Wednesday, February 23, 2011

FHE: Speaking Kindly

Activity:
(Pull strips out of a bowl and read out loud.)

Set A
1. I don't want to clean up!  I'm not done playing!
2. You always want to be in charge!  I don't even want to play with you!
3.  That's not very good.  Why did you do it like that?
Discuss how these statements make you feel.  Unkind words make us feel bad.  The words that we choose to use are important.

Set B
1. (complain) These cookies are so good!
2. (angrily) I love you!
3. (meanly) It's fun to play with you!
Discuss how even though the words are kind, the way you say things can make a difference.  Speaking in a kind way is just as important as choosing kind words.  So is having a good attitude.

Set C
1. Would you like to play with me?
2. I'm having a hard time making this.  Could you help me?
3. I like spending time with you.
4. Can I finish this really quick before I clean up?
5.  That looks great!  I like the way you did this part.
6.  I love you!
Discuss how these statements make you feel.  When we speak kindly and use kind words, we feel happy and those around us feel happy too.

Story:
What we choose to focus on can change our view of situations or other people.  When we choose to look for the positive or what is good, we feel happier and it's easier to have a good attitude. 

Read or paraphrase this story about some jungle animals who discovered how what they chose to focus on changed their attitudes about each other.  ("Pass it on" by Annabelle Sumera, Friend, Apr 1978)
http://lds.org/friend/1978/04/pass-it-on?lang=eng

Scripture Story:
In the scriptures, we read about some brothers who reacted differently to the same situations.  Laman and Lemuel were quick to murmur and complain when things seemed difficult, but Nephi turned to the Lord for help and did his best to accomplish what was asked of him.  Discuss the different reactions these brothers had to situations like leaving their home in Jerusalem, returning to get the brass plates, Nephi's broken bow, and building a ship.  Laman and Lemuel murmured or complained while Nephi was determined to go and do.

Read this story about Nephi and his brothers from the May 2000 Friend Sharing Time: Keeping Promises. (Copy and paste pictures and text, have the kids color the pictures in advance, and make into a book.)
http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=e64194859a4bb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Just as the liahona didn't work when they were unkind or complaining, the Spirit can only guide us when we try our best to do what is right.  It's important to have a good attitude even when things are hard.  We can rely on the Lord's help when we do our best.

Discussion:
How can the words we choose, the way we say things, and our attitude affect our ability to have the Spirit in our home and to guide us personally?

Testimony:
-Importance of speaking kindly and having a good attitude in order to be happy and to be able to have the Spirit with us to guide us in our lives.

Additional Activities:
1.  Read "Gerald's Secret New Year's Resolutions" by Vicki H. Budge, Friend, Jan. 1978, and unscramble the words to discover what Gerald resolutions were.
http://lds.org/friend/1978/01/geralds-secret-new-years-resolutions?lang=eng

2.  Choose the Right Words (multiple choice scenarios from Jan. 2010 Friend)
http://lds.org/friend/2010/01/choose-the-right-words?lang=eng

3.  Read "Clean up Claire" from May 2008 Friend and discuss how to change our attitude and invite the Spirit after complaining.
http://lds.org/friend/2008/05/clean-up-claire?lang=eng

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

FHE: Prayer

Discusson:
Why is prayer important?
Imagine that your dad went on a long trip very far away and had to be gone for a long time.  You couldn't see him, but you could call him on the phone and talk to him.  What kinds of things would you talk about?  Would you complain about having to call him or be excited about the opportunity to talk?  Would you say the same thing every time you called him or would you take time to think about what you wanted to say?  Would you rush through your conversation as fast as possible or would you take time to listen to him too?

Just as your dad loves you and would want to hear from you, our Heavenly Father wants to hear from us too.  We can talk to our Heavenly Father through prayer.  Heavenly Father loves us.  We are His children and He wants us to talk to Him.  We can tell Him our problems and concerns, our goals and desires.  When we express our feelings and needs in prayer, our Heavenly Father can help us.

Review:
1. How do we pray?
To show our love for our Heavenly Father, we should pray with an attitude of respect and reverence.  We use the words thee, thy, and thou to show respect.

Show how you look when you're ready for prayer.
(eyes closed, arms folded, ears listening, etc.)

Review the four parts of prayer (open by addressing our Father in Heaven, thank Him for blessings, ask for things we need, close in the name of Jesus Christ).

SONG: 2nd verse of "I Pray in Faith" (Children's Songbook, 14)
I begin by saying "Dear Heavenly Father";
I thank him for blessings he sends;
Then humbly I ask him for things that I need,
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

2. When should we pray?
(personal prayers morning and night, family prayers morning and night, meals, and anytime we need help or want to express gratitude)

President Henry B. Eyring said, "When the Savior appeared among the people on [the American] continent, he taught them how to pray.  He used the words, "Pray always."  That doesn't mean now and then.  It doesn't mean to pray only when you feel like it."

3. What can we pray about?
(help, comfort, guidance, thanks, forgiveness, to gain a testimony, etc.)

We can pray to our Heavenly Father anytime about anything.  When we express our specific needs and desires, He will hear and answer our prayers.

4. How can you make your prayers more meaningful?
(avoid repetition--really think about what you're saying and be sincere, express gratitude for blessings, take time to listen and think about your prayers)

Activity:
Complete the maze to help everyone in the family get ready for prayer.
http://lds.org/images/Magazines/Friend/Archive/fr08sep31_maze.jpg

Additional Activities:
1. Create an acrostic poem about the word Prayers.
(Here's one we came up with.)
P erfectly still
R espect
A sk for things you need
Y ou can pray anytime, for any reason
E ars open (listen)
R everence
S incere

2.  Play "The Power of Prayer" (July 2009 Friend, 24-25)

3.  Practice reverent prayer lanugage by doing the activity included here.
http://lds.org/friend/1991/04/sharing-time-prayer-language?lang=eng&query=language

Testimony:
-Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to help us.
-When we pray sincerely, He will hear and answer our prayers.

Monday, February 7, 2011

FHE: Faith

Discussion:
What does it mean to have faith? 
Read Alma 32:21
Alma teaches that, "faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things...if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true."  When we have faith, we believe and trust in something that is real and true even though we haven't seen it for ourselves.

SONG: "Faith" (Children's Songbook, 96)
Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed: if planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.  When I do right, I know.

What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ?
To have faith in Jesus Christ means that although we have not seen Him, we believe that He lives and loves us and we trust in Him.  When we read the scriptures, we can learn about Him.  when we listen to the prophets, we can understand what we can do to follow Him.  When we pray in faith for help to choose the right, we can know that our prayers will be answered.  When we listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, we can feel Him close to us and know that He loves us.

SONG: (second verse of "Faith")
Faith is knowing I lived with God before my mortal birth.
Faith is knowing I can return when my life ends on earth.
Faith is trust in God above; In Christ, who showed the way.
Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow whenever I obey.

How does our faith in Jesus Christ grow?
Just like it said in that song, our faith is strengthened when we obey.  Alma tells us that the word of God is like a seed.  When you plant a seed in the ground, what do you need to do if you want it to grow?  (give it water, sunlight, etc.) 

When we plant a seed in the earth, we need to nurture it by keeping the weeds away, by giving it water and plant food, and by making sure that it has sunshine.  If it is a good seed, it will begin to swell and grow.

Our faith is like a seed.  When we believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, we plant the word of God in our hearts.  We nurture this kind of seed by praying, by listening to the prophets, by keeping the commandments, and by responding to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  As we do this, the seed of truth will grow within our hearts.  We will feel happy and know that the things that we are learning and doing are right.  If we continue to exercise our faith, it will grow strong and bring many blessings into our lives.

Being obedient is an important part of strengthening our faith.  If you plant a good seed, but don't water it or take care of it, it can't grow even though it is a good seed.  We have to do our part to strengthen our faith by diligently trying to keep the commandments and by following the example of Jesus Christ.  As we do this, we will be able to recognize the blessings that come from being obedient.  We can know that the things that we are doing are right.

Activity Verse:
Faith Is like a Seed by Chad E. Phares, Friend, Mar. 2009, 36
1. My faith is like a tiny seed  (hold thumb and index finger close together)
2. That is hard for me to see.  (make circles around eyes with thumbs and index fingers)
3. But when I read the scriptures  (open hands like a book)
4. Faith grows inside of me.  (put both hands on chest)
5. And when I say a prayer  (fold arms)
6. I feel it in my heart.  (put hand on heart)
7. My seed of faith becomes a tree (put arms up like branches)
8. When I do my part.  (point thumb at self)

Activity:
What are some ways that you can strengthen your faith?
(prayer, scripture study, being honest, going to Church, trying to be like Jesus, etc.)

Give everyone a few paper leaves.  Ask them to write or draw things that they can do to strengthen their faith.  Draw a trunk on a piece of paper and glue everyone's leaves on, creating a tree of faith.  This is the tree we made this week:

Testimony:
-When we obey the commandments and try to follow Jesus, our faith grows and becomes stronger.
-We can come to know that the things the Lord asks us to do are right because of the way they make us feel and the blessings that come into our lives as we keep the commandments.
-Our faith in Jesus Christ will help us to draw closer to Him and want to be like Him.