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Developing Christlike Attributesby Lara Goold

Materials Needed: picture of Christ (see below), one copy of activity per person(see below), coloredpens or pencils for everyone, pictures of branch and hole on roof (optional)

SONGS:"I'm Trying to be Like Jesus," page 78 of Children's Songbook

"Be Thou Humble," page 130 of the Hymn book

HOLE IN ROOF STORY: (use our real life story or tell your own)Tell a story (with included pictures if desired) of a house that has a branch fall on their roof during a

storm. It's not a particularly large branch and it doesn't appeared to have caused any damage.

But the next time it rains, water starts pouring through their roof, soaking the insulation in the attic, andpouring water into their dining room. Although the branch didn't seem likely to have done much damage

at first glance, unbeknownst to the owners it had weakened the defenses of their roof enough allow the

elements in and cause much greater damage than just a small hole in the roof.

RELATE: That like that little branch on the roof, our little sins can become holes of weakness in our

defenses against the rains and storms of life. Talk about how once the roof was repaired, it became a

strong point in our roof. We can do the same with our "little" sins and weaknesses....we can fortify

ourselves and diligently work to overcome them and they, like the repaired roof, can actually become ourstrengths.

READ ETHER 12:27: briefly discuss why we have been given weaknesses and how God will

strengthen us as we strive to overcome them.

SHOW picture of Christ (see below) and talk about how God is always there to lift us up and to help usin our day-to-day struggles.

DEVELOPING CHRISTLIKE ATTRIBUTE ACTIVITY

1. Pass out the activity sheets and multicolored pens and pencils.

2. Start off by pointing to THE GIRL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAPER. Explain that she is to

represent each of them personally during this lesson. Encourage everyone to think of potential little

branches of weaknesses in their lives and to write at least 5-6 things surrounding the girl on the paper(encourage them to make it colorful) . Some examples of things they could write: Not studying the

scriptures as diligently as they should, an ongoing irritation at a sibling, or how they're treating theirparents, forgetting to say their prayers, etc.

3. Refer briefly back to Ether 12:27 and talk about how we are now going to talk about a way that we

can start making those weaknesses into strengths.

4. Point out the scriptures that are listed around the edge of the paper. Have them look up a few of thescriptures and each think of a couple attributes of Christ.

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5. Go around the room and have each person share a couple of attributes of Christ that they have

found (or thought of on their own.)

6. HAVE THEM WRITE DOWN THE ATTRIBUTES all around the drawing of Christ on the right

side of the paper.

7. Have them circle/highlight ONE weakness they'd like to overcome and/or one attribute of

Christ that they would like to start working on developing.

8. HURDLES along the vertical line that goes down the center of the page, have them write down acouple of the challenges they will face in developing that attribute. Have them be very specific.... These

hurdles could include fatigue, lack of time, not feeling motivated, etc.

9. In the LARGE ARROWS in the middle of the page, read the scriptures and then write 3 specificways that they can work on overcoming those hurdles and start developing that attribute in to make it a

strength instead of a weakness.

These should be very SPECIFIC ideas. Not just I will read the scriptures more often. But 3 specificand measurable ways that they can improve themselves: (see example)

1. I will read at least one page every night before supper.

2. If I am not home at supper, I will read it before bed.

3. I will place my scriptures on my pillow each morning to help me not to forget.

10. At this point their paper should be very colorful and filled with personal and meaningful instructions

for developing a Christlike attribute. Refer once more back to the story of the repaired roof and remindthem this activity was their own personal instruction for fortifying the weaknesses in the roofs in their

lives. Encourage them to tape the sheets into their journals and to refer back to them often for

encouragement in their quest. Also encourage them to reread the scriptures and repeat the activity

frequently.

11. PAPER AIRPLANEdrop an unfolded sheet of paper and point out how it flutters without direction

or purpose. Then, as you fold a piece of paper into an airplane, remind them that changing can

sometimes be painful, but when we make the effort and allow ourselves to be pliable enough to be foldedand changed, we can make weak things become strong and have enough wind beneath our wings to fly.

Throw the plane and point out the difference now that it has direction and purpose.

CLOSING PRAYER:

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DevelopingChristlikeAttributesActivityprintoneperperson

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Showthepictureofthisbranchontheroofemphasizethatitdoesnotlookliketoolargeofa

branch

Showhowthebranchhadonlythatonetinysectionpokethroughtheroof,butthattinyhole

causedwatertopourintotheattic,throughtheinsulation,andintothediningroombelow

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PicturebyGregOlsen