Lesson Helps

FHE: Spiritual Growth

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Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “Become as a Little Child,” by Jean A. Stevens, Ensign, May 2011, 10.

Thought:

If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth.

(Jean A. Stevens, “Become as a Little Child,”Ensign, May 2011, 10.)

Song:

“I Will Follow God’s Plan,” Children’s Songbook, p. 164.

Scripture:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).

Lesson:

Ask family members to name their five senses. (Touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing.) Discuss these questions:

- Which of your five senses do you use most? Why?
- How does each of your senses help you learn or discover truth?
- Why does your confidence in something grow if you use more than one of the five senses to understand or know about something?

Explain that John, like several others, had the opportunity to be in the presence of the glorified, resurrected Lord. Ask your family to study 1 John 1:1–4 and look for which of John’s five senses he used during his interaction with Jesus. Ask:

- What do you think about John’s witness?
- What do you imagine it would be like to see and hear the voice of the resurrected Lord?
- How do you think it increased John’s witness to be able to “handle” or touch the Lord?
- Can you think of other people who have had similar experiences?

Ask your family what they think it would be like to have fellowship with the Father and His Son and what we can do to obtain it.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006], p. 302.)

Story:

A member of the Seventy was on assignment in Hong Kong. He visited a very humble ward that was struggling in many ways, unable to provide for its own needs. As the bishop described their situation, the General Authority felt the impression to have the members pay their tithing. The bishop, knowing their dire circumstances, was concerned about how he could carry out that counsel. He thought about it and decided he would approach some of the most faith-filled members of his ward and ask them to pay their tithing. The next Sunday he went to the Primary. He taught the children about the Lord’s law of tithing and asked if they would be willing to pay tithing on the money they earned. The children said they would. And they did.

The bishop later went to the adults in the ward and shared with them that for the past six months their faithful children had been paying tithing. He asked them if they would be willing to follow the example of these children and do the same. The people were so touched by the sacrifices the children were willing to make that they did what was necessary to pay their tithing. And the windows of heaven were opened. With the example of these faithful children, a ward grew in obedience and in testimony.

(Jean A. Stevens, “Become as a Little Child,”Ensign, May 2011, 10.)

Activity:

Have each person write down two or three general topics (such as love, service, faith, etc.) on slips of paper. Put all the slips of paper in a bowl. Give each family member a set of scriptures (have young children work in a team with an older person). Draw out one of the slips of paper and read the topic. Give everyone two minutes to find a scripture on that topic. Have each person share the scripture they found. Repeat with as many other slips as time allows.

To get the PDF version of this lesson, click here.

Lead image from Shutterstock
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