Pick a Topic
—Only
you and your husband know what your family needs to hear. The church will
give us suggestions and guidelines from time to time, but you might need to
save these for another time. You teach what you’re inspired to teach for
your family. The possibilities are endless. I won’t try to list them,
but anything your family needs to hear can be developed into a great Family
Home Evening.
Choose a Song—Use
the topical guide in the back of the hymnal or Children’s Songbook to find a
song that matches your topic. Or just pick a family favorite. As your
children grow older, a song can still help put everyone in the mood and
remind them of the lesson for the rest of their lives.
Find a Scripture—Again,
use the topical guide. Or use the scriptures listed at the bottom of the
song you chose.
Search for a Story—We
sometimes think this is the hard part, but there are many sources for
stories. Personal experiences, The Friend or New Era magazines, and
children’s books at the library are just a few.
Discuss It—Demonstrations,
object lessons, and discussions are the meat of any lesson. Get feedback
from your children. Do they understand? What confuses them? Do you need
another lesson on this topic? If they talk about it, they will learn more.
Family Home Evening is not a lecture.
Plan an Activity—Use
puzzles, games and “field trips” to teach your topic. Activities always
enhance a lesson, and sometimes replace it, but don’t fall into the habit of
having just an activity, especially the ones away from home, every week.
Your family needs to be taught the Gospel by you.
Create Refreshments—I
say “create” because refreshments can continue to teach your lesson long
after the night is over. M&M’s can stand for “Mormon Missionaries.” Every
family has favorites, and you may find a way to use your favorite in your
lesson, reminding your children of a gospel principle every time they eat
it.
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