August 28–September 3

1 Corinthians 8–13

“Ye Are the Body of Christ”

As you read 1 Corinthians 8–13, listen for promptings from the Spirit about how to teach the principles in these chapters. Remember that any of the activity ideas can be adapted for both older and younger children.

Invite Sharing

Invite the children to share something they did during sacrament meeting to think about Jesus.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

1 Corinthians 10:13

Heavenly Father will help me make righteous choices.

It’s not always easy to choose the right, and Heavenly Father knows that. When we ask, He will help us because He wants us to succeed.

Possible Activities

• Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 to the children, inviting them to shake their heads when they hear the words “tempted” or “temptation.” Explain what this verse means to you.

• Tell some brief stories of people who are about to make a wrong choice. As the children listen, invite them to hold up their hands or a paper stop sign when the person in the story makes a wrong choice. What would be the right choice? Testify that Heavenly Father will help us choose the right.

• Show a picture of Jesus, and sing with the children a song about Him, such as “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79). Talk about how remembering Jesus helps you make good choices. Show pictures of other things that help us make good choices, such as parents or scriptures. Ask the children what helps them make good choices.

1 Corinthians 12:4, 7–12

Heavenly Father has blessed me with spiritual gifts.

Heavenly Father has given all His children spiritual gifts. What spiritual gifts do you see in the children you teach?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to draw a picture of a favorite gift they have received. Explain that Heavenly Father gives us spiritual gifts to strengthen our faith and help us bless others. Share with the children some of the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:7–11.

• Write a note for each child, describing a spiritual gift you have seen in him or her (or you could invite parents to write these notes). Put the notes in envelopes. Allow the children to open the envelopes, and help them read about their spiritual gifts.

Heavenly Father has given all His children spiritual gifts.

1 Corinthians 13

I can love others.

The scriptures teach that charity is the “pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). How can you help the children develop and express Christlike love?

Possible Activities

• Read 1 Corinthians 13:13 and Moroni 7:47, and help the children repeat the phrase “Charity is the pure love of Christ.” Show pictures of Jesus being loving and kind, and ask the children how He showed love to others (see Gospel Art Book for ideas).

• Sing a song about loving others, such as “Jesus Said Love Everyone” or “Love One Another” (Children’s Songbook, 61, 136), with the children. Show pictures of different people (such as a parent, sibling, teacher, or friend), and ask the children to share how they could serve that person. Invite the children to think of someone they could serve and then write a note or draw a picture to give that person. If they need other ideas about how to serve, show the video “Pass It On” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

1 Corinthians 10:13

Heavenly Father will help me resist temptation.

The promises in this verse can give children confidence that they can resist temptation with Heavenly Father’s help.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to read 1 Corinthians 10:13 in pairs and summarize the verse in their own words. Ask the children to share an experience in which Heavenly Father helped them avoid or resist temptation. What can we do to rely on Heavenly Father when we are tempted?

• Write on slips of paper temptations children may face today. Invite the children to each choose a paper and share what Heavenly Father has given to help us avoid or resist these temptations. For some ideas, read together Alma 13:28–29.

1 Corinthians 11:23–29

During the sacrament, I can think about how I am following the Savior.

Help the children you teach see that the sacrament is an opportunity to “examine” themselves and renew their baptismal covenant to serve the Lord and keep His commandments (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Possible Activities

• Ask a child to read 1 Corinthians 11:28. What does it mean to “examine” ourselves before taking the sacrament? Ask the children to think of other people who examine things, like doctors, detectives, or scientists (for example, doctors examine us to make sure we are healthy). When we partake of the sacrament, what can we do to examine how we are living our baptismal covenants?

• Ask the children to make a list of things they can think about when they partake of the sacrament. Invite them to use their lists as a reminder to examine themselves during the sacrament.

1 Corinthians 12:4, 7–12, 31; 13:1–8

I have spiritual gifts.

Paul taught that gifts of the spirit are “given to every man” (1 Corinthians 12:7). This principle can help the children build their sense of self-worth, especially as they use their gifts to bless others.

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to write on the board the spiritual gifts they find in 1 Corinthians 12:7–11; 13:2. Invite them to find any additional gifts mentioned in Moroni 10:8–18 and Doctrine and Covenants 46:13–26. Share with them some additional spiritual gifts mentioned by Elder Marvin J. Ashton: “The gift of asking; the gift of listening; … the gift of avoiding contention; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; … the gift of caring for others; … the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20). Invite the children to talk about the spiritual gifts they see in each other.

• Before class, ask the parents of the children in your class about the gifts they see in their children, or think about the children’s gifts yourself. Tell the children about these gifts. Invite the children to write down one way they will use their gifts to bless someone this week.

• Share different situations in which people could use a spiritual gift from 1 Corinthians 12:7–10. Invite the children to identify the spiritual gifts that could be used in each situation.

Encourage Learning at Home

Suggest that the children discuss something you talked about in class with their families. For instance, you could invite the children to share their spiritual gifts with their families and ask their family members what their gifts are.

Improving Our Teaching

Extend invitations that respect agency. As you invite children to act on what they are learning, think of ways to honor their agency. Rather than extending specific invitations, consider inviting them to think of their own ways to apply what they have learned.