I Need Thee Every Hour Object Lessons

This I Need Thee Every Hour Object Lessons activity is the perfect attention-grabber for introducing or reviewing the hymn, I Need Thee Every Hour (archives) in singing time!

In this post, I’ll share 4 different object lessons that each correspond with one verse of this song. Try all 4 or focus on just one as you teach this hymn in primary this month!

*See all I Need Thee Every Hour Singing Time Ideas!*

I Need Thee Every Hour Object Lessons

Object lessons can be super effective, especially when you are teaching children! Our Bishopric comes into primary on the first Sunday of each month to share a simple object lesson about a gospel principle. Let me tell you, the kids LOVE it!

For a neat way to help your primary children better understand the message of this song and connect it to their everyday lives, try using one of these object lessons! I love how simple these object lessons are. You won’t need any fancy materials – you probably already have what you need at home!

I also recommend grabbing a copy of our I Need Thee Every Hour flip chart for this song to help you keep track of each verse as you review!

I’ll explain each object lesson below, but be sure to watch the video included in this post for a glimpse of each object lesson in real time!

Verse 1: “No Tender Voice” – Dynamics

For this object lesson, help your primary children understand the difference between Heavenly Father’s voice and the voices of the world. Start by playing a loud, upbeat song. Then, play a piano instrumental of a primary song. How did you feel during each of these songs? Compare the difference between a quiet, gentle voice and a loud one.

Materials Needed:

• Speaker for recorded music
• Optional: Instruments (Drums, Shakers, Bells)

Verse 2: “Temptations Lose Their Pow’r” – Magnets

For this object lesson, use magnets to show how we can draw nearer to the Savior and avoid temptations. First, hold a magnet to a metal object, like a metal water bottle. Imagine the magnet is Satan’s temptations. What happens? The magnet sticks! But, when we move the water bottle further away (maybe toward a picture of Jesus Christ), the magnet is no longer able to pull the metal.

See this video example by Elder Ulisses Soares:

You can also find this video on the church website here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/video-elder-soares-describes-what-a-magnet-teaches-about-resisting-temptation

Materials Needed:

• Magnet
• Magnetic object of some kind – metal water bottle, paper clip, scissors, coins
• Picture of Christ

Verse 3: “Come Quickly and Abide” – Time

For this object lesson, bring out different ways to measure time (ex. Stopwatch, watch, clock, sand timer, etc). How quickly do you think we can sing the song? Set a timer for 1 minute and see if you can sing the verse before the timer runs out.

Materials Needed: (Any of these options will work)

• Sand timer (Check your board game closet!)
• Kitchen timer
• Stopwatch
• Wristwatch

Verse 4: “Most Holy One” – Precious Things

What things are special to you? Do you have a special stuffed animal or blanket? Maybe a piece of jewelry? Bring in a few items that might have sentimental meaning to a child, like a blanket or stuffed animal. Explain that Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s precious Son. He gave His Son to comfort, love, and protect us.

Materials Needed: (Any of these options will work)

• Stuffed animal
• Blanket
• Special toy

Extension Activities:

• If you are teaching this song over the course of a month, choose one verse/object lesson to focus on each week. Combine these object lessons with another fun review idea to practice the lyrics of each verse!
• Divide the class into 4 groups. Place objects in gift bags to correspond with each verse. For example, one gift bag could contain a microphone and a pacifier for V1, another could contain some magnets for V2, etc. Have each group try to figure out how their object(s) relate to their verse. Be sure to include a piece of paper with the assigned verse and lyrics to provide some clues!
• Pass around a bag with one of the objects inside. See if the kids can guess what might be inside. When the music stops, have the child open the bag and share how the item relates to the specific verse you are singing.

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Every Star is Different Astronomy Lesson singing time activity!

I Need Thee Every Hour Object Lessons Demo Video!

This video should clear up any questions that you might have about these object lessons! In this video, I’ll walk you through each object lesson and share some helpful tips for using this activity in your primary room! Just click the link below or find the video at our Primary Singing YouTube channel.

–> I Need Thee Every Hour Object Lessons Demo Video <–

I Need Thee Every Hour Object Lessons Printable Song Helps

This free in-post printable includes a single-page outline with descriptions for all 4 object lessons.

This activity has extended printables available including activity signs for each of the object lessons and additional cards to help with the extension ideas. You’ll find these bonus files included when I Need Thee Every Hour is the featured song of the month. Find the full I Need Thee Every Hour teaching packet in my shop here.

Head over to this I Need Thee Every Hour Number Problems activity for a fun way to use logical thinking in your lesson plan!

What other fun ways will you use this object lessons singing time activity in your Primary room?