October 9–15

Philippians; Colossians

“I Can Do All Things through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me”

Read Philippians and Colossians, thinking about the children you teach. Seek inspiration about how to teach them the principles in these epistles.

Invite Sharing

Ask the children what they did this past week to act on something they learned in last week’s class. For example, how did they reach out to someone who needed a friend?

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Philippians 1:3–4; Colossians 1:3, 9

Church leaders love me and pray for me.

Paul often began his epistles by expressing love for Church members and telling them that he prayed for them. Consider how you can help the children understand that their Church leaders love them.

Possible Activities

• Read Philippians 1:3–4 and Colossians 1:3, 9 aloud, and ask the children to fold their arms and bow their heads every time they hear the words pray, praying, and prayer. Explain that the Apostle Paul prayed for Church members, just as our Church leaders pray for us today.

• Show a picture of Jesus Christ, and read some scripture verses that describe Him praying for someone (for example, Luke 22:32; 3 Nephi 19:21, 23). What did Jesus ask for when He prayed for others?

• Help the children name some of their Church leaders, such as the Primary president, the bishop, and the President of the Church. Explain that these leaders ask Heavenly Father to bless the children and help them live righteously. Consider telling the children what you say when you pray for them.

Philippians 4:4, 8

I can rejoice in the Lord.

Paul encouraged the Saints to rejoice—even though they faced difficult trials and Paul himself was in prison. How will you help the children see that following Jesus Christ brings joy?

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to listen for a repeated word as you read Philippians 4:4. Ask the children to show you what they do when they rejoice. Tell the children why you “rejoice in the Lord”—why you feel happy because of Jesus Christ. Let the children share how they feel about Jesus.

• Show objects or pictures that represent things that help you “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 4:4), such as His creations, a temple, His Resurrection, or a family. Let the children take turns selecting a picture or object, and then tell them why it makes you happy. Invite them to share things that help them rejoice in the Lord.

• Read Philippians 4:8 together, and help the children think of things that fit the descriptions in the verse (see also Articles of Faith 1:13). Invite the children to draw pictures of these things.

Colossians 1:23; 2:6–7

My faith should be “rooted” in Jesus Christ.

If the children build their lives and their faith on the Savior, they will be able to withstand the storms of life.

Possible Activities

• Show the picture of a tree from this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families while you read key phrases from Colossians 1:23; 2:6–7 (or show the video “Spiritual Whirlwinds” on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What would happen to this tree if a storm came and the tree did not have strong roots? Let the children stand and pretend to be a tree that has weak roots in a storm and then a tree with strong roots. Testify that faith in the Savior helps us be like a tree with strong roots. Then we can withstand spiritual “storms,” like temptations and hard times.

• Invite a child to draw a tree on the board. Ask the children to name some things they can do to be “rooted” in Jesus Christ. Each time a child names something, invite him or her to add a root to the drawing.

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Philippians 4:4–13

If I have faith in Jesus Christ, I can be happy even during hard times.

Paul suffered many trials, but he was happy because he had faith in Jesus Christ.

Possible Activities

• Ask the children to imagine that they are in prison, as the Apostle Paul was when he wrote the Epistle to the Philippians. Read Philippians 4:4–13 with the children, and ask them to look for the words “rejoice,” “peace,” and “content.” Why was Paul able to rejoice and feel peace even in prison? Then ask the children to find the words “Lord,” “God,” and “Christ” in the verses. Help them understand that Paul’s faith in Jesus Christ made it possible for him to rejoice.

• Invite the children to help you complete sentences like the following: “I can be in the dark and still see things if I have a . I can be outside on a hot day and still feel cool if I have a . I can have hard times and still find joy if I .” What does Philippians 4:4–13 suggest we can do to find joy? Invite the children to share some hymns or scriptures about Jesus that can help them feel joy during hard times.

Philippians 4:8

I can “think on” things that are true, honest, and pure.

Children are often exposed to things that are evil and impure. You can help them seek after uplifting and virtuous things.

Possible Activities

• Ask one child to read Philippians 4:8 aloud while the others look for words in Articles of Faith 1:13 that are the same or similar. Invite someone to write these words on the board. Ask the children what the words mean, and help them define them as needed. Why should we “think on” these things? How can we “seek after” them?

• Ask the children to name things that fit the descriptions in Philippians 4:8. Invite them to keep a list this week of anything they notice that fits these descriptions. Encourage them to bring their lists to Primary next week and share what they found.

Colossians 1:23; 2:6–7

My faith should be “rooted” in Jesus Christ.

Satan tries to weaken our faith through temptations and false doctrines. How can you inspire the children to strengthen their faith in the Savior so that they are “not moved away from the hope of the gospel”? (Colossians 1:23).

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to draw pictures that represent the truths they find in Colossians 1:23; 2:6–7. Let them share their pictures with the class and explain the truths their pictures represent.

• Show the video “Spiritual Whirlwinds.” What are some temptations and false doctrines in the world today that can weaken our faith? Encourage the children to write down one thing they can do to strengthen their faith so that they are “rooted” (Colossians 2:7) in Jesus Christ. Ask them to display this somewhere they will see it each day.

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share with their families what they learned about Jesus Christ. They could use this week’s activity page or a scripture they read during class today.

Improving Our Teaching

Children are curious and learn through new and varied experiences. Use activities that help children move about, use all their senses, explore, and try new things. The suggestions in “Meeting the Needs of Younger Children” at the beginning of this resource can help. (See also Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25–26.)