Thursday, February 27, 2014

Repentance Road Map

UPDATE (3/5/2017)
You can now view and download the file for the Repentance Road Map. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the link!

When I was preparing to teach the Young Women about repentance, I read this quote from Elder Neil L. Andersen that gave me a great idea for an activity:

For most, repentance is more a journey than a one-time event. It is not easy. To change is difficult. It requires running into the wind, swimming upstream. Jesus said, "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Repentance is turning away from some things, such as dishonesty, pride, anger, and impure thoughts, and turning toward other things, such as kindness, unselfishness, patience, and spirituality. It is "re-turning" toward God.
- Neil L. Andersen

I used this idea of "re-turning" toward God to create a "Repentance Road Map". I used True to the Faith (found here) as a reference for the steps of repentance and a little creativity to relate each step to a road sign on our map.


At the top of the map I wrote the following, represented by a "Wrong Way" sign:
On the highway of life we occasionally sin and go off course, but with repentance, we can find our way back.

Next, I put a quote from Elder Andersen with a "U-turn" sign:
"When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back toward God."

 Under the heading, "Directions Back to the Straight and Narrow Path", I listed the steps of repentance and explained to the girls a little about how they related to each road sign.

1. "Stop" sign- Faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Before you start on your road to repentance, you must first stop and confirm your testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It is through them that repentance is possible.
2. "Rough Road" sign- Sorrow for Sin. Feeling bad about what you have done is not easy.
3. "Merge Right" sign- Confession. To start on the "right" path you need to begin by admitting the wrong you have done.
4. "No U-Turn" sign- Abandonment of Sin. It is important that you continue moving forward on your road to repentance and not "u-turn" back to old sins.
5. "Construction Ahead" sign- Restitution. It takes some work to make things right again.
6. "Merge" sign- Righteous Living. Once you have "re-turned" toward God, you can "merge" back to the straight and narrow path.


I put large road signs on the board during the lesson and the girls followed along on their own maps.

I think the girls enjoyed my approach to this lesson and I think it helped to keep them interested and focused.

Have you taught about the steps of repentance before? How did you approach the subject?

UPDATE (3/5/2017)
You can now view and download the file for the Repentance Road Map here. Enjoy!

88 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks! I hope you can use some of these ideas in the future!

      Delete
  2. Fabulous idea! Do you have files that you would be willing to share?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course! Please send an email to addapinchofsparkle{at}gmail{dot}com and I can send you the pdf!

      Delete
  3. I would love your files too if possible!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem! Please send an email to addapinchofsparkle{at}gmail{dot}com and I can send you the pdf!

      Delete
  4. Hi Stefany. I have emailed you a couple of times. Wondering if they are going into your spam? Thanks for offering to send me the pdf. You can send to daneise@gmail.com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Daneise!
      So sorry I didn't get back to you sooner! I just emailed you the pdf. Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to have your files, if you are willing to share. These are awesome! Triciagray1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I emailed the pdf to the address listed above. Please let me know if you did not receive it or if I can help in any other way!

      Delete
  7. I would love to have your files, if you are willing to share. These are awesome! Triciagray1@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. i would also love the pdf of this lesson. i think my girls would love it!! my email address is stevenshannonstrong@msn.com
    Thanks so much for being willing to share!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  9. This is fabulous. I would love the PDF. Thank you! brandeeleesmith@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, I'm so glad you like it! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  10. Thank you for posting. Can you send me the PDFs file to Legacyhealth2@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  11. Could I please please get this PDF. My email is ben.s.wehrli.cvfa@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is there any way to get this today? I know its last minute but would love to use this Sunday. Thanks

      Delete
    2. Sorry it took me so long! I have to wait for the kids to go down for a nap before I can get on the computer! :) I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  12. Thanks for sharing. Could I please get the pdf too? My email is lyndamcarter@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. If I could get the pdf also, that would be great!
    Linz2424@aol.com
    TIA!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  14. Love your ideas and kindly request for your pdf files for my Hawaii YW. Mahalo pattiahsing@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I'm so glad you liked this idea! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  15. I would love to use this in my lesson Sunday. Please email it to katiemclaughlin24@gmail.com . Thanks so much, this is so great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  16. I would love a copy of your file for an upcoming lesson. This is wonderful. Thank you in advance❤️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like the idea! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  17. I also would love to recieve a copy of your file for my lesson. You are awesome and it is so wonderful that you willing to share your talents with us---it is very much appreciated!

    Thanks, Ruthie Moore
    candrmoore@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm so glad you like the idea! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  18. I, too, would love a copy of the pdf file.
    mateodukus@gmail.com
    Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  19. Would you have time to send me your pdf file also. mommamort@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  20. I love your idea. Could I also have the pdf file....shqp_mama@yahoo.com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like the idea! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  21. What an inspired idea! I would love a copy of the pdf file. family7history@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like the idea! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  22. I would love a copy of this PDF! So creative. Thanks for sharing your ideas! carlyRhamilton@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you like the idea! I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  23. I would love a copy of the PDF. jlynnkurtz@gmail.com -- Thanks tons!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would also love the PDF of your repentance road map! garys7@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just sent an email to the above address with the PDF. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  25. Oops....forgot email. Allisonallred17@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Would love to use this for my lesson Sunday. Please send the PDF.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! If you send an email to addapinchofsparkle{at}gmail{dot}com I can send you a copy of the PDF. Thanks!

      Delete
  27. Would love to use this for my lesson Sunday. Please send the PDF.

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is such a fun way to talk about the repentance talk! What cute things! I am interested in using this for my lesson too if you don't mind sharing? bigluv3@yahoo.com. Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. So well I know it is a whole year later from the last request that I see but if possible do you still have the pdf files for the lesson on repentance that you could email me? If you do I would really appreciate it. ljwarr@sbcglobal.net Thank you! Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  30. I love this idea! I always get in a rut. I would love the pdf as well! hillstead5@yahoo.com
    Thanks Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cindy! I am so glad you like the idea! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  31. This is a very creative and effective way to teach repentance in a class. I would really appreciate the pdf files. Thank you. mbrown1@cableone.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  32. Love, love, love this presentation of repentance with the road signs! Could I please get a copy of the PDF as well?? Thanks again for sharing your creativity! audabme@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Love, love, love this presentation of repentance with the road signs! Could I please get a copy of the PDF as well?? Thanks again for sharing your creativity! audabme@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I'm so glad you liked the idea! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  34. This is awesome! I would love a copy of your PDF as well! Thanks so much! jengardner15@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I'm so happy you like the idea! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  35. I would love the pdf of the map. Also, do you have a pdf for the How Repentance Heals Us? Thank you. klmcfarland1@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. I also emailed a PDF I have for How Repentance Heals Us. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  36. What a lovely way to present this lesson. I too would love the pdf. Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jessica! I am so glad you like the idea! Please send an email to addapinchofsparkle{at}gmail{dot}com and I can send you the PDF!

      Delete
  37. You are amazing! I would love this as well! Thank you! footballfairy@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you are too kind! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  38. would it be possible for you to send me the printable files of your fantastic lesson? Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  39. Marlenehaney@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Would love the pdf for my YW lesson this week!! ��

      Delete
    2. Hi! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  40. Hello! Can you please send me the PDF for my YW lesson this Sunday!! Thanks so much!! marlenehaney@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  41. Hello :)

    Such an awesome idea! I would love the PDF files to use for my lesson. I have laurels that are all getting their licenses so I'm super excited about this lesson!!! Thanks so much for you creativity! Email is gould.emily.louise@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I am so glad you like the idea! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  42. I would love to get a copy of your map pdf for my primary lesson this Sunday...thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! If you send an email to addapinchofsparkle{at}gmail{dot}com I can send you a copy of the PDF. Thanks!

      Delete
  43. Love love love the layout you did for this lesson! do you have pdf of the big road signs for the girls to follow along to? If so would you be willing to share them? my email is jamesnmegs@msn.com thanks again:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I am so glad you like the idea! The large signs I posted on the board were printed off the Internet and the road I cut out with my Cricut, so unfortunately I don't have a PDF file for those! Good luck with your lesson! Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

      Delete
  44. Hello there! Love this idea, I'm teaching this lesson on Sunday to the young women and would like to use this idea. Please email me a PDF as well. missymarble@hotmail.com
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! I am so glad you like the idea! I just sent you an email with the PDF for the map. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you! Good luck with your lesson!

      Delete
  45. Hello! The theme for our VBS this year is Roadmap to Jesus. Would you be able to share the file? I believe it would be a wonderful resource. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi, Could you please also email me the file? I teach 7-12 year olds Sunday schools and John 14:6 is our verse coming up. Thank you!
    tjmode@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete