Ever play the quiet game? Not only is it a great tool in a parent's arsenal to solve quarrels, it's an effective game to teach receptivity to the Holy Ghost. Time for some FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #26 Reverently, Quietly
Opening Prayer: By Invitation.
Devotional: Time for a quiet moment of testimony sharing. Has a scripture touched the life of anyone in the family this past week? Simple moments like these can be some of the sweetest in the weekly lives of children. Powerful and potent, a weekly FHE Devotional (or even a nightly one) can arm our children with strength in this virulent and dangerous world.
Activity:
Items Needed:
- Announce to the family that you are going to play something called “The Quiet Game.” Let them know that the goal is to see who can be the quietest the longest. Then say, “On your marks. Get set. Go!” Begin timing with a stop watch. But as soon as somebody chuckles, clock their time and write it down. That person is out of the game. Keep recording the times when people actually make noise, thus exiting the game. Then announce with great fanfare the person able to keep quietest the longest.
- For the second round, this time pass out a piece of paper and pen (or pencil). Explain you'll be having the contest again, but now there is an extra layer. The goal is to be quiet and to write down any sounds they hear (whether the heater, the dog, someone's tummy rumbling, a car outside, etc.) The winner will be the one who is quietest longest yet also has written down the most items noticed.
Application:
If we are to be able to hear Heavenly Father's promptings in our lives, we need to practice being quiet each day. The best way to practice quietness is to read scriptures, write in a journal or ponder by yourself (like on a back porch, etc.).
Elder Gerald N. Lund once said : “Even outer noise can detract from inner quiet. . . . Deliberately put aside the cares of the world, put aside the rush of our daily lives, and find a quiet place and a quiet time to sit and ponder and reflect and meditate” (“Is It Revelation?”, New Era, Jul 2004, 44).
Elder Lund also stated, “ One of the most important challenges of our mortal probation is learning to hear, recognize, and then follow the voice of the Lord” (Ibid.). Promise the family that as each one makes an effort to find quiet time during the day, playing “The Quiet Game” as they ponder on God's world, scriptural teachings, and their blessings . . . the Lord will be better able to answer their prayers and help teach them how to solve their problems.
Finally, read together Doctrine and Covenants 111:11 and explain that the Lord waits for each person to quiet their thinking, so that He can lead them carefully back home. He does this through the promptings of the Holy Ghost. When they quiet their minds, they will better feel its influence.
Closing Song: #149 As the Dew From Heaven Distilling
Closing Prayer: By Invitation.
Refreshments: Have fun popping popcorn for this night's FHE. It's a perfect companion to a lesson on listening. Invite family members to see if they can count as a family the amount of popping noises the corn makes as it pops! Applaud them for their ability to listen well.
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