I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus is another CLASSIC Primary song by Sister Janice Kapp Perry! Teach it in singing time using these I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Primary singing time ideas!
I recommend the singing time activity suggested by the Church utilizing keyword visuals! You know you can’t go wrong when you follow their lead!
Teach the Primary song, I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus using these various singing time methods (click on the link to jump to that section):
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus Lyrics and Sheet Music
Find the sheet music to I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus on the Church’s website. I love simplicity of the lyrics of this classic Primary song:
1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
[Chorus]
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
2. I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus History
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham.
Janice Perry was asked by local Church leaders to write a song on kindness for a regional Primary conference. She said, “As I pondered and prayed about that subject I felt sure the best way to approach it was to plant the idea in the children’s hearts of trying to become like the kindest man who ever lived, our Savior Jesus Christ.” The result was a song that Michael F. Moody, chairman of the Church Music Committee at the time, said contained “the essence of the gospel.” The song was first published in the Ensign.
Sister Perry was born in Ogden, Utah, and raised in Vale, Oregon. She received her musical training at Brigham Young University and has composed songs, musicals, and five sacred cantatas, two of which have been performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Many of her songs have been published in the Church magazines.
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus Flip Chart
Find I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus lyrics in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
1. Keyword Visuals
The idea and visuals for this activity was originally published in the 2012 Outline for Sharing Time (when those used to be the curriculum used for singing time).
There were, however, no visuals created for the 2nd verse so I created some to match! Check it all out HERE for the first verse and HERE for the second.
2. Finger Lights
Add an additional element of fun by turning off the lights and using finger lights for the pointing! Find more details about using finger lights in singing time. Or purchase them using the link in my shop.
3. A Children's Songbook Companion
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook. And it’s now available to download in its entirety exclusively on Camille’s Primary Ideas for free!
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
4. Handbells
This handbell chart utilizes simple chording. The first 2 pages are for the introduction. Then the page numbers start over when the handbells play during the verse/chorus. It’s intentional and not a typo ;).
This is because the introduction doesn’t repeat when you sing the 2nd verse. To simplify, you can easily omit the introduction pages altogether.
If you are a beginner, learn how to use handbells in singing time.
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Merry Bells
Merry Bells also has several bell charts for playing I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus:
- Purchase Merry Bells Primary Songs DVD
- Purchase Merry Bells Single Notes digital file
- Purchase Merry Bells Multi Notes digital file
- Purchase Merry Bells charts to print
Make sure to use coupon code CPI for 10% off your order!
5. The Friend
If your Primary is younger, the June 2023 Friend magazine suggests to:
Give them a picture of Jesus to hold. Tell them lift it up high each time they hear “Jesus” in the song. Then help them say, “Jesus loves me.”
6. Simplified ASL
If you want a specialist on ASL, however, you need Holly! I love her demonstration videos with the “why” behind the sign.
Her signs follow closely along with the church’s ASL for this song:
Then make sure to check out teaching sign language in singing time for more helpful tips!
8. More Singing Time Ideas
Primary Singing also has singing time ideas for teaching I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.
LDS Primary Printables has a few more ideas as well.
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus Singing Time Ideas
How will you teach I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions!
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.
9 thoughts on “Primary Singing Time Ideas for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus”
I can only get the keyword visuals for I’m Trying to be Like Jesus on one page. Is there a way to get them on one page for each symbol?
Hi June!
Hi June!
You can find all the printables for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus in my Resource Library. Everything should be there that you need including the visuals on individual pages. I’ve emailed you the direct link. I hope that helps!
~Camille
The printables have been a hit! I mix up the pictures and the jr primary finds the correct one to put back in order on the chalkboard. To make it more challenging for senior primary hide the pieces under the chair or around the room. They also like to take words out that they aren’t allowed to sing if it’s no longer on the board.
Great ideas, thank you for sharing your variations!
~Camille
I’m finding that often you suggest extra pictures example : I’m trying to be like Jesus, and the wording you use is find these pictures in the CSC then list page #’s. What is the CSC?
Hi Ellen!
Do you have a blog link post of mine you can share with me where it references CSC? I’m not sure I know what you are talking about. I’ve looked at the posts for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus and don’t see anything referring to CSC. The only thing I can think of is the Children’s Songbook Companion but I don’t think I ever refer to it as CSC and I don’t use it with this song in any of my posts. Could you be referring to GAB which is the Gospel Art Book? Here’s an example where I refer to it:
https://camillesprimaryideas.com/2022/11/i-want-to-live-the-gospel.html
Hopefully if you can clarify your question a little more, I can help better answer it.
~Camille
Okay, I think I understand. You are referring to the page from The Children’s Songbook Companion for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus. This book contains lesson plans for every song in the songbook. I have more details about it here if you are interested:
https://camillesprimaryideas.com/a-childrens-songbook-companion
CSC stands for Children’s Songbook Companion so it’s telling you to use the images found on pages 63, 104 and 133 in the Children’s Songbook Companion book that pertain to showing kindness. The entire book can be downloaded using the link above so you can scroll through the various pages you need. I’ve also added them to to you. There are also corresponding images in the Children’s Songbook Companion Artbook that you can also get from the link above. I hope that helps!
~Camille
I consider myself to be quite IT savvy but I can’t see any link either
Hi Helen!
I’m not quite sure I which link you are referring to in the post. If you don’t mind clarifying, I can better help you get it.
But all my printables are filed in my Resource Library. In order to access that, you must click on the green button at the bottom of the post that says “ACCESS RESOURCE LIBRARY” and enter your email address, you will be redirected to that.
If you watch the Tutorial Video that is right above that button, that may help you as well.
~Camille