Family Home Evening
Journals
Opening Song Families can be together forever Children's Songbook #188
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson: Parent
Inspired by some recent (unheard of) stories told us by older members of our family we did a lesson on journals/family history.
I got out all my journals for us to look through
(ok so I might have put a couple of angst ridden teen ones to the side ;)
Journals included ones from childhood, a gratitude - one liners journal, little notes about the kids when they were babies, and a few folders of letters and a folder containing all the wedding cards and birth congratulations we've recieved.
I read out several funny things about me. Then notes about them as babies - first words, silly things they did. The children flicked through all our wedding cards and enjoyed the pictures. I also located a spiritual entry I wrote when President Hinckley visited my town in Australia when I was a teen and told the kids how I had almost forgotten parts of what I had learnt, but here it was to refresh my memory.
Ask questions like:
Why is it important to keep a journal?
(you will NEVER remember everything, so people can know all about you after you have passed, they don't remember when they were a baby so its important for adults to write about babies,
How often will they write/draw in a journal?
(we choose sunday afternoons)
What can you write in the journal?
(always include friends names, places you visit, describe our home, fun things we do, family traditions, things you've learnt, when your sad or happy, on your birthday, important dates like baptisms)
What things would they like people to remember about them?
What things to do we know about our grandparents/great grandparents because of journals?
Activity:
(When I visit my grandparents etc I ask them if I can take digital photos of their photos. These work out so well! I know when one of my grandparents passes I will never see those photos again, I am so grateful that I have taken photos of the photos of 4 generations of grandparents/family)
We held a slideshow from our computer of all the photos we have of our ancestors. We talked about the little we knew of their great great grandparents and showed the photos and where they lived. We had a little laugh at a photo of a great great grandma who looked exactly like their Poppy (great grandpa) in a dress!! (we never guessed he looked so much like his mum!)
Or if each child doesnt already have a journal - gift one to each child and start writing/drawing in it tonight.
{another side note you might like, many years ago we used to include journal writing in FHE. The little kids would draw in their book and we would write the words in for what they did that week. It helped us make FHE go for a bit longer as lessons were very short and sweet when the children are small}
Closing Song: I have a family Tree Children's Songbook #199
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Easter Week
Family Home Evening
Easter
Opening Song "Did Jesus Really Live Again Childrens Songbook #64
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson: Parent
Find our 6 previous Easter Lessons here
Easter Week:
Using this pdf from the April Friend 2011 magazine walk through the week leading up to Easter.
All the text comes from The page 24/25 April Friend 2011.
Have a picture or object to represent each day for visual purposes. You could also stick them on the wall in order or lay in a line on the ground. Alternatively act out what is happening each day.
Saturday
An important holiday called Passover was only six days away. Many people were coming to Jerusalem so they could offer sacrifices in the temple on that day. Jesus walked to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. He would stay there for five nights with His friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary anointed His feet with oil.
Sunday
Jesus walked from Bethany to Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey, as a verse in the Old Testament said He would. People recognized Him as their King, shouting, “Hosanna,” and laying down palm leaves in front of the donkey to keep dust from getting on the Savior. Jesus visited the temple and then returned to Bethany.
Triumphal Entry Picture (#223)
(you can re enact this with palm fronds or big leaves and have children say hosanna while fanning leaves placing leaves in front of a person being the donkey ~ my kids had a great time riding on my poor back!)
Monday
Jesus saw people buying and selling things in the temple. Because He wanted the temple to be a “house of prayer,” He made them leave. Then He healed people who were lame or blind. The jealous priests were angry with Him.
Tuesday
Jesus taught people in the temple and on a nearby hill called the Mount of Olives.
The priests plotted to kill Jesus. One of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, agreed to turn Jesus over to the priests in exchange for 30 silver coins.
Wednesday
The scriptures do not say what Jesus did on this day. He may have spent the day with His disciples. You could read the parable of the ten virgins, a story Jesus taught to His disciples to help them prepare for His Second Coming.
Thursday
Jesus’s disciples got ready for the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. Then, to help them remember Him, He gave them the sacrament for the first time. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and to pray to God. People came with swords and arrested Him. The disciples ran away in fear.
Jesus Washing the Disciples Feet (#226)
Jesus Praying in Gethsemene Picture (#227)
Betrayal of Christ Picture (#228)
Friday
Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus’s disciple Peter denied that he knew Him. Jesus was questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by the king, Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus’s mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb.
The Crucifixtion of Christ Picture (#230)
Saturday
Jesus’s body lay in the tomb. A large stone was put in front of the door. The wicked priests asked Pilate to have guards stand outside the tomb to make sure no one went inside.
The Tomb Picture (#232)
Sunday
Jesus was resurrected! He had risen from the tomb. An angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone. Jesus told His disciples to teach and baptize others and promised to always be with them.
Mary and the Ressurected Lord Picture (#233)
Jesus Shows his wounds Picture (#234)
End with a testimony meeting with everyone bearing the testimony. Mention how Easter week has a lot of significance for us and how grateful we are to Jesus for all that he suffered for us.
Closing Song: Hosanna! Children's Songbook #66
Closing Prayer:
Treat: Pretzels
(they are in the shape of folded arms for prayer) talk about how Jesus prayed in Gethsemene for us
Easter
Opening Song "Did Jesus Really Live Again Childrens Songbook #64
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson: Parent
Find our 6 previous Easter Lessons here
Easter Week:
Using this pdf from the April Friend 2011 magazine walk through the week leading up to Easter.
All the text comes from The page 24/25 April Friend 2011.
Have a picture or object to represent each day for visual purposes. You could also stick them on the wall in order or lay in a line on the ground. Alternatively act out what is happening each day.
Saturday
An important holiday called Passover was only six days away. Many people were coming to Jerusalem so they could offer sacrifices in the temple on that day. Jesus walked to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. He would stay there for five nights with His friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. Mary anointed His feet with oil.
Sunday
Jesus walked from Bethany to Jerusalem. He rode into the city on a donkey, as a verse in the Old Testament said He would. People recognized Him as their King, shouting, “Hosanna,” and laying down palm leaves in front of the donkey to keep dust from getting on the Savior. Jesus visited the temple and then returned to Bethany.
Triumphal Entry Picture (#223)
(you can re enact this with palm fronds or big leaves and have children say hosanna while fanning leaves placing leaves in front of a person being the donkey ~ my kids had a great time riding on my poor back!)
Monday
Jesus saw people buying and selling things in the temple. Because He wanted the temple to be a “house of prayer,” He made them leave. Then He healed people who were lame or blind. The jealous priests were angry with Him.
Tuesday
Jesus taught people in the temple and on a nearby hill called the Mount of Olives.
The priests plotted to kill Jesus. One of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, agreed to turn Jesus over to the priests in exchange for 30 silver coins.
Wednesday
The scriptures do not say what Jesus did on this day. He may have spent the day with His disciples. You could read the parable of the ten virgins, a story Jesus taught to His disciples to help them prepare for His Second Coming.
Thursday
Jesus’s disciples got ready for the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him. Then, to help them remember Him, He gave them the sacrament for the first time. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to suffer for our sins and to pray to God. People came with swords and arrested Him. The disciples ran away in fear.
Jesus Washing the Disciples Feet (#226)
Jesus Praying in Gethsemene Picture (#227)
Betrayal of Christ Picture (#228)
Friday
Jesus was taken to the high priest, Caiaphas. Jesus’s disciple Peter denied that he knew Him. Jesus was questioned by the governor, Pilate, and by the king, Herod. He was condemned to die on the cross. Jesus was crucified. A rich man named Joseph laid Jesus in his tomb. Jesus’s mother, Mary, and Mary Magdalene visited the tomb.
The Crucifixtion of Christ Picture (#230)
Saturday
Jesus’s body lay in the tomb. A large stone was put in front of the door. The wicked priests asked Pilate to have guards stand outside the tomb to make sure no one went inside.
The Tomb Picture (#232)
Sunday
Jesus was resurrected! He had risen from the tomb. An angel descended from heaven and rolled away the stone. Jesus told His disciples to teach and baptize others and promised to always be with them.
Mary and the Ressurected Lord Picture (#233)
Jesus Shows his wounds Picture (#234)
End with a testimony meeting with everyone bearing the testimony. Mention how Easter week has a lot of significance for us and how grateful we are to Jesus for all that he suffered for us.
Closing Song: Hosanna! Children's Songbook #66
Closing Prayer:
Treat: Pretzels
(they are in the shape of folded arms for prayer) talk about how Jesus prayed in Gethsemene for us
Monday, March 12, 2012
Repentance
Family Home Evening Lesson
Repentance
Opening Song: Fourth Artile of Faith Children's Songbook #124
Opening Prayer: Child
Scripture: 3 Nephi 9:22
Lesson: Parent
Have a stick. On each end attach the words
Choice ---------------------------- Consequence
Whatever you choose there is ALWAYS a consequence
Have children pick up stick. Use examples of choices and ask them to pick up the end of the stick that says choice. Now point out that they have also picked up 'consequence'. Whatever we do there is always a consquence, even if we didn't mean to.
What happens if we make bad choices?
If we make bad choices we are also having bad consquences.
If bad choices are sin what do we have to do?
Repent
What is repentance?
Saying and Feeling Sorry
Not doing it again
Restitution (if you break something that belongs to someone you replace it)
We need to try hard everyday to make good choices and decisions
From lds.org : Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.
Activity:
Fill a vase/jar with water.
This is us = Our pure bodies/soul.
Take a drop or two of red dye. This is Sin -Put in vase, watch it spread
Have some bleach (3 tbs) in a little bottle {we used a soy sauce bottle and labeled it REPENTANCE}. Have child drop bleach in vase. The water will start to fade and eventually turn clear again.
(Noticable change in one minute, but 15 mins to be completely clear again)
{Our older children were all like 'its NOT changing very quick' etc etc. We used this opportunity to say that Repentance does NOT happen instantly. It is more than just saying sorry. You ask for forgiveness, you pray, you restore, give back anything you have broken. If you have broken a persons trust or happiness with mean words you have to try to gain the trust back. Repentance is work. IT WILL work over time. Eventually our water lightened and turned completely clear after 15 mins.
Closing Song: I feel my Saviors love Children's Songbook #74
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
Repentance
Opening Song: Fourth Artile of Faith Children's Songbook #124
Opening Prayer: Child
Scripture: 3 Nephi 9:22
Lesson: Parent
Have a stick. On each end attach the words
Choice ---------------------------- Consequence
Whatever you choose there is ALWAYS a consequence
Have children pick up stick. Use examples of choices and ask them to pick up the end of the stick that says choice. Now point out that they have also picked up 'consequence'. Whatever we do there is always a consquence, even if we didn't mean to.
What happens if we make bad choices?
If we make bad choices we are also having bad consquences.
If bad choices are sin what do we have to do?
Repent
What is repentance?
Saying and Feeling Sorry
Not doing it again
Restitution (if you break something that belongs to someone you replace it)
We need to try hard everyday to make good choices and decisions
From lds.org : Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.
Activity:
Fill a vase/jar with water.
This is us = Our pure bodies/soul.
Take a drop or two of red dye. This is Sin -Put in vase, watch it spread
Have some bleach (3 tbs) in a little bottle {we used a soy sauce bottle and labeled it REPENTANCE}. Have child drop bleach in vase. The water will start to fade and eventually turn clear again.
(Noticable change in one minute, but 15 mins to be completely clear again)
{Our older children were all like 'its NOT changing very quick' etc etc. We used this opportunity to say that Repentance does NOT happen instantly. It is more than just saying sorry. You ask for forgiveness, you pray, you restore, give back anything you have broken. If you have broken a persons trust or happiness with mean words you have to try to gain the trust back. Repentance is work. IT WILL work over time. Eventually our water lightened and turned completely clear after 15 mins.
Closing Song: I feel my Saviors love Children's Songbook #74
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Prayer
Family Home Evening Lesson
Prayer
Opening Prayer: Child
Opening Song: A child's Prayer Children's Songbook #12
Lesson: Dad
I've known about the video segments on lds.org for a while but this was the first time we used them. Check out the Media Library ( from lds.org click Menu, study, media library, Video) Great with little kids!
We used this segment on Prayer to start our lesson.
New Testament Stories chapter 20 - Jesus teaches about prayer
After watching the short video we talked about prayer.
We said this poem
We fold our arms
Close our eyes
Bow our heads
When the prayer is said
Then we talked about the elements of prayer by asking questions
What do we start a prayer with? (addressing Heavenly Father)
What is next? (giving thanks for the many things we have)
Then we can...(ask for things - safety, health, good dreams, bless food, )
And we end with (in Jesus Name)
We asked how many times a day can you pray? (whenever you like, but the girls came up with the rough answer of we pray 6 times a day - food prayers, family prayers, individual prayers)
We discussed why we should kneel in prayer (respect, humble, people kneel to kings and dignitarys, so the Lord would be even more important, so we concentrate on only the prayer and not slouching on the couch or laying in our bed )
We reminded the children to continue trying hard in their personal prayers morning and night
Closing Song: Children all over the World Children's Songbook #16
Closing Prayer
Treat
Prayer
Opening Prayer: Child
Opening Song: A child's Prayer Children's Songbook #12
Lesson: Dad
I've known about the video segments on lds.org for a while but this was the first time we used them. Check out the Media Library ( from lds.org click Menu, study, media library, Video) Great with little kids!
We used this segment on Prayer to start our lesson.
New Testament Stories chapter 20 - Jesus teaches about prayer
After watching the short video we talked about prayer.
We said this poem
We fold our arms
Close our eyes
Bow our heads
When the prayer is said
Then we talked about the elements of prayer by asking questions
What do we start a prayer with? (addressing Heavenly Father)
What is next? (giving thanks for the many things we have)
Then we can...(ask for things - safety, health, good dreams, bless food, )
And we end with (in Jesus Name)
We asked how many times a day can you pray? (whenever you like, but the girls came up with the rough answer of we pray 6 times a day - food prayers, family prayers, individual prayers)
We discussed why we should kneel in prayer (respect, humble, people kneel to kings and dignitarys, so the Lord would be even more important, so we concentrate on only the prayer and not slouching on the couch or laying in our bed )
We reminded the children to continue trying hard in their personal prayers morning and night
Closing Song: Children all over the World Children's Songbook #16
Closing Prayer
Treat
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Pure Love
Family Home Evening Lesson
Love
Opening Song: "Jesus said love everyone" Childrens Songbook # 61
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson:
Leading up to Valentines Day I like to make a little display on our Mantle and have a few FHE lessons On Love.
See previous years ideas here here and here
I wanted to focus on the pure love of Christ and Charity.
We will discuss these scriptures:
Matthew 22:35-39
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
1 John 4:20-21
If a man say, I love God, and ahateth his bbrother, he is a cliar: for he that loveth not his dbrother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not eseen?
I am going to challenge the girls to love someone a little extra whom they might not particularly like.
I will check with them to see what things they can do for someone whom they don't always get on with. eg. Classmates, their own sisters ;) (eg share things with them, give a compliment, hold their tongue when they want to answer rudely back, invite them over, do a service for them)
Activity:
Make a Valentines Tree. I used small branches from my yard spray painted red.
You can add:
Pictures of your family
Little paper hearts,decorations
Slips of paper with service ideas you have done, or they could do for eachother
I cut out several hearts from felt. I told the girls I would leave them on the mantle and when they do a good deed around the house secretly (make eachothers beds or my bed, pack school bags, make a treat, wipe table etc) they are to leave a felt heart behind so the person knows someone has done something for them
Closing Song: "Love One Another Childrens Songbook # 136
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
Chocolate hearts
Cookie hearts
Love
Opening Song: "Jesus said love everyone" Childrens Songbook # 61
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson:
Leading up to Valentines Day I like to make a little display on our Mantle and have a few FHE lessons On Love.
See previous years ideas here here and here
I wanted to focus on the pure love of Christ and Charity.
We will discuss these scriptures:
Matthew 22:35-39
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt alove the Lord thy God with all thy bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy cmind.
1 John 4:20-21
If a man say, I love God, and ahateth his bbrother, he is a cliar: for he that loveth not his dbrother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not eseen?
I will check with them to see what things they can do for someone whom they don't always get on with. eg. Classmates, their own sisters ;) (eg share things with them, give a compliment, hold their tongue when they want to answer rudely back, invite them over, do a service for them)
Activity:
Make a Valentines Tree. I used small branches from my yard spray painted red.
You can add:
Pictures of your family
Little paper hearts,decorations
Slips of paper with service ideas you have done, or they could do for eachother
I cut out several hearts from felt. I told the girls I would leave them on the mantle and when they do a good deed around the house secretly (make eachothers beds or my bed, pack school bags, make a treat, wipe table etc) they are to leave a felt heart behind so the person knows someone has done something for them
Closing Song: "Love One Another Childrens Songbook # 136
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
Chocolate hearts
Cookie hearts
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Year
Family Home Evening Lesson
New Year FHE goals
Prayer: Child
Opening Song: Jesus wants me for a sunbeam Songbook #60
Lesson:
We put forth the question to our girls tonight -
What can we all do to make Family Home Evening better this year?
These are the answers that came up:
Chocolate for the treat
An "I love You because..." spot (one person each week and we will list things we love about them)
Bring back 60 second silence (to get our kids to be quiet and get ready for FHE and to practice reverence we use to time to see how long they could be completely quiet for)
Take Turns at teaching the lesson
Outings for FHE once every two months
A hug at the beginning and end of FHE
recite/learn more scriptures
More games
Continue with our 'fancy dinner' night meals before FHE
(we set the table with tablecloth and full settings and fancy cups on monday night and try to have a good quality meal. interesting side note the kids are more acceptable to higher quality (read vegetables) meals on these nights because I say this is what you would get in a restaurant ;)
Act out stories of different prophets in the Book of Mormon and scriptures
Always sing Popcorn and Snowman
Most of these we thought up by our kids. I was very surprised at a few of them. Even though this is a completely SIMPLE idea I thought I would share it because our girls came up with some lovely ideas I wouldn't have thought of myself, or knew that they wanted.
Wishing you all the best with successful Family Home Evenings in 2012!
New Year FHE goals
Prayer: Child
Opening Song: Jesus wants me for a sunbeam Songbook #60
Lesson:
We put forth the question to our girls tonight -
What can we all do to make Family Home Evening better this year?
These are the answers that came up:
Chocolate for the treat
An "I love You because..." spot (one person each week and we will list things we love about them)
Bring back 60 second silence (to get our kids to be quiet and get ready for FHE and to practice reverence we use to time to see how long they could be completely quiet for)
Take Turns at teaching the lesson
Outings for FHE once every two months
A hug at the beginning and end of FHE
recite/learn more scriptures
More games
Continue with our 'fancy dinner' night meals before FHE
(we set the table with tablecloth and full settings and fancy cups on monday night and try to have a good quality meal. interesting side note the kids are more acceptable to higher quality (read vegetables) meals on these nights because I say this is what you would get in a restaurant ;)
Act out stories of different prophets in the Book of Mormon and scriptures
Always sing Popcorn and Snowman
Most of these we thought up by our kids. I was very surprised at a few of them. Even though this is a completely SIMPLE idea I thought I would share it because our girls came up with some lovely ideas I wouldn't have thought of myself, or knew that they wanted.
Wishing you all the best with successful Family Home Evenings in 2012!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Prayer
Family Home Evening Lesson
Prayer
Opening Song: A Child's Prayer Children's Songbook #12
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson:
For this lesson I prepared some strips of paper and made two groups.
One group was "I should pray" the other group was "I shouldn't pray"
I prepared strips of paper that said things like:
When someone is sick
when I am lost or alone
Over my food
For safety and protection
Night and morning
when I am thankful
If I need calming
Or
For lots of money
To ask for a pony or lots of toys
When I want another team to lose
To wish harm upon another person
I read out the strips and each child got a turn at choosing which side the item belonged to. Things that are suitable to pray for, or things that aren't really suitable to pray for. It worked really well and the girls enjoyed guessing and got most of answers right. I then asked them to think of some extra things we could add to our lists.
I originally had 'when I am angry' on the when not to pray side as I meant it in a 'I shouldn't say an angry prayer about how much I hate my sisters and I wish God would do something to show them' way. My girls all said you SHOULD pray when you are angry and it will help you calm down mum! ... so I changed it to 'If I need calming' !
This was a easy simple lesson that worked out well for our family. Any other things you could add to the list of times to pray?
* Idea Inspired by Holly over at Delightful Domestic Science
Closing Song: Search Ponder and Pray Children's Songbook #109
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
Prayer
Opening Song: A Child's Prayer Children's Songbook #12
Opening Prayer: Child
Lesson:
For this lesson I prepared some strips of paper and made two groups.
One group was "I should pray" the other group was "I shouldn't pray"
I prepared strips of paper that said things like:
When someone is sick
when I am lost or alone
Over my food
For safety and protection
Night and morning
when I am thankful
If I need calming
Or
For lots of money
To ask for a pony or lots of toys
When I want another team to lose
To wish harm upon another person
I read out the strips and each child got a turn at choosing which side the item belonged to. Things that are suitable to pray for, or things that aren't really suitable to pray for. It worked really well and the girls enjoyed guessing and got most of answers right. I then asked them to think of some extra things we could add to our lists.
I originally had 'when I am angry' on the when not to pray side as I meant it in a 'I shouldn't say an angry prayer about how much I hate my sisters and I wish God would do something to show them' way. My girls all said you SHOULD pray when you are angry and it will help you calm down mum! ... so I changed it to 'If I need calming' !
This was a easy simple lesson that worked out well for our family. Any other things you could add to the list of times to pray?
* Idea Inspired by Holly over at Delightful Domestic Science
Closing Song: Search Ponder and Pray Children's Songbook #109
Closing Prayer: Child
Treat:
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