I like to take the lesson sometimes and turn the entire thing into a game where the quotes, scriptures and questions from the lessons
become the questions for the game. In the past I have made a fairly easy game board (you could even use something like candy land). Anyway you roll the dice and have the girls move a long and every time they land they draw a question and have to be able to answer it or they go back to their original spot. Obviously the point isn't to win, but to generate some great discussion. When I have done this in the past sometimes we have only gotten through a few questions but because the discussion was so great it was ok. This is a fun variation on the traditional lesson and usually I will bring in a big bowl of popcorn and we will get down on the floor and have a more comfortable atmosphere. For lesson 3 I have some small screwdrivers that I am going to attach each of the girl's names to and that will be their place marker in the game. I included the questions I am using so I hope this helps. Thanks, Kirsten

* Read the following scripture: Matt: 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Who is Heavenly Father speaking to in this scripture?

* How did Jesus set the perfect example of sacrifice?

* Who do you know that has sacrified so that we could have the gospel?

* What are some of the ways in which we are asked to sacrifice?

* Why is there a link between us becoming like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and us personal sacrifices and dedication to building up the church?

* Do you have a personal experience you could share about making sacrifices or experiences that others have had?

* Read the following scripture: Matt. 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

What is the promise that is made in this scripture?

* T/F As your testimony increases you are able to make greater sacrifices for the church.

* Name one of the talents or possessions the Lord has given you to use in building his kingdom?

* What does sacrifice mean?

* Read the following scripture: Matt: 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

* How does this scripture relate to the principle of sacrifice?

* Read the quote. . . ."Sacrifice is the crowning test of the gospel. It means giving to the Lord whatever he requires of our time, our earthly possessions, and our energies to further his work" (Gospel Principles, chapter 26). Why is sacrifice a test?

* Read the following quote and share your feelings on it: "Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life. …

"It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtain faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him"
(Lectures on Faith, comp. N. B. Lundwall [Salt Lake City: N. B. Lundwall, n.d.],
p. 58).

* Read the following quote and share your feelings: “We have covenanted in the waters of baptism to love and serve [the Lord], to keep his commandments, and to put first in our lives the things of his kingdom. In return he has promised us eternal life in his Father’s kingdom.

"The law of sacrifice is that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have for the truth’s sake—our character and reputation; our honor and applause; our good name among men; our houses, lands, and families: all things, even our very lives if need be. …

"We are not always called upon to live the whole law of consecration and give all of our time, talents, and means to the building up of the Lord’s earthly kingdom. Few of us are called upon to sacrifice much of what we possess, and at the moment there is only an occasional martyr in the cause of revealed religion.

"But … we must be able to live these laws to the full if we are called upon to do so" (Bruce R. McConkie, in Conference Report, Apr. 1975, pp. 74-75; or Ensign, May 1975, p. 50).

* Read the following story and share why you think President Kimball was so strong in having the young missionary sacrifice: Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Council of the Twelve told the following story about service and sacrifice:

"Jose Garcia [was] from Old Mexico. Born in poverty but nurtured in faith, Jose prepared for a mission call. I was present the day his [mission] recommendation was received. There appeared the statement: ‘Brother Garcia will serve at great sacrifice to his family, for he is the means of much of the family support. He has but one possession—a treasured stamp collection—which he is willing to sell, if necessary, to help finance his mission.’

"President Kimball listened attentively as this statement was read to him, and then he responded: ‘Have him sell his stamp collection. Such sacrifice will be to him a blessing’ " (in Conference Report, Oct. 1978, p. 83; or Ensign, Nov. 1978, p. 56).

* Read the following story and share how her sacrifices helped others: Sister Villafranca lived in San Fernando, Mexico, far from a ward or branch. But she found a way to help build the kingdom in her area. She asked a group of fifty people—thirty of them investigators—to come to her small home to hear the missionaries teach the gospel. The missionary who taught them told what happened:

"As I began the discussion, the room was expectantly quiet. Every student listened with sincere interest. When I asked questions of the class, it seemed as if they had memorized the answers beforehand, and I found myself becoming more and more excited as it became apparent that I had not one golden contact, but a whole room full of them. When it came time to ask if, after they had studied, prayed, and listened to the rest of the discussions, they would be baptized, I was greeted with a chorus of ‘Sí.’ …

"Now, six years later, there is a branch with almost 200 members in San Fernando. It is there because of the missionary efforts of one stalwart sister who was not afraid to tell others about the gospel, and to do it with the faith that precedes any miracle" (Glenn V. Bird, "Miracle at San Fernando," New Era, Jan. 1977, pp. 28-29).


* Read the following story and share why it is important to keep one’s testimony strong to be able to sacrifice for others: Sister JoAnn Ottley, wife of Jerold D. Ottley, conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, told the following story:

"The Lord gave my husband and me special talents for music. We have spent our entire lifetimes studying and developing these gifts. We have had to make many decisions regarding their use. When we were in Europe studying, we realized that we had an especially important and difficult decision to make. Both of us knew that if we remained in Europe, we would have many opportunities for success. We wanted above all, however, to do what the Lord wanted us to do. We desired to be obedient, but beyond that we yearned to be used by the Lord in the building of his kingdom here on the earth.

"We repeatedly fasted and prayed for the direction of the Spirit and to know the will of the Lord. Our answer came during a sacrament meeting at the close of a fasting period. We had both received the same instructions by the Spirit—that our work was at home. We were to return to the United States.

"There followed more months of study, preparation, testing. Then the Lord made it possible for us to return to Salt Lake City. I became a member of the Tabernacle Choir, and my husband joined the Music Department at the University of Utah.

"A short time later, my husband was called by the First Presidency of the Church to be the conductor of the Tabernacle Choir. The Lord had indeed been preparing us for special service" (The Latter-day Saint Woman, Part B, p. 79).