Missionary Suitcase Sharing Time

 Sharing Time- Living the Gospel Helps me to be a Missionary Now
October 2013 Week 2

THIS IS NOT MY IDEA!!!! I got the lesson idea and picture from the following link.  I have made some alterations, but thought it worked perfectly with the theme for the week. Thanks to mormonmissionprep for the fabulous idea!

http://www.mormonmissionprep.com/primary-mission-prep/preparing-for-a-mission-primary-sharing-time/

             Heavenly Father wants the gospel to be preached in all the world and you can prepare now to be missionaries (From: October: The Mission of the Church Is to Invite All to Come unto Christ, 2010 Outline for Sharing Time.)
            We are going to learn to prepare to be missionaries today in Primary. Oh, there is a suitcase here. Does this belong to anyone, anyone???? Let’s read the tag and find an owner. It says Elder Servant. Hmm… there is a note that says, “Permission to open” That means we can look inside. (act all excited) Hey maybe IT will help us learn how to be live the gospel and be a good missionary. I need a helper to come and get an item from Elder Servant's suitcase.

items in the suitcase:

• A Frying Pan: This is a reminder that missionaries need to be able to cook for themselves. Young people can start now learning to cook by helping their mom or dad make dinner.
• An Alarm Clock: Missionaries have a strict schedule they keep, including going to bed by 10:30 and being up by 6:30. An alarm clock is a must have. And young people can start now to learn to follow the Lord’s counsel. Hey, a Post it note is on the clock!! It says, D&C 88: 124, “retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.”

·         A Missionary Badge: The missionary name tag symbolizes how missionaries are representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Young people can start now to learn to keep their baptismal and sacramental covenants to take upon them the name of Christ. Oh there is a Post it note on this item too!- from D&C 20:77”…that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” Hey I have heard that in Sacrament meeting, a lot!!!!

• A Piggy Bank: The LDS mission cost for young men and women in the United States is $400 a month which comes to about $10,000 for a two-year mission. It’s never too early for young people to start saving as much money as they can for their mission.

• The Scriptures: Missionaries teach the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Hey there is a picture(pull out Ammon the Missionary picture), it's Ammon from the Book of Mormon. Remember, he was one of the sons of Mosiah that tried to destroy the church, had an angel appear, later repented and became great missionaries. Verse 2 of chapter 17 says,"Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
   3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."
  Young people can start now searching the scriptures like Ammon did. By doing so, they will be more familiar with the scriptures and they will be better prepared missionaries to teach with the power of God.
• Shoes: Missionaries need to be prepared to walk…a lot. These shoes are a reminder to young people to stay healthy and strong and to keep the word or wisdom so they can, another Post it note!!, it says “run and not be weary… walk and not faint.” D&C 89:20
• A Hymn Book: Missionaries sing hymns a lot of times at the beginning of discussions, in order to bring the Spirit. Young children can begin early to know and appreciate the hymns of the Church. Hey a bookmark! It says, D&C 25:12 “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.” So learn the hymns, children songs, develop musical talents, etc.
• Painting of Jesus Christ: As missionaries “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ… that our [investigators] may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” (2 Nephi 25:26) Missionaries must have a firm testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and young people can begin to develop that now through scripture study, prayer, and participation in Church activities and telling others about Jesus or just following His example.
• A Photo of the Temple: Missionaries baptize people in order to get them started on the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. One of the next major spiritual steps, one that brings even more joy to missionaries, is to see converts go to the temple to receive those ordinances. Young people can begin now to learn about the temple and set goals to go inside one day.
• A Friend Magazine: Church magazines are a great resource for building faith and learning the gospel, which will aid in mission preparation. All young people should have access to read Church magazines.
• Sewing Kit: How many people know how to sew a button if one falls off? That may be a skill that is useful on a mission because *whisper* you’re mom won’t be there to sew it back on for you!
• Tithing slip: It is important to pay your tithing on all the money you earn and you can start obeying this commandment now. It doesn't have to be a lot, but 10% of what you earn goes to the Lord to help build the temples, churches in the land that you may serve a mission, Books of Mormon, etc.
• Letter: A letter that says, "My Testimony" This must be Elder Servant's testimony of the things he knows are true. "I know that Heavenly Father loves us, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that Joseph Smith brought back the true church and that we are led today by a living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true!!" Do we know the church is true and have a testimony like Elder Servant?  

            We would like to thank Elder Servant for sharing his suitcase and letting us peek inside. It looks like he is ready to be a Lord’s servant and be a great missionary. I hope it helped prepare you for a mission one day. D&C 109: 3 And now thou beholdest, O Lord, that thy servants have done according to thy commandment. I hope we will find ways to be His servants and preach the gospel, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.