I know I’m WAY late to the game for teaching Gethsemane in singing time. Just a personal preference but I like teaching songs that have been published by the church. And Gethsemane was finally published in The Friend in March 2018! Yay! This is the perfect song to sing on Easter Sunday in sacrament meeting.
Also, if you need just the instrumental accompaniment, check out this YouTube video HERE.
Gethsemane (a Video to Teach Primary)
Show this 10-minute YouTube video to introduce Gethsemane. The beginning contains the church video “The Atonement” told by children. The second part is a music video of the song, and the third part is the music video with a melody map and lyrics at the bottom.
As you watch the last part, children can optionally pitch lead with their hands, following along with the melody map.
There’s also a sing-along video on the church’s website HERE. I can’t find it on the Gospel apps, however so it may not be as easy to share.
Check out my tip HERE for projecting videos in singing time!
Hopefully the kids have sung along a little bit at this point. Make sure to have the words posted for the rest of the lesson like I do HERE.
Visualize Gethsemane
I LOVE the idea suggested HERE that helps to bring meaning to what happened in Gethsemane through visualization. I’ve outlined a few suggestions:
Heavy and Slow
Willingly
- First Scenario: Ask for a volunteer. Hold their wrists and have them pull against you as you try to gently walk them toward the piano.
- Second Scenario: Ask for another volunteer. Politely ask them to walk toward the piano.
Ask which volunteer went willingly, or who chose to go to the piano [the second scenario]. Relate that to Jesus’s choice to come atone for our sins.
Sing “Gethsemane, Jesus loves me, so he went willingly, to Gethsemane.”
Friends Were Asleep
Imagine we are the disciples walking to the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. Make a single file line up in front of the primary room behind me.
Walk (still heavy and slow) from the front of the room to the “Garden of Gethsemane” in the back of the room as you sing. Have everyone fall asleep. Ask, “Why do you think they were tired?” and take answers [it was night, they walked a long way, etc]. Then sing it again as you walk “back down the hill” to take seats.
Sing this portion of the song that talks about the disciples sleeping while Christ was suffering.
Compare and Contrast
Discuss a little music theory! Compare and contrast about major vs. minor keys. This song is sung in a minor key. Try changing part of the song from minor to major on the piano (the music you purchase that’s linked above changes at the very end to a major chord). Ask how the song makes you feel when you sing the minor part of the song vs. the major.
Actions
You can also use action-word actions on their own or in conjunction with visualizing:
- hardest thing: Grip imaginary backpack straps, bend knees like under great weight
- done: Hands in front in fists in center, raise up in front of face and have hands burst open and move outward in mirrored arcs
- greatest pain: Grab elbow like in pain (hitting funny bone) Explain that Jesus felt ALL pains not just that little one
- known: Index finger touching side of forehead
- biggest battle: Fists clenched in front in fighting stance (discuss not a boxing match but cue to remember)
- won: Victory clasp
- done: Hands in front in fists in center, raise up in front of face and have hands burst open and move outward in mirrored arcs
- Jesus: Sign language sign
- Fight: Fists clenched in front in fighting stance (discuss not a boxing match but cue to remember)
- won: Victory clasp
- Jesus: Sign language sign
- gave His gift to me: Take hands and move outward like Jesus offering a present
- in: One hand like a pot with the other inserted downward into it
- gives His gift: Start with both arms extend fold inward to chest ending with both hands over heart through the end of the song
Flip Chart
Gail shared a flip chart she created HERE. Use it alone or in conjunction with the actions or visualization activities above.
I’ve also added Gail’s images to my Resource Library in case you aren’t a member on FB. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Bear Testimony
Bear testimony that you are grateful for the Savior’s atonement, making it possible for each one of us to return to Heavenly Father. All we have to do is repent every time we do something wrong to utilize this wonderful gift!
More Easter Singing Time Ideas
Make sure to scroll through all my Easter singing time lesson plans HERE.
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Gethsemane.
3 thoughts on “Gethsemane”
Did you know where I can find the Gethsemane Music (Only) Video?
I found out that all the Sing-Along Videos are with singers. Because we sing in the difference language. I have the sheet music from Friends and I don’t have a pianist.
Thank you!
Hi Cindy!
I did a quick google search and found this video that includes only the piano accompaniment on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRLudHgUhqY
I hope that helps!
~Camille
Thank you so so much! It helps a lot.