Love Thy Neighbor

by Lara Goold

Materials needed: scriptures, tape, enough treats for your family and to share with another person or family

Preparation: Be familiar with the stories in the lesson and read the last page of this lesson, entitled, ―14 Ways to Love
Your Neighbor‖ in preparation for discussing specific ways you can show love to your neighbors.

Purpose: Teach family members who our neighbors are and how we can show love to them.

Scripture: “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Songs: “Love One Another”, Children’s Songbook page 136

“Jesus Said Love Everyone”, Children’s Songbook, page 61
“I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus‖, Children’s Songbook, page 78

Opening song and prayer:

Opening Activity:
―What Are Neighbors For?” story with flannel board figures: Read this fun story using the visuals
included. Use tape to attach the animals to the various rooms in the house as your proceed with the story.

Laugh and Discuss: Of course we’re never really going to be serving lions pizzas in our living room or
have hippos in our hot tub (must be nice having a hot tub and a sauna °Ü°), but we will have many
opportunities in our life to be a good neighbor. Lead into the more serious story of the Good
Samaritan.

Lesson:
Good Samaritan: Using the flannel board figures and summary provided, read or retell the parable of
the Good Samaritan.

Discuss: Apply the principles in these stories to your own lives. Who are your neighbors? Be specific
with them (ex. The elderly lady from our ward, or the lonely boy at school, or even a grandparent who
lives far away). Make sure they understand that someone doesn’t have to live in our neighborhood to be a
neighbor in the Lord’s eyes. Think of small ways that you can show love to your neighbors (the list
provided at the end of the lesson may be helpful in this discussion).

Plan: Put this lesson into action and plan a family service project and carry it out (the sooner the better,
while it’s still fresh in their minds).

Activity:
My Circle of Love: Spin and Serve Game: Take turns spinning the ―Circle of Love‖ wheel. Have
them name a specific way they could show love to that person. This activity will really emphasize to
younger children that it is not necessary for someone to live in our neighborhood for them to be a
neighbor.

Deliver Treats: Share your extra treats with someone who could use a little pick-me-up.

Closing song and prayer:

Refreshments: see recipe below

NO BAKE COOKIES
(make sure to make enough to share)

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. salt
2-1/2 cups oatmeal

Melt butter in pan. Add milk, sugar, and cocoa to melted butter. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Bring to boil and
cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and immediately add peanut butter and salt. Stir to blend. Add oatmeal
and mix well.
Drop by teaspoonful onto waxed paper. Makes 4 dozen.

Or you can do it the Crain way and just dump it into a pile on a plate and let everyone dig in with spoons. Of
course Glen does not approve of this method, so we usually do it the boring way!

No matter how you serve them, they're pretty darn tasty!

Enjoy!
Teresa Bateman, ―What Are Neighbors For?,‖ Friend, Feb 1994, 17
(An activity story.)
Thou shalt love thy neighbor (Lev. 19:18).
I was sitting on the sofa,
When the weatherman turned white:
―Better batten down the hatches, folks,
A storm just came in sight.
There’ll be winds like locomotives
And about three feet of snow.
City schools have all been closed.
Hunker down, enjoy the blow.‖
I shrugged—why should I worry?
I had wood to stoke the fire
And a freezer full of pizza
If the snow kept piling higher.
My house was snug and cozy,
And my power never blew,
But what would happen right next door
At the Merry Valley Zoo?
Snow fell as thick as pudding.
The wind cajoled and cried.
Then I caught a glimpse of something
At my window, just outside.
A knock came at the kitchen door.
I opened it. ―Hello!‖
You’ll never guess what I saw
Standing knee-deep in the snow!
Outside, there stood a man in blue,
Who said, ―I hate to bother you,
But there are problems at the zoo.
Could you please take a guest or two
Until this winter storm is through?‖
I ask you, what was I to do?
Now there’s a hippo in the hot tub,
Splashing water on the floor.
It’s a bit peculiar, granted,
But then what are neighbors for?
I offered it some pizza,
Which it ate, then asked for more.
I was heading for the kitchen
When a knock came at the door.
Outside, there stood the man in blue,
Who said, ―I hate to bother you—
Could you take another guest or two?‖
I ask you, what was I to do?
So I have iguanas in the sauna,
And they seem to like the steam.
I offered them some pizza, too,
Which they ate with peach ice cream.
There’s a hippo in the hot tub,
Splashing water on the floor.
It’s a bit peculiar, granted,
But then what are neighbors for?
I was rushing through the kitchen,
When a knock came at the door.
Outside, there stood the man in blue,
Who said, ―I hate to bother you—
Could you take another guest or two?’
I ask you, what was I to do?
Now I’ve lions in the living room,
With gleaming, sharpened teeth.
They seem to like the pizza—
I admit that’s a relief!
I’ve iguanas in the sauna,
Eating pizzas by the score;
There’s a hippo in the hot tub,
Splashing water on the floor.
It’s a bit peculiar, granted,
But then what are neighbors for?
I was sneaking by the kitchen,
When a knock came at the door.
There was—guess who—the man in blue
Who said, ―I hate to bother you—
Could you take another guest or two?‖
I ask you, what was I to do?
So there are baboons in the bedroom,
Trying clothes on with delight,
While lions in the living room
Roar off and on all night.
I’ve iguanas in the sauna,
Eating pizzas by the score;
There’s a hippo in the hot tub,
Splashing water on the floor.
It’s a bit peculiar, granted,
But then what are neighbors for?
I could not avoid the kitchen,
And a knock came at the door.
Oh no! There stood the man in blue,
Who said, ―I hate to bother you—
Could you take another guest or two?
I ask you, what was I to do?
Now there’s a python in the parlor
And a terrapin in the tub.
Things are getting awfully crowded,
And I’m running out of grub.
The baboons in the bedroom
Are dressed in my pajamas,
And guess who’s at the door now
With six or seven llamas!
The lions and iguanas
Eat pizza, hiss, and roar,
And the hippo in the hot tub’s
Splashing water on the floor.
It’s a bit peculiar, granted,
But then what are neighbors for?
“What Are Neighbors For?”—print this page onto heavy cardstock and laminate if desired.
“What Are Neighbors For?”—print this page onto heavy cardstock, cut, laminate if desired, and cut again
―The Good Samaritan,” Friend, May 1999, 39
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34).

One day a lawyer asked Jesus Christ, ―What shall I do to inherit eternal life?‖ The Savior asked what the lawyer
thought that the law said he needed to do, and the lawyer replied, ―Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.‖

―Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live,‖ Jesus said.

―Who is my neighbour?‖ the man asked.

Jesus answered by telling him a parable.

A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when thieves attacked him. They took his clothes, beat
him, and left him near death.

When a Jewish priest came down the road and saw the wounded man, he crossed to the other side of the road to
avoid him and continued his journey.

Next a Levite, also a citizen of Judah, approached. He looked at the wounded man, then he, too, crossed the
road and went on his way without helping the man.

Finally a man from Samaria came along the road. The Jews and the Samaritans were bitter enemies, but the
Samaritan saw that the injured man needed help. He bandaged the man’s wounds, put him on his pack animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for the injured man there. When the Samaritan left the next day, he paid the
innkeeper to look after the man until he got better. He promised that if caring for the man cost more, he would
pay the innkeeper the next time he was there.

―Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?‖ Jesus asked the
lawyer.

When the lawyer said, ―He that shewed mercy on him.‖ Jesus said, ―Go, and do thou likewise.‖ (See.)

We should each follow Jesus Christ’s example by loving and caring for one another. As we do, we will know
that Jesus’ teachings are true and our faith in Him will grow.
“The Good Samaritan,‖—print these flannel board figures onto heavy cardstock, cut, laminate if
desired, and cut again. Mount with popsicle sticks, Velcro, or magnets.
“The Good Samaritan,‖—print these flannel board figures onto heavy cardstock, cut, laminate if
desired, and cut again. Mount with popsicle sticks, Velcro, or magnets.
“Circle of Love spin and serve game” –print onto heavy cardstock, cut, laminate if desired, cut again. Use metal brad
through the middle to attach the arrow to the front.
“Circle of Love spin and serve game” –print onto heavy cardstock, cut, laminate if desired, cut again. Use metal brad
through the middle to attach the arrow to the front.
 14 Ways to Love Your Neighbor adapted from an online article by Joanne Brokaw
Here are practical ways you can love your neighbors:

1. Write a note—to a grandparent, or a friend, or a soldier, or someone who is sick or lonely.

2. Send flowers-- to an elderly person on their birthday or special holiday

3. Give blood—of course children can’t give blood, but parents can donate and then use it as a chance to
discuss with their children the great good donating blood is for the community.

4. Smile and greet-- strangers and acquaintances as you are meet them around town.

5. Remember people’s names—keep a little notebook to keep track of names and memorable tidbits (kids’ or
pets’ names, birthdays, etc) so you can be more personal in your greetings.

6. Adopt a soldier--Even if don't know anyone serving in the military you can send a letter that will be
distributed to soldiers longing for a word from home. Anysoldier.com lists military members serving overseas
who are willing to accept mail and distribute it to troops who don't have family.

7. Be polite-- Saying "Please" and "Thank you" is probably the easiest way to show love and respect for
someone else, and yet how often do we forget to utter those simple phrases? For the rest of the day, make it a
point to be gracious and thankful to everyone you meet.

8. Volunteer –seek for opportunities to help others in need. You can volunteer at schools, at church, or in your
community. Search online for ideas of ways you can get the kids involved in your volunteering efforts.

9. Be patient-- This is an easy way to show love and kindness: the next time you're out shopping, let the person
behind you in line go first. They won't expect your willingness to wait a few minutes, and you'll both feel a little
better for the random act of kindness.

10. Get a haircut-- Locks of Love takes donations of human hair and turns them into wigs for kids and teens
suffering hair loss from a medical condition. If your hair is at least 10" long, you can donate it. In fact, consider
growing your hair just for that purpose.

11. Bake a double batch-- Next time you're whipping up a batch of cookies - even if you're using a pre-
packaged mix - double the batch and bring the extras to a neighbor. You don't have to have a reason to share!

13. Don't gossip-- If there's one sure fire way to destroy a relationship, it's gossip. And usually not outright
gossip, but the seemingly innocent ways information is shared under the guise of prayer requests or friendly
news. Before you share a piece of information about someone else, T.H.I.N.K. about whether what you're about
to share is: True? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind? If not, be a good neighbor and keep it to yourself.

14. Mow your neighbor's lawn. Summer is in full swing and chances are there's someone in your
neighborhood who would be delighted to have their lawn mowed for them. Maybe it's someone who isn't
physically able to do it themselves or a family whose mom or dad is serving in the military. (Really, who
wouldn't love to have someone else mow their lawn?) When you fire up your own mower, take some time to
take care of the chore for a neighbor.