Older Primary Lesson Plan: Deuteronomy 6–8;15;18;29–30;34

Opening Connection (Remembering Helps Us Love God)

Hold up a small sticky note (or a piece of paper with tape). Ask: “What do we use sticky notes for?” (To help us remember!)

Tell the children: “Today we’ll learn that Heavenly Father knows we forget sometimes, so He teaches us ways to remember Him, keep His words close, and choose the good path.”

Read this warning from Moses:

“Beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

Ask: “What are some things kids forget at school or home? What happens when we forget something important?”

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Scripture Discovery (Treasure Hunt in Deuteronomy)

Give each child (or pair) one of these references to find and read aloud from the scriptures (or you read and they follow along). Invite them to listen for remembering and choosing words.

Passage 1: Loving God with our whole heart

Read together:

“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Questions:

• “What does it sound like to love God with all our heart?”
• “What might it look like at school, at home, or with friends?”

Passage 2: Keeping God’s words close every day

Read together:

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6).

Then read:

“Beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

Questions:

• “Why would Heavenly Father want His words ‘in thine heart’?”
• “What are some ways we can remember the Lord every day?”

Passage 3: Choosing life

Read together:

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Questions:

• “What does ‘choose life’ sound like for an 8–10-year-old?”
• “What kinds of choices bring blessings?”

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Core Gospel Principles (Build the Big Idea Step-by-Step)

1. God invites us to love Him completely. Moses taught, “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

2. Remembering the Lord helps us stay close to Him. The Lord teaches, “these words… shall be in thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6) and warns, “Beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

3. The Lord lets us choose, and He lovingly invites us to choose the blessed path. “Therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

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Interactive Learning Activities

1) “Heart Reminder” (Object Lesson)

Activity Type: Object Lesson Materials: Paper heart cutouts (or plain paper), tape or sticky notes, pencils/crayons

Steps:

1. Give each child a paper heart. Write at the top: “In my heart” (from Deuteronomy 6:6).
2. Ask the class to name simple “remembering helps” (like a note on a door, a reminder on a fridge, a picture by a bed).
3. Invite them to draw or write one way they can remember God each day (example: “pray,” “read a verse,” “be kind,” “think of Jesus”).
4. Tape the hearts on the wall. Explain: “Just like this heart is where we can see it, Moses taught that God’s words can be ‘in thine heart’” (Deuteronomy 6:6).

Connect to scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6; Deuteronomy 6:12 Discussion questions:

• “How does remembering help us love God more?” (Deuteronomy 6:5–6)
• “What happens when we forget something important?” (Deuteronomy 6:12)

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2) “Choose Life Path Game” (Physical Activities)

Activity Type: Physical Activities Materials: Two signs: “Choose Life” and “Forget the Lord”; scenario cards (teacher-made)

Steps:

1. Put the two signs on opposite sides of the room.
2. Read a short scenario (one at a time). Examples:

• “A new kid is alone at recess.”
• “You feel mad and want to say something mean.”
• “You remember to pray when you’re worried.”

3. After each scenario, children walk to the sign that matches the best choice.
4. At the “Choose Life” sign, have a child read:

“Therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

5. Briefly discuss why that choice helps us remember and love God.

Connect to scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19; Deuteronomy 6:12 Discussion questions:

• “Which choice helps you remember the Lord?” (Deuteronomy 6:12)
• “How can choosing life bring blessings?” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

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3) “Remember-the-Lord Verse Card Craft” (Hands-On Crafts)

Activity Type: Hands-On Crafts Materials: Index cards or paper strips, crayons/markers, optional yarn or magnets

Steps:

1. Help each child make a simple “verse card” to take home.
2. On the front, they write:

“Beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

3. On the back, they write:

“These words… shall be in thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6).

4. Invite them to decorate with small symbols that help them remember (a heart, scriptures, a family, a simple “choose life” path).

Connect to scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6; Deuteronomy 6:12 Discussion questions:

• “Where will you put this so you’ll see it every day?”
• “How does seeing it help God’s words be ‘in thine heart’?” (Deuteronomy 6:6)

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Life Application Bridge (This Week at School and Home)

Ask the children to choose one place they often forget to do the right thing (recess, chores, sibling arguments, homework time). Then ask:

• “What could be your ‘remembering help’ there?”
• “How could remembering the Lord help you choose life?” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Gently connect back to love: when we remember Him, we’re practicing “love the Lord thy God with all thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

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Testimony Time (Invite Feelings and Witness)

Invite a quiet moment with hands folded. Ask:

• “Which scripture phrase do you want to remember this week: ‘in thine heart’ (Deuteronomy 6:6) or ‘choose life’ (Deuteronomy 30:19)?”
• “Would anyone like to share how remembering the Lord can help us make better choices?”

I bear witness that the Lord lovingly teaches us to remember Him, because He wants us close to Him, and His words truly can be “in thine heart” (Deuteronomy 6:6).

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Take-Home Challenge (Simple and Specific)

Place your verse card somewhere you will see it every day. Each day this week, when you see it, say (or think) the short phrase:

“Beware lest thou forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12).

Then do one “choose life” action that day (Deuteronomy 30:19).

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Teacher Tips

• Keep it moving: For the “Choose Life Path Game,” do quick scenarios and short comments so every child stays engaged.
• Help quieter children participate: Let them point, hold a sign, or read a short scripture phrase with a partner (Deuteronomy 6:6; Deuteronomy 30:19).