Toddler-Friendly Scripture Study: Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Building the Ship

If you haven’t read my initial post, read it here. It explains the scripture study plan in a little more detail and gives more information for how to teach it. 

Preparation

Song: Nephi’s Courage, p. 120, chorus

“I will go; I will do (punch air upward with fist for “go” and “do”)

the thing the Lord commands. (ASL for “commands”)

I know (point to head) the Lord provides a way; (hold both hands out, parallel with palms facing each other, then push out in front of you like you are making a path)

He wants me to obey.” (salute)

Repeat, but fold arms for last “obey”

Activity Verse:

1.    God told Nephi to build a ship. (sign “boat”)

2.  Nephi didn’t have tools, so the Lord told him where to find metal to   make some. (hand above eyes like you are looking for something)

3.  Laman and Lemuel did not believe that the Lord told Nephi to build a ship. They did not want to help. (grumpy face, arms folded)

4.  Nephi told his brothers that they should repent, obey God, and follow His commandments. (kneel down, fold arms and bow head)

5.  Laman and Lemuel did repent and helped Nephi work on the ship. (pretend to build)

6.  When the ship was finished, it was a good ship. The people thanked God for helping them. (thumbs up and a smile)

– Adapted from here

Art/Craft:

There are lots of options for this lesson, but you will only be using one or two!

1. Coloring pages: There are free activity books herethat go along with a variety of scripture stories. You just need to create a free account. For this chapter, I downloaded the “Journey to the Promised Land” book. You could also use thiscoloring page.
UPDATE: Super cute Book of Mormon coloring book available on LDS.org – found HERE. For this lesson, I would use this page:

2. Print thesefigures in black and white and have your child color them. (Your child can use them for the activity verse instead of doing the actions.)

3. Using popsicle sticks, play-doh, legos, blocks or play tools (hammer, screw driver, etc.) have your child pretend to build a ship.

4. I didn’t include this in the lesson plan, but I think it would be fun. Maybe on the last day as a culminating activity? Make a paper boat. I found a couple resources here and here.

Scripture Study Outline

Again, if you haven’t read my initial post, read it here. My outline is very brief, so this explains the scripture study plan in a little more detail and gives more information for how to teach it. 

1. Preview the chapter with a picture walk. (Explanation found here.) Since this song was already taught during this lesson, review by listening to it and see what your child can remember.

2. Read the story from the manual. Ask questions and take time to look at the pictures as you read. Take as many days as needed to read the whole chapter.  End by singing the song.

3.  Have your child color one of the coloring pages or the printable figures AND/OR have them quietly pretend to build a boat (see art/craft section) while you read sections of the story from the actual scriptures. Take as many days as needed to read through the passages. End each day by singing the song.

4. Do the activity verse with your child (if your child colored the printable figures, don’t forget to use those!). End by singing the song.

5. Watch the scripture story video for this chapter. End by reading your favorite verse from the story.

6. Do the activity verse with your child. See if they can remember the actions by themselves (if you are using printable figures, see how much of the story they can retell by themselves). Read your favorite verse and then have your child read part or all of it by repeating after you. Share your testimony. End by singing the song.