, let them uncover the picture. What does it mean to walk in God’s paths?

• Sing with the children a song about the temple, such as “I Love to See the Temple” (Children’s Songbook, 95). Help them find words and phrases in the song that teach what the temple is and what we do there.

2 Nephi 19:6; 25:26

“We rejoice in Christ.”

Nephi and Isaiah had testimonies of the Savior, and their testimonies made them joyful. Help the children see that you “rejoice in Christ.”

Possible Activities

• Invite a child to hold a picture of the birth of Jesus Christ (such as Gospel Art Book, no. 30), and help the children find the baby Jesus in the picture. Read 2 Nephi 19:6 or show the video “A Savior Is Born—Christmas Video” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org), and ask the children to point to Jesus when they hear the words child and son. Explain that the prophet Isaiah, who wrote the words in 2 Nephi 19:6, knew about the birth of Jesus hundreds of years before it happened.

• Tell a story about Jesus Christ bringing joy to others, or show a video such as “Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind” or “Suffer the Little Children to Come unto Me” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Point out joyful moments in the story or video. Read 2 Nephi 25:26 and talk about why you “rejoice in Christ.” Ask the children to talk about how Jesus brings them joy.

2 Nephi 21:6–9; 22

The Millennium will be a time of peace and joy.

After His Second Coming, Jesus Christ will dwell with His people during a period of peace called the Millennium.

Possible Activities

• Show the children pictures of animals mentioned in 2 Nephi 21:6–7, and ask the children to name the animals. Explain that these animals are usually enemies, but Isaiah taught that after Jesus Christ comes again, there will be a time of peace, called the Millennium, when animals will not hurt each other. How can we follow the example of these animals in the way we treat each other? Invite the children to draw pictures of these animals living peacefully together.

• Read 2 Nephi 22:5, and ask the children to help you find a song that describes the “excellent things” the Lord has done. Some examples might include “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29) or “How Great Thou Art” (Hymns, no. 86). Sing the song together. Explain that in the Millennium, everyone will know about the “excellent things” the Lord has done.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

2 Nephi 12:2–3

The temple is the house of the Lord.

How can you use these verses to help the children look forward to the day when they can attend the temple?

Possible Activities

• Show a picture of a temple (this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families has one). Ask a child to read 2 Nephi 12:2–3, and invite the other children to listen for reasons why Isaiah said we need temples. You could explain that Isaiah called the temple “the mountain of the Lord’s house.” Why is a mountain a good symbol for the temple?

• Invite the children to draw a picture of themselves going to the temple. If possible, ask one of the young men or young women in the ward to tell the children what it’s like to perform baptisms for the dead in the temple. This young person or someone else in the ward could teach the children how to find the names of their ancestors who need temple ordinances.

2 Nephi 15:20

Satan tries to confuse me about good and evil.

We live in a world where, as Isaiah prophesied, people call evil good and good evil. How can you help the children identify such deception?

Possible Activities

• Show the children something bitter or sour, such as a pickle or lemon, inside a candy wrapper. Read together 2 Nephi 15:20, and explain that Satan tries to make things that are evil look good. Help the children think of ways in which Satan does this. How can we detect his deceptions?

• Show the first minute and a half of the video “You Will Be Freed” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Why does the fisherman disguise his hook? Why does Satan disguise sin?

2 Nephi 17:14; 19:6; 25:23–26

“We rejoice in Christ.”

Children need to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is joyful. How will you help them “rejoice in Christ”?

Possible Activities

• Help the children find the names of Jesus Christ in 2 Nephi 17:14 and 19:6. You may need to explain that “Immanuel” is one of these names, and it means “God with us.” What do each of these names teach us about Him?

• Put a picture of the Savior on the board, and read together 2 Nephi 25:26. Why did Nephi talk and write so much about Jesus Christ? Let each of the children write on the board, near the picture of Jesus, one thing about the Savior that brings them joy.

• Ask the children to think of someone they would like to “persuade … to believe in Christ” (2 Nephi 25:23). How can we express to others the joy that the Savior brings into our lives? Let the children write or role-play some things they might do to help the person they thought of believe in Jesus Christ.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to think of one thing they can do to show their families that they “rejoice in Christ.”

Improving Our Teaching

Let the children be creative. “As you teach children, allow them to build, draw, color, write, and create. These things are more than fun activities—they are essential to learning” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25).