Opening song and prayer
2 minSing The Iron Rod (Hymns 274), then invite a child to offer the opening prayer.
Stony Heart, Soft Heart
4 minHold up a small rock. Try to squeeze water into it with a sponge. Nothing soaks in. Tell the class Ezekiel said some people had stony hearts that would not listen to God.
Now hold up the soft sponge or cloth. Pour or squeeze a little water on it and show how it absorbs. God promised to take away stony hearts and give hearts of flesh that can feel and change.
Ask children which heart they want and what makes a heart 'stony' or 'soft' in real life.
- Which object soaked up the water?The soft sponge or cloth. The rock could not.
- What is a stony heart in everyday life?A heart that will not listen, will not forgive, and will not let the Spirit in.
- What is a soft heart?A heart that feels, repents, cares about others, and wants to follow Jesus.
God gives a new heart and a new spirit
6 minEzekiel lived when many Israelites were far from home and far from God. The Lord promised something wonderful: a new heart and a new spirit. He would remove the stony heart and replace it with a heart that could feel and obey.
That change comes through Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. It is not just trying harder on the outside. It is letting God change us on the inside.
- What will God take away according to Ezekiel 36:26?The stony heart out of our flesh.
- What will He give instead?A new heart and a new spirit, a heart of flesh.
- Can we change our own heart completely by ourselves?We choose to repent and obey, but the deep change comes through the Savior and the Holy Ghost.
- What is one sign your heart is getting softer?Let children answer. Wanting to pray, feeling sorry when they hurt someone, enjoying church, choosing kindness.
Two records become one in God's hand
6 minEzekiel held two sticks, one for Judah and one for Joseph. The Lord told him to join them into one stick in his hand. This was a sign that two groups of God's people would become one again.
Latter-day prophets taught that the sticks also stand for the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Both testify of Jesus Christ. Together they are stronger, like two friends telling the same true story from different places.
- How many sticks did Ezekiel join together?Two sticks became one in his hand.
- What do the two sticks represent for us today?The Bible and the Book of Mormon, two witnesses of Jesus Christ that belong together.
- Why is one record not enough?God wants more witnesses so we can know the truth more surely. The Book of Mormon supports and clarifies the Bible's message about Christ.
- When have you learned something in one scripture that helped you understand the other?Let children answer if they can. Otherwise suggest examples like faith in Christ, baptism, or prophets.
Stand as a watchman (optional)
optionalThe Lord called Ezekiel a watchman for the house of Israel. A watchman stood on a tower and warned people when danger was coming. If Ezekiel saw trouble and stayed quiet, he would be responsible.
We are watchmen too in smaller ways. When we know the truth, we warn with kindness. We stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ at school, at home, and with friends.
- What job did a watchman do?He watched for danger and warned the city so people could be safe.
- What does it mean to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ?To live and speak so others can see that we follow Him and that His gospel is true.
- Does being a watchman mean yelling at people?No. Ezekiel warned because he loved the people. We invite and set an example with kindness.
- Where can you be a watchman this week?Let children answer. On the playground, in family scripture study, when someone tells a rude joke.
In the scriptures
5 minRead these together and talk about them.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
- What two gifts does God promise to put inside us?A new heart and a new spirit.
- What gets removed first?The stony heart.
- What can you do today to invite that change?Repent, pray, read scriptures, and obey a prompting from the Holy Ghost.
And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
- What did Ezekiel do with the two sticks?He joined them into one stick in his hand.
- How is that like the Bible and the Book of Mormon?They are two records that teach one gospel of Jesus Christ when we study them together.
- Which book of scripture will you read this week?Let children answer. Bible, Book of Mormon, or both.
Join the sticks
optionalGive each child two paper tubes or sticks. On one, write 'Bible.' On the other, write 'Book of Mormon.' Tape them together.
On the joined stick, write 'One testimony of Jesus Christ.'
Challenge them to read one verse from each book this week and tell the class next Sunday one thing they learned.