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Putting Others First
By
C.S. Bezas
At times, children struggle to put others first. This easy Family Home Evening lesson demonstrates how simple (and rewarding) it can be to do so. Time for some FHE Fun!
FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #61 Jesus Said Love Everyone
Opening Prayer: By Invitation.
Devotional: Start with some simple spontaneous scripture sharing amongst family members. This not only builds the spiritual sensitivities of the individual who reads a verse and then explains its power in his (or her) life, but it also aids others who may be quietly struggling (and needing to hear the inspired messages). It is not required that each person share; only those who may have found a meaningful scripture during the previous week.
Readiness Activity:
Items Needed:
- Favorite family board or card game
- A bell or ringer (usually about $3 or $4 from an office supply store)
- Set of scriptures
- Chocolate or other family favorite treat
Activity:
Explain that it is game night for this week's Family Home Evening! Pull out one of the family's most favorite board or card games. But explain that the family is going on an unexplored adventure with the game this time. Every time when faced with a choice during the game, invite family members to choose to help others to win instead of themselves. The goal is to see how much fun they can make the game for someone else.
Set the bell out in the middle of everyone. Explain that every time each person makes a choice to help another instead of him or herself, they get to ring the bell without explanation. The goal is to see how many times the bell can be rung by the end of the game! (You may want to agree upon a pre-set time of 15-30 minutes for game play; this will keep FHE from running too long and will also help keep children's attention.)
At the end of the game, pass out a small morsel of chocolate (or other family favorite treat) as a celebration for all of the bell ringing! Let them know that just as the chocolate is a yummy treat, there are spiritual treats for putting others first.
Application:
Read the following quote through two times. Ask the family to repeat it with you the second time:
“Sacrifice is defined as ‘the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else more important or worthy.'” 1
- Ask the family what the quote means to them.
- What did it feel like in the game to sacrifice winning so that someone else could? How new of an experience was it?
- What does sacrifice look like on a daily basis? In other words, brainstorm what sacrifices a mom makes? A dad? A sister or a brother? What sacrifice did Jesus Christ make so we could receive the amazing gift of eternal life (far better than a morsel of chocolate)?
- Ask for a volunteer in the family to do either a pushup or a sit-up—their choice. Once the volunteer is finished, explain that sacrifice is a choice . Just as the family member could choose whether they did a pushup or a sit-up (or neither), we too can choose to sacrifice in various ways…or not. We should never require sacrifice of others. But when we seek to serve others, the Lord holds out to us the best blessings of all!
To finish up, read the following:
“There can be no sacrifice greater than the atoning sacrifice of the Savior Jesus Christ. His Atonement, though incomprehensible and without equal, was this world's crowning event. Gratefully, because of His supreme offer of charity, there is no sting of death, and the grave has no victory.
“Our challenge is to unselfishly sacrifice all that we have been given, including our will. Elder Neal A. Maxwell rightly said: ‘The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God's altar. The many other things we ‘give' … are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us' 2 (Robert K. Dellenbach, “Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 33–35).”
End by sharing your testimony and expressing your love for the family. Invite them to see how many times they can secretly serve others during their lifetime. Remind them it takes practice to learn to place our will “on God's altar.” It is important to be patient with each other while we learn this most important skill. Ensure the family that with time, love, and effort, family life can be beautiful as we serve one another and care for each other's needs, both physically and emotionally!
Closing Song: #22 A Prayer
Closing Prayer: By Invitation.
Refreshments: This “Indoor S'Mores” recipe is easy and tasty. And why not (to carry out the lesson further) invite each person to make an “Indoor S'More” to present to another in the family. Truly, family joy is found in tiny “morsels” of service offered daily!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
This Family Home Evening lesson was based on Elder Robert K. Dellenbach's talk, “Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven,” ( Liahona , Nov 2002, 33-35). “Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven” is an inspirational read and full of principles about the powerful growth that comes when we look out for each other and serve them.
1 Elder Robert K. Dellenbach, “Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven,” Liahona , Nov 2002, 33-35.
2 Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 24.
Struggling with your teens? C.S. Bezas' book is an essential help for parents and youth leaders. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers teaches you how to create powerful change. Visit your local LDS bookstore or get your copy online here.
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