With the beginning of the new year, it’s a great time to re-evaluate why we hold Family Home Evening and how to approach it so everyone can enjoy it! Time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song: I Am a Child of God #301

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Time to Celebrate. What happy moments were there this past week in your loved ones’ lives? You might want to take a moment to celebrate their successes. This way your children will notice they do have strength sufficient to serve and to face challenges.

Emergency Prep Minute. Just a little bit of weekly preparation can empower your children as they grow. What emergency tip do you want to share with your family this week?

Favorite Scripture Time. When you let kids and adults share favorite scriptures, you help encourage joy in scripture reading. You can include these few moments at the beginning of each week’s FHE to help bring the spirit and to settle the children.

Activity. Here is a suggested FHE activity…but do feel free to select what you feel is most suited to your family’s needs this week.

Items Needed:

  • Plant
  • Water in a watering can or jar
  • Scriptures for each family member

You could approach this introductory lesson on “why Family Home Evenings” in any manner you feel is appropriate for you family, varying it according to the ages of the participants. Here are a few building blocks you might use…

Hold up the plant you’ve brought out for display. Ask for the science of plant growth. What helps a plant to thrive? What hurts a plant’s ability to grow? How does the watering can or jar help deliver the water?

You might want to share this quote from President Monson regarding Family Home Evenings and their impact:

“We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest.” (President Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 2005)

Some possible questions to explore with your family after reading the quote might be:

  • How is the structure of a watering can similar to the structure of weekly Family Home Evenings?
  • How are family members like the plant? On the other hand, how are family members like the water? How does the Spirit work through the entire process to heal hearts and strengthen individuals’ courage?
  • What might destroy this process?

Invite family members to search for scriptures that contribute to this theme and could be posted during the week to remind each person of the value of FHE and his or her participation in it. How are they the water? How are they the plant?

Is there any final testimony or story you could share with your family regarding the Lord’s love for your family or any other facet you sense they need to feel?

 Closing Song: #263 Go Forth With Faith

Closing Prayer.  By invitation.

Refreshments. Sharing refreshments together can be a gentle bonding experience as people chat-n-chow. What is your family’s most favorite treat? You might surprise them with it tonight.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Here is the link to the 3:10 video clip of President Monson’s address, “A Heaven-Inspired Program.”  You perhaps might want to watch it with your family.

Have a super “family week!”

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