Older Primary Lesson Plan: Exodus 19–20;24;31–34

Opening Connection (2–3 minutes)

Attention question: “Have you ever promised to do something good, like cleaning your room or being kind, then it got hard and you didn’t want to do it anymore?”

Quick object moment: Hold up a small treasure item (a shiny coin, a “treasure” rock, or a small box). Ask: “If this was your treasure, how would you treat it?”

Explain that this week we learn that the Lord calls His covenant people a treasure, and He invites us to prepare, obey, and come back when we make mistakes.

Scripture Discovery (10–12 minutes)

1) Treasure words: Exodus 19:3–6 (partner reading + word hunt)

Have children pair up. Give each pair a paper and pencil. Invite them to listen for “treasure” words.

Read aloud:

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” (Exodus 19:5) “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” (Exodus 19:6)

Ask:

• “What words show how the Lord feels about His people?” (Exodus 19:5–6)
• “What does He ask us to do?” (Exodus 19:5)

Share this explanation from the lesson bundle:

“In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which peculiar was translated is segullah, which means ‘valued property,’ or ‘treasure.’ … For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order” (Nelson, “Children of the Covenant,” Ensign, May 1995, 34).

2) Preparation: Exodus 19:10–11, 17 (group reading)

Assign three children to read one verse each:

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,” (Exodus 19:10) “And be ready against the third day: for the third day the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” (Exodus 19:11) “And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” (Exodus 19:17)

Ask:

• “What did the Lord ask them to do before they could ‘meet with God’?” (Exodus 19:10–11, 17)
• “What are ways we prepare to feel close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?”

Core Gospel Principles (6–8 minutes)

1. The Lord treasures covenant keepers. The Lord calls His people a “peculiar treasure” when they “keep [His] covenant” (Exodus 19:5).

2. Sacred experiences require preparation. Israel prepared to “meet with God” (Exodus 19:10–11, 17). We also prepare our hearts and actions.

3. Commandments help us stay with God, and repentance brings us back. Israel promised obedience, but later “turned aside quickly out of the way” (Exodus 32:8). The Lord still revealed His mercy:

“The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” (Exodus 34:6) “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:7)

Interactive Learning Activities (3 activities, 3 different types)

Activity 1: “Treasure Tag” Commandment Match (Game)

Materials: 10–12 paper “coins” or squares; tape; marker. Write simple phrases like “Put God first,” “Honor parents,” “Tell the truth,” etc. (Keep them simple and age-appropriate.)

Steps:

1. Tape the “coins” around the room.
2. Children walk quietly to collect one coin each.
3. One at a time, they read their coin and place it on a board under one of two headings: “Helps me obey my covenant” (Exodus 19:5) or “Would make me turn aside” (Exodus 32:8).
4. As a class, briefly fix any that belong in the other column.

Connection to scriptures: We are the Lord’s “treasure” as we “obey” and “keep [His] covenant” (Exodus 19:5). Turning aside is real (Exodus 32:8).

Discussion questions:

• “Which choices help you stay close to God?”
• “Why do you think God gives commandments?” (Use the bundle theme: “God gives me commandments because He wants me to be happy.”)

Activity 2: “Path or Turn Aside?” Floor Walk (Physical Activity)

Materials: Painter’s tape or paper strips to make a simple path on the floor; 6–8 scenario cards (school/home choices).

Steps:

1. Lay a straight “path” on the floor.
2. One child stands at the start. Read a scenario like: “A friend dares you to be mean online.”
3. Child chooses:

• Stay on the path if it helps them obey God.
• Step off the path if it’s “turning aside.”

4. If they stepped off, ask: “What could help you step back onto God’s path?” Then they step back on.

Connection to scriptures:

“They have turned aside quickly out of the way” (Exodus 32:8). God’s mercy helps us return (Exodus 34:6–7).

Discussion questions:

• “What makes it hard to keep a promise to obey?”
• “What helps you come back when you’ve stepped off the path?”

Activity 3: “My Sign to God” Sabbath Shield (Hands-On Craft)

Materials: Paper “shield” or badge template; crayons/markers; tape or string.

Steps:

1. Explain that the Sabbath can be a sign of our love for the Lord (from the bundle’s teaching about Exodus 31).
2. Children write at the top: “My Sign to God”.
3. They draw 3 small pictures of ways they can show love on the Sabbath (examples: listening reverently, partaking of the sacrament thoughtfully, being kind at home).
4. Let them share one picture with a partner.

Connection to scriptures: The bundle teaches: “The Sabbath is a sign” (see Exodus 31:13, 16–17 in the bundle). This helps us remember we belong to Him.

Discussion questions:

• “What sign do you want to give to God?”
• “How can your attitude be part of the sign?”

Life Application Bridge (3–4 minutes)

Invite children to connect the lesson to their week:

• At school: When you feel pressured to “turn aside,” remember the path and choose one small obedient action (Exodus 32:8; Exodus 19:5).
• At home: Do one action that honors your parents (the bundle highlights Exodus 20:12: “Honour thy father and thy mother”).
• On Sunday: Choose one “sign” from your shield and do it with a happy, loving heart (Exodus 31:13, 16–17 as referenced in the bundle).

Testimony Time (2–3 minutes)

Ask: “Where did you feel the Lord’s love today, when we talked about being His treasure, preparing to meet Him, or coming back to the path?”

Invite 2–3 children (optional) to share a sentence beginning with: “I feel close to Heavenly Father when…” Bear simple testimony using the scriptures: the Lord calls His people a “treasure” as they keep His covenant (Exodus 19:5), and He is “merciful and gracious” (Exodus 34:6).

Take-Home Challenge (1 minute)

Give each child a small paper “coin” or have them draw one. Challenge: This week, do one obedient choice each day that shows you are the Lord’s “treasure” (Exodus 19:5). On Sunday, use your “Sabbath shield” idea to choose one special “sign” to give to God.

Teacher Tips

• Keep movement reverent: In the path activity, remind children they are practicing holy choices, quiet feet, kind words.
• Adapt for different learners: If reading is hard for some, let them hold a picture/coin and explain it in their own words while you read the card aloud.