Image credit: Emre Nacigil from FreeImages.com - https://www.freeimages.com/photo/ancient-oil-lamp-1415892
Children's Class
Coloring & Activity Pages
Blank Oil Lamp Blackline Master (4 on a page)
Colored Lamp and Oil Drops
Parable of the 10 Virgins - Very easy dot-to-dot (4 to a page)
Sharing Time: I Believe That Jesus Christ Will Come Again - Activity page children can color and then write on drops of oil what they will do to prepare for the Savior's coming
Blank Oil Lamp Blackline Master (4 on a page)
Colored Lamp and Oil Drops
Parable of the 10 Virgins - Very easy dot-to-dot (4 to a page)
Sharing Time: I Believe That Jesus Christ Will Come Again - Activity page children can color and then write on drops of oil what they will do to prepare for the Savior's coming
Crafts
Homemade Clay Oil Lamps
Kid's Craft Camping Lantern - Could be adapted to look like a lamp if you used a plastic cup instead of the jar
I will prepare for Jesus's second coming by... - Oil drop and lamp
Paper Plate Oil Lamp
Homemade Clay Oil Lamps
Kid's Craft Camping Lantern - Could be adapted to look like a lamp if you used a plastic cup instead of the jar
I will prepare for Jesus's second coming by... - Oil drop and lamp
Paper Plate Oil Lamp
Treats
Lamp Cupcakes - Cut mini-marshmallows in half diagonally and dip in colored sugar to make the flames.
Lamp Gingerbread Cookies
Lamp Cupcakes - Cut mini-marshmallows in half diagonally and dip in colored sugar to make the flames.
Lamp Gingerbread Cookies
Spiritual Thought
Spiritual Thought: Filling Our Lamps (Notes from Melinda Barker's Presentation)
Melinda used the Parable of the Ten Virgins to discuss why self-care is such an important component of spiritual strength, and suggested some small and simple things (both spiritual and temporal) that we can do to “fill our lamps” so that we have the oil (i.e., the spiritual strength) we need to manage whatever challenges we may be facing—irrespective of whether those relate to children, marriage, job, finances, etc. Notes from her presentation appear below.
Strong Foundations v. Band-aids?
Do we work on the foundations of our relationships, or do we just apply band-aids (i.e., temporary fixes) to deeply rooted problems?
Good relationships are like ropes. Each interaction adds a new fiber to the rope. When we listen as information is being exchanged, we are always thinking, “How does this relate to me?” If we cannot see a connection, then we don’t give any of ourselves back during the exchange. We also check to see how we are received after giving of ourselves. Relationships fray because expectations differ and trust unravels. We want to have no doubts, to depend on those around us, to feel safe, and to feel accepted. What are we doing to develop trust?
When a Relationship Doesn’t Feel Right
1) Trust has probably been broken.
2) Trust is built by how we choose to hear.
3) We felt heard when we are validated instead of fixed. We need to teach this to the men in our lives.
4) Until women feel emotionally heard, we do not move forward (instead, we drag out all of the past).
5) Do you know who you are?
6) Have you taught men who you are and what you need? “If you loved me, you would know.” is NOT a fair expectation.
7) We need to create a sense of emotional safety for others so they can show up emotionally in the relationship.
Showing up emotionally makes us vulnerable, so it is scary for us. We need to believe the other person will not abandon or judge us. We need them to wait for us and really hear us. We can give this gift to people in our lives as well.
Gender & Communication
In Business Settings:
Taking the time to really listen to and "hear" your employees generally results increased performance from the employees because the genuine, authentic energy you give to them creates a connection.
There is a lot of strength in connection (think about 2 magnets). When we’re connected, we can do anything!
Most people just need someone to listen so we can talk to sort things out for ourselves. In other words, the answers are already inside of us. Most of us don’t want to get in other people’s muck. However, when we sit and really hear someone else, we don’t pick up muck.
With Teens:
The Slow Erosion of Relationships:
Little things determine our destinies. If we don't attend to them in our relationships, the relationships erode and we suddenly feel we do not know the other person anymore.
Melinda used the Parable of the Ten Virgins to discuss why self-care is such an important component of spiritual strength, and suggested some small and simple things (both spiritual and temporal) that we can do to “fill our lamps” so that we have the oil (i.e., the spiritual strength) we need to manage whatever challenges we may be facing—irrespective of whether those relate to children, marriage, job, finances, etc. Notes from her presentation appear below.
Strong Foundations v. Band-aids?
Do we work on the foundations of our relationships, or do we just apply band-aids (i.e., temporary fixes) to deeply rooted problems?
Good relationships are like ropes. Each interaction adds a new fiber to the rope. When we listen as information is being exchanged, we are always thinking, “How does this relate to me?” If we cannot see a connection, then we don’t give any of ourselves back during the exchange. We also check to see how we are received after giving of ourselves. Relationships fray because expectations differ and trust unravels. We want to have no doubts, to depend on those around us, to feel safe, and to feel accepted. What are we doing to develop trust?
When a Relationship Doesn’t Feel Right
1) Trust has probably been broken.
2) Trust is built by how we choose to hear.
3) We felt heard when we are validated instead of fixed. We need to teach this to the men in our lives.
4) Until women feel emotionally heard, we do not move forward (instead, we drag out all of the past).
5) Do you know who you are?
6) Have you taught men who you are and what you need? “If you loved me, you would know.” is NOT a fair expectation.
7) We need to create a sense of emotional safety for others so they can show up emotionally in the relationship.
Showing up emotionally makes us vulnerable, so it is scary for us. We need to believe the other person will not abandon or judge us. We need them to wait for us and really hear us. We can give this gift to people in our lives as well.
Gender & Communication
- Women don’t trust words. We don’t trust what men say.
- Men assume that if we’re not okay at a particular point in time, we must be angry or mad.
- So part of improving our relationships is to communicate clearly how we are feeling and the reasons for that.
In Business Settings:
Taking the time to really listen to and "hear" your employees generally results increased performance from the employees because the genuine, authentic energy you give to them creates a connection.
There is a lot of strength in connection (think about 2 magnets). When we’re connected, we can do anything!
Most people just need someone to listen so we can talk to sort things out for ourselves. In other words, the answers are already inside of us. Most of us don’t want to get in other people’s muck. However, when we sit and really hear someone else, we don’t pick up muck.
With Teens:
- Teens don't share in order to preserve their new-found independence.
- It is okay to react to what your kids say in honest ways. The trick is to do so in a way that strengthens (as opposed to destroys) the relationship. "I’m sorry you faced that, but I’m glad you’re talking about it."
- If you never saw your parents fight, you may never have learned how to problem-solve in a relationship. In some cases, this means a person becomes a "doormat," while in others a "deceiver of truth." Many factors affect our communication patterns as a family, including birth order, socioeconomic status, and whether or not we came from a blended family. Each of these variables creates a very personal, unique culture that influences how we manage conflict. Sometimes we don't manage it well simply because we do not see how all of these factors are influencing it.
The Slow Erosion of Relationships:
Little things determine our destinies. If we don't attend to them in our relationships, the relationships erode and we suddenly feel we do not know the other person anymore.
Music
Drop by Drop (Audio) (Lyrics) – Seminary Music: Doctrine & Covenants
Teach Me To Walk in the Light- 304
The Lord is My Light– 89
Lead Kindly Light- 97
Little Things -
Drop by Drop (Audio) (Lyrics) – Seminary Music: Doctrine & Covenants
Teach Me To Walk in the Light- 304
The Lord is My Light– 89
Lead Kindly Light- 97
Little Things -
Quotes
“The parable of the ten virgins is an example of this principle. While all of the virgins took their lamps to “meet the bridegroom,” only five were wise and took oil in their lamps. The other five were foolish because they “took no oil with them.”
“’As we walk in obedience to the principles and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ,’ said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, ‘we enjoy a continual flow of blessings promised by God in His covenant with us. Those blessings provide the resources we need to act rather than simply be acted upon as we go through life.”
“President Spencer W. Kimball taught about the importance of small and simple things in our spiritual development and progress…. ‘The foolish [virgins] asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant….How can one share obedience to the principle of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living; an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity, or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself….The foolish virgins…knew they should have oil. They merely procrastinated….In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living…—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 255–56). (Quoted by Elder David A. Bednar).
“The parable of the ten virgins is an example of this principle. While all of the virgins took their lamps to “meet the bridegroom,” only five were wise and took oil in their lamps. The other five were foolish because they “took no oil with them.”
“’As we walk in obedience to the principles and commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ,’ said Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, ‘we enjoy a continual flow of blessings promised by God in His covenant with us. Those blessings provide the resources we need to act rather than simply be acted upon as we go through life.”
“President Spencer W. Kimball taught about the importance of small and simple things in our spiritual development and progress…. ‘The foolish [virgins] asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant….How can one share obedience to the principle of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living; an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity, or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself….The foolish virgins…knew they should have oil. They merely procrastinated….In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market. In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living…—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 255–56). (Quoted by Elder David A. Bednar).
Talks
Do Not Delay by Elder Henry B. Eyring - Describes in very simple terms the meaning of each of the elements of the parable
Oil in Our Lamps by Elder Lynn G. Robbins
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Your Light--A Standard to All Nations by President James E. Faust
Do Not Delay by Elder Henry B. Eyring - Describes in very simple terms the meaning of each of the elements of the parable
Oil in Our Lamps by Elder Lynn G. Robbins
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Your Light--A Standard to All Nations by President James E. Faust