Balm of Gilead, by Annie Henrie

November 4–10

Hebrews 1–6

Jesus Christ, “the Author of Eternal Salvation”

What truths do you find in Hebrews 1–6 that you feel inspired to teach to the children? Pay attention to promptings from the Spirit that come as you prepare, and be sure to record them.

Record Your Impressions

Invite Sharing

Did the children accept the invitation at the end of last week’s lesson to find a verse of scripture they can share? If so, give them time to share it. If not, help them think of something they have learned from the scriptures recently that they can share.

Teach the Doctrine

Younger Children

Hebrews 1:2–10; 2:8–10, 17–18

I believe in Jesus Christ.

These verses can help the children learn more about Jesus Christ and strengthen their relationship with Him.

Possible Activities

• Using your own words, write on strips of paper truths about Jesus Christ that you find in Hebrews 1:2–10; 2:8–10, 17–18, and hide them around the room. Invite the children to find the paper strips. Help them read the truths written on the papers, and talk about what these truths mean. If necessary, explain that Jesus is called the Son of God because Heavenly Father is the father of both His spirit and His body.

• Pass a picture of the Savior around the room, and let each child share why he or she is thankful for Jesus Christ while holding the picture.

Hebrews 3:8

Heavenly Father wants us to “harden not [our] hearts.”

Hebrews 3 gives the example of the Israelites hardening their hearts and rejecting the Lord’s blessings. It also is a warning to all of us not to harden our hearts.

Possible Activities

• Bring a sponge (or washcloth) and a rock to class. Invite the children to touch the objects and describe how the objects feel. Put a few drops of water on each object, and point out that more water soaks into the sponge than into the rock. Explain that our hearts need to be soft and not hard so that we can accept Heavenly Father’s truths into our hearts.

• Cut a heart shape out of a soft material, such as cloth, and a harder material, such as cardboard. Tell the children that when we listen and obey we have a soft heart and when we don’t listen and don’t obey we have a hard heart. In your own words, share some examples from the scriptures of people who had soft hearts or hard hearts (such as Nephi, Laman, and Lemuel [1 Nephi 2:16–19], Paul [Acts 9:1–22], or Joseph Smith [Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20]). As you share each example, invite the children to point to the soft heart or the hard heart.

Moses Calls Aaron to the Ministry, by Harry Anderson

Hebrews 5:4

Priesthood holders are called of God.

Hebrews 5:4 is an important verse because it clarifies that priesthood holders—and others who serve in the Church—must be called by God.

Possible Activities

• Read Hebrews 5:4 to the children. Ask a priesthood holder to explain what the priesthood is and share his experience receiving the priesthood.

• Help the children memorize phrases from the fifth article of faith. Bear your testimony that people who are called to do God’s work are called by God through revelation.

Teach the Doctrine

Older Children

Hebrews 1:2–10; 2:8–10, 17–18

I believe in Jesus Christ.

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to strengthen the Hebrew Saints’ faith in Jesus Christ. It can do the same for the children you teach.

Possible Activities

• Assign each child a few verses in Hebrews 1:2–10; 2:8–10, 17–18, and invite the children to search in those verses for truths about Jesus Christ. Let them share or write on the board what they find. What else do we know about Jesus Christ? The children might find some ideas in songs such as “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” (Hymns, no. 136) or “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35).

• Invite the children to draw pictures of themselves with their parents. Ask them to share what they have in common with their parents. Explain that when Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus Christ is “the express image of [God’s] person,” it means that Jesus and Heavenly Father have the same qualities and attributes. Testify that we learn about Heavenly Father by learning about and following Jesus Christ.

• Help the children think of people with whom they could share their testimony of Jesus Christ. Consider inviting them to practice sharing what they would tell those people about Jesus.

Hebrews 3:7–19

To receive Heavenly Father’s guidance and blessings, we must “harden not [our] hearts.”

In Hebrews 3, the story of the Israelites in the wilderness is used to teach the importance of not hardening our hearts. How can you use this story to teach the children in your class this principle?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to think of things that are hard and soft. (You may want to bring some examples to show them.) Read together Hebrews 3:8. What does it mean to have a hard heart? Why does God want us to have soft hearts?

• In your own words, share the story of the Israelites hardening their hearts against the Lord in the wilderness (see Numbers 14:1–12; Hebrews 3:7–19). Let the children act out the story. What will happen if we harden our hearts against the Lord and His gospel?

• Invite the children to read Matthew 13:15; Hebrews 3:15; Mosiah 11:29; and Moses 6:27. Ask them to draw on the board the body parts mentioned in these verses. What does it mean to have spiritually dull ears, blind eyes, and hard hearts? How can we make sure that our ears, eyes, and hearts are ready to receive God’s blessings?

Hebrews 5:1–4

Priesthood holders are called of God.

Hebrews 5 provides an opportunity to discuss what the priesthood is—the power and authority to act in God’s name—and how it is received. This may be especially helpful for boys who are preparing to be ordained to the priesthood.

Possible Activities

• Show the picture Moses Gives Aaron the Priesthood (Gospel Art Book, no. 15) while a child reads Hebrews 5:4. It may be helpful to explain that because Aaron was the first person to hold the Aaronic Priesthood, it was named after him. Help the children think of duties Aaronic Priesthood holders perform (such as baptizing, blessing and passing the sacrament, and inviting others to come unto Christ).

• Help the children think about different ways in which people receive authority. For example, how does a teacher, doctor, or political leader receive authority? How does God give His authority? Invite the children to think about this question as they read Hebrews 5:4 and the fifth article of faith.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share a scripture, song, or activity they learned in class today with their families for a family home evening.

Improving Our Teaching

Children can recognize the influence of the Spirit. Teach the children that the feelings of peace, love, and warmth they have when they talk or sing about Jesus Christ and His gospel come from the Holy Ghost. These feelings can build their testimonies.