Christmas time is coming. Here is a simple lesson to help your children think of others’ needs during this holiday season, both in practical ways and through missionary service. Time for some FHE Fun!
Opening Hymn: #208 The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone
Opening Prayer: By invitation.
Emergency Preparedness Moment: With cold weather, health, and economic crises surrounding families, what brief emergency skill would you like to share with your family today? You never know: it could save your life!
Happy Moments Time: This can be quick, but fun. Who has a happy moment from the week to share? A triumph? A success, no matter how small? Take just a few seconds to celebrate, and the memories you create will be long-lasting! Everyone likes to hear “job well-done.”
What’s Your Favorite Scripture? What scripture hit home the most during private scripture study from this past week? Even the smallest of tykes—if consistently looking at even little Bible stories—can have uplifting words to share. It need not take more than a few minutes, but sometimes these discussions can have the greatest impact during Family Home Evening.
Activity: Ask your family to close their eyes and picture the following stories. What do you see yourself doing in them?
* You see a younger child who is thirsty but can’t reach the drinking fountain.
* You know someone who doesn’t have enough to eat.
* You see someone who doesn’t have a warm coat and it is very cold.
* You know someone who has been home for a long time with an illness or disability
* You know a child who hasn’t been to church for several weeks.
Read the following quote from President Thomas S. Monson. Ask your children to listen if he mentions them:
“First, to young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and to you young men who are becoming elders: I repeat what prophets have long taught—that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain your health and strength. Study the scriptures. Where such is available, participate in seminary or institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook Preach My Gospel.
“A word to you young sisters: while you do not have the same priesthood responsibility as do the young men to serve as full-time missionaries, you also make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome your service.
“And now to you mature brothers and sisters: we need many, many more senior couples. To the faithful couples now serving or who have served in the past, we thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. You serve willingly and well and accomplish great good.” (Thomas S. Monson, “As We Meet Together Again,” Ensign, Nov 2010, 4–6.)
Sharing the gospel saves lives eternally. Yet worry can reduce an investigator’s ability to feel the Spirit in a missionary discussion. So here is a thinking question: Why do people sometimes need to be physically warm, have food in their tummies, and feel safe before they are ready to be spiritually “warm” and to receive spiritual “food”? How does serving those around us now help the missionaries in the field today? Who can our family help in our community that might be starving, cold, or lonely…so that when the missionaries knock on their doors, the family is free to think on more eternal things? How can we as a family today help the missionaries in our area in practical ways with their investigators?
President Kimball once said: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs” (Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, Dec 1974, 2).
Close by sharing your love for your children and any spontaneous testimony you feel impressed to express.
Closing Hymn: #110 (Children’s Songbook) Follow the Prophet
Closing Prayer: By invitation.
Refreshments: While refreshments aren’t necessary at the end of each Family Home Evening, they do provide a time for the family to “let their hair down” and to enjoy each other’s company. What refreshment could you make that you could also take to someone this evening to let them know they are loved?
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.
