Do our children know that their mistakes do not make God hate them? Time for some FHE Fun!

Opening Song: #335 Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Emergency Prep Tip : We at Meridian Magazine now will include a quick emergency preparedness moment in each Family Home Evening we offer. These will be short, yet important tips to help your children be better prepared for potential emergencies. For today's tip:

During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, families suddenly were separated and transported across the U.S. No-one knew where the others where, including small children. It was frightening and it all happened so quickly. Experts now recommend each family have an out-of-state contact to call in situations like this, or even to use as a place to eventually meet. The contact individual records each person's current location and information, thus helping more quickly to reunite the family.

For this week's Emergency Prep Tip , pass out an index card with your choice of a long-distant relative (or close friend) and their phone number written on the card for each person. Take a minute to work on memorizing the number. Use a simple nursery song to make it easy—simply substitute the digits from the emergency number for the words. You can add simple rhymes to make it work. (If you'd like help coming up with a tune for your family's number, email me at bezas@meridianmagazine.com.)

Devotional: Invite family members to come each week with a scripture verse they'd like to share with the others in the family. Let each one read their chosen verse. Enjoy the spirit that comes from these moments. Have fun talking about how or why these verses strengthen. Scripture study is meant to refresh us during the week, NOT be a hindrance or a “have-to”. Devotionals are one of the best ways to teach this truth.

Activity:

Items Needed:

Pass out a paper doll pattern and the scissors. Let everyone cut out their paper doll pattern (if you have teen boys, you could download this pattern instead). People may color their pattern piece, if they desire.

Now pass out the pieces of fabric—or a blank piece of paper—to each person (paper might be easier for young people to cut). Ask them to trace their paper-doll pattern piece onto the blank page. Then cut out the duplicate. When finished, invite the family to color their freshly cut-out piece (if paper was used).

Application:

Ask the family what “20/20 vision” means. After listening to their ideas, explain that doctors have determined that the visual acuity of 20/20 is the ideal vision to have—that if you can see items clearly at 20 feet your eyes function well.

Read the following quote from one of our previous prophets, President Howard W. Hunter. He speaks of a pattern that we should see clearly and use for our lives:

“We, too, must believe that Jesus Christ possesses the power to ease our burdens and lighten our loads. President Ezra Taft Benson has said: ‘That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of the Christ' (Howard W. Hunter, “Come Unto Me,” Ensign, Nov 1990, 17, emphasis added).

Ask the family, “What does the word ‘pattern' mean?” Enjoy their responses. Then ask them to listen closely as you read President Hunter's quote again and think, ‘What does this quote mean to me?”

“We, too, must believe that Jesus Christ possesses the power to ease our burdens and lighten our loads. President Ezra Taft Benson has said: ‘That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of the Christ' (Howard W. Hunter, “Come Unto Me,” Ensign, Nov 1990, 17, emphasis added).

What does the quote mean to them?

Summary:

In closing, share the following scripture and testimony from Nephi in the Book of Mormon:

“And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20).

Explain that when we have faith enough even just to try to pattern our lives after Christ's, the Lord will be with us in amazing ways. Similar to using paper doll patterns to create something new, we use Jesus' example to create personal examples by our choices. The Lord will bless us greatly when we do.

The best part? The Lord doesn't get angry if our own pattern we've “cut” is a little shaky and less smooth than His. He doesn't get angry if we've made crooked cuts. To the contrary, He is pleased we've even tried to follow Him each time we've chosen to do so. The more we use His “pattern” to shape our daily choices, the better we will get at following Him.

We don't need to be discouraged for failing to create flawless moments in life. There is, after all, only One who is perfect. He doesn't hate us for our “crooked cutting efforts.” When we keep seeking His pattern day after day, as we make our choices, He blesses us. In doing so, we please Him. In doing so, He is able to protect us. In doing so, we find eventual joy. It really is worth the effort.

Closing Song: #293 Each Life That Touches Ours For Good

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: These sugar cookies are a yummy treat. And the best part is the fun when kids use the “pattern” of a cookie cutter to make new ones. A perfect snack to follow up on this lesson: following the pattern Jesus Christ has set for us in all things.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE:

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.