I gave all 20 kids a tennis ball (no problem since I'm an avid player, or used to be till I got this seminary assignment °Ü°). They pick up rubber bands from a bowl on a table outside the classroom as they come in. They get the most rubber bands (5) if they bring a guest to seminary; 2 rubber bands for saying vocal prayers before coming to seminary; 1 for attending; 1 for reading scriptures for at least 10 min. the night before; and 1 for being on time. Their balls are huge now. The growing ball is symbolic of their preparation to become worthy sons and daughters to help further the work of the Lord. Hopefully, they can see their spiritual growth as the ball gets bigger and bigger. I have used the ball many times in seminary for an object lesson as we talk about the growth of the church and the number of temples being built, announced or dedicated. This would be a great incentive for the O.T. using the scripture from Daniel 2:45. Has it cost a lot of money to provide the rubber bands? Yes it has. The parents have all donated a bag (the big ones from Office Depot), and I bought stock in a rubber company, but the results have been awesome. Some day soon, we'll go into the gym and just play with our balls (It will have to be scripture mastery related, of course!)

Submitted by Brenda EM Marysville WA

We used a tennis ball, and every day that my students read their scriptures, they put a sticker on the ball. We have really enjoyed this. We are going to present it to the Stake President at the end of the year. It doesn't sound like ours is nearly as big as Anntte's class. (right now it's just over the size of a large softball. But we're just putting stickers on for daily scripture reading.)

I did a lesson at the beginning of the year, using the seminary video and the scripture from Daniel about the stone being cut out of the mountain without hands. We talked about how they were a part of that but they couldn't help the kingdom roll forth if they weren't prepared. By reading their scriptures everyday, they are preparing themselves to help build the Lord's kingdom on earth.

My class is also very attached to the ball. I set the ball and the stickers out each day and they sign their name on the sticker then place it on the ball and pass it to the next person.

I used the file folder, Avery labels. There are 248 in each package and we are on our 4th box.

Submitted by Gwen EM in Oregon

I love this rubber band ball idea and have been a little frustrated that it is too late to use for this year; but then I thought that maybe it could be a good summer thing. I am thinking of giving the kids a ball and some rubber bands on the end of seminary and have them see how big they can grow their balls over the summer when they don't have seminary there to help them. Maybe it will keep them reading.

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