lesson plan: “labor with your might”

Powerfully TeachingYour Children

Gospel Principles

Each lesson contains 5 timed activities:(Choose the activities that fit your family’s schedule.

Additional resources are provided as extra time may be available.)

Reverence Time: Song, prayer, scripture and video clip Lesson Time: Lesson summary and points to ponder Story Time: Story Activity Time: Object lesson or activity Treat Time: Prayer, theme related recipe & music video

Objectives:

www.ldsfamilyfun.com ©2008 Living Scriptures, Inc. All rights reserved. May be used freely for personal, non-commercial purposes.

Reinforces Principles of:

Talk about the importance of teaching children how to labor with their might and not be idle. Emphasize that good work habits will help make their adult lives happier and more productive.

Work

Lesson Plan: “Labor With Your Might”


Sing Together:

Prayer:

Scripture Time:

Video Clip:

Approximate Time: 5 minutes

Hymns #223 “Have I Done Any Good?” verse 2. If you wish to have an online music file to accompany you visit:http://www.lds.org/churchmusic(Note: Navigate to the Interactive Church Music Player where you can listen to and print Church hymns and children’s songs.)

Doctrine & Covenants 75:3

3. Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might—

Watch chapter 2 from The Complete Learning System Benjamin Franklin DVD.


Lesson Summary:

To be idle means to be lazy and unwilling to work. To labor means to work hard.

Was Benjamin Franklin a man who was idle or who labored with his might? (Discuss ideas.)

Benjamin Franklin was known as a man with many hats because he had many jobs. He was a man with ambition and a desire to work. He worked as an author, printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat. He developed his good work habits when he was a boy. At the age of twelve Benjamin Franklin became an apprentice printer for his brother James. Benjamin would help his brother set type which was hard work. He would then have to go out and sell the products.

How would you feel if you had to quit school and go to work at age twelve? (Discuss ideas.)

Child labor laws now protect children in the U.S. and many other countries from having to quit school and go to work outside the home, but that does not mean that there are not healthy ways children can learn the importance of hard work. President Kimball said, “We believe in work for ourselves and for our children. … We should train our children to work, and they should learn to share the responsibilities of the home and the yard.” Spencer W. Kimball, April General Conference 1976 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Is the Lord pleased when we are working? (Discuss ideas.)

The Lord taught often in parables that drew upon images of work. Indeed, it is good for our soul to enjy our labors and benefit from them (Eccl 2:24). Yet we need to be wise not to “worship” the results of our daily work. Jesus cautiond us to not labor for things that perish, but ultimately for things that eternally endure (John 6:27).What are some of the jobs that children can do to please the Lord? (Discuss ideas.)

Elder J. Richard Clarke taught, “Each child should know how to do simple cooking, wash dishes, clean the house, mow the lawn, tend the baby, and wash the car. These skills will do much to make their adult lives happier and more productive.” Ensign, May 1982 © 2008 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

How can we, as Latter-day Saints, labor to help others? (Discuss ideas.)

“In any community of Saints, we all work to serve each other in the best way we know how. Our work has a higher purpose because it is work to bless others and to build the kingdom of God.” L. Tom Perry, Liahona, Jul 2001 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Approximate Time: 10-15 minutes


Points toPonder:

Quote:

Why did the Lord warn us against being idle? (Discuss ideas.)

“Idleness in any form produces boredom, conflict, and unhappiness. It creates a vacancy of worth, a seedbed for mischief and evil. It is the enemy of progress and salvation. ... In the broader sense, work is the means to achieve happiness, prosperity, and salvation. ... Work was instituted from the beginning as the means by which the children of God were to fulfill their earthly stewardship.” J. Richard Clarke, Ensign, May 1982 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Why is it important for us to learn good work habits while we are young? (Discuss ideas.)

“It is important for children to learn good work habits and attitudes while they are young. These habits will likely stay with them later. They can make the difference between a useful, productive life and one that is idle and wasteful.” Lesson 29: The Latter-day Saint Woman: Basic Manual for Women © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

How can we make work enjoyable? (Discuss ideas.)

“One way to enjoy life’s fullest benefits is to learn to love work. ... The happiest people have learned to enjoy their work, whatever it is. ... We can also help one another in our work. The heaviest load becomes lighter when someone shares it.” Chapter 27: Gospel Principles © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Does the Lord expect us to work all the time? (Discuss ideas.)

Just as productive work is important, so are times of leisure. We can make moments of rest everyday that help us strengthen and enjoy our marriages, families and friendships. The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) is helpful. When the Lord visisted, Martha was toiling at being a good hostess. Jesus gently taught Martha that the greater “work” was to simply rest at His feet, like Mary recognized (Luke 0:39)

“Work as if you were to live a hundred years. Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.” Benjamin Franklin


Mother sat on the edge of Maddie’s bed and tickled her back. “Come on, Sleepy Head. Get up,” she pleaded. “If we get our work done early, we can do something fun today.”

Maddie kicked at the covers. “I’ll get up if you stop tickling!” she squealed.

“Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. So hurry! It’s your turn to set the table,” Mother called out as she left the room.

“Ugh,” Maddie mumbled. “Work, work, work. What am I? A slave?”

As she tottered down the hall, Maddie inhaled the smoky aroma coming from the kitchen. “Mmmm. Bacon,” she sighed. “At least we slaves are fed well.”

“Good morning, Sleepy. Or are you, Grumpy?” Father greeted, while plucking the freshly baked blueberry muffins out of the hot tin and placing them into the napkin lined breadbasket.

Maddie rubbed her eyes. “Both!” she grumbled. “Saturday is the only day we can sleep in! Why do we have to get up so stinking early?” she complained.

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise,” Father quoted, ignoring Maddie’s bad mood.

“Who came up with that stupid saying,” Maddie grumbled.

“Maddie,” Father reprimanded, “That’s enough of that kind of talk.”

“Sorry, Dad,” she apologized. “Who was it that said that and what does it mean?” she reworded her question.

“That’s better,” Father said. “It was Benjamin Franklin. You can find the answer to what it means in the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 88, verse 124. But, right now we have work to do. Breakfast is almost ready and the table still needs to be set.”

“I always have to set the table,” Maddie moaned.

“Can I help set the table, Maddie?” three-year-old Jordyn offered.

(Approximate Time: 3 minutes)


Maddie smiled at Jordyn. “Do you think you can put the napkins by the plates, like this?” Maddie demonstrated by folding a napkin in half and placing it on the left side of a plate.

Jordyn giggled. “I can do that. ’Cause I’m big!” she exclaimed folding a napkin in half and then in half again, before placing it next to another plate. “See how I do it?”

“That’s very good!” Maddie said, trying to suppress her giggles. “Having a cute little helper sure makes work more enjoyable,” she whispered to Jordyn as she followed behind with the silverware.

After breakfast the family sang Primary songs as they worked together to clean up the kitchen. Even Jordyn helped by drying the pans that Father washed. Maddie discreetly re-dried the spots Jordyn missed before putting them away in the cupboard. Jordyn’s eagerness to help was contagious and the two hours spent cleaning the house went by quickly.

With sisterly love and tenderness, Maddie taught Jordyn how to dust the bookshelf. “I’ll move the books and you can wipe away the dust bunnies with the blue dust wand,” she explained.

“I like bunnies,” Jordyn replied.

While Jordyn dusted, Maddie picked up the Doctrine and Covenants that she had taken off the shelf. She quickly found D&C 88:124, “Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.”

“I’m done, Maddie,” Jordyn stated proudly.

“Good job,” Maddie said. “Now let’s see who can put the most books back on the shelf. Ready, set, go.”

Just then Mother entered the den and looked around pleased. “You girls did a wonderful job in here.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Maddie answered. “Jordyn’s a big helper. Aren’t you?”

Jordyn smiled proudly. “Maddie’s a big helper, too!

Maddie picked up the D&C and flipped to the page she had marked. “Mom, what does idle and invigo-rated mean?” Maddie asked.

“Idle means to be lazy and invigorated means to be filled with energy and life,” Mother answered. “You’ve worked hard today, so you definetly haven’t been idle. But did you rise early enough to be invigorated so we can do something fun now, like I promised?” She asked.

Maddie smiled and put her arm around Jordyn. “We already did something fun today: helping each other. Huh, Jordyn?”

Jordyn nodded her head in agreement. “Helping Maddie work is fun!” she exclaimed.

by Margie Nauta Lee © 2008 Living Scriptures, Inc.


What you need: A copy of “Kids Can Work, Too’ls” activity (artwork included with this lesson) and scissors.

Preparation 1. Printout the artwork. 2. Cut along dotted lines. Activity: (Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent.) 1. Explain: Just like adults need tools to work outside the home, we have tools to help us do our work in the home. The Lord has also provided us with tools to useas we do missionary work.

2. Ask: What kind of tools did Benjamin Franklin need to use in his jobs? (Discuss ideas. Examples: Printer: printing press, ink, type; Fireman: fire truck, water hose; Inventor: kite, string, key, lightning rod; Author: pen, paper; etc.)

3. Ask family members who work outside the home what kind of tools they need to do their jobs.

4. Explain: Church leaders have taught us that it is important for children to learn to work so that they can develop good work habits. We have also learned that it pleases the Lord when we are busy working and not being idle.

5. Mix up the “Kids Can Work Too’ls” and place face down on the floor or table. Place the word strips, face up, in a row.

6. Take turns choosing a tool. Use the tool to act out how it is used to help us to labor with our might. Then place tool in the correct column. 7. Bear your testimony of the importance of learning to “labor with your might–” (D&C 75:3)

TOOLS TO HELP WITHGARDEN & YARD WORK

TOOLS TO HELP WITHWASHING THE DISHES

TOOLS TO HELP WITH CLEANING THE HOUSE

TOOLS TO HELPWITH COOKING

TOOLS TO HELP WITHMISSIONARY WORK

LOVE thy neighbor

BOOK OF MORMON

DoctrineAnd

Covenants

Pearl ofGreat Price

“I knowthis

churchis true.”


Approximate Time: 20 minutes

Prep Time: 10 minutes Bake Time: 10 minutes Makes: 10 mini pizzas

Kids Can Cook “Mini Pizzas”

2 (10.2-oz.) cans refrigerated grand size biscuits (or make your favorite pizza dough recipe divide into individual servings.)1 (8-oz.) sliced pepperoni and/or sliced ham1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce1 (lb.) mozzarella cheeseOptional: olives, mushrooms, bell peppers, pineapple, etc.Flour for dusting dough

Preheat oven to 375 °F.

Treat Time: Let children open cans, slice toppings and shred cheese according to their abilities.

Give each family member 1 or 2 biscuits. Dust biscuits with flour and roll or shape with hands into a 1/4 inch thick round pizza crust. Place rounds on an ungreased baking sheet. Spread sauce on tops with a spoon. Top with your favorite toppings. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.

While pizzas cook, work together as a family to clean up the kitchen and set the table. While you work talk about how it pleases the Lord when families work, cook and eat together in harmony.

Closing Prayer and blessing on the food.

lesson plan: “labor with your might”

Documents