F.H.E. Friday {testimony}

....A lesson of Friday to teach on Monday...

{source}

Over the past few weeks I've been studying this April's General Conference talks. And one of the distinct impressions that I have received is that we needed to share our testimonies more.  I decided put together a family home evening lesson to review just what a testimony is, how we gain our own testimony and how we keep our testimony growing.  This was a more "serious" lesson, without games and extra fun "stuff", but everyone stayed involved and it was a great experience, we all felt and recognized the spirit.  This lesson is geared toward the senior primary & youth age groups. Enjoy...

You Will Need:

• Scriptures for each family member
• A way to watch this short video.
• You may want to print of some of the quotes below, and hand them out to family members to participate.
• Scripture Challenge Sheet {see below}

Song Suggestions:

• I Am a Child of God {cs 2, hymn 301}
• I Know My Father Lives {cs 5}
• Search, Ponder and Pray {cs 109}
• I Believe in Christ {hymn 134}
• I Know My Father Lives {hymn 302}
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives {hymn 136}
• Testimony {hymn 137}

Lesson:

Read: "The quest for a testimony begins with a righteous, sincere desire. Speaking to a group of people who did not yet have testimonies of the gospel, Alma taught: 'If ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.' (Alma 32:27)" {True to the Faith, 178-80}

Ask: What is a testimony? {Sharing what you know and believe to be true, a confirmation from the Holy Ghost to know that something is right and true... NOTE: they don't have to have all the right answers right now, we will be reading some quotes to help explain more}

We are going to read some quotes that will help explain and help us understand even more just what a testimony is.  {Hand out quotes to family members to read, if desired.  After each discuss what each quote means or how it makes you feel}

#1: "A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost.  The foundation of a testimony is the knowledge that Heavenly Father lives and loves His children; that Jesus Christ lives, that He is the Son of God, and that He carried out the infinite Atonement; that Joseph Smith is the prophet of God who was called to restore the gospel; that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth; and that the Church is led by a living prophet today.  With this foundation, a testimony grows to include all principles of the gospel." {True to the Faith, 178-80}

#2: "A testimony is the spirit of prophecy (see Rev. 19:10).  It is a personal revelation from God, revealing the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  A testimony comes through the Holy Ghost; it makes a deep and lasting impression on the soul.

Individual testimonies are the foundation and strength of the Church.  Our testimony provides a guiding light that leads to a commitment which directs our conduct and our way of life.  Our testimony is true north on a spiritual compass.  It is a moving force that cannot be seen but can truly be felt.  It is a burning within that tells us what is right.  It is when 'your heart tells you things that your mind doesn't know' (Harold B. Lee)" {Elder Robert D. Hales}

#3: "Our testimony is a measurement of our faith.  Faith is testimony; testimony is faith.  Having a strong testimony allows us to help others in their search for truth.  Our testimony is a gift from God.  It should be shared, but we do not have the authority to bestow a testimony upon someone else, because a personal testimony is granted by the Holy Ghost.  It can aid others in gaining knowledge for themselves-a knowledge abiding in the heart that leaves no room for doubt." {Elder Robert D. Hales}

#4: "Our testimony is a knowledge of who we are-a child of God, where we came from-the presence of our Heavenly Father, and where we are going eternally if we are faithful-back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.  We must each gain such a testimony if we are to withstand the trials and adversities of mortality and go to the glorious eternal future we all desire." {Elder Robert D. Hales}

Ask: What does "the Spirit" feel like? {The Spirit can feel different to different people.  Talk with your family about how they feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost.  Some answers may include: warm feeling, peace, comfort, sometimes you cry}

Ask a family member to read: Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9

Watch the video "Increase Your Testimony"

Ask: How did you feel as you watched this video?

Ask: What things did the people in the video do to help gain or grow a testimony? {pray, study, fast, ask}

We did this portion as a scripture chase to make it a little more fun--whoever finds it first gets to read...but you can just assign scriptures if you like.  Read each scripture and talk about how each teaches us how to grow a testimony.

1 Nephi 2:16,  Ether 12:6,  Alma 32:7,  D&C 42:51, and John 8:32

It is important to remember that "Testimony grows gradually through experiences.  No one receives a complete testimony all at once.  It grows as individuals show willingness to serve in the church and to study, pray and learn.  It increases as individuals obey God's commandments...part of a testimony's development comes when it is shared." {True to the Faith}

President Marion G. Romney taught us: "It is obvious that the first step toward getting a testimony is to learn the will of the Father.  This can be done by studying the word of God and obeying his commandments as they are learned.  Study the scriptures.  Study the teachings of the prophets.  Study the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine, the Pearl of Great Price, and the Bible.  Read the teachings of the modern prophets, the life of the Prophet Joseph.  Learn and obey the will of God.

There is no shortcut to a testimony.  There are no two ways; there is only one way.  The Lord revealed that sure and certain way when he said to Oliver Cowdery, 'Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge...Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.  Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation" (D&C 8:1-3)

Everyone who sincerely prays with real desire to know the truth concerning what he has learned about the gospel will receive a witness in his mind and in his heart, by the Holy Ghost..." {President Marion G. Romney}

Share these two experiences of how Sister Romney and President David O. McKay gained a testimony. You may want to add a personal story of your own. 

Elder Robert D. Hales tells us of an experience President David O. McKay had as a boy longing for a testimony: "President David O. McKay was the ninth President of the Church.  In his boyhood he desired to know, as Joseph Smith had know, of the reality of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  One day while herding cattle in the foothills near his home, he sought a testimony through prayer.  He said:

'I dismounted, threw my reins over my horses head, and there under a serviceberry bush I prayed that God would declare to me the truth of his revelation to Joseph Smith.' (New Era, January 1972, p.56)

He prayed fervently and sincerely with as much faith as he could find within him.  When he finished his prayer, he waited for an answer.  Nothing seemed to happen.  Disappointed, he rode slowly on, saying to himself at the time 'no spiritual manifestation has come to me.  If I am a true to myself, I must say I am just the same 'old boy' that I was before I prayed'

A direct answer to this prayer was many years in coming.  While serving a mission in Scotland, Elder McKay received a powerful spiritual manifestation.  He later commented, 'Never before had I experienced such an emotion. ...It was a manifestation for which as a doubting youth I had secretly prayed most earnestly on hillside and in meadow.  It was an assurance to me that sincere prayer is answered 'sometime, somewhere.' " (Francis M. Gibbons, David O McKay, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1986 p.50)" {Elder Robert D. Hales}

President Romney shared this experience of his wife's "At one time she was a member of a stake Sunday school board.  As such, it was her responsibility to instruct teachers in a union meeting class.  The lesson for a particular session was the Prophet's vision of the Father and the Son.  She was aware that in the class there would be a graduate from the University of Idaho who was not a Latter-day Saint and who did not believe the gospel.  It occurred to her that the account of the Father and the Son's coming to the Prophet Joseph Smith would not be accepted by this educated, refined, and lovely woman.  Thinking about it, she became greatly disturbed.  She was not sure that she herself knew it was true.  She was so distraught that she sought out her mother.  Weeping she said. 'Mother, I can't give the lesson.  I don't know that Joseph Smith had that vision.  That woman will laugh at me and ridicule me.'

Her mother was not an educated woman, but she did have a testimony.  She said to her daughter, 'You know how the Prophet got the vision, don't you?'

'Yes,' answered her daughter, 'he got it by praying to God for wisdom.'

'Why don't you try that?' said the mother to the daughter.

The daughter went to her room and tried it; she 'wrestled' with God, as did Enos.  The result was that she went to that union meeting and gave the lesson convincingly, with power beyond her natural abilities.  How could she do it? Well, the Holy Spirit came to her in response to her inquiry.  She received a burning within her soul.  She knew that Joseph Smith had seen the vision, as well as he knew it.  She had not seen the exact same things with her eyes that the prophet saw, but she had the same knowledge.  She knew from Joseph Smith's description what he had seen, and she had a witness from the Holy Ghost that his account was true." {President Marion G. Romney} 

We gave each of our children a challenge {well, the ones that can read} to read the Book of Mormon, then to pray about it to gain a testimony of their own.  I created a chart to help them stay on task.  It breaks the Book of Mormon down into daily reading assignments, each with a place to put the date and some quick thoughts about what they read that day.  The reading starts out light, about 2 pages a day until about the halfway point {Alma 24}, when it doubles to 4 pages a day.  You can download it below.

Share your testimony.

Printable version here.

***
I thought I would share my testimony with you too.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can imagine.  I know that we have a loving Savior who atoned for our sins and makes it possible for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father.  I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the influence it has had in my life.  I am thankful for the knowledge of eternal families, and for the peace it brings to know I will be with my family forever.  I know the Book of Mormon is true, that it testifies of Christ and is a wonderful influence in my life.  I know that we have living Prophets today to teach, lead and guide us.  I am thankful for all the blessings that have come into my life through the gospel.  I am so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To learn more, visit Mormon.org

Book of Mormon Scripture Chart

F.H.E. Friday {Personal History}

...A lesson on Friday to teach on Monday...

{My Grandma, Peggy K Butler}

On of our kids favorite things to do is watch old family videos and look through our scrapbooks & photos.  They love seeing the funny things they did, how much they have grown up, and how things have changed.  We took the opportunity to talk to the kids about the importance of keeping our personal histories this past Monday, and then as a fun activity we watched some of our home videos.  We had a lot of fun, I hope you will too...

You will need:

• A computer ready to go to Family Search {if you haven't set up an account, do so before your lesson}
• Family videos, scrapbooks or pictures
• A copy of the Old Testament
• I took inspiration from this article from the Friend magazine, you may want to read it too...It also has a fun craft you may want to consider making.
• A journal for each family member, can be as simple as a composition book or notebook (optional)

Song Suggestions:

• Families Can Be Together Forever (cs. 188)
• I Have A Family Tree (cs. 199)
• The Hearts of the Children (cs. 92)
• Truth From Elijah (cs. 90)

Lesson:

Tonight we are going to talk about our personal history.

Ask: Do you know what a personal history is? {A record of things we do, think, and/or experience saved for future generations.}

President Spencer W. Kimball said this about family & personal history: "I urge all the people of the church to give serious attention to their family histories....and let no family go into eternity without having left their memoirs (an account of their family) for their children,  their grandchildren, and their posterity....I urge every person to start the children out writing a personal history and journal." {Ensign, May 1978, page 4}

Ask: What are some ways we can keep a personal history? {journals, scrapbooks, family blogs, photo albums, videos, family newsletters, letter writing, even Facebook, Twitter and Instagram...}

Have a family member read:  Malachi 4:6

Ask: Why is important to keep a family history? {It helps do exactly what Malachi says, turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.}

Keeping a personal history leaves clues about our lives for our future generations.  It gives important information, like birth dates, marriage dates, spouses, siblings and parents, which are needed when we work on genealogy and prepare names for temple work. 

President Gordon B. Hinkley has taught us that "All of our vast family history endeavor is directed to temple work.  There is no other purpose for it.  The temple ordinances become the crowning blessings the Church has to offer."

When we go the extra mile and keep other records, like journals, of what we did that day or what is important to us, our future generations will get an extra glimpse of what our life was really like.  It helps us to emotionally connect and form a bond across the generations.  Even the smallest detail may be interesting to your children and grandchildren. It is also important that we take good care of our pictures, documents and letters, so that they will be around for many years.

I want to show you an example of  how this works.  Family Search now lets us post pictures, stories and documents so that we can see what our ancestors' lives were like. {open Family Search, hover over "memories" on the menu bar at the top of the page.  From there you can explore pictures and stories about your ancestors that have been uploaded, or you can upload some of your own.  Take a little time to explore and talk about what you find} 

Bear your testimony of the importance of  personal and family history. You may want to provide each family member with a journal and challenge them to keep their own personal history.

Activities: 

• Watch family videos, look through scrapbooks or pictures.  Have fun reminiscing.
• Create the heart mobile found here.

Treat ideas: 

• Make a special dessert you (or another family member) enjoyed while growing up.
• Find and use a family heirloom recipe.  Make sure you tell everyone where it came from!

F.H.E. Friday {pinned there, done that}

Pinterest is an amazing resource for Family Home Evening.  Especially when you need a lesson quick, or are looking for special supplements to the lesson you've already planned.  I'm sure I've pinned more than I can ever use (realistically)...but its good to know they are there all the same.

Last Monday I used this pin as a jumping off point to teach a lesson on how we can become closer to our Savior & in turn how our home can become a more peaceful place.  I  used to the talk Opening the Heavens (as referenced in the pin) as the main talking points. I then made a chart of the scriptures Little LDS Ideas listed, one for each family member, so they could keep track of the scripture for that week and be motivated to read it every day....we still have 11 weeks to go, but I have enjoyed the challenge so far.

More pins that I find useful...

• If you have a Young Woman or Young Man in your house this pin has lots of great printables to go along with each monthly theme.
• I used this pin A LOT when I was Singing Time leader, but sometimes its nice to not be the only one singing the songs at F.H.E.--so a simple song flip chart is great to get the little ones (and husbands) singing along to primary songs.
• In case you didn't know you can follow this pin to LDS.org for coloring pages by topic, taken from the Friend magazine--great resource!
• This pin has lots of gospel related coloring pages too.

I have an ever growing number of pins on my CHURCH board (not just F.H.E. ideas) feel free to have a look!

F.H.E. Friday {Joshua 1:9}

...A lesson on Friday to teach on Monday...

Each August as the new school year rolls around we like to focus a lesson on something that will help the kids throughout the school year.  This year we decided to focus on Joshua 1:9...

"Be strong and of good courage; 

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: 

for the Lord thy God is with thee 

whithersoever thou goest."

You will need:

• be ready to read: Standing Up, Standing Out & Courage to Live the Gospel 
• Standard works (for each family member if possible)

Suggested songs:

• Choose the Right Way (cs. 160)
• Dare to do Right (cs. 158)
• Nephi's Courage, vs. 3 (cs. 120)
• Stand for the Right (cs.159)
• Choose the Right (h.239)
• Do What is Right (h.237)

Lesson:

Have a family member read Joshua 1:9.

Tonight we are going to talk about each part of this scripture.  The first part I want to talk about is "be strong".

ask: What does this mean to you? Is it being physically strong, mentally strong, or spiritually strong? 

I am going to read some scriptures to you, your job is to tell me how each scripture teaches us to be strong. (you can also assign scriptures to family members to be read, or have them follow along in their own scriptures)

1. D&C 1:28 (be humble) ask: What does it mean to be humble? (not proud, not arrogant, modest) How does being humble make us strong? (we are more receptive to direction, we are ready to learn and grow)
2. Ephesians 6:10-18  (put on the armor of God) ask: What are the different items of armor we should 'wear'? (vs.14 loins girt with truth, breastplate of righteousness; vs.15 feet shod with the gospel of peace; vs. 16 shield of faith; vs.17 helmet of salvation).  Talk about how each item of armor can help us become strong in our own lives.
3. Moses 1:20 (pray) Share a personal experience when you have prayed about a problem and then received the strength and comfort that you needed.

The next part is "be of good courage".  I am going to read you two stories now.  I want you to pay close attention to how each person in the stories were strong & then tell me how you can apply each lesson in your life.

Read: Standing Up and Standing Out 

Read: Courage to Live the Gospel

What did you learn from these stories? (some ideas from Standing Up: standing up for our beliefs, even when unpopular; courage to take a stand against something we know is wrong; how happy and peaceful you feel when you choose the right) (some ideas from Courage to Live the Gospel: having courage to change our situation if needed; resisting peer pressure; we receive strength when we follow Heavenly Father's council)

President Thomas S. Monson has said "My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness.  As you do so, you will be 'an example of the believers,' and your life will be filled with love and peace and joy." ("May You Have Courage" Ensign, May 2009, 127) 

You may want to role play situations that are appropriate for your family & discuss how each member can be a good example, choose the right, and stand up for what they believe in.

Next we are going to talk about "be not afraid, neither be not dismayed".  

Ask: What does dismayed mean? (discouraged, down trodden, distressed) 

I have three more scriptures, each has a way we can overcome fear or feelings of dismay.  I want you to tell me what each scripture teaches us.

1. 1 John 4:18  (love) How does love cast out fear? (belief that our Heavenly Father loves us is a great comfort, the love of our family and friends supporting us, we are not alone) 
2. Mark 5:36 (believe) When we talk about belief, we often talk about another gospel principle, do you know what it is? (Faith) How can having faith help us to fear less? (knowing Heavenly Father has a plan for us, that if we choose the right we will be blessed, gives us extra strength when we need to stand up for what we believe in)
3. D&C 38:30 (prepare) How are some ways we can be prepared? (scripture study, church attendance, participate in F.H.E., pray, fast, study for tests....the list goes on and on)

The last part is "for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest." 

Ask: What does "whithersoever thou goest" mean? (everywhere you go) 

Elder Robert D. Hales teaches us: "If we are patient in our afflictions, endure them well, and wait upon the Lord to learn the lessons of mortality, the Lord will be with us to strengthen us until the end of our days." ("Behold, We Count Them Happy Which Endure", Ensign, May 1998, 77)

Share a personal experience & bear your testimony of how our Heavenly Father is always with us.

Resource: Line Upon Line: Joshua 1:9

****

As an special back to school gift, I framed Joshua 1:9 for my kids to display in each of their rooms this year as a reminder.  I simply printed off the verse in NeoRetroDraw and colored in the passages I wanted to highlight.  Then backed it with decorative paper and framed it.  Easy as can be :) 

F.H.E. Friday {I Am a Child of God}

...A lesson on Friday to teach on Monday...

This year our family will be having lessons to not only coordinate with the new youth curriculum, but the monthly primary themes as well...first up "I am a Child of God", enjoy!

You will need:

• Computer, tablet or whatever you have available to watch this video {which by the way, I am seriously in love with}
• 1 piece of paper with two columns, in one write {or print off} "Heavenly Father is..." and in the other, "His children can be..."
• Pen or marker
• Empty bottle {soda or something similar}

Song Suggestions:

• I Lived in Heaven {cs 4}
• I Know My Father Lives {cs 5}
• I Thank Thee, Dear Father {cs 7}

The Lesson:

We are going to start by watching this video. Pay close attention, because we are going to be talking about it too.   

Watch video. Then ask:

What was the video trying to teach us? {that we are all children of God}

Did everyone look the same, act the same, or even sing the song the same in the video? {no}

How did the video make you feel? {all answers are right here :) }

Now, I want you to think about just our family, do we all look the same? Or do we have differences?  {talk for a minute or two about the similarities and differences of each family member, talk about both physical and character traits} 

But even though each of us are just a little bit different, we are all part of our family right? {Yes}

Is there another family that we belong to? An extra special family? {yes, our heavenly family}

Everyone is a member of our Heavenly Father's Family.  Our Heavenly Father is the actual father of our spirits, and everyone is a member of this extra special family.  And just like our earthly family, even if someone looks a little different, or acts a little different, or likes different things, that doesn't change the fact that we are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.

Here on earth we are blessed with earthly parents that are here to teach us and be a good example to us.  Do you want to be like mom or dad when you grow up? {yes}

Do you think we also can become like our Heavenly Father as we grow and learn? {yes}


"...just as we are similar to our earthly parents, we are, as children of God, similar to him.  As we can grow up to be like our earthly parents, so we can also grow spiritually to be like our Heavenly Father." {Family Home Evening Resource Book, 21}

Lorenzo Snow taught us that "We are the offspring of God, born with the same faculties and powers as He possesses, capable of enlargement through the experience that we are now passing through in our second estate."  {if needed, remind children that 'our second estate' is our earthly life.  The first estate being our pre-mortal existence, and the third estate being when we return to live with our Heavenly Father.}
{Family Home Evening Resource Book, 21}

Show the paper with "Heavenly Father is..." and His children can be..."  together, list traits of our Heavenly Father.  Some examples include: kind, nice, merciful, compassionate, light {He glows}, forgiving, loving, awesome, helpful, all that is good, perfect {those are just a few that my family came up with}. Then fill what His children can be.  Every trait should be the same, or close too it.  For example for 'light {he glows}, we said that we could let our light shine and for 'perfect' we wrote that we can be the best we can be & we can repent.

Gordon B. Hinckley said "If you really know that you are a child of God, you will also know that He expects much of you, His child.  He will expect you to follow His teachings and the teachings of His dear Son, Jesus.  He will expect you to be generous and kind to others.  He will be offended if you swear or use foul language.  He will be offended if you are dishonest in any way,  if you should cheat or steal in the slightest.  He will be happy if you remember the less fortunate in your prayers to Him.  He will watch over you and guide you and protect you.  He will bless you in your schoolwork and in your Primary.  He will bless you in your home, and you will be a better boy or girl, obedient to your parents, quarreling less with your brothers and sisters, helping about the home.
And thus you will grow to be a strong young man or women in this Church.  You will also be a better member of the community.
Every man or woman who ever walked the earth, even the Lord Jesus, was once a boy or girl like you.  They grew according to the pattern they followed.  If that pattern was good, they became good men and women.
Never forget, my dear young friends, that you really are a child of God who has inherited something of His divine nature, one whom He loves and desires to help and bless...for you are indeed a child of God, worthy and deserving of His love and blessing." {Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice: You Are a Child of God}.

Bear your testimony.

Additional activity:  Everyone sit in a circle and play spin the bottle {place the bottle on its side in the center of the circle and take turns spinning the bottle}  When the bottle points to a member of the family, describe them {make sure you are nice about it! :) } Be sure to add that they are "a child of God", repeat with each family member.

Heavenly Father is... and Spin the Bottle activities are found in the Family Home Evening Resource Guide, Lesson 5 "I am a Child of God"

F.H.E. Friday {Christmas Symbols}

...A lesson on Friday to teach on Monday...

Christmas Symbol Pictionary

You will need:

• Slips of paper with clues {see below}
• Large roll of white paper, poster board, or white board & markers or crayons for drawing
• Timer {if wanted}
• Scriptures (we also used these printouts with scripture references)
• A red & white candy cane for each family member

Song Suggestions:

• Picture a Christmas (CS 50)
• Have a Very Merry Christmas (CS 51)
• Christmas Bells (CS 54)

Getting Ready:

• On your slips of paper write the following clues, be sure to leave the answer off :) {my kids are older, so the clues made it a little more interesting for them, if you have younger children, just write the object on the slip of paper}
• Just as the angels proclaimed Jesus' birth, this sends good tidings of great joy and spreads the Christmas message. {Christmas Card}
• These remind us of Jesus, who is the light of the world. {string of lights}
• With green leaves and red berries, this combines 2 of the colors of Christmas.  It's thorns also remind us of the crown Jesus wore when he was placed on the cross. {Holly and berries}
• These are used to call people together to worship, and to remind us of the joyous announcement of Christ's birth. {Bells}
• This symbolizes the gifts the wise men brought Jesus, and also the greatest gift of all, God's gift of his Son.  {presents/gifts}
• This symbolizes everlasting life, and it's needles point upward toward heaven. {Christmas/evergreen tree}
• This is a symbol of our Heavenly Father's love, having no end. {wreath}
• This reminds us of the light of Christ {candle}
• This is a heavenly sign {star}
• This represents the shepherd's crook, used to bring back sheep into the fold.  It also reminds us that we are to be our brother's keeper. {candy cane}
• Hang your paper for drawing where everyone can see. 
• Print out scripture reference cards, or be ready to read:
• Matthew 2:9-10 {star}
• 1 Corinthians 15:22 {tree}
• John 8:12 {candle}
• Luke 2:8-9 {candy cane}
• Luke 22:44 {red}
• Helaman 14:8 {green}
• 3 Nephi 12:48 {white}
• Matthew 2:11 {presents}

The Lesson:

Do you know that all around us we have reminders of what Christmas is really about? Tonight we are going to learn more about these symbols, so that as we go through the Christmas season, when we see all the pretty decorations and lights, or when we open a gift we can remember the true meaning of Christmas.

On these slips of paper I have clues, I need you to figure out what object it is talking about and then draw a picture of it up here for all of us to guess, then we will share what the object symbolizes.  Make sure you don't use words or talk.

Have a child choose a slip of paper {read it to themselves} & figure out what the answer to the clue is...you may want them to whisper the answer to you, just to make sure they have the right object in mind.  When the child starts drawing, everyone else can start guessing.  When the right answer is given, read the clue, and talk a little about what the symbol means.  Repeat with the remaining clues. When a clue comes up that has a scripture reference {star, tree, candle, candy cane, presents}, add to the clue by reading the corresponding scripture together {see above}.

Another reminder of what Christmas is really about is the colors that we use to decorate.  Who can tell me what the colors of Christmas are? {red, green and white}

Red reminds us of the blood Christ lovingly spilled for us when he suffered for our sins.  Read Luke 22:44.

Green reminds us of everlasting life.  Evergreen trees stay green all year long, which reminds us that our Heavenly Father always will love us, and that through His son and our Savior, Jesus Christ we can obtain eternal life.  Read Helaman 14:8

White reminds us of purity,  Jesus was pure and white and without sin.  We should always try to be like Him...and when we make mistakes we can repent and become pure again.  Read 3 Nephi 12:48

Hold up a candy cane. We talked earlier about the candy cane and how it symbolized the shepherd's crook and reminded us to be our brother's keeper.  When you look at it, what else can it remind us of? {red & white} It has red to remind us of the blood of Christ and white to remind us of purity.  And if we turn the candy cane upside down...what does it become? {a J} To remind us of Jesus.

Bear your testimony :)

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I hope you have a lot of fun with this lesson, I know my family did :)

Merry Christmas!

{Christmas symbol references adapted from here and other various resources}