Conference Talk: "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" by Neil L. Andersen
Thought: "I believe that all of us can bear witness to these small miracles. We know children who pray for help to find a lost item and find it. We know of young people who gather the courage to stand as a witness of God and feel His sustaining hand. We know friends who pay their tithing with the last of their money and then, through a miracle, find themselves able to pay their tuition or their rent or somehow obtain food for their family. We can share experiences of prayers answered and priesthood blessings that gave courage, brought comfort, or restored health. These daily miracles acquaint us with the hand of the Lord in our lives" ("A God of Miracles," Sydney S. Reynolds April 2001 general conference).
Song: "How Wondrous and Great"
Scripture: "And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all" (Mark 6:39-41).
Lesson:
Teach your family about the wonder of miracles. What miracles did Christ perform while on the earth and what was their significance? In particular, teach your children about how Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fishes (Mark 6: 34-44).
34. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.
35. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
36. Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
37. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
38. He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
39. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass.
40. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
42. And they did all eat, and were filled.
43. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
Discussion: How was what Jesus did a miracle? What miracles have you seen in your life? How have these miracles strengthened your faith in Christ? What are some ways you can give thanks for the miracles you have been given?
Activity: Create origami loaves and fishes using Todd Huisken's Bible Origami.
You will need:
1. At least two sheets of square paper (or as many as the people in your family). The paper can be colored or white. Special origami paper works best, although regular printer paper will work as well.
Directions
Fish:
- Start with a square paper. Fold in half diagonally both ways. Unfold model.
- Fold in half top to bottom and side to side. Unfold model.
- Fold sides to middle.
- Fold top and bottom to middle and unfold.
- Fold and unfold center section where shown to create creases.
- Pull top left and right flaps down and out to sides and squash flap flat.
- Repeat step 6 with flaps on bottom of the model.
- Fold the bottom left and bottom right points down.
- Fold the bottom left point up and to the right.
- Fold top layer flap to the left.
- Repeat steps 9–10 on the bottom right point.
- Rotate model 90 degrees.
- Fold top and bottom points down as shown.
- Turn model over.
- Fish finished!
Bread Loaf:
- Start with a square paper. Make four sharp mountain fold creases where shown. (Note: creases are centered horizontally, but not vertically.)
- Fold bottom edge up.
- Bend (do not fold) upper edge down and tuck into flap created in step 2.
- Fold lower edge up and crease.
- Turn model 90 degrees, then turn the model over so the flap is on top.
- Flatten the cylinder making sure the flap is centered.
- Fold right corner in.
- Fold left corner in such a way that you can tuck the edge of the flap into the flap from step 7.
- Fold point forward and tuck inside to lock fold. Rotate model 180 degrees. Insert stuffing (I use tissue paper), if desired.
- Repeat steps 7–9 on other end of model.
- Turn model over.
- Shape loaf as needed. Bread loaf finished!
Lead image from Getty Images
Keep your children's hands busy during church services with Bible Origami. Instead of folding the service programs into paper airplanes, they can fold Noah's ark, an oil lamp, or Joseph's coat! As you develop the unique skill of creating these simple-to-intermediate origami designs, you will find opportunities to use them with all ages for lessons, activities, crafting, and everyday fun!
