January 21–27

John 1

We Have Found the Messiah

As you read John 1, record spiritual impressions you receive. This week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families can help you understand this chapter. The following suggested activities can give you ideas about how to help the children learn the principles in John 1. The activities for older children can be adapted, if needed, for younger children.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

To help the children share what they know about Jesus, you could show pictures of Him fulfilling some of His roles described in John 1. Then ask them to describe what is taking place (such as creating the earth or teaching the gospel).

Teach the Doctrine

Younger Children

John 1:1–2

Jesus lived with Heavenly Father before He was born.

John taught that Jesus Christ lived with God before His mortal experience. We too lived with God before we were born (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129). How will you teach the children this truth?

Possible Activities

• Explain that “the Word” in John 1:1 refers to Jesus. Read the verse aloud, and ask the children to say “Jesus” each time you read “the Word.” Show the line drawing Premortal Life (LDS.org). Explain that Jesus Christ lived with Heavenly Father before He came to earth.

• Teach the children that we also lived with God before we came to earth. You may want to use “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan,” New Testament Stories, 1–5; the corresponding video (LDS.org); or Guide to the Scriptures, “Premortal Life,” scriptures.lds.org.

  Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan

• Invite a parent to bring a baby to class, and use this as an opportunity to teach that we lived in heaven with Heavenly Father as spirit children before we were born.

John 1:3

Jesus created all things.

Many children naturally enjoy being among the Lord’s creations. Knowing about Christ’s role as Creator can help increase their reverence for Him.

Possible Activities

• Read John 1:3 with the children, and show the picture from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families. Help the children memorize the phrase “all things were made by [Jesus Christ].”

• Take the children for a walk outside. Let the children take turns describing a creation they see, and ask the class to guess what they are describing.

• Ask the children to think of ways in which they can take care of the creations around them (for example, being kind to animals).

Jesus Christ created the world and all things in it.

John 1:35–51

I can invite others to come to Jesus Christ and learn of Him.

John 1 contains accounts of disciples who invited people to “come and see” that Jesus is the Son of God. Even small children can follow this example.

Possible Activities

• Describe how John taught Andrew about Jesus, and tell how Andrew in turn taught Peter (see John 1:35–42). Share how you learned about the Church, or invite a new member to share how he or she learned about the Church.

• Share the story of Philip inviting Nathanael to “come and see” (John 1:43–51). Hide a picture of Jesus in a box, and invite one child to “come and see” it and then tell the other children about what he or she saw.

• Let the children color this week’s activity page, and encourage them to use it to invite someone to learn about Jesus.

• Ask a child to tell about a time when he or she shared something, such as a toy or gift, with someone. How can we share the gospel? Tell a story of a child who shared the gospel with a friend, such as Elder M. Russell Ballard’s story about Joshua (“Following Up,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 78–81).

Teach the Doctrine

Older Children

John 1:1–5

Jesus Christ lived with Heavenly Father before He was born.

Even before He was born, Jesus Christ played important roles in Heavenly Father’s plan. As you read John 1:1–5, what impresses you about Christ’s premortal work?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children if they know anything about what Jesus did before He was born. Invite them to look for answers in John 1:1–5. It might help to look in Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:1–5 (in the Bible appendix).

• Share “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan,” New Testament Stories, 1–5, with the children or show the corresponding video (LDS.org). Ask the children what they learn about Jesus Christ.

  Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan

• Invite some children to come to class prepared to display or describe something they created. Show pictures of some of the Lord’s creations, and use John 1:3 to explain that Jesus created all things.

John 1:4–9

Jesus Christ is my light.

The symbolism of light can help children understand the Savior and His gospel. How can you inspire the children to seek the light of the Savior when the world seems dark?

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to read Psalm 27:1; John 1:4–9; Mosiah 16:9; and Doctrine and Covenants 39:1–2, looking for phrases that these scriptures have in common. How is Jesus Christ like a light?

• Show a picture of the Savior and some objects that give light, such as a flashlight. How is Jesus Christ like these objects? How can we share His light with others? Sing together “The Lord Is My Light,” Hymns, no. 89, or another song about gospel light.

• Ask the children what they do when they are in darkness and feel afraid. Testify that they can always turn to the Savior when they are fearful.

John 1:35–51

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I invite others to follow Him.

Consider how you can use the examples in John 1:35–51 to encourage the children to invite others to learn about the Savior.

Possible Activities

• Help the children search John 1:35–51 to find things that people said to invite others to learn about the Savior. Let them practice what they might say to invite a friend to learn about Him.

• Ask the children to use this week’s activity page to make an invitation they could use to invite a friend or family member to learn more about Jesus Christ.

• Give the children the opportunity to tell the class about something that they love. Help the children see how sharing the gospel can be like sharing other things we love. You may want to show the video “Good Things to Share” (LDS.org).

  Good Things to Share

  Sharing what matters most is not unusual at all. What good things will you share?

Encourage Learning at Home

Encourage the children to invite someone they love to learn more about Jesus Christ.

Improving Our Teaching

Help the children visualize the story. Find ways to create an image of the story, including gospel art, drawings, videos, puppets, or skits.