Encourage the children to keep their Faith in God guidebooks tucked inside their scriptures.

The books were designed this size, for that very purpose.

As you use them in Primary, have them turn to the page you are referring to in their books.

January-I am a child of God, and He has a plan for me.

• Use the inside cover of the Faith in God booklet.  Help the children learn the motto.

• You may want to have the children  repeat the motto during Opening/Closing exercises each week or monthly, this year as we reinforce the Primary 2008 theme, “I am a Child of God”

• On Pg. 1 of Faith in God, is a letter from the First Presidency.  It would be good to read the first paragraph or more, with the children.

• The first Article of Faith, “We believe in God the eternal father, and in his son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost” could be introduced and taught, to help teach about being children of God.

• In week 2, as you talk about Heavenly Father’s plan, you could incorporate the first Gospel Standard, (found on the back of the Faith in God guidebook).  “I will follow Heavenly Father’s plan for me.”  (See Pg. 4, Basic Requirements, live ”My Gospel Standards”.)

• For a Quarterly or Activity Day with the same theme, you could take digital pictures of each child to put in their guidebook.  The younger children could mount their picture, on a paper with this year’s theme on it.

February-The scriptures teach me about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how to return to them.

• One of the basic requirements of the Faith in God,, Pg. 4, is to read the scriptures regularly.  Encourage children to bring their scriptures each week, and have the children look up scriptures as you use them in Sharing Time, and in the classrooms.

• The 8^th Article Faith would go well with this month’s theme.

• On week 3-the children can share what they learned with their family by telling a story from the Book of Mormon that teaches about faith in Jesus Christ.  And share their testimony of the Savior.  See Faith in God “Learning and Living the Gospel” Pg. 6, #6.

• A Quarterly or Activity Day could include acting out Scripture Stories and making a movie to watch together.  Children could prepare a chart for recording their scripture reading or make something to remind them to read.  Or have the children write down their testimonies to be put in Books of Mormon and given to the missionaries.

 March-Jesus Christ is my Savior.

• The first Article of Faith, could be used to introduce the concept that Jesus Christ is God’s son.

• On week #3, it is also suggested that the 3^rd Article of Faith be reviewed.

• For a Quarterly or Activity, the true meaning of Easter could be taught, stories from the life of the Savior could be told or acted out with activities to go with them.   The activity day girls/Cub Scouts can help Primary leaders plan and carry out an upcoming quarterly activity. “Serving Others” Pg. 9, #8.

April-I will follow the prophet.

• On week 3-The prophet teaches me to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.  Remind children of the Faith in God basic requirements to, read the scriptures regularly and to pray daily to Heavenly Father.

• Week 4 of April-The prophet teaches me what I must do to live with God again. (addresses from recent general conferences)  In Faith in God, “Learning and Living the Gospel” Pg. 6,  #4 it suggests that children can “Read a recent conference address given by the prophet . Decide what they can do to follow the prophet, and do it.”   An assignment could be given to several children to report on the recent conferences addresses as part of the Sharing Time.

May-Heavenly Father planned for me to come to a family.  I can strengthen my family now.

• The 7^th “My Gospel Standard” states “I will honor my parents and do my part to strengthen my family.   In Faith in God, Pg. 9, “Serving Others’, it suggests several ideas that would strengthen families.  Write a letter to your parents, or your grandparents telling them what you appreciate and respect about them.   This would be a nice to thing to have children do in Sharing Time.   As an activity day children could learn to plan, prepare and serve a nutritious meal, #3 Pg. 9. 

• A quarterly activity could be to help children make and prepare to give a Family Home Evening lesson.  You might point out to the 11 yr. old children that the Faith in God guidebook, under “Preparing for the Priesthood and Preparing for Young Women”, it suggests reading “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”  Make a list of things you can do to help strengthen your family and make a happy home.  Share the list with your parents or Primary Leader.

• On week #4, when you talk about the blessings of the Priesthood and authority share the 5^th Article of Faith and review it.

June-The temple is a blessing for me and my family.

• During your Sharing Time, include the Gospel Standard, #13, “I will live now to be worthy to go to the temple and do my part to have an eternal family.”  When talking about tithing, you could mention that one of the Faith in God basic requirements is to “Pay your tithing and attend tithing settlement”.

• For a Quarterly or Activity Day children could learn about tithing and make a Tithing Bank. Point out that in Faith in God, “Developing Talents”, #1, it says “Learn how to budget and save money.  Discuss why it is important to faithfully pay our tithing and how Heavenly Father blesses us when we do.  Pay your tithing and begin saving for an education.”

• Week 3 -“I will do family history work so my ancestors can receive temple blessings” encourage children to fill out a Pedigree Chart.  Under “Learning and Living the Gospel” it suggests “Prepare a pedigree chart with your name and your parents and grandparents names.  Prepare a family group record for your family and share a family story.  Discuss how performing temple work blesses families”.  For an activity day children could go to the Family History Library and get help filling out their information on the charts.  The old Sharing Time manual, has a nice family tree with hearts to be filled in, that could be used in Sharing Time.

• Week 4 -“Iwill be reverent, dress modestly, and speak kindly to be worthy to enter the temple” Share Gospel Standard #9, “I will dress modestly to show respect for Heavenly Father and myself.  There is great idea on lds.org, under Primary, then Primary Activity Days, for dressing modestly, it would be perfect for Girls Activity Day.

 July-Because I know we are all children of God, I will share the gospel with others.

• The Sharing Time outline suggests in week #3, that living the gospel standards helps me be a missionary now.  The “My Gospel Standards” poster could be displayed.  The  June 2006 “Friend” contained a set of gospel standard cards that could be used to play a game or to help children learn them.  They could be used in Sharing Time or an Activity Day.     

Aug.-I will show my faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized and confirmed. 

• As you discuss showing faith by being baptized and confirmed and keeping baptismal covenants, have older children turn to Pg. 2 of the Faith in God guidebook and refresh their memories of the covenants that were made on their baptism day.

• Week #3, “When I take the sacrament, I renew my baptismal covenants”, you could have children turn to “Learning and Living the Gospel” Pg. 6, #1, it states, “Explain how taking the sacrament helps you renew your baptismal covenant. In a Family Home Evening, teach others about things we can do to remain faithful.” Encourage children to share what they learn about the sacrament today with their families.

Sept.-I can pray to Heavenly Father, and He will hear and answer my prayers.

• You can remind children of the motto on the inside of the Faith in God guidebook, which states in part, “I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere.” Also the basic requirements could be pointed out, “pray daily to Heavenly Father.”

• For a Quarterly Activity or Activity Day, children could learn about people in the scriptures that used prayer to bless their lives, ie: Daniel, Queen Esther etc. They could make some kind of chart to track their progress, or make a reminder to pray daily like a “Prayer rock”.

Oct.-Because I am His child, I will serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.

• Faith in God “Serving Others” suggests 10 things that could be done to learn about serving. The outline for Sharing Time, suggests doing #1 on Pg. 9 of the guidebook, “Write a letter of appreciation to someone” as part of the Sharing Time activities. It could be suggested to children that they could “Plan and complete their own activity to serve others” #9, Pg. 9.

Nov.-I am thankful to know that we are all children of God.

• Again the inside cover of the Faith in God book would be appropriate to share as you talk about being a beloved child of God on week #1. Activity Day children could make puppets and then share them in Primary, tell why their’s is special and different and then help the other children to make a puppet for week #1. Children would enjoy learning a Primary song in a different language than their own.

• Week #2 -“I am thankful for my body, I know my body is a temple.” It suggests using the 13^th Article of Faith.  It also suggests “My Gospel Standards” “Preparing for Young Women” Pg. 12, girls should study the 13^th Article of Faith… #8, “I will keep my mind and body sacred and pure, and I will not partake of things that are harmful to me.”  “Learning and Living the Gospel” Pg. 7, #1, Read D&C 89. 

• Under “Developing Talents” Pg. 11, #3, “Learn about and practice good nutrition, good health, and good grooming, including modest dress, would reinforce these lesson at Activity Days.

Dec.-I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His restored gospel. 

• Discuss the scripture, John 17:3, on the front of the Faith in God guidebook. The scripture goes well with the principles that have been taught all year to the children, about the importance of knowing that they are children of God. Point out the beautiful artwork of the Savior and children from other lands, and His love for all of God’s children.

• A Quarterly Activity honoring the birth of the Savior, or Joseph Smith’s birthday could be a highlight to this month’s theme.