On Sunday I taught the 12-13 year old Sunday School class. It was one of the best lessons ever. And it wasn’t because of me. Those youth are sharp and smart and they think about things. The lesson was on how Jesus Christ used everyday objects and experiences to teach people in parables. He would use what people are already familiar with to teach them a principle of the gospel. I asked the youth if they knew what a parable is and how it is used. They answered the question fairly well but I felt they needed to learn a bit more so we read about what parables are in the Bible Dictionary.

Before we got to the section “Parables peculiar to each Gospel” I asked them to tell the class any parables they remember Christ teaching in the scriptures. They were able to name quite a few. As they narrated in their own words I also asked them how that teaching applied in their own life. It was amazing to hear their thoughts as well as the different ways they applied those teachings to their own circumstances.

After this discussion I pulled out a paper grocery sack filled with everyday items I grabbed from my house as I walked out the door to church. I put no thought into what I put in the bag. They each pulled out an object and I gave them a couple of minutes to think about how they would use that object to teach a gospel principle. I was blown away by what they taught. After each person shared we put all the items in the bag and did the same exercise again each using a different object but this time they had to come up with a different gospel principle than the first person who had the object. Again, their answers just amazed me! I am so impressed with our youth.

Here are the objects we used and what the youth taught (according to my memory). We had more objects than youth in the class so a few were used more than once.

Flashlight – A flashlight only works when there are batteries in it giving it energy. It then can shine in the darkness leading the way. Our own “batteries” need to be charged by church attendance, scripture study, and prayer so our light can shine for others leading the way back to Christ.

We need to invite our friends to church and youth activities so the gospel can {then the youth turned on the flashlight} en”lighten” their understanding.

Sunglasses – People use sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. We need to put on our “spiritual sunglasses” like a testimony to protect us from Satan’s harmful rays.

When you look through sunglasses things look different. They are sometimes distorted or changed from how they really are and look. We need to be careful of others who are trying to change or distort gospel doctrine to be different than what it really is.

Band-aid – Last conference Pres. Monson said something like, “Blame keeps wounds open, only forgiveness heals.” A band-aid helps a wound to heal just as forgiveness helps us to heal. Pres. Packer also mentioned in this conference that the atonement of Jesus Christ is not just for those who have sinned but also for the innocent who are wounded. The atonement provides that healing as we learn to forgive.

As we share the gospel we are providing “aid” for others to help them use the atonement to bind up their wounds.

Rubberband – A rubber band is like our testimonies. It stretches and grows.

If rubber bands are pulled too tight they will eventually break. We, too, will break if we allow sin to pull us away from the gospel.

Spoon – A spoon helps me feast on my breakfast cereal in a dignified manner so I don’t hold the bowl to my mouth and guzzle it down. As we study the scriptures spoonful by spoonful we are feasting on the words of Christ.

Mousetrap – Satan tries to entice us with things that appear to be good and if we aren’t careful and don’t pay attention we will get caught in his trap.

Fountain Pen – A pen is used to write and fill pages of a book. We must be like the pen and ‘write’ our life story by filling our lives with good ‘writing’ from the scriptures and teachings of the prophets.

Paper Cup – A paper cup is empty much like a newborn. It needs to be filled up with good things. Parents teach their children and fill their lives with gospel teachings.

Shoe – A shoe surrounds and protects just as living the gospel standards like the Word of Wisdom protect us.

If we go walking when we are barefoot we usually don’t get very far. When we wear shoes we get a lot further. When we try to live our lives relying on our own wisdom we don’t get very far. When we listen and use the spirit we get much father.

Candle – One tiny little light can be seen clear across a dark football field. Our light, no matter how little we think it is, can be seen and it will dispel darkness and give hope.

Nail Clippers – We use clippers to cut away the parts of our nails we don’t need anymore. We need to look at our lives and see what parts need to be trimmed back or cut away that aren’t doing us any good.

Stapler – The young man took two pieces of paper. One labeled “us,” the other “God.” He then stapled the papers together and said, “We need to attach ourselves to God through prayer, our testimonies, and our covenants. That’s what the staples represent.”

Watch – We only have a limited time on earth. We need to watch what we are doing with our time and not waste it.

As I said earlier, this was a wonderful lesson. The youth learned about using everyday objects to teach gospel principles and help point others to Jesus Christ. I overheard some discussing how it would be easier to write a talk for church from now on because they can use this technique to teach any principle or doctrine. Try it with your class or family for a family home evening lesson and see what they come up with!