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Has the world extinguished your child’s ability to believe in his or her worth? (Has it dampened yours?) Here is a lesson that may help restore their (and your) self-perspective. Time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song: I Am Like a Star (Children’s Songbook, p. 163)

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Time to Celebrate. What happy moments did your loved ones have this past week? You might take a moment to celebrate successes. This way your children will notice they do have strength sufficient to face challenges and to serve others.

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

Favorite Scripture Time. When kids and adults share favorite scriptures, you help encourage joy in scripture reading. You can include a few moments at the beginning of each week’s FHE to share any new “favorite” scriptures found during the previous week. This can help bring the Spirit and to settle the children for the lesson.

Activity. We offer a suggested FHE activity, but do feel free to choose what you feel is most suited to your family’s needs this week. And if you have young children, feel free to adapt. Here are a few ideas you might try with your family…or you may have a different lesson to teach. Regardless of the method, enjoy this weekly time with your loved ones!

Items Needed:

  • Scriptures
  • Black construction paper with tiny pinholes poked in close, random pattern (there should be the same number of pinholes as there are family members or participants)
  • Flashlight

Activity:

Invite the family into a dark room without windows. Ask them to be as quiet as possible. Explain that in a moment you will be turning off the light. Allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then raise the black paper and place the flashlight behind it. Turn on the flashlight and ask the family to count how many pinpricks of light exist. Once they have counted the number of “sparkles” of light, explain that each one represents a family member. Then turn on the light and return to the main room.

Discussion:

Read the scripture John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

You may then want to read the following definition from “The Guide to the Scriptures” at LDS.org: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/intelligence-intelligences?lang=eng

Intelligence, Intelligences (See also Light, Light of Christ; Spirit; Truth): Intelligence has several meanings, three of which are: (1) It is the light of truth which gives life and light to all things in the universe. It has always existed. (2) The word intelligences may also refer to spirit children of God. (3) The scriptures also may speak of intelligence as referring to the spirit element that existed before we were begotten as spirit children.

Then you could ask: How do we keep our light bright? How do we keep it shining? How can our light help shine the way for others?

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 / Ether 6:3

Have a family member read the scripture 1 Thessalonians 5:5 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

As a family, you may want to discuss what the scripture means. Then you could ask, “What if you don’t feel you have any light left to give? What then?”

Additionally you may want to ask, “What drains our light?” (As needed, see the Additional Resources* below.)

After hearing the thoughts, you might share Ether 6:3: “And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness.” You may want to testify that when we feel incapable of creating our own light, the Lord can provide the light as we call on Him.

Discussion Questions: There are two possible levels of discussion: (a) how to get light and have light to sustain you personally, and (b) how to then be the light to the world (see Matthew 5:14-16).

  • What can we do as a family to help each other remember we are children of God with “sparkles of light” that show our divinity?
  • What has been your experience when the Lord helped you find the strength you weren’t able to create on your own? Can you think of an experience at work, at school, or around the home?
  • What can we do to increase our ability to sense the light within each of us?
  • Who have you seen that has been a light of Christ for you?

Closing:

You may want to close by sharing your testimony or your love with your family, reminding them that through Christ all things are possible…even changing bad habits or learning new ways. Through Christ, it is never too late to alter our lives! Through Christ we gain light that sustains us. We become a light to the world that shines direction towards Christ and towards heaven.

Invite your family to listen closely to the words for any new additional insights after having tonight’s activities and lesson.

Closing Song: Every Star is Different (Children’s Songbook, p. 142)

https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/every-star-is-different?lang=eng

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: These “Sparkling Sour Cream Sugar Cookies” could be a fun way to end a lesson about being “sparkling” lights. You’ll have to let me know what you think! https://www.recipe.com/sparkling-sour-cream-sugar-cookies/

* ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR POSSIBLE DISCUSSION AND APPLICATION

2 Nephi 31:3
Moroni 7:19
2 Kings 8:19
Matthew 5:
John 12:36
Ephesians 5:8
Doctrine and Covenants 106:5

Robert D. Hales, “Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light”, April 2002 General Conference

May you have a terrific week creating powerful family times together!

 

C.S. Bezas obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in training programs and human resource development. She earned her Master’s in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership with a focus on using transformative learning in dealing with life’s challenges. She is the author of Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers and the creator of soothing-music found at CSBezasMusic.com . She and her husband have four children.