Use the gift of music to help steer your family through troubled times. This lesson teaches how. Time for some FHE Fun!

FHE FUN!

Opening Song: #176 Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love

Opening Prayer: By Invitation.

Devotional: Turn the time over for spontaneous scripture sharing for a few minutes. Ask, “Has anyone found a cool scripture this past week? What was it? Why was it awesome?” (Even if individuals aren't currently reading their scriptures, simply by asking this each week you potentially will see more and more participation in this spiritual portion of FHE.)

Activity:

Read the following brief excerpt from the First Presidency (included at the beginning of the hymnbook). But before starting, ask the family to listen for new ways to use hymns.

Ask the group to list times when a family can sing hymns. Ask them why they think the First Presidency has admonished us to do so. After they have finished sharing their ideas, read this final quote from the hymnbook. Ask them to listen to the reasons for hymn singing at all times of day.

Activity Items Needed:

• String or a piece of yarn
• Piece of paper

Show the string. Invite a family member to come forward and to try to lean against it while you hold one end.

Next, show the piece of paper. Invite another family member to come forward and to try to lean against it while you hold one corner.

Next, invite another family member to come forward and to lean against the closest wall in the room.

Thank the participants and ask them which item gave the greatest firmness. Share with them that sometimes we get tired and need something to rest against or to lean upon. String isn't sturdy; paper isn't sturdy; walls are (so are couches, beds, etc.).

Share that Heavenly Father has given us something even better to use when we are tired. It is the gift of music. And when we use it well , it can restore our health and our happiness. Ask the family to think about music that restores us and also music that destroys us. ( Do not specifically mention groups that record CDs or individual songs. The point is not to cause defensiveness within the family, but rather to teach a guiding principle to help children notice the whisperings of the Spirit.)

Explain that regardless of all the kinds of music in the world, Heavenly Father has given a supreme kind of music in the forms of hymns. Read Alma 32:27, 33, 36. Just as the Book of Mormon invites all to “experiment on the word,” the family is going to run an experiment this week on the power of hymns that are actually sung out loud.

Application:

Take a poll to learn what your family members' favorite hymns are. Suggest that the family go about in orderly fashion learning those favorite hymns to support one another. One way might be to visit the LDS.org music website http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/ and print out the favorite hymns to learn.

At the next FHE, invite sharing how the family experiment of extra singing of hymns before family prayers, during scripture study, etc., turned out. Invite all to make an honest effort to sing at least one hymn a day on their own and to notice the spirit it brings when singing all the verses quietly. (And perhaps, a hymnbook would make a great individual Christmas present for each family member!)

Leaning on the tool of music can do much to renew us during these trying times.

Closing Song: #306 God's Daily Care

Closing Prayer: By Invitation.

Refreshments: These “Pecan Cloud” cookies will melt in your mouth. Better yet, they contain very few ingredients. While enjoying them, chat about how life feels more like a treat when we actually use the gift of hymns the Lord inspired so many to write. Invite even your teens to sing hymns and privately be strengthened thereby!

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.