How to Show Reverence

Family Home Evening Lesson
“How to Show Reverence”

Opening Song: “Father, I Will Reverent Be” Children's Songbook #29

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

How to Show Reverence:

Ask your children what Reverence is. Explain that reverence is being still and quiet to show Heavenly Father that we love him.

Print this picture of body parts. Ask children how we can use each body part to show reverence.
Have children demonstrate. (Example: feet- "do we stomp our feet?"[stomp,stomp] "or do we walk quietly?" [step quietly or tip toe]. mouth- "do we talk loudly?" [use loud voice] "or do we talk quietly?" [whisper]. eyes & ears- "do we look all around the room when we are praying?" [exaggerate looking everywhere] "or do we close our eyes and listen with our ears during prayer?". arms- "do we clap our hands and touch other people with our hands?" [make busy hands] or "do we fold our arms when are walking and sitting?"[fold arms])

Practicing Reverence: Have children line up and practice quietly walking around the house with folded arms. Have them think of ways they can show reverence for the church, such as putting litter in trash (have trash on floor for them to practice), opening and shutting classroom doors quietly, whispering in the chapel when they need to talk, walking (not running). Have them practice sitting down quietly and raising their hands. Also have children practice thinking of Jesus for 30 seconds or longer (depending on age)-- it might help to show them a picture of Him.

Show picture of mouse: I had a small copy that I cut out for each of my kids. [This was my 4 year old's FAVORITE part of the lesson- she carried her mouse all over the place afterward.]
“What If … ?,” by DaLee C. James, Friend, Sep 1996, 22

If a mouse would ride to church
In your pocket on this day,
What might he tell his family
That he heard you do or say?
Would he tell them you were reverent,
And you listened to your teacher?
Or would he say he’d never seen
Such a noisy creature?
Would he tell them how he loved the songs
You sang so sweet and clear?
Or would he groan from all the talking
That entered in his ear?
Could he take a little snooze
As you walked nice and tall?
Or would he scream with panic
As you galloped down the hall?
Would the little mouse get seasick
From the tipping of your chair?
Or would he feel safe and cozy
As you quietly sat there?
Would the chapel be a reverent place?
The sacrament the same?
Now tell me, would the little mouse
Be really glad he came?
If a mouse would ride to church
In your pocket on this day,
What might he tell his family
That he heard you do or say?

We also have the book "I'm Reverent When..." by Amy Mullins. This would be good to read through with the kids for this lesson as well.

Suggested Activity:
Make this EASY mouse Finger puppet. Or print a picture of a mouse for them to put in their pockets (or tape to their dress) for church next Sunday.

Print this picture about reverent hands and have children cut out the pictures and make a little reverence booklet, gluing the pictures onto strips of paper that you staple together.

Make a Reverence Crown. Use this crown in the future by giving it to children who are being especially reverent during family prayer, scripture study or FHE.

Closing Song: “Reverently, Quietly” Children's Songbook #26

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Strawberry Mice

1. Take large strawberries and cut them in half. Put it on the plate the flat side down.

2. Take mini chocolate chip for little eyes and nose and glue it to the strawberry using a little bit of icing.

3. For ears you can use slivered almonds.

4. Red licorice lace works perfect for the tail.