I'm posting this a little early this week as you may want to do it over Easter Weekend, if not it would make a great FHE review for Easter. It came from Alisha over at Homemaking Honeys.
"I love this and it has become a tradition each Easter in our home. I feel it is a great way to teach little children the true meaning of Easter. Plus in the end they have a yummy cookie on Easter morning!
Easter Story Cookies
To be made the evening before Easter
1cup whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
1.) We're going to play this little file folder game. It keeps the focus on things that kids can relate to - "Jesus is our big brother, He died for our sins, He was buried in a tomb, Jesus rose on the third day" The kids can match the pictures with the file folder and you can talk about each one briefly. It requires a little cutting and coloring, but it's something you can use again!
2.) Movable Easter Story - This is from The Friend and has Jesus next to the tomb. You use brads to fasten his arm and the stone of the tomb and then the kids can "act out" Jesus being laid in the tomb and then rising again. I like the little finger play idea also. Refreshments
I've seen that recipe for those little hollow tombs, but they don't look very tasty OR very easy, so I thought we'd do cream puffs, since I have some whipped cream in the fridge. Remember these from gourmet foods in High School? They bake hollow and you can fill them with cream or pudding! You could try to draw that whole analogy or just eat them and enjoy.
Cream Puffs
1 c. water
¼ tsp salt
1 c. flour, sifted
½ c. shortening
4 eggs
Bring water and shortening to a boil; add flour and salt. Cook until mixture forms a ball and leaves sides of pan. Remove from heat and add eggs, one at a time. Beat w/ mixer after each addition until mixture is smooth. Continue to beat until dough is shiny and breaks into strands. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 “ apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes and then at 375 for 25 minutes. Cool completely to serve. Cut off tops an fill.
This is based on an idea I heard here, and I thought it was really cute, and could easily be adapted for children of different ages. Opening Hymn: He Sent His Son (Children's Songbook, p.34) Opening Prayer: Lesson By:
Preparation:
12 Plastic Eggs, numbered 1 through 12
Put the following items in the respective eggs:
a leaf–real or plastic (if it vaguely resembles a palm branch, all the better)
a piece of cloth with a little perfume on it
a piece of a tortilla, pita, or bread or white clay shaped to look like flat bread
a picture of Jesus with children or of a temple or a picture of your family
three dimes
a piece of purple cloth or paper
a cross made out of wood, toothpicks, popsicle sticks, paper, or brown clay
a nail
a piece of paper that says THE KING OF THE JEWS
a little bundle (wrapped in fabric, a baggie, plastic wrap, etc.) of spices–cloves would be nice
a stone–rounded would be best
leave empty
Lesson: You can have your children take turns opening the eggs (be sure to go in order by the numbers). Here are the explanations for the items in each egg; I’ve made them appropriate for a four-year-old; scale up or down as necessary.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people waved branches because that’s what people used to do when a king walked by.
Later, Jesus had a special dinner with his friends. A woman came and poured perfume on his head. This showed that she knew that he was the Christ and she knew that he would die soon.
The next day, Jesus had another special meal with his friends. We call this The Last Supper. This is when the sacrament began, because Jesus said that people who followed Him should have bread and wine or water to help them remember Him.
Jesus went to a garden to pray. Here, he suffered for our sins. Because He did this for us, we can repent and live in heaven again.
Judas was supposed to be one of Jesus' special helpers, but instead he helped other men arrest Jesus. He did this because those men paid him money.
After Jesus was arrested, the soldiers were really mean to Him and made fun of Him. One thing that they did was to put a purple robe on Him. Only kings wore purple robes. They didn't realize that He really was a King, they were just teasing Him because people thought He was a king!
Jesus was crucified.
When the soldiers put Jesus on the cross, they pounded nails into His hands and feet.
Another thing the soldiers did to make fun of Jesus was to put a sign on the cross that said 'THE KING OF THE JEWS'. Again, they thought they were making fun of Him they didn't realize that He really was the King of the Jews!
After Jesus died, His friends put his body in a tomb. Later, some of the women who followed Him came to the tomb to put spices on His body. That was something they did back then when someone died.
The tomb had a rock that could roll over the opening to seal it. While the women were walking to the tomb, they wondered how they would get the stone out of the way.
When they got to the tomb, they were amazed to find that the stone had been rolled out of the way and Jesus' body was gone! Then an angel came and told them, 'He is risen; he is not here' (Mark 16:66). This egg is empty because Jesus' tomb was empty. Jesus' tomb was empty because He was resurrected!
Opening Song: Follow the Prophet Opening Prayer: Lesson:
As this next weekend in General Conference I have decided that this week for FHE we will put together out General Conference Activity books ready for Conference. I like doing this as a family because the children see the books and always really want to start working on them. Of course I then make them put them away until Conference. If you have never used a General Conference Activity book they are fantastic. You can find them here on sugardoodle.net, or here on lds.org (this site also has computer games relating to General Conference) This is a great time to talk about the prophets and apostles with the children and discuss how important it is and how lovely it is to hear the voice of the prophets.
Activity: Follow the leader around the house, or play one of the computer games on lds.org together here. Refreshments: You could make Banana Bread, as suggested in yesterdays post for Elder Eyring. Find a great recipe here.
Opening Song: Help Me Dear Father (CSB Pg 99) Opening Prayer: Lesson:
Object Lesson: Poor some salt on a colored plate, explain to your children that when we leave our Heavenly Father's presence we are pure and clean. Throughout our life sometimes we do things that are not right and can leave specks of dirt on our pure spirit (start to sprinkle pepper on the salt).
If we say we are truly sorry and ask for forgiveness, those speckles can disappear, (as you are talking to your children about forgiveness, take a plastic spoon and rub it back and forth over the carpet, slowly put it on top of the salt and the pepper speckles will start to stick to the spoon from the static).
What are some ways we can ask for forgiveness?
Is it easy to ask for forgiveness we we know we have done something wrong?
What is the way that each of us can return to live with our Heavenly Father? By repentance.
Bear your testimony to your children, give them examples of how repentance has blessed your life.
This lesson will teach the importance of family and the need to forgive and support each other so that there will be no empty chairs in our heavenly home. Taken from here.
“I know of no more beautiful story in all literature than that found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. It is the story of a repentant son and a forgiving father...There is no peace in reflecting on the pain of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness."
For younger children, it may be helpful to summarize the following ideas:
The Savior’s love and compassion eternally surround every soul who walks the earth “Every man, woman, or youth who returns home after a prodigal journey or an inactive period will find the Savior waiting with open arms. His atoning act will satisfy justice and extend mercy to all who will “come unto him.” (See D&C 18:11.)...All who are active have someone close who may he inactive, indifferent, or clothed in transgression’s soiled robes. They need the sweet, abiding love of a compassionate parent or loving brother or sister. Jesus will bless every member of the Church who will go out and bring someone back.”Vaughn J. Featherstone, Ensign, Nov. 1982
The family plays an important role in Heavenly Father’s plan
Before we came to earth we lived with our Heavenly Father. We accepted His plan to come to earth, gain a physical body and choose between right and wrong. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. He has also given us families to love and help us along the way.
Work towards Eternal Life as a family
Eternal life means to become like Heavenly Father and live happily with our families forever. An eternal family doesn’t just happen because of the sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we behave in this life will decide if we will be together as an eternal family. To receive the blessings of the temple sealing we have to keep the commandments and behave in a way that our families will want to live with us forever. Heavenly Father and Jesus love every one and want every family to be sealed in the temple and return to live with them forever.
People are often kinder to strangers than to their family members that they love. Why is this and what can we do differently?
The Savior taught us, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34. The Savior loves us even when we are not doing everything we should. We should follow His example by showing love to our own family members in this same way.
ACTIVITY:Younger children will need help from an older sibling or parent. (Click here for 'No Empty Chairs' Game and artwork.)
Have each family member pick a “to-do” card and place it in the appropriate column (to make it easier we have numbered the cards by row.) Find the correct column and place the cards in the order that they are numbered.
Discuss how each “to-do” will help you be a “Family 4 Eternity.” Also discuss which areas your family needs to improve on.
Read together the theme:“As part of this family and Heavenly Father’s family we will do our part to help every family member so that we will have 'No Empty Chairs in Our Heavenly Home.'” What you need: A copy of the “4 Family X 4 Eternity” game board and game cards (art work is included with this lesson) and scissors. Optional: Poster board or cardboard, and glue.
Preparation:
1. Print out game cards and game board. Optional: Glue game cards and game board to poster board for more durability. ..
2. Cut out the 16 “to-do” game cards and mix up.
Optional:
Frame a 5 X 7 copy of the picture quote “No Empty Chairs” (click here for artwork) for each child, to help them remember their goal of being an eternal family.
Opening Song:Baptism from Children's Song Book, Page 100
Opening Prayer:
Lesson by:
Preparation: Print the letters, B A P T I S M
Use these letters to talk about baptism. For younger children, talk about each letter and let them tape it on the wall. For older children, give them the letter and have them tell all they know about what is written on it, and what it has to do with baptism, for example, "P" - partaking of the sacrament - is what we do to renew our baptismal covenants.
You may want to put them up in a different order, depending on the topic you want to talk about first. You may want to use the "B" first or last though, so you can introduce or conclude with "Baptism". You could do the letters in a random order and have the kids figure out the word from the anagram.
Ask the children if they know anyone who has been baptised. Talk to the children about your baptism how you felt when you were baptised.
Tell the children that Jesus was baptised. Ask them why they think Jesus was baptised and explain how Jesus had to be baptised to set the example for us. Just like when we are baptised we set the example for others.
Bear your testimony of Baptism to the children and the importance of it.
Start by reading Mosiah 18:8. What do you think this means?
When Jesus lived on earth, He healed the sick. He fed the hungry and blessed the children. The Savior was often a friend to those who had no other friends. When He looked at others, He used His spiritual eyes and His heart. In this way He could understand how people felt and what they needed. He helped many, many people. He is the best example of someone who looked with His spiritual eyes, felt and understood with His heart, and then helped.
Our prophet is also a good example of someone who looked with his spiritual eyes, felt and understood with his heart, and then helped. President Gordon B. Hinckley was only twenty years old when his mother died. He had younger brothers and sisters at home, and everyone in the family was very sad. Ramona was sixteen and about to graduate from high school. She had no dress for that special occasion, and she thought nobody noticed. But her older brother Gordon saw her need, understood how she felt, and helped. Using some money he had saved for graduate school, he bought her a new dress. His kindness made her feel loved.
Invite the children to think of people who need Good Samaritans today. Discuss with the children how they can be Good Samaritans. Have the children mark this story in their scriptures, and suggest that they share it with their families.
Explain to the children that You can look at others with your spiritual eyes, feel and understand with your heart, and then, after careful thought, give help. When you look at others, try to imagine how you would feel in their situation. Then prayerfully decide what you can do to help and do it. Small, simple acts of kindness are often the most helpful. There are people who need your help everywhere, every day. Each time you look with your spiritual eyes and feel with your heart, you will become more sensitive to others, and when you are kind to someone and help them, you are showing love to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Activity:
Carefully color the pair of Feeling Glasses, the ear pieces, and the Helping Hands badge, then cut them out.
Attach the ear pieces to the glasses by gluing, taping, or stapling.
You can wear these items to help you remember to look both with your spiritual eyes and with your heart, and to help in some way—or you can hang them on your wall as a reminder.
What does it mean to be loyal? (being faithful and true, and standing up for that which is right).
“We show our loyalty to the Lord by being obedient to parents, being respectful of our brothers and sisters, following Church leaders, and fulfilling our church callings and priesthood responsibilities. Loyalty includes being obedient to the laws of the land and the commandments of God. Loyalty to employer and employee, demonstrated by an honest day’s work and an honest day’s pay, is part of our loyalty to the Lord, for what we do unto each other we do unto Him. It means standing up for that which is right when our associates would persuade us to do wrong.”
16. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
17. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.
Discussion ideas:
How did Ruth show her loyalty to Naomi?
Instead of returning to her own family, Ruth went to Bethlehem with Naomi. She cared and provided for her by gleaning in the fields.
What great blessings came from Ruth’s love and loyalty to Naomi?
Because of Ruth’s love and loyalty to Naomi she was able to meet and marry Boaz. Ruth and Boaz were blessed with a son, Obed and Obed’s son Jesse was the father of David, the greatest king in Israel’s history. Ruth’s love and loyalty to Naomi not only brought gospel blessings to Ruth, but through her lineage the entire Israelite nation was blessed.”
What has the Lord asked us to do for the poor that compares to His instruction to the land owners in Ruth’s time?
To give a generous fast offering.
What can our family do to loyally serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
List and discuss things you can do to loyally serve the Lord and others.
Treats: Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1/3 c. butter, softened
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 c mashed ripe bananas
1/2 t. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/8 t baking soda
1 c chocolate chips (I prefer Milk Chocolate Chips)
In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, banana and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to the wet mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. The dough is very stick so refrigerate for 1 hour. Drop by spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 9 - 11 minutes. or until the edges are lightly browned. DONT OVER BAKE!! I always double the batch because it doesnt make a huge batch and they go so fast!
Opening Song:Love At Home Opening Prayer: Lesson by:
LESSON:
Before your lesson cut out a BIG HEART out of paper.
Show the large red heart to your family and ask…
• What do you think of when you see a heart? (love)
• How can you tell someone loves you?
• How do you think other people feel when you show you love them?
Jesus Christ taught us that it is a commandment to love one another, and that other people will know that we are His disciples if we love one another. There are many ways that we can show our love to others by helping them.
Case Study 1: You and your father are sitting on the corner waiting for the bus to come. You see an older man hurrying to catch the bus. He has a cane to help him walk, but he can’t move very fast. The bus pulls up and the door opens. As you climb up the steps, you can tell he probably won’t reach the bus in time. What could you do to show love for this man?
Case Study 2: On Sunday morning you are walking to church. You see a young mother with her baby in one arm and some books in the other. What could you do to follow the example of the Savior and show love for this woman?
Explain how one of the best places to show love is at home. What are some things we can do to show love to each other at home? ACTIVITY:
Pass out pipe cleaners and have everyone make a pipe cleaner into a heart. This week challenge them to do something nice for a family member without them knowing and leave the heart when they are done.
TREAT: Cheesecake Pops
These look so incredibly yummy, fun and easy to make for even little kids. Head HERE for the full recipe, and how to.
I saw this on LDS Family Fun, and thought it would be a great intro into Valentines Day next week. After all, 'All you need is love':)
Opening Song: Love one Another (click HERE for music and lyrics)
Opening Prayer:
Lesson: (Choose whichever parts suit your family needs the best)
1. Watch Video clip:
2. Read John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
3. Discussion - Use as the Spirit and your family needs guide:
When Jesus gave this new commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34–35), was He speaking only to His twelve disciples? (No.)
What is a disciple? (One who believes in and follows Jesus.)
How can we show Jesus that we are His disciples? (By loving one another and keeping the commandments.)
4. How do we know that God loves us?
(He provided a Savior for us, so we can return to live with Him.) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16.)
5. Is love important? (Yes.) “Love is of the very essence of life...Love is the security for which children weep, the desire of youth, the cement that binds marriage, and the smoothing oil that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, church, and neighbors.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Tambuli, Aug. 1982
6. Can love make the world a better place? (Yes.) “Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people, that can heal relationships shattered by bitterness....If the world is to be improved, the process of love must make a change in the hearts of men. It can do so when we look beyond self to give our love to God and others, and do so with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.” Gordon B. Hinckley, Tambuli, Aug. 1984
7. How can we can show our love for Heavenly Father and Jesus? (By serving and loving others and following our Savior’s example.)
8. What can we do to show greater love for each other? (Discuss ideas.)
STORY: Valentines for Jesus
Mother put the box of colored paper, ribbon, and lace on the kitchen table where the children were busy addressing their valentines for their classmates.
“When you’re done, do you want to make some special valentines?” Mother asked the children.
“I want to make a special valentine for Daddy!" answered Heidi.
“Oh, Daddy will love that, Heidi!”
“Mommy, would it be okay if I make a valentine for my school teacher?” asked Janece.
“I think you should make one for your teacher,” Mother answered.
“I want to make a valentine for my primary teacher!” Thomas added.
“That’s a great idea, Thomas! I’m sure that will make Sister Wells very happy.”
Five-year-old Breanna sat quietly, listening to her brothers and sisters make a list of people they wanted to make valentines for. “Do you have someone special you want to make a valentine for Breanna?” Mother asked.
“Can I make a valentine for anyone I want?” Breanna queried.
“Of course, Sweetie!” Mother assured her youngest daughter.
“Then I want to make a valentine for Jesus!” the little girl exclaimed.
“You’re silly, Breanna. You can’t give Jesus a valentine. Can you Mom?” Thomas taunted.
Mother looked at Thomas and then at Breanna, who’s eyes had filled with tears. “Breanna, tell Thomas, why you want to make a valentine for Jesus.”
“To show Him I love Him!”
“I think love, is the best reason to send a valentine. Don’t you, Thomas?”
Thomas looked down, “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Mommy, can we all make valentines for Jesus?” asked Heidi.
Mother smiled at her eager children, “Of course!”
“We need to make the very best valentines for Jesus!” added Janece.
Mother thought about what they could do to make special valentines for Jesus. “I know what we can do!” she said.
Heidi and Janece you help me trace two paper hearts on this white paper for each of you. Mother then showed Brianna and Thomas how to glue the hearts onto a piece of poster board. They then took a piece of red construction paper and glued it to the poster board. After the glue dried Heidi and Janece carefully cut out the hearts, while Thomas and Brianna cut the red paper into long strips.
As they worked on the special valentines, they sang, “As I have loved you, love one another....”
Mother then taught the children how to weave the red strips in and out of the slits, she had cut, in one of the hearts.
“Mommy, what’s a disciple?” asked Breanna.
“A disciple is someone who believes in and follows Jesus,” Mother answered.
“Are you a disciple, Mommy?” the little girl asked.
“I am! Are you?”
Breanna smiled and nodded.
“So, how do we show Jesus that we are His disciples?
“I know, I know!” shouted Thomas, “By loving one another. Like the song says!”
“That’s right Thomas. The song was written about the new commandment Jesus gave us in the scriptures. Should we write the scripture on your valentines?
“Yes! That’s my favorite song! And I want to also tell him that; I will be His disciple.”
“That a good idea,” Mother agreed.
The children finished their special valentines for Jesus by trimming them with lace and ribbon.
“Mommy, how will we give our valentines to Jesus?” Brianna asked.
“How about if we hang it in your room, where it can remind you to be Jesus’s disciple by loving one another. That way Jesus can see it and He will know that you love Him!”
Make valentines for Jesus. Click HERE for full instructions.
Or, maybe cut out some paper hearts and everyone write down something they are going to do this week to show Jesus that they love Him, and review at next weeks FHE.
My Children can always use a lesson on this topic. I hope it comes of some use to you and your family.
Opening Song: Kindness begins with me Opening Prayer:
Lesson:
Heavenly Father has given us many wonderful blessings. We can see and hear and use our hands to work and to help others. One of the special blessings Heavenly Father has given us is our power to speak. We can use words to tell others what we need, to share a funny story or to say prayers. But words are very powerful. What kind of words we choose to use is a very important decision.
Some words we say can make other people feel happy. Some words we say can make other people feel sad. Some words we say can invite the Holy Ghost to be with us and other words can send him away.
I want to tell you a story from the Friend Magazine (January 2010) about a little boy who found out how powerful words can be:
"Robbie wiped the sweat from his face. The sun beat down on him as he played ball with other fourth-grade boys.
Seth threw the ball to Robbie. A boy on the other team lunged for it, but missed. Robbie dove for the ball and caught it before it hit the ground. The other boy called Robbie a mean name.
“Don’t let him get away with saying that, Robbie,” Seth said. Robbie ignored the mean name and took his position. Some of the boys snickered. Robbie couldn’t get the word out of his mind. When his team won the game, he didn’t feel like celebrating with his teammates.
That evening, Robbie told Dad what happened. “Why did he call me that word?” Robbie asked.
“Not everyone believes what we do,” Dad said. “Some people think using words like that makes them seem cool. Words have a lot of power. They can build people up or tear them down.”
“Seth told me not to let the boy get away with saying what he did,” Robbie said.
“What did you do?” Dad asked.
Robbie looked down. “I ignored him and kept playing,” Robbie said.
Dad hugged Robbie. “You did the right thing. I’m proud of you.”
Robbie was happy to hear Dad say that. “I guess you’re right,” Robbie said, smiling. “Words do have a lot of power.”
- When Robbie got called a name how did it make him feel? - How do we make others feel when we call them names? - What did Robbie do to the boy who called him a name? - Was that a good decision or a bad decision? - What will you do if someone ever calls you a mean name? - How did Robbie's Dad make him feel better using words?
Families are so important. Heavenly Father wants us to always treat our family with love and kindness.
- How will our home feel if we yell at each other and call each other mean names? - How can we use words to show love for each other?
Activity:
Get a beanbag or small stuffed animal. Have the family sit on the floor in a circle. Starting with a parent, have them say one "happy word" about another member in the circle. This can be a descriptive word that describes that person like sweet, kind, happy, fun, loving, affectionate, smart, musical, etc. Then toss the beanbag to that person. Then it is their turn to choose someone to say a "Happy Word" about and toss the bag to. Continue until every member of the family has had a turn as the tosser and receiver. You can continue as many times as you would like.
Ask the children to name blessings which they receive from our Father in Heaven. Every time they say a blessing they get to take a spoon full of water and put it in the cup. Quickly the cup will be completely full. My daughter said " Ummm Mommy the cup if over flowing" PERFECT. I then explained how this is just like our blessings from our Father in Heaven. He wants to bless us. He gives us so many blessings that they are overflowing as long as we are worthy to receive them.
I asked the children then what we have to do to be worthy to recieve blessings from our Father in Heaven.
Next we read, 1 Thessalonians 5:18
How can we thank Heavenly Father for all the blessings he has given us?
We discussed through our prayers meaning we can pray and tell heavenly Father thank you. We talked again very quickly about the 4 steps of prayer. We also talked about how we can thank him through our actions, i.e. being nice to our brother and sister :)
Bear your testimony and make sure to ask the children if there is anything else they want to discuss or anything they don't understand.
Activity: I have decided to do a decoration for our FHE activity. I have printed about 15 different color leaves I will then let the children write some of the blessings they are thankful for on the leaves I will then tie the leaves together and make a swag out of them to hang across our mantle (or you could hang it in their bedrooms for example) all week to remind us of all the things we are thankful for. Here is a picture I found on google of something similar to what I have in mind:
This is the best recipe ever if you are making homemade Cinnamon Rolls. It is tradition in my family to have Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Chocolate in the winter A LOT!! So starting tonight we will be having these. YUMMY
I have decided that every Monday I will post a FHE lesson, it will be appropriate for families with children, and hopefully adaptable to other circumstances too. I have a wonderful friend who posts one of these lessons each week and will usually steal her ideas! Her name is Alisha and her blog is Homemaking Honeys, so head on over and check out her blog too, it's full of 'craft'iness.
Family Home Evening - The Scriptures
This year in Primary our children are learning about the importance of the scriptures. I thought what better way to spend one of the first official FHE's of the year than to talk about the scriptures.
Opening Song: Search, Ponder and Pray Opening Prayer:
Lesson:
Put the scriptures on the table or floor in front of you and cover with a small towel. Explain to the children that you have something really special under the towel. A gift from our Father in heaven. Have them ask questions Yes or No questions to try and guess what the item is. After a few minutes let them slide their hands under the towel to feel the scriptures and see if they can guess.
Explain that the scriptures are important books that are different from other books. They are sacred books. Remind the children that something that is sacred helps us think about Heavenly Father and Jesus. Explain that the scriptures tell us about Heavenly Father and Jesus and how much they love us. They tell us what Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to do so we can be happy.
In advance (if possible) have someone prepare to tell one of their favorite stories from the scriptures.
Explain that some of the scriptures were written by men who knew Jesus and lived when he did. They saw Jesus and heard him teach. These men wrote scriptures so that everyone could learn about Jesus and his teachings and know that he was Heavenly Father’s son.
Recite the 8th Article of Faith with the children: "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God."
Share your testimony of the scriptures. Possibly ask your children what their favorite scripture story is.
Activity: I found this really fantastic game in one of the old Friends called "Scripture Picture Game" All you have to do it print it out. You will also need a dice and game pieces. My children will love this and I'm sure yours will too!
Closing Song: Book of Mormon Stories Closing Prayer:
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