Scripture Bag for Kids

Something our family does that both my kids and I absolutely love is something called a scripture bag.  It was an idea passed on to us from my in-laws who did it with their kids when they were younger.  It's a wonderful way to help kids have a visual way to remember what they are learning.  Here's what the scripture bag is, it's a bag full of all kinds of different objects like an angel, a liahona, a shepherd, a cross or a crown of thorns, tiny scriptures, a dove, a cup, animals, a tent, etc... the kids reach in and pull out an item and then try to think of a scripture that that item could represent.  So, for example, if the little tent/teepee is pulled out they might say, "1 Nephi 2:15- "And my father dwelt in a tent" or "When Lehi and Nephi left Jerusalem they lived in the wilderness in a tent for a long time" and then we would talk about that as a family.

So, I have put together a scripture bag idea for each week of Come Follow Me.  There will be items listed that you can either have pictures of or small figurines or whatever fits your budget and works best for your family!  The great thing is, many of the items can be used again for different scriptures on other weeks!  

You can put the items in a bag and when your child pulls out an item, read the scripture reference from the week together.  Then talk about what that scripture has to do with that topic.  

If you cannot find the actual items, try this idea:
Make shrinky dinks.  All you have to do is trace the picture of what you want onto the plastic, color it, cut it, then bake it, and it shrinks into hard plastic.  You can get actual shrinky dink kits here: shrinky dink kits

Here are some picture suggestions for tracing:
scripture bag pictures

This would make a really fun family home evening activity as well!

Here is week 1-

suggested items needed:

seed 

angel figurine

small scriptures (I got the template here: mini scriptures template)

white tulip, crown of "thorns", or cross

coin

dove or small piece of cloth for a blanket

picture of a temple

scripture references for each item:

small scriptures (a seed or angel figurine could also be used)- Matthew 7:7  (topic:faith)

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

and

John 5:39 (topic:gaining and nurturing a testimony)

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."

coin- Luke 18:22 (topic: faith)

"Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."

white tulip, crown of "thorns", or cross- Matthew 6:14-15 (topic: forgiveness)

"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

and

Luke 23:33-34 (topic: forgiveness)

"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

temple picture- Acts 17:10-12 (topic: gaining and nurturing a testimony)

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few."

dove or piece of cloth (represents the Holy Ghost)- Alma 5:45-46 (topic: gaining and nurturing a testimony)

"And this is not all.  Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself?  Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true.  And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?  Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.  Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself.  And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me."