FAmily Home Evening for Matthew 8; Mark 2-4; Luke 7

 Read or Summarize Mark 4:35-41

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Discuss 

What are the things that are part of your family’s “storm of life?” What makes them scared? What things seem overwhelming? Oftentimes we feel alone in our trials, and we wonder if anyone knows of and cares about our suffering. Just as Jesus cared about those on the boat, He cares about us. If we follow Him and pray to Heavenly Father in His name. We can feel His peace in our lives. Discuss ways that we can bring the peace of the Savior into our lives.

Activity

Have each person repeatedly say something that makes them scared or overwhelms them, all at the same time. Have one person hold up a picture of Jesus and say, “Peace be still.” Then, have everyone be silent. This represents how inviting the Savior into our lives can bring us peace, calmness, and quiet when our lives bring us noise, turmoil, and unrest.

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Family Home Evening for Matthew 6-7

 Read Matthew 6:5-13

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Discussion

Today, we are going to talk about prayer. In the scripture above, Jesus taught us 3 important things about prayer.

1. You can pray anywhere! You don’t have to wait until you are in a church building to pray. You can pray in your closet, on the bus, in the car, outside, inside, or wherever you are. Remember though, prayer is personal and sacred, so don’t pray to make people think that you are really great person, because you believe in God. Keep your personal prayers between you and Heavenly Father.

2. Jesus said not to use “vain repetitions” in prayer. Do you know what this means? It means that you should think about what you are saying when you pray. Don’t just memorize what to say and say the same things every time you pray.

3. Heavenly Father knows what you need, before you ask. So you don’t need to say big, long prayers for Heavenly Father to know what you need. He loves you and is willing to answer the simplest of prayers.

To teach your children how to pray, start with the order of prayer.

1. Start with addressing Heavenly Father by name. Just like when you are talking to your earthly parents, you say, “Mom” or “Dad.” When we pray, we are beginning a conversation with our Heavenly Father. So begin your prayers with “Heavenly Father.”

2. Thank Heavenly Father for the blessings that He’s given you.

3. Ask Heavenly Father for things that you need.

4. Thank Him again for your blessings.

5. Close, “In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Activity 

Help children to develop prayers that are personal and nonrepetitive by thinking about things they are grateful for and things or people they could pray for. Make a list and review it before prayers, to help them learn to develop sincere, personal prayers.

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Family Home Evening for Matthew 5; Luke 6

 Read Matthew 5:14-16

Activity

You will need a candle or flashlight and a bucket or something to cover the light source with.

To help children better understand the meaning of this scripture, turn off all of the lights in the room. Point out that sometimes there are so many things in the world that are evil and make people feel sad or scared. This sadness could make people feel dark inside, just like the room is dark. In this scripture, Jesus says that we are the light of the world. (Light the candle or turn on the flashlight.) Tell your children to notice how the light helps them to see the room and where they are going a lot better.

The light that we shine comes from following the example that Jesus showed us. When people know that we follow Jesus, and they see us do good things, then they will follow the light that we shine back to our Heavenly Father.

Sometimes, it is hard to make the right choice and tell people what we believe, because it might make us unpopular, we are worried that we might offend people, or some people may get angry with us. If we hide what to believe, it is the same as covering the light we have, or “putting t it under a bushel,” as the scripture said. (Cover the light) If we are trying to help people have hope, should we hide our light? No. We want everyone we meet to understand how happy believing in Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness can make us. 

Our happiness leads us to serve others, and people will see how many good things we do, and some will believe in and thank Heavenly Father for sending good friends, for service that you might do for them, or for the joy and happiness that the gospel brings.

Discuss

How will you let your light shine before men?

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Family Home Evening for John 2-4

 Read John 3:16-17

16 ​​​For ​​​God​ so ​​​loved​ the ​​​world​, that he ​​​gave​ his ​​​only​ begotten ​​​Son​, that whosoever ​​​believeth​ in him should not perish, but have ​​​everlasting​ ​​​life​.

​​​17 ​For God ​​​sent​ not his Son into the world to ​​​condemn​ the world; but that the world through him might be ​​​saved​

Activity

Put a picture of Jesus in a box. If possible, you could put small pictures of Jesus in the box, so that you can give one to each child. Wrap the box like a present. 

Explain that a long time ago Heavenly Father gave the world a special gift. Though His gift was very special, not everyone understands His gift. Those that believe in His gift and accept it, will live forever and be happy forever. Some people think that this gift was given to curse them or make them so that they have to live by too many rules, but through this gift, the whole world can be saved. The scripture we just read tells us who this gift was. Can you guess who it is? (Allow them to open the box). 

Explain that Jesus is God’s gift to the world, because He loves us. We can feel God’s love when we think about Jesus and when we look at pictures of Jesus. Tell your children to put their picture of Jesus in a place where they can see it often.

Discuss

How does Jesus help us feel God’s love?

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Family Home Evening foe Matthew 4; Luke 4-5

 Read Matthew 4:1-4

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Discuss

 What is fasting?

• Fasting is a commandment from the Lord where we humble ourselves before Him by voluntarily refraining from eating and drinking. In the Church today, one Sabbath day each month is set aside for the purpose of fasting. Members of the Church go without food and water for two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period and then contribute the money that would have been spent for that food to those in need, in the form of fast offerings. (Gospel Topics, “Fasting and Fast Offering”)

How can what Jesus said to Satan (vs 4 above) help us in our fasts?

• Instead of focusing on how hungry our bodies are, we could focus on ways to feed our spirits. Make a list of things that you could do as individuals and family to increase spiritual food, while fasting.

How has your life been blessed by fasting?

• Discuss ways that you and/or your family have been blessed by following this commandment.

Click the picture below to see how we did this lesson