4 Table Legs

1/22/2015

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Tami

1/26/2015 05:44:25 am

Has anyone used the 4 legs of the table or Elder Scott's talk as a base for an FHE lesson? I've recognized some things our family can improve on, but I would like to get the kids involved in the goals. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Andrea Hansen

1/27/2015 11:16:24 am

I have 15-year-old twin boys, a 10-year-old girl, and a 3-year old girl so FHE's at our house are always...interesting!! It is really hard for us to find something that fits and works with everyone. I do have 2 examples that have worked really well though over the past 2 weeks.

Last week I told all of my family that since we were doing a scripture reading challenge at church for the next 90 days that I wanted them to find me 3 blessings that would come into their lives or our families lives as a result of following the commandment. I told them they were welcome to use any resource they had available to them, but they had to have a reference for their 'blessings'. I explained that at some point in their lives either they themselves might question why they should read scriptures or they would have an investigator on their missions that would question why and I wanted them to be able to find an answer for the question without 'Mom & Dad' giving them the answer. It was fun to watch...one of the boys decided to look in the Bible Dictionary and Topical Guide to find some scriptures. One of the boys decided to look in the 'For Strength of Youth'. My daughter decided to look in the Primary song book and Hymn book for the scriptures at the bottom of a song about scriptures. My husband used his smartphone and looked on the gospel library. I used my laptop and searched through the Parenting notes that I have posted previously to find the quotes I wanted to use. We had the 3 year old drawing pictures in her scriptures and coloring a paper. Then as we went around the table and they all shared a couple of them were upset because they only found 1 reference, however when he read the scripture...there were really 3 blessing listed in there. So I opened a Word document on my computer and typed the reference. We each shared what we found until we had a whole list of 'blessings' for reading the scriptures. I testified that I knew if we wanted specific blessings we could get them if we followed the commandment with strict obedience. They were all really involved. I have thought since then about other ways to get my 3 year old involved. I decided that next time we needed to have a dice that she could roll and go around and count the people and choose the next person to share. I also decided we could have helped her pick a scripture that she could have said as well.

This last week I used the General Conference talk by Alan Packer called "The Book". In it he was talking about passports and said that fulfilling the requirements and receiving a passport to enter another country was just like having a spiritual passport to qualify for exaltation and that it was the 'quest of a lifetime'. It lists 4 focuses that the church has to help member qualify for exaltation. We talked about those. Then we talked about how doing little things can also add 'stamps' to our passport to allow us to enter more easily. I used 1/4 size sheets and put a CTR shield and everyone's name on the front. I cut 1/4 sheet paper and we each made our own 'Spiritual Passport'. We got to choose what we wrote as the 'topic' on the top of each page. We put things like...reading the scriptures, saying prayers, going to church, being kind, sharing, attending meetings like sacrament meeting, mutual, activity days, and FHE. Then I pulled out my small stamps and a stamp pad. For each thing they had done that day they could add a stamp to their 'spiritual passport'. I told them the stamps would sit out on the counter all week with the stamp pad. They could put in as many stamps as they chose to do and when they come to FHE next week we will talk about what they learned and experiences they have and I will have their trade in their passports for a treat. My 15 year old boys rolled their eyes when we made them, but then I saw one of them 'sneak' a stamp saying he had read his scriptures and said his personal prayer that morning. :) My 3 year old and 10 year old love to stamp so they have been saying their morning prayers, sharing, and being kind. Each time we talk about all the stamps that are helping our family to be better and work toward returning to Heavenly Father.

I would love to hear other FHE ideas that worked well for families with kids of all different ages. It's really hard trying to find the balance!

Tami

1/30/2015 11:32:26 am

Thanks for these ideas, I am going to try some of these.

Kelleejean

1/28/2015 10:21:03 pm

Elder Scott's talk was very impressive. Listening to it in conference the one thing that stood out to me was how important scripture reading is. He said "Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media." While reading this talk again it has been great to right down all the blessings of prayer, scripture study, family home evening and temple attendance. Scripture study alone had a very long list of blessings. I have been more consistent this week in these four areas. I have not seen a change yet. Only that my boys liked scripture reading more this time because I gave them ownership of scriptures they could mark up and enjoy. They took to this especially my 4 year old who marked every single scripture we read. That was super fun to see.

Danielle Wyble

1/29/2015 11:08:10 am

I could use some advice. I almost always feel so energized about new ways to improve after class but the for legs of the table made me feel so defeated! My husband has not been active since he was 18 which leaves me the trying to do all the spiritual teaching and leading by myself and often without his support. I just got us saying prayer at dinner as our only family prayer of the day and i was so excited for that and i feel like i am failing my kids. Increasing the spirituality in our home is exactly the blessing we need, but i am so far behind i don't even know where to start. Scripture study as a family is so far out of reach i literally cannot imagine it and family night rests completely on my shoulders and soon as i try to do a lesson my husband checks out completely, sometimes actually leaving the room and the kids follow hours bad lead. It is so defeating i normally don't try, how do i get up and keep going? Couples prayer has happened only once when our dog died, but it was so sweet and wonderful i wish i could make that regular. I am afraid any spiritual step i take will push him further from the church and I'm afraid no step forward won't bring him closer to the spirit and I'm afraid the Lord won't accept these ridiculous excuses.
Help.

Sarah

1/30/2015 08:12:09 am

I'm not in your same boat, but my heart goes out to you. But I do think the Lord knows EXACTLY what is going on in your home and He also knows of your desire to do what He has asked. My question to you is: What can you do? Obviously you don't want to push your husband further away from church. One of the sisters I visit teach is in a similar situation with her husband and has decided to study the scriptures with her children after school before he gets home from work. Would that work for you? Do what you can and most importantly don't give up! It's worth doing whatever you cant. I hope others chime in--especially those that are in your same boat or that have been there.

Sarah

1/30/2015 07:53:46 am

One thing that has helped our kids understand the scriptures a little better is that occasionally when we are reading, I stop them and ask them to "translate" the scripture into language we would use today. For example, one night we were reading Alma 30:16 where Korihor tell Alma it is "the effect of a frenzied mind; and this derangement of your minds" makes the people believe in the remission of sins. I asked our kids what words we would use today instead of frenzied and deranged. They came up with cuckoo and crazy.

Keri Lainhart

2/3/2015 06:17:39 am

I am a transplant from the Mojave Desert. During the winter I really miss the sunshine and get a little sulky and moody (to put it nicely). I normally read my scriptures in the morning but get frustrated when my kids get up early and need my attention (I have six ages 5 months to 12 years). After the "4 Legs" lesson, we switched things up and now we all get up for family scriptures and prayers followed by personal study all at our kitchen table. I now KNOW that my kids are doing their personal study and prayer (HUGE shout out to the sweet lady who suggested 'prayer bears' ...genius!) The spiritual boost in the morning lingers into the afternoon and my heart has been softened. My children have been more compliant, kind, and helpful.

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