Learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Sharing Time

Sharing time provides opportunities for children to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the influence of the Holy Ghost.

This time normally includes the following elements:

1. Prelude music, a reverent song or hymn that the children know, and an opening prayer by one of the children.

2. One or more of the following: a scripture passage chosen and read by one of the children, memorization of an article of faith, a brief message by a member of the bishopric, one or two activity songs, and children’s talks that are related to the month’s theme.

3. Gospel instruction by the Primary presidency. This portion lasts about 15 minutes. Members of the presidency use the scriptures and follow the current outline for sharing time as they prepare and teach.

4. Singing time conducted by a music leader. This portion lasts about 20 minutes (see the current outline for sharing time).

5. A closing prayer by one of the children, followed by postlude music.

Sharing time normally includes important elements that contribute to the reverence of primary and that assist you as leaders in teaching the children how to feel the Spirit. The music elements can be some of your greatest tools in setting the tone for your meeting.

Piano players should arrive before the children so that prelude music can be playing as the children enter the room. Teachers and leaders can assist in setting the reverent tone by reminding the children to sit quietly listen to the music. (Teachers should be listening to the music as well, leading by instructions and by example.) Piano players should be available to play when needed for the sharing time lesson, and provide postlude music while the children are being excused.

The opening song, sometimes referred to as the reverence song, should be a song that the children know. In some wards, the reverence song may come at the beginning of closing exercises. When the children sing a song they are familiar with, they can think about the words and the meaning. This can help the children focus and be prepared for the prayer and talk. Some wards may choose to have one or two activity songs as part of opening exercises. Singing time is the appropriate time to teach new songs, including the theme song from the Sharing Time outline. Songs can be taught in a variety ways including actions, games, and pictures, and repetition.

When we follow the instructions given by our general leadership, we will invite inspiration to our callings and the Spirit to our Primary meetings.

Sara Hammond Music/Nursery counselor Arlington Stake Primary