January 16–22

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 study 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 desired, for younger children.

Invite Sharing

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

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 the Father before His mortal life. We too lived with God before we were born (see “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). 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 illustration titled “Premortal Life” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org; see also Behold Your Little Ones [2008], 15). Explain that Jesus Christ lived with Heavenly Father before He came to earth.

• Draw from resources like these to teach the children about our life with God before we came to earth: “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” (in New Testament Stories, 1–5, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org) or “Premortal Life” in Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

  Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan

• Invite a parent to bring a baby to class. Ask the children where this baby’s spirit lived before he or she was born. Remind the children that they were once babies, and testify that they also lived in heaven with Heavenly Father as spirit children before they were born.

John 1:3

Jesus created all things.

Knowing about Jesus Christ’s role as Creator can help the children you teach 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].”

• Show one of the children a picture of one of the Lord’s creations. Let him or her describe it to the other children, and ask them to guess what is being described.

• Ask each child to name something that Jesus Christ created. Help the children think of ways they can take care of the earth and the Lord’s other creations.

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 Andrew learned 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 “A Friend and a Missionary,” Friend, July 2018, 12–13; Liahona, July 2018, 70–71.

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 parts of “Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan” (in New Testament Stories, 1–5, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask the children what they learn about Jesus Christ.

  Introduction: Our Heavenly Father’s Plan

• A few days in advance, 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 the earth and everything in it.

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 afraid.

John 1:35–51

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I can 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 (for an example, see the video “Good Things to Share” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

  Good Things to Share

Encourage Learning at Home

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

Improving Our Teaching

Use visual aids. Find ways to help children visualize what they are learning in the scriptures. You can do this with gospel art, drawings, videos, puppets, or skits.