Allow about fifteen to twenty
minutes for the completion of the structure.* If all of
the cards are not yet used, invite the kids to continue
to add to the structure throughout the week. (If you have
younger children, consider building the structure on a solid
surface that can be placed out of reach of little hands.
Otherwise, paperclips could be a choking hazard.)
Application:
Ask the kids to process the
experience. How challenging was it to decide what structure
to build? Or did it evolve naturally? If so, why? What helped
the activity? Was it difficult to speak only with kind voices?
How is constructing this project like real life in a family?
What helps families? What hurts families?
(If you decide as a family
to continue to add to the structure during the week, ask
the kids how it feels to be working on a project together,
all with the same goal, beyond just one day? What else in
life can be like this?)
Ask the kids to brainstorm
what one unifying goal or spiritual structure could be selected
for the family. Write that on a poster board. If each index
card symbolized individual "supports" for that
goal, what would some of those "supports" be?
Illustrate those on the poster board as supporting or sustaining
the unified family goal.
Invite family members to contemplate
during the week what they would desire from other family
members to help the family feel more unified. In pondering
those ideas, then turn it around and ask them to be ready
to share at the next family meeting what they themselves
are ready to do to bring about a more united family. Ask,
"Why does it need to start first within our own hearts?"
Congratulate the family on
a project well done!
Closing Song:
#198b — "When We're Helping We're Happy"
(Children's Songbook). Click
here for the music.
Closing Prayer:
By invitation.
Refreshments: Constructing
ice cream splits would be a fun refreshment activity. Assign
each family member one part of the process. Set up an assembly
line so that each family member gets to add helpful parts
to all the ice cream splits. (Remind them of the rule, "Only
kind voices can be used during the process.") While
chatting-n-chowing afterwards, brainstorm on other ways
your family has successfully helped one another. It's all
too easy to focus on what we're not yet doing well; why
not spend refreshment time celebrating the times the family
has pulled together and in unified fashion accomplished
great things!
Summary
A family's finest hour is when
it stands united. As parents, it is imperative we gently
usher forth a steady beacon of love and guidance, so that
our children will want to be part of that unified family
unit. When we build upon the gospel of Jesus Christ, as
parents seeking to obey His commandments with exactness
and integrity, He will aid us in building a unified and
eternal family.
In fact, one of the family's
finest hours each week could very well be during Family
Home Evening. Put all those "finest hours" together
and you have created a most powerful family unit —
one that lasts united throughout the eternities!
[* Idea taken from "Index
Cards: Spatial Construction," Fast Ideas for Busy Teachers,
p. 84.]
C.S. Bezas' book is now
in LDS bookstores and has been described as perfect for
youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful
Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is also
available by clicking here.
