M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

To Do All His Commandments
By C.S. Bezas

Are you ready to make the year 2008 for your family an awesome one? Great. Let's have some FHE Fun!

FHE Fun!

Opening Song: # 227 There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional: Explaining, sharing, and testifying forges powerful bonds amongst family members; why not take advantage of the opportunity that weekly FHE offers for this! The new year 2008 is here! Perhaps for this week's FHE Devotional time, you could turn a few minutes over to the family to share testimonies gained during 2007.

Spiritual Thought: Here is a great quote to read from the Church's website.

Many people feel that the commandments are burdensome and that they limit freedom and personal growth. But the Savior taught that true freedom comes only from following Him: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31 –32). God gives commandments for our benefit. They are loving instructions for our happiness and for our physical and spiritual well-being.

Ask the family a few questions along these lines:

Activity: Items Needed:

Pass out the construction paper, scissors, and markers/crayons. Divide the verses from Deuteronomy 28:3-12 amongst family members — without reading the verses yet. (This scripture can be found on page 295 in the Old Testament.
  1. Explain that each family member will be invited to draw any blessings mentioned in their assigned verses. Invite them to think why the Lord would give such blessings.

  2. Pass out as many construction squares as each person needs to draw the blessings (some verses might require more than one drawing).

  3. Allow five to ten minutes for the family to get creative.

    Once everyone is done (make sure to help the small children with their drawings), gather around the kitchen table. Place the poster board and glue bottle (or tape) on the table. Follow these simple instructions to finish off the activity:

  4. Read Deuteronomy 28:1-2 out loud and in unison.

  5. Taking turns, each person then reads out loud his or her assigned verse(s) (in order) from Deut. 28:3-12. As they do so, they can show their illustration(s). Let them glue and place the drawing(s) on the Deuteronomy poster.

  6. The next person reads their assigned verse(s) and shows their illustration(s). They too glue/place their illustrations on the Deuteronomy poster.

  7. And so on.

When everyone has finished sharing their verses and drawings, read Deuteronomy 28:13-14 in unison out loud.

Finish by bearing testimony as to the love of God and how He wants us to return to Him. This is why He gives us commandments. Not only do those commandments guide us home, not only do they bring us eternal joy, but obedience to them will draw to us blessings in this life.

Ask one more time: Why does God bother giving commandments when He knows they irritate some of His children?

Invite the family to ponder on God's commandments during the coming week and the importance of obedience. And as they think of important commandments, they can come to the Deuteronomy poster and write down each important counsel or command from God. By the end of the week, the family will have a lovely montage of blessings and commandments to steer the family successfully into the year 2008 and beyond!

Closing Song: #244 Come Along, Come Along). Learn this delightful hymn and savor its profound truths as you do.

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: Haystacks might make a fun treat for this particular FHE lesson. You could chat about how the haystacks represent blessing after blessing piled high and higher for those who hearken to the Lord and actually keep His commandments. (Here is a link to a sample recipe ( http://www.recipezaar.com/106005 ). Of course, as always, avoid foods family members are allergic to.)

Summary

The Lord loves His people. It is why He showers such tremendous blessings on them ... if they obey. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 illustrates this beautifully.

So yes, we as Meridian families are ready to make the year 2008 awesome for our families. We'll do it not only through weekly FHE fun and memorable moments, but we will follow the Lord our God in obedience and love. Yes, indeed, we do want "to do all His commandments”! (see Deut. 28:1)!

C.S. Bezas' book has been described as perfect for youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is available in LDS bookstores and by clicking here.

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