Sorry, not much to share this week...Brayden's Cub Scout den is working on the Heritage belt loop and he's supposed to learn about his family heritage: history, traditions, origins, and culture. So that's what we'll be doing for FHE this week--sharing some info & favorite stories about our ancestors.
For an activity, we'll try to make some thumbprint Mother's Day cards. (Shh! Don't tell!) If they turn out, I'll post a picture. :)
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
FHE: The Atonement
Lesson:
Read this overview of the Atonement from the March 1995 Friend.
http://lds.org/friend/1995/03/the-atonement?lang=eng
Discussion:
What does the Atonement do for us?
-It allows us to be forgiven of our sins and be made clean again when we repent.
-As part of the Atonement, Jesus Christ also suffered for our pains and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11-12). He understands our struggles, our sorrows, and our pains and He can comfort us in times of need.
How do we apply the Atonement in our lives?
-Repent when we make a mistake.
-Pray for help to overcome weakness and become better.
-Seek His comfort and help in times of difficulty.
Activity:
Use six eggs to spell EASTER--one for each letter. Place a strip of paper in each egg with the word assigned to that letter. Open the eggs and discuss how each word relates to Easter.
E - Everyone
A - Atonement
S - Savior
T - Tomb
E - (This egg is left EMPTY) meaning the tomb was empty.
R - Resurrection
Video:
Watch this Easter message from President Monson: He Lives!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXrOG02NMB0
Testimony:
-Bear testimony of the power of the Atonement and the reality of the Resurrection--that He does live and because of Him, we can return to live with Heavenly Father again.
Additional Activites:
Use the flannel board figures to tell this story from the March 1989 Friend that helps to explain the Atonement.
http://lds.org/friend/1989/03/sharing-time-the-atonement?lang=eng
Read this overview of the Atonement from the March 1995 Friend.
http://lds.org/friend/1995/03/the-atonement?lang=eng
Discussion:
What does the Atonement do for us?
-It allows us to be forgiven of our sins and be made clean again when we repent.
-As part of the Atonement, Jesus Christ also suffered for our pains and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11-12). He understands our struggles, our sorrows, and our pains and He can comfort us in times of need.
How do we apply the Atonement in our lives?
-Repent when we make a mistake.
-Pray for help to overcome weakness and become better.
-Seek His comfort and help in times of difficulty.
Activity:
Use six eggs to spell EASTER--one for each letter. Place a strip of paper in each egg with the word assigned to that letter. Open the eggs and discuss how each word relates to Easter.
E - Everyone
A - Atonement
S - Savior
T - Tomb
E - (This egg is left EMPTY) meaning the tomb was empty.
R - Resurrection
Video:
Watch this Easter message from President Monson: He Lives!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXrOG02NMB0
Testimony:
-Bear testimony of the power of the Atonement and the reality of the Resurrection--that He does live and because of Him, we can return to live with Heavenly Father again.
Additional Activites:
Use the flannel board figures to tell this story from the March 1989 Friend that helps to explain the Atonement.
http://lds.org/friend/1989/03/sharing-time-the-atonement?lang=eng
Monday, April 11, 2011
Countdown to Easter
Use page 24-25 of the April 2011 Friend "Easter week" and additional ideas to discuss the events that took place during the week before Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection. Start eight days before Easter and read the events and scripture verses listed for each day. (Many of these events have pictures in the Gospel Art Kit that provide visuals and simple summaries for younger children.) Hide a few eggs each day that have something representing the events to be discussed (and extra eggs with small candy to share so that each child can find an egg). Once the eggs are found, talk about the events and read or choose parts of the scripture references.
http://lds.org/friend/2011/04/easter-week?lang=eng
Here is a link to a map of Jerusalem. It is labeled with the places where the major events of this week took place.
http://lds.org/friend/1991/03/the-atonement-and-resurrection?lang=eng
Saturday: Passover, Mary annoints His feet with oil
John 12:1-3
Sunday: Palm Sunday
Egg #1--a small leaf to represent the palm leaves
Discuss how we can welcome the Savior into our lives.
Watch the movie "Finding Faith in Christ"
Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11
Monday: Cleansed the Temple, Healed lame and blind
Egg #2--penny to represent the moneychangers
In the scriptures we learn that our bodies are a temple. Do we keep our thoughts and actions clean and pure? How can we invite the Spirit into our lives through reverence and righteousness?
Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19
For Family Home Evening, read this picture story from the April 2000 Friend and discuss why we celebrate Easter.
http://lds.org/friend/2000/04/for-little-friends/the-first-easter?lang=eng
Tuesday: Taught Parables, Judas agreed to betray Jesus
Egg #3--three dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for the betrayal
Discuss some of the things that Jesus taught (beatitudes from the sermon on the mount, favorite parables or miracles, etc.).
Matthew 25:31-46; 26:14-16
Wednesday: Parable of the 10 Virgins
Egg #4--a marble to represent a drop of oil for the lamps of the 10 virgins
Discuss the parable of the ten virgins and how it applies to us (that we need to be prepared for the second coming by living righteously). Read this quote by President Spencer W. Kimball that explains why it was impossible for the foolish virgins to borrow oil at the last minute:
"The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant... This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. How can one share obedience to the principles of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living, an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity, or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself... The oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures--each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store." (Faith Precedes the Miracle, pp.255-56)
Using a small glass jar and some marbles, talk about the things we can do on an every day basis to fill our lives with righteousness (put a marble in the jar for each thing mentioned and "fill" your lamp with oil).
Matthew 25:1-13
Thursday: Last Supper, Wash disciples' feet, Gethsemane, Betrayal
Egg #5--small piece of saltine cracker to represent broken bread
Egg #6--small red beads to represent the Savior's blood that was shed for us
Discuss the love that the Savior has for us and how He suffered not only for our sins, but also experienced our trials and pains (Alma 7:11-12) and knows how to comfort and help us in times of need. Through the power of the Atonment, we can overcome the effects of sin and we can change our nature to become better people. The Sacrament reminds us of what our Savior did for us and helps us to apply the Atonement in our lives.
Matthew 26:17-29, 36-56
Friday: Trials, Crucifixion, Laid in the tomb
Egg #7--a small piece of purple cloth to represent the robe the soldiers placed on Jesus
Egg #8--a clipping of thorns from a rosebush to represent the crown of thorns
Egg #9--a nail to represent the crucifixion
Discuss the trials and crucifixion and that Christ chose to suffer and die for us. Turn out the lights and talk about the darkness that fell upon the earth at His death. Shine a flashlight on a picture of the Savior and discuss how He is the light of the world and will always be there to help us when things are difficult or uncertain.
Matthew 26:57-72; 27:1-2, 27-37; Luke 23:44-46, 50-56
Saturday: Burial/Tomb, Guards
Egg #10--a rock to represent the stone rolled in front of the tomb
Egg #11--a small piece of white cloth to represent the burial clothes
Egg #12--bay leaf to represent the spices used in burial
Discuss how Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb over Saturday, while His spirit was in the Spirit World. This day was the Jewish Sabbath, so they were unable to finish the burial preparations. Guards were placed outside the tomb to make sure no one tried to take the body and say He had been resurrected.
Matthew 27:57-66
Sunday: Resurrection
Egg #13--empty to represent the empty tomb
Egg #14--a small picture of the Savior
On Sunday morning, the tomb was empty! Jesus Christ was resurrected: His body and Spirit were reunited. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all who have lived on the earth will be resurrected. Discuss the blessings and importance of the gift of the Atonement and the Resurrection.
Matthew 28
Read this summary of events to focus on why we celebrate Easter
http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=742855faa5cab010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Easter tomb dot-to-dot
http://lds.org/friend/2011/04/jesus-christ-is-my-savior-and-redeemer?lang=eng
Easter crossword
http://lds.org/friend/1990/04/funstuf/easter?lang=eng&query=Easter
http://lds.org/friend/2011/04/easter-week?lang=eng
Here is a link to a map of Jerusalem. It is labeled with the places where the major events of this week took place.
http://lds.org/friend/1991/03/the-atonement-and-resurrection?lang=eng
Saturday: Passover, Mary annoints His feet with oil
John 12:1-3
Sunday: Palm Sunday
Egg #1--a small leaf to represent the palm leaves
Discuss how we can welcome the Savior into our lives.
Watch the movie "Finding Faith in Christ"
Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11
Monday: Cleansed the Temple, Healed lame and blind
Egg #2--penny to represent the moneychangers
In the scriptures we learn that our bodies are a temple. Do we keep our thoughts and actions clean and pure? How can we invite the Spirit into our lives through reverence and righteousness?
Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19
For Family Home Evening, read this picture story from the April 2000 Friend and discuss why we celebrate Easter.
http://lds.org/friend/2000/04/for-little-friends/the-first-easter?lang=eng
Tuesday: Taught Parables, Judas agreed to betray Jesus
Egg #3--three dimes to represent the 30 pieces of silver Judas received for the betrayal
Discuss some of the things that Jesus taught (beatitudes from the sermon on the mount, favorite parables or miracles, etc.).
Matthew 25:31-46; 26:14-16
Wednesday: Parable of the 10 Virgins
Egg #4--a marble to represent a drop of oil for the lamps of the 10 virgins
Discuss the parable of the ten virgins and how it applies to us (that we need to be prepared for the second coming by living righteously). Read this quote by President Spencer W. Kimball that explains why it was impossible for the foolish virgins to borrow oil at the last minute:
"The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant... This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. How can one share obedience to the principles of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living, an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity, or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself... The oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures--each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store." (Faith Precedes the Miracle, pp.255-56)
Using a small glass jar and some marbles, talk about the things we can do on an every day basis to fill our lives with righteousness (put a marble in the jar for each thing mentioned and "fill" your lamp with oil).
Matthew 25:1-13
Thursday: Last Supper, Wash disciples' feet, Gethsemane, Betrayal
Egg #5--small piece of saltine cracker to represent broken bread
Egg #6--small red beads to represent the Savior's blood that was shed for us
Discuss the love that the Savior has for us and how He suffered not only for our sins, but also experienced our trials and pains (Alma 7:11-12) and knows how to comfort and help us in times of need. Through the power of the Atonment, we can overcome the effects of sin and we can change our nature to become better people. The Sacrament reminds us of what our Savior did for us and helps us to apply the Atonement in our lives.
Matthew 26:17-29, 36-56
Friday: Trials, Crucifixion, Laid in the tomb
Egg #7--a small piece of purple cloth to represent the robe the soldiers placed on Jesus
Egg #8--a clipping of thorns from a rosebush to represent the crown of thorns
Egg #9--a nail to represent the crucifixion
Discuss the trials and crucifixion and that Christ chose to suffer and die for us. Turn out the lights and talk about the darkness that fell upon the earth at His death. Shine a flashlight on a picture of the Savior and discuss how He is the light of the world and will always be there to help us when things are difficult or uncertain.
Matthew 26:57-72; 27:1-2, 27-37; Luke 23:44-46, 50-56
Saturday: Burial/Tomb, Guards
Egg #10--a rock to represent the stone rolled in front of the tomb
Egg #11--a small piece of white cloth to represent the burial clothes
Egg #12--bay leaf to represent the spices used in burial
Discuss how Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb over Saturday, while His spirit was in the Spirit World. This day was the Jewish Sabbath, so they were unable to finish the burial preparations. Guards were placed outside the tomb to make sure no one tried to take the body and say He had been resurrected.
Matthew 27:57-66
Sunday: Resurrection
Egg #13--empty to represent the empty tomb
Egg #14--a small picture of the Savior
On Sunday morning, the tomb was empty! Jesus Christ was resurrected: His body and Spirit were reunited. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all who have lived on the earth will be resurrected. Discuss the blessings and importance of the gift of the Atonement and the Resurrection.
Matthew 28
Read this summary of events to focus on why we celebrate Easter
http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=742855faa5cab010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Easter tomb dot-to-dot
http://lds.org/friend/2011/04/jesus-christ-is-my-savior-and-redeemer?lang=eng
Easter crossword
http://lds.org/friend/1990/04/funstuf/easter?lang=eng&query=Easter
Saturday, April 9, 2011
FHE: To Do AND to Be
I really enjoyed Elder Lynn G. Robbins talk in April 2011 General Conference entitled "What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?"
Discussion:
We often talk about things that we should do to try to be like Jesus. List some of these things we "do".
Discuss the importance of "being" in addition to "doing" using examples from some of the things listed above. (For example: reading scriptures daily is great, but if we don't learn and apply what we read, it doesn't help us become better. Taking the sacrament is meaningful when we not only "do", but also "be" by applying the atonement in our lives. If we go through the motions of saying our prayers without really thinking about what we're saying or who we're talking to, it isn't effective.)
What makes our actions (or the things we "do") meaningful and worthwhile is when we do it for the right reasons--when it is part of who we are (the "be"). When we help others because we care, when we go to church because we want to take the sacrament and learn about Jesus, etc. we aren't just "doing" good things, we are "becoming" more like Jesus Christ. "Do" and "be" go hand in hand. As we "do" good things for the right reasons, we will "become" better people.
Following Jesus Christ's example and "doing" what He asks (keeping the commandments) is important, but in addition to "doing", we need to focus on trying to "become" like Him.
Scripture Story:
Review the story of the Stripling Warriors (GAK 313, Alma 53:20-21; 56:44-48; 57:21, 26-27; 58:40) and what kind of people they were. What did they do? What were they like? What attributes did they have that you would want to have?
Goal:
Make a list of things that we want to be and discuss how we can practice "being" or applying these attributes. Heavenly Father wants us to become like Him and will help us. We can pray for help to develop Christlike attributes.
Have each person take a few minutes to write down one attribute they want to work on and how they will practice that attribute throughout the week.
I want to be ______________.
Things I can do this week:
1.
2.
3.
Testimony:
-it is important to do good things, but we need to think about why we do them and focus on becoming like the Savior
-Christlike attributes are gifts from our Heavenly Father and we can pray for help to develop them
Activity:
Find a small picture of a bee and make enough copies for everyone to have a couple. Work together to place the bees around the house in spots where they will be seen often to remind everyone to work on their goals.
Discussion:
We often talk about things that we should do to try to be like Jesus. List some of these things we "do".
Discuss the importance of "being" in addition to "doing" using examples from some of the things listed above. (For example: reading scriptures daily is great, but if we don't learn and apply what we read, it doesn't help us become better. Taking the sacrament is meaningful when we not only "do", but also "be" by applying the atonement in our lives. If we go through the motions of saying our prayers without really thinking about what we're saying or who we're talking to, it isn't effective.)
What makes our actions (or the things we "do") meaningful and worthwhile is when we do it for the right reasons--when it is part of who we are (the "be"). When we help others because we care, when we go to church because we want to take the sacrament and learn about Jesus, etc. we aren't just "doing" good things, we are "becoming" more like Jesus Christ. "Do" and "be" go hand in hand. As we "do" good things for the right reasons, we will "become" better people.
Following Jesus Christ's example and "doing" what He asks (keeping the commandments) is important, but in addition to "doing", we need to focus on trying to "become" like Him.
Scripture Story:
Review the story of the Stripling Warriors (GAK 313, Alma 53:20-21; 56:44-48; 57:21, 26-27; 58:40) and what kind of people they were. What did they do? What were they like? What attributes did they have that you would want to have?
Goal:
Make a list of things that we want to be and discuss how we can practice "being" or applying these attributes. Heavenly Father wants us to become like Him and will help us. We can pray for help to develop Christlike attributes.
Have each person take a few minutes to write down one attribute they want to work on and how they will practice that attribute throughout the week.
I want to be ______________.
Things I can do this week:
1.
2.
3.
Testimony:
-it is important to do good things, but we need to think about why we do them and focus on becoming like the Savior
-Christlike attributes are gifts from our Heavenly Father and we can pray for help to develop them
Activity:
Find a small picture of a bee and make enough copies for everyone to have a couple. Work together to place the bees around the house in spots where they will be seen often to remind everyone to work on their goals.
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