Sunday, January 13, 2008

Lesson 2: Heavenly Father Has A Body


Today I taught Lesson 2: Heavenly Father Has A Body
While I was preparing for this lesson I thought about how this knowledge is so central and unique to LDS theology.  It seems like so much of our knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's physical state comes from Joseph Smith's first vision.  The lesson manual uses the story of that vision to explain the idea to the kids.  
As a side, does anyone know anywhere else that talks about the physical nature of God?
Anyway,  I used a picture of the first vision and asked the kids to show me their body parts, then point out Heavenly Father and Jesus's body part. It went something like:
Me: Do you have hands? Where are your hands, can you show them to me?
The kids show me their hands.
I feel ambitious and ask them what they do with their hands.
Kids: Garbled responses. It's the beginning of the year so talking is beyond many of them
Me: Can you shake your hands?
Some do, the others catch on because shaking our hands is fun to do.
Me: Does Heavenly Father have hands?
Do you see them?
I ask one kid to come point them out. 
Three kids jump up and show me Heavenly Father and Jesus's hands. 
Class is going well. We move through other body parts. Nose, eyes, ears. Then I try hair. I point out that Heavenly Father has hair. I pick up my own hair and ask do we have hair while nodding my head.  I begin to ask a few kids specifically. 
Me: Sarah, do you have hair? 
Sarah: Yes
Me: Molly, do you have hair?
Molly: Yes
Me: Sam, do you have hair?
Sam: No. 
He rubs his smooth bald head. It supports only a little light blonde fuzz. 
I realize he's right. 
Me: Don't worry, Sam. You'll get hair too, one day.

6 comments:

  1. AWW poor kid, sadly...that is very funny to me!

    It sounds like you are doing well with those kids..great job!

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  2. SO funny! Just to share in the "Nursery blues" (have you ever heard that song from the "All About" series? If not, have Sarah sing it for you some time)...this year we have two Sr. Nursery classes (pretty standard) and the Jr. Nursery is already at 10 with 19 slated to come in this year.

    Spencer's nursery leader had a great idea: she put each child's name on a snowflake, which is taped to the door. When the child enters, he/she moves his/her name from the door to the wall. It makes the drop off time less traumatic. Doorstep scenes are always so awkward.

    Bubbles for the last 10 minutes seems to be pretty successful. I have often wondered how many times carpet cleaners have to go over the nursery carpets to get all the suds out.

    I have seen a quilt with different scenes relating to songs where kids throw a beanbag and whatever square it lands on, that is the song you sing. (An ambitious project, but really cute).

    In the end, it's just a game of survival, isn't it?

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  3. Have a fun, attractive opening activity ready at a table for when kids are dropped off. Playdough or puzzles are two that we found very successful. As each child walks in, they sit at the table and can begin playing with this very enticing activity...it helps gather the kids in. I believe having a regular routine is very helpful...then vary the activities within that routine. So playdough time, then some circle games,snack and lesson (I love to teach while they are eating, I feel like I had a captive audience) then singing time, free play (maybe 10 minutes) then pictures, then bubbles? Anyway, I also like carpet squares with the kids names on them for a place to sit for circle/singing and story time. I also liked going to the library and getting a few books that related to the subject of the week.

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  4. Marie-
    19??? That's crazy talk. I hope they make another nursery class.
    That snowflake on the door idea is great. Hmm, I'm going to have to try that.
    Bubbles are pure magic. I've often thought that the carpet cleaners shouldn't have to use any soap. They could just turn on the machine and the floor would sud right up. Maybe I should start mixing up my bubble solution from carpet soap.
    The quilt is a great idea too. Mine will have to be made of poster board but it is well worth doing.
    Thanks for sharing, you have increased my odds of survival.

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  5. Jenmomrn-
    Great ideas. Can I have your playdough recipe? I'll cook up a batch this weekend.
    And where did you get your carpet squares from?

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  6. Which first vision do you teach? The 1835-36 Joseph Smith diary where he said he "saw many angels in this vision." There are many different versions of that first vision and how do you know what is true and what is not? Why would your own "prophets" tell false visions? Also why would you teach these false visions to children?

    Seek the truth, Seek God not gods!

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