If families are united, life feels kinder. If families are divided, life is tough. This Family Home Evening serves to help bring a bit more unity and love into the family dynamic. Time for some FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #195 Family Night
Opening Prayer: By Invitation.
Devotional: Devotionals can be some of the most tender times a family can share together. Devotionals each week at FHE time are gentle reminders about daily scripture study. They also provide empowering moments for the particular child who volunteers to share a scripture; he can often see how his scripture helped someone else in his family. Family devotionals not only builds spiritual sensitivities of the individual who shared the verse and its significance for them, but it also aids others who may be quietly struggling.
Activity:
- Prepare in advance "Getting to Know You" questions (see sample below).
- Pass a sheet out in advance with the questions to individual family members. They are to answer them privately and then return them to you before FHE. (Should you desire, you can type their answers up to disguise who wrote what.)
- Make sure that if someone wasn't able to fill out the sheet before FHE, to give them a quick moment to do so now before beginning. (And you will want to help younger children fill out their sheets, either by writing their answers for them or helping them spell the words.)
Sample "Getting to Know You" questions:
- If you could go anywhere on this planet, where would it be and why?
- If you could have one personality trait, what would it be and why?
- What was the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
- What is your biggest concern and why?
- What do you think the prophet, President Monson, worries about the most?
- If you could create a happy memory for someone, what would it be?
Application:
Items Needed:
- blank papers
- pens
- scriptures
After the Devotional, pass out blank papers and pens (or pencils). Invite the family to number the page for as many "Getting to Know You" sheets that are in your hand. As you read the questions and then the response for the first page, have the family write down who they think wrote the responses. Do this for each sheet in your hand.
After you have finished reading all the "Getting to Know You" sheets, invite the family members to share who they thought wrote the first one. Then ask the real "author" to stand up, receive applause, and then sit down. Next, ask who the family thought wrote the second one, then give the correct answer with that person standing for applause (and so on).
The point of the game is not to see who got the most correct answers. Instead, ask the family why they think they were to applaud each person's efforts. Celebrate their ideas and then read the following quote from President Hinckley. Remind the kids that no family is perfect and that President Hinckley is teaching how to become more united as a family:
"Every child, with few possible exceptions, is the product of a home, be it good, bad, or indifferent. As children grow through the years, their lives, in large measure, become an extension and a reflection of family teaching. If there is harshness, abuse, uncontrolled anger, disloyalty, the fruits will be certain and discernible, and in all likelihood they will be repeated in the generation that follows. If, on the other hand, there is forbearance, forgiveness, respect, consideration, kindness, mercy, and compassion, the fruits again will be discernible, and they will be eternally rewarding. They will be positive and sweet and wonderful. And as mercy is given and taught by parents, it will be repeated in the lives and actions of the next generation (from Ensign, May 1990, 70)."
Ask the family what builds strong families? After they have shared their feelings, let the family know that for 2009, your goal is to help them feel strong, safe, and loved in their own home. One of the ways to do that is to encourage each other to value one another and to get to know one another better, in a safe and supportive environment.
Share your feelings as to how important they are to their Heavenly Father and to you. Let them know that 2009 can be a great year as the family celebrates each one in the home and is patient while all learn to be respectful, kind, and forgiving.
Closing Song: #92 The Hearts of the Children
Closing Prayer: By Invitation.
Refreshments: Refreshments can bring true rest and refreshment to a family. When else can a family get together, spending down time for some light-hearted face time? These "Best Ever Popcorn Balls" symbolize all that is good about families. When families stick together, clinging to one another in spite of weaknesses and flaws, "yummy" memories result. Make sure to include refreshments at the end of your FHEs. They will help memories build through the years as your children begin to learn that each member really can be enjoyable and valuable!
