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I Don’t Know Everything, But I Know I Love You
By
C.S. Bezas
Children can be aggravating. But then again, they can melt our hearts. Try this good old-fashioned Family Home Evening to build a spirit of love in the home. It’s time for that FHE Fun!
Opening Song: #9 Can a Little Child Like Me?
Opening Prayer: By invitation.
Emergency Prep Tip: Last week we put together the start of our “60-second 72-hour kits.” This week, simply add water as an item. Here is a link for water storage suggestions. Make sure to keep the 72-hour kits in an easy-to-grab location, such as the coat closet by the front door. We will continue to add to them as the weeks go by.
Devotional: Invite family members to come each week with a scripture verse they'd like to share with the others in the family. Let everyone 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, when handled in encouraging fashion.
Spiritual Thought: For tonight’s FHE lesson, begin by reading the following quote from Elder Neil L. Andersen:
“Nearly 40 years ago as I contemplated the challenge of a mission, I felt very inadequate and unprepared. I remember praying, ‘Heavenly Father, how can I serve a mission when I know so little?’ I believed in the Church, but I felt my spiritual knowledge was very limited. As I prayed, the feeling came: ‘You don’t know everything, but you know enough!’ That reassurance gave me the courage to take the next step into the mission field” (“You Know Enough,” Ensign, Nov 08, 13).
Explain that Elder Andersen did not know everything, but he knew enough to make good efforts. Explain that as a parent, you do not know everything but that you know enough to make good efforts. And explain that while we do not always know how to solve problems, we know enough to be loving and kind.
Activity:
Invite a volunteer to come forward. Ask them to think of a color. Ask another volunteer to guess that color. Most likely the color they guessed was wrong.
Invite another volunteer to come forward. Ask them to think of a number. Ask another volunteer to guess that number. Most likely the number they guessed was wrong.
Invite one more volunteer to come forward (or the same volunteer). Invite them to think of a town. Ask another volunteer to guess what town he or she was thinking of. Most likely the town guessed was wrong.
Now ask the first volunteer to give you a hug.
Ask the next volunteer to give you a kiss on the cheek.
Ask the last volunteer to give you a ‘high five.’
Why were these last activities easier to do than the first?
Application: Explain that while we don’t know everything about a person or what he or she thinks, we do know enough to show love. Sometimes when we argue, it’s because we’re guessing what the other person is thinking BEHIND what it is that they are saying. And oftentimes we are wrong.
Studies have shown that in most arguments the two people are actually arguing FOR the same outcome, but they misinterpret each others’ words.
Explain that most people in families really do want the same outcome – they just sometimes use the wrong words to get there. Invite the family to focus extra hard this week to give a hug, or a kiss, or ‘high five’ instead of reacting to something that bugs them. To use Elder Andersen’s words in a new way, we may not know everything about an argument, but we know enough to give love!
Closing Song: #198 A Happy Family
Closing Prayer: By invitation.
Refreshments: Try this “Homemade Apple Pie with Fresh Apples” recipe. Hmmm, yum. Old-fashioned goodness at its best. The link comes complete with pictures. Perfect for you if you’ve never tried baking a pie before. And oh so worth it!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE: Here is the link to the rest of Elder Andersen’s talk, “You Know Enough.” Its uplifting tone is well worth the read!
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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