Here are 17 Montessori-inspired activities to help young children learn the principles in 3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi from the Book of Mormon:
Activity 1: Becoming Like Christ – Role-Playing
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:27
- Materials:
- Simple props for role-playing
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:27, discussing how we should strive to be like Christ.
- Role-play different scenarios where the children can act like Christ (e.g., being kind, forgiving, helping others).
- Discuss how making choices like Christ helps us grow closer to Him.
Activity 2: Writing the Name of Christ – Name Plates
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:5
- Materials:
- Paper or cardstock
- Markers or crayons
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:5, discussing how we are called by the name of Christ.
- Have the children create name plates with their names and write “Disciple of Christ” underneath.
- Decorate the name plates and place them in a prominent place as a reminder of their commitment to follow Christ.
Activity 3: Sharing the Gospel – Paper Scrolls
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:20
- Materials:
- Paper
- Markers
- Sticks or dowels
- String
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:20, focusing on the commandment to share the gospel.
- Help the children create simple scripture scrolls by writing or drawing gospel messages on paper, then rolling them up and tying them with string.
- Discuss the importance of sharing Christ’s message with others.
Activity 4: Unity and Love – Group Art Project
Scripture Inspiration: 4 Nephi 1:15
- Materials:
- Large sheet of paper or canvas
- Paint, markers, or crayons
- Directions:
- Read 4 Nephi 1:15, discussing the unity and love among the people.
- Create a group art project where each child contributes to a large picture representing unity and love in Christ.
- Discuss how working together in unity brings us closer to God and each other.
Activity 5: Building on Christ’s Teachings – Block Tower
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:24
- Materials:
- Building blocks
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:24, discussing how Jesus built His church on a strong foundation.
- Use building blocks to create a tower, with each block representing teachings of Christ.
- Discuss how building our lives on Christ’s teachings helps us grow strong in faith.
Activity 6: The Importance of Scripture – Scripture Treasure Hunt
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 28:2
- Materials:
- Small scripture verses written on paper
- Hidden “treasures” (small toys or treats)
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 28:2, discussing the importance of scripture in guiding us.
- Hide small scripture verses around the room or yard along with small “treasures.”
- Let the children go on a treasure hunt to find the verses and discuss their meanings.
Activity 7: Service and Compassion – Helping Hands
Scripture Inspiration: 4 Nephi 1:12
- Materials:
- Paper and markers
- Cleaning supplies
- Directions:
- Read 4 Nephi 1:12, discussing how the people served each other.
- Trace the children’s hands on paper and write or draw ways they can help others (e.g., picking up toys, helping a sibling).
- Choose a simple service project to do together, like cleaning up a room or helping with household chores.
- Discuss how helping others is a way to show compassion.
Activity 8: Prayer and Guidance – Prayer Journal
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 28:23
- Materials:
- Small notebooks
- Pens or crayons
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 28:23, discussing the importance of prayer in seeking guidance.
- Give each child a small notebook to create a prayer journal.
- Encourage them to write or draw things they want to pray about or ask God for guidance on.
- Discuss how prayer helps us stay close to God.
Activity 9: Faith – Planting Seeds
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 28:31
- Materials:
- Small pots or cups
- Soil
- Seeds (flowers or herbs)
- Water
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 28:31, discussing the faith of those who followed Christ.
- Provide each child with a pot, soil, and seeds. Let them plant the seeds, water them, and place them in a sunny spot.
- Talk about how faith, like seeds, needs to be nurtured to grow.
Activity 10: Light and Truth – Candle Lighting
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 28:23
- Materials:
- Small candles or LED candles
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 28:23, focusing on the light and truth that comes from following Christ.
- Light a candle and pass the flame (or light LED candles) to each child, symbolizing the spreading of truth.
- Discuss how we can seek light and truth in our lives.
Activity 11: The Importance of Remembering – Memory Game
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:16
- Materials:
- Cards with images or words from the scriptures
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:16, discussing the importance of remembering Christ’s teachings.
- Create a memory game using cards with images or words from the scriptures.
- Let the children play the game, matching pairs, and discussing the significance of each card.
Activity 12: Following Jesus – Footprint Path
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:27
- Materials:
- Paper footprints
- Markers
- Tape
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:27, discussing how we can follow Jesus’ example.
- Create a path using paper footprints, each labeled with actions that follow Jesus (e.g., kindness, prayer, service).
- Have the children walk the path, discussing each step as they go.
Activity 13: Building Relationships – Lego Tower
Scripture Inspiration: 4 Nephi 1:2
- Materials:
- Lego bricks or building blocks
- Directions:
- Read 4 Nephi 1:2, discussing the importance of building strong relationships.
- Let the children build a tall Lego tower, emphasizing the importance of building relationships on love and understanding.
- Compare this to building our lives on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Activity 14: Giving – Sharing Treats
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:21
- Materials:
- Small treats or snacks
- Small containers
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:21, discussing how we can give and serve others.
- Let the children share small treats or snacks with each other.
- Discuss how giving and serving others helps us follow Christ’s example.
Activity 15: Unity in Christ – Group Art Project
Scripture Inspiration: 4 Nephi 1:15
- Materials:
- Large sheet of paper or canvas
- Paint, markers, or crayons
- Directions:
- Read 4 Nephi 1:15, discussing the unity and love among the people.
- Create a group art project where each child contributes to a large picture representing unity in Christ.
- Discuss how working together in unity brings us closer to God and each other.
Activity 16: Gratitude – Gratitude Jar
Scripture Inspiration: 3 Nephi 27:30
- Materials:
- A jar or container
- Slips of paper
- Pens or crayons
- Directions:
- Read 3 Nephi 27:30, focusing on how Jesus expressed gratitude for His disciples.
- Encourage the children to write or draw things they are grateful for on slips of paper.
- Place the slips in the jar.
- Discuss how recognizing our blessings helps us appreciate God’s love.
Activity 17: Forgiveness – Heart Puzzle
Scripture Inspiration: 4 Nephi 1:2
- Materials:
- Heart-shaped puzzle (make a heart and cut it into pieces)
- Markers
- Directions:
- Read 4 Nephi 1:2, focusing on the importance of forgiveness and love.
- Give each child a piece of the heart-shaped puzzle.
- Write on each piece something they can do to forgive or show love.
- Have the children work together to put the heart puzzle back together.
- Discuss how forgiveness and love help us stay united.
