Jr. Primary

Show the children a map, a compass and a picture of stars.  Ask them to tell you what you have in your hands.  After they tell you, ask them what these items have in common.  Answers will vary, of course, but what you are looking for is “directions”.

Then, ask the children why we need to have directions.  We all have a need to know where we are going and to make sure we are going the right way.

Ask the children, “What else is there that gives us directions?”  Again, the answers will vary, but the answer you want is “the Holy Ghost.”

What do we receive when we are confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? (the gift of the Holy Ghost)

Why do we need the Holy Ghost?  What does the Holy Ghost do?

Why do we need to be baptized?  (So we can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.)

ROAD MAP GAME:

On a piece of poster board, draw a map of a city, or a circular roadway.  Cut a car shape out of construction paper.  As you drive along the road, stop at different places to read stories and ask questions of the children.  Questions and stories can include the following:

• How to recognize the Spirit when it gives us directions
• Stories from the Ensign and the Friend about people being guided by the Spirit
• Explaining that the Holy Ghost can give us directions in different ways
• Some directions the Holy Ghost might give us

Small map piece with “It is important for me to be baptized so I can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” written on it.

ROAD MAP GAME 2:

Using the same road poster as above, stick different road signs on it.  Each road sign represents a covenant, action, promise or decision we make that can bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.

Explain to the children that Baptism is the first of many covenants, actions and decisions we make in our life.  Each covenant and righteous decision we make gets us closer to returning to live with our Heavenly Father.  As we make this journey, we need to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost to help us make the right choices and to warn us of danger – just like the road signs.

As the children move the car closer to the end of the track, have them read scriptures, stories and answer questions about further covenants we make, and how the Holy Ghost helps us throughout our lives, if we remain worthy.

Handout:

On cut out road signs, print “Baptism is the first of many important covenants I will make so I can return to my Heavenly Father.”