Sometimes the bickering between children can become overwhelming. Here is a short lesson that can help you teach them, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Time for a little FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #308 Love One Another.
Opening Prayer: By invitation.
Emergency Preparedness Moment. What emergency preparedness activity would you like to do this week for your family? Make this a matter of prayer and you may be surprised at the promptings you can receive.
Devotional. A “favorite verse” moment can be a great way to jumpstart the actual FHE lesson. It helps settle the children for the more spiritual FHE learning time.
Lesson. Feel free to use the scriptures, quotes, and activities below in any order you prefer. We at Meridian Magazine offer you this lesson, but do go to the Lord in prayer to learn what your family needs. You are entitled to inspiration for your sweet family (and it may be something quite different than this lesson).
Scripture. “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ….Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another….And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:7, 25, 32).
Quote. “The Lord’s prophets have always called for unity….The Saints can accomplish any purpose of the Lord when fully united in righteousness” (Henry B. Eyring, “Our Hearts Knit as One,” Liahona, Nov 2008, 68–71).
Activity. Items needed:
• A single dry spaghetti noodle
• An entire package of dry spaghetti noodles
Ask for a volunteer to come forward. Hand her one spaghetti noodle and ask her to break it. When she does, then hand her the entire group of spaghetti noodles. Ask her to break all of them at the same time.
Once she is finished trying, see if anyone else would like to try. Invite the rest of the family to notice the amount of effort needed to break the entire group of noodles in half. Why is it so much harder?
What do the scripture and the quote (you may want to use different ones) teach about the importance of unity? Why would the Lord admonish us to stick together as a family and to be united?
What kinds of things destroy a family unit? What kinds of things strengthen a family? Why? Why does love expressed and laughter shared help heal hearts?
To summarize the lesson, invite the family to pay attention to the words of the closing hymn as they sing. Invite them to notice while singing any impressions the Spirit may give. Those impressions or feelings might include a personal quiet goal, or each person may want to share a goal out loud for him- or herself (it is not advisable to encourage picking goals for another person). Notice the feelings of love and peace that come when we sing of the Savior’s love.
Closing Song. #176 Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love
Closing Prayer. By invitation.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Here is the complete text to President Eyring’s talk, “Our Heart Knit as One.
Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas’ book is an essential help for parents and youth leaders. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers teaches you how to create long-lasting change. Visit your local LDS bookstore or get your copy online here.
