If your family struggles with patience, you are not alone. It's simply time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song: #9 Can a Little Child Like Me?

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional: Why not have some spontaneous scripture sharing? Invite whoever would like to share a scripture verse that strengthens them. Is it a favorite? If so, why?

Spiritual Thought: Start off this week's FHE by reading the following quote from President Hinckley:

“I would hope that in all we do we would somehow constantly nourish the testimony of our people concerning the Savior. I am satisfied – I know it's so – that whenever a man has a true witness in his heart of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, all else will come together as it should” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign , Aug.1997, p. 3).

Activity: Items needed:

• Print out this hymn (one for each person to read along and later to keep in their scriptures)

After reading President Hinckley's quote from above, explain that nourishing a testimony is much the same as strengthening our muscles. Invite any who want to come forward to see how many pushups the family can rack up. This is not a competition with each other, but rather a desire to see how many pushups the family can accumulate as a team. Have all get ready on the floor, but only one does pushups at a time. As soon as the first person fatigues, have the next person begin. When he or she fatigues, have the next person go (and so on) to keep increasing the total number of team pushups. Compliment the team on their effort when finished.

When everyone has had the opportunity (who desires to) to try out some pushups, ask how working to do pushups is like working—for example—to become patient. How is it similar to increasing knowledge about Jesus Christ? How is it like learning to do anything new? And most especially, what did it feel like to do it as a team rather than compete against each other?

Time for brainstorming!

• What are ways to increase knowledge of Jesus Christ?
• How does this build a testimony of Him?
• How does a stronger witness of the Savior help a family be more patient with each other?
• Why would the adversary work to keep us angry with one another?

Application: As our testimony increases of Jesus Christ, so too does our ability to be patient with those who are learning and making mistakes. As our love for Him grows, our love for others does too. We have a broader perspective of why we and they are here. We're able to recognize that each other is in a growth process.

The more we exercise compassion (meaning: “As a team, I'll be patient while you're learning/making mistakes so that you can be patient when I do”), the process of patience becomes easier. Boundaries and consequences must still remain . . . because all choices do bring consequences (good or bad). But the goal is to be patient during each learning experience.

Summary: A person who wants to become physically stronger does something about it every day. A person who wants to get to know Jesus Christ does something about that every day. And every day, the witness of Him helps us in everything else, including patience with each other.

Closing Song: Instead of singing the closing hymn, pass out printouts to hymn #336 School Thy Feelings. Click this link to print it out, if not done previously. Before beginning, ask the family to look for any word(s) they don't recognize. Make sure those terms are understood. Then at the website link above, click the play button to start the hymn to listen to it. (Do make sure that the option “Words and Music” is selected in the upper left corner, before starting the song). Invite the family to pay attention to the Spirit as they listen to the choir sing this beautiful song.

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

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.