Balm of Gilead, by Annie Henrie

October 30–November 5

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.

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 1:1–10; 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

• Find some truths about Jesus Christ in Hebrews 1:1–10; 2:8–10, 17–18, and write them on strips of paper. Hide the papers around the room, and invite the children to find them. Help the children 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.

• Hold up a picture of the Savior, and share why you are thankful for Him. Let each child take a turn holding the picture and sharing why he or she is thankful for Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 3:8

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

Hebrews 3 describes the Israelites hardening their hearts and rejecting the Lord’s blessings. This can be a warning to all of us not to harden our hearts.

Possible Activities

• Bring to class something absorbent (like a sponge or a washcloth) and something hard (like a rock). 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 water soaks into the absorbent object better than into the rock. Explain that our hearts need to be soft and not hard so that we can accept Heavenly Father’s truths and His love.

• Cut a heart shape out of a soft material, such as cloth, and a harder material, such as cardboard. Discuss with the children the difference between having a soft heart and having a hard heart. 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.

Aaron was “called​ of God” (Hebrews 5:4). 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 must be called by God. The same is true of anyone who is called to serve in the Lord’s Church.

Possible Activities

• Read Hebrews 5:4 to the children. Ask a priesthood holder to explain what the priesthood is. He could also share how he serves others as he fulfills his duties. Also ask a sister in the ward to share her experience being set apart to a calling in the Church. Encourage her to share how the Lord blessed her with the power to fulfill her calling.

• 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 1:1–10; 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 1:1–10; 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. Talk with the children about how following Jesus Christ brings us closer to Heavenly Father.

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. (If possible, 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 recognize the voice of the Spirit?

Hebrews 5:1–4

Priesthood holders are called of God.

Hebrews 5 provides an opportunity to discuss what priesthood is—the power and authority to act in God’s name—and how it is received.

Possible Activities

• Show the picture Moses Gives Aaron the Priesthood (Gospel Art Book, no. 15) while a child reads Hebrews 5:4. Explain that the Aaronic Priesthood was named after Aaron. 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; see Doctrine and Covenants 20:46–48, 59).

• 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. Help the children think of people in the ward who have authority from God—including priesthood holders, as well as men and women who have been set apart to serve in specific callings.

Encourage Learning at Home

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