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Delightful Guests
By
C.S. Bezas
Some of the greatest joys in life can come within the four walls of that place called "home." Here is a quick and easy Family Home Evening lesson to help make that so. Time for some FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #163 I Am Like a Star
Opening Prayer: By Invitation.
Devotional: Devotionals are quick and sweet opportunities to share a few verses that held meaning during private scripture study from the previous week. Anyone who cares to share may do so during this spontaneous portion of FHE.
Activity:
Items Needed:
- Thin slips of paper (enough for each person to receive five)
- pencils
- empty basket, bowl or dish
Pass out five slips of paper to each person present. Ask them to write five delightful things about themselves on the papers. The comments could be: "I want to travel to Iceland someday" to "I pray for President Monson every day." Or "I keep a goal to smile at three new people each day."
Encourage each person to think deeply before they record their personal qualities. Invite them to think of things no-one in the family might know, but that are beautiful things about themselves.
Once everyone has written down their "delightful selves" on their five pieces of paper, place them in the basket.
Now comes the fun part! Pull out a slip of paper and read it. Let everyone guess who they think it is, then let the real "delightful guest" claim the paper. Continue to pull out the strips of paper and guess until all "delightful guests" have been discovered.
Application:
Share with the group that you are pleased to be in the presence of such "delightful guests." Have them sing, "I Am a Child of God," paying close attention to the words. Invite the family to brainstorm how they can help each other feel more like wanted guests in the home.
Read the following quote from President Monson. Share that he spoke these words in General Conference in 2000. Ask the family to listen for the words 'Abraham Lincoln' in the following quote and what that great US President said:
"As we view the disillusionment that engulfs countless thousands today, we are learning the hard way what an ancient prophet wrote out for us 3,000 years ago: He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase' (Eccl. 5:10).
"The revered Abraham Lincoln accurately described our plight: 'We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power. … But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.'"
Ask the family what it means to forget God. What does family life look like in a family that remembers God? How does what we treat each other like show whether we remember God each day or not?
Finish by reading the rest of President Monson's plea for families:
"When the seas of life are stormy, a wise mariner seeks a port of peace. The family, as we have traditionally known it, is such a refuge of safety. 'The home is the basis of a righteous life and no other instrumentality can take its place or fulfil its essential functions' (Quoted in Conference Report, Oct. 1962, 72.).
"Actually, a home is much more than a house. A house is built of lumber, brick, and stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. A house can be a home, and a home can be a heaven when it shelters a family. When true values and basic virtues undergird the families of society, hope will conquer despair, and faith will triumph over doubt" (Thomas S. Monson, “Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 64–66).
Promise the family that the way we get our needs met is usually best done by meeting others needs. A family that is continually looking out for each other, treating each other as "delightful guests", is a family that will know joy in this life and be successful throughout the eternities.
Closing Song: #300 Families Can Be Together Forever
Closing Prayer: By Invitation.
Refreshments: For this "delightful guest" FHE, prepare as a surprise your family's most favorite dessert to honor their unique loves.
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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