FHE Lesson {Pacific Area Goals 2017}

 Here is last years 2016 Pacific Area Goals FHE lesson.

Since the goals are similar, refer to both for ideas.


Watch the Pacific Area Presidency Message http://pacific.lds.org/2017-pacific-area-plan


While watching have family members write down any thoughts/goals that come to mind

As listed last year have small children draw or write ideas under four headings
Draw the following symbols
house/church - Honor Sabbath Day
praying arms - Increase spiritual self reliance
a picture of scriptures - share the gospel
temple 
Have children write or draw ideas in each column



Come up with individual or family goals that suit the pacific area plan that are individualised to your family.

eg
Choose something that can make the sabbath a delight for your family
- visit relatives, cook something to give each week, do family history together, encourage quiet activities, prepare on saturday so you are more organised on sunday, help the missionaries

Increase spiritual and temporal self reliance
- set a budget, choose a course of scripture study, choose a skill you will develop or get better at (eg musical instruments, sport, a subject, cooking etc) help a child pay tithing.

Hasten the Work of Salvation
- Be a better neighbour/friend, smile at others, assist someone in their calling, reach out, make a goal to meet new people, assist in church in extra helpful ways.

Temple
-Set a goal to attend the temple, invite someone else to go to the temple with you, do family history work, teach an fhe to children about temples.

I really like this idea of drawing a child's hand (reaching for the stars) and on the hand or maybe on the stars write the goals you are aiming for

Make multiple copies of this printable - (I will do ONE thing ...... Today) and each week for FHE write down the one thing you will aim for

Try a goal setting printable for kids to keep track of their goals.

Choose a few manageable goals for your family or self individually.
Write them down and keep them in a place that can be seen. Review goals regularly.

FHE Lesson {Advent}

There are lots of ways to count down till Christmas.
Our family has several.
It's great to do a spiritual one in the lead up to Christmas too.

This year I am hoping to do this one each evening for scripture reading:
Scripture Advent and candle


We just used our Christ Centred Advent from previous years tonight.
Daily life of Jesus Tag to hang up and a questions game for a FHE included


Or try the 4 Sundays (or Mondays) Advent one each week the month of December with an Advent wreath and candle. or Here


This year I am going to be using this service Flip Frame Advent
Each day the advent calendar will an act of service or kindness per day


Here are some of the acts of service that I liked 
{I wanted easy achievable ones for the month}

Give someone a compliment today
Smile at people
Make dinner for someone in need
Give cookies to friends
Leave a finished book you've read in a public spot for someone else to enjoy
Pick up rubbish in a local park/roadside etc
Mail a card to someone you haven't seen in a while
Leave coins at a laundromat/shopping centre ride ons/vending machine
Find a local home with best Christmas lights and leave a thankyou note
Give sincere thanks to a teacher and maybe a little gift {school or church or music}
Offer to babysit for a family that needs it
Write a letter to a loved one
Leave anonymous happy notes in public places
Invite a new friend out/over
Let someone ahead of you in a line
Leave stamps for someone to find at the post office
Leave happy chalk messages around your neighbourhood
Wash a car


Introduce what your advent calendar will be this year.

Tonight we went through the Church's Light the World Campaign and watched the Light the world video and went through the days on the advent calendar and the suggested activities. 
The children suggested some of their own ideas. 

We put up the pictures for each day found HERE on the computer.

Then we read out each saying etc "Jesus showed humility..so can you"   
'Jesus Healed the sick.. so can you'  then read out the suggested acts of service.

Tell the children that you hope to do some of the things listed on the Light the World Advent Calendar each day in December.

Light the world Advent Calendar found Here  (scroll down)

I love these little advent journals  Here  {these might work well with older kids}

Enjoy  this time to connect as a family and have a spiritual advent leading to Christmas.

FHE Lesson {Missionary}

Opening Song: "I hope they call me on a mission" Children's Songbook #169 


Opening Prayer : Child


Lesson:


Ahead of time:  Make missionary name badges  - See Here for Printable Mission Name Tags
Get kids to dress up in missionary attire (optional)


We gave one of our children a packet of lollies (candy)- the type in a roll with several inside.

She came out in front of the others and we asked:

What do you do if you have something special?

(all the other girls immediately said "SHARE!")

How would you feel if she didn't share?  (sad, upset etc)

If you didn't see the lollies, how would you know that she had something special? (we wouldn't)

We likened this to sharing the gospel. Talk about missionary work, how we can share what we know with our friends and neighbours. We want all people to know about what we think is special to us. (Share the candy)


Then we gave everyone a candle.

Daddy had the lit candle and said it was like his testimony. He wanted to 'share' it with us.

One by one we lit each others candles 'passing on our testimonies' to one another.


Activity Suggestions:

My husband unpacked everything from his mission :)

He showed photos (most amazing 'cause none of us have ever seen him with hair)
We played with his collection of badges
He showed us letters he wrote and his journals
We practiced some of the languages he learnt
He showed us the mission rule book and read some out 
He showed Ezra Taft Bensons Signature to them (old I know!)



Make missionary name badges together  - See Here for Printable Mission Name Tags

Have adult family members talk about where they served their mission. Show pictures

Make a missionary schedule to look at/follow for a day (or week)
prayer, scripture reading, service, teaching a gospel topic

Hold a mini MTC   see  July 2016 Friend


Extra for older children:

Inspiration from June 2016 New Era "The Hardest part of being a missionary"
 A list of practical experiences
Being Humble without being humiliated
- try things outside your comfort zone, take on extra activities and responsibilities to show you will improve over time
Facing Rejection-
apply for jobs, try out for teams, ask people on dates and activities, learn from setbacks
Managing Motivation
 how to motivate ourselves when bored or stressed, break down problems into small achievable steps
Managaing differences
 sincerely apologise and take responsibility, look for compassionate explanations for anothers behaviour, ask for help with problem solving, dont stew over it, use a soft voice in conflict and respect others feelings.
Skill of conversation -
set a goal to talk to someone new, smile and be curious about others, notice when others might attempt to start conversations and be open and responsive
Physical wellingbeing- learn about good nutrition, exercise, care for your belongings, money and time. Manage sleep and get the right amount.




Closing Song:  "Called to serve"  Children's Songbook #174 


Closing Prayer: Child


Treat: 

Share Candy with one another

FHE LESSON {Speak Kind Words}

We set a challenge for each of our kids to find a inspirational poster/saying/meme during the week in preparation for this FHE


Opening Song:  Let us Oft Speak Kind Words #232

Opening prayer:

We had each family member share their inspirational quotes/posters.

{you could print/display some. We had some from New Era magazine}

Discuss. Point out what you like about them.

Why can inspirational posters be motivating? Why do we feel good?

Is it much nicer to hear kind words than demeaning words?



For the Strength of Youth: {Under Language}

Good language that uplifts, encourages, and compliments others invites the Spirit to be with you. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith, hope, and charity.


Warning scripture against anger, contention, rumours, foolish and vain imaginings
3 Nephi 11:29-30
Proverbs 16:32
Helaman 16:22

Activity:

We put a chair out in front and had each family member have a turn sitting in it.
As they sat their each person said "I love you...... {insert answer}

{For some reason this may feel uncomfortable and sometimes silly to me but it is always the sweetest game - and sometimes makes you think deeply for kind words and reasons why you love someone}

Closing Song:
Closing Prayer:

FHE LESSON {LOVE}

Some of our heart collection

Have a heart on display {paper heart, toy heart, drawn whatever}
What do you think of when you see a heart {LOVE!}

Find out how your child likes to feel loved by asking “How do you know when someone loves you?”  Think about your own answers to this question also
List ways mentioned. 
This will help us to remember how to show love to others too.
{Being hugged. Saying I love you. Showing Support. Being Kind. A kiss before bed etc}

Everyone should know that they are loved!


Sing As I Have loved you

Learn in sign language for extra fun


OR for a simple activity teach children sign language for I LOVE YOU

Jesus gave us the ultimate example.

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

He didn't suggest. It is a commandment to love others.

Just as we love to be loved, we should love others also.

See here for 3 Bible Stories that teach kids about love



Activities:

Make Heart Maps - Lesson Here
{idea found here at Chocolate on my Cranium } to show all the things you love




Make some Random acts of kindness - write a sweet happy anonymous notes and put in your neighbours letterbox. We've also left happy notes on post its and left them in places around the neighbourhood {the public phone box, toilets, park, walkway, benches} 
You are LOVED would be a good one! I've also heard of people who like to slip upbeat notes into library books waiting for unsuspecting people to find.

Have a toy heart and when children do a kindness or love one another they can keep the heart {or leave it at the spot of the good deed} have the children use the heart all week to show love around the house. Alternatively you put the heart around the house during the week in spots you've seen love.

10 ways to teach children about love

Closing Song:  Where Love Is #138

Closing Prayer:

Treat: Heart chocolates

FHE Lesson {Pacific Area Goals 2016}

We are encourage by the Pacific Area Presidency to Hold a Family Home Evening on the 1st of February to discuss how each family can come up with a 'tailored to them' list to complement the Pacific Area Goals.

2016 Goals are:
Honour the Sabbath day at Home and Church
Increase Spiritual and Temporal Self Reliance
Hasten the Work of Salvation
Seek the Blessings of the Temple


Find four pictures to match the Goals.
{We will probably draw ours on our whiteboard}
eg Draw a house/church, praying arms, a picture of scriptures and a temple.


Think of ONE or Several goals your family could make under each heading.

Some examples:

ONE thing we will do different on a Sunday. One new activity you will do.

Make an educational goal for individuals
learn spell words, improve maths, set alarm to make it to school on time every day,

Make a spiritual goal.
Read the Book of Mormon.
Assist seminary aged kids in learning scripture mastery
Ponderise a scripture each week/month
Hold family prayer at a set time daily

Think of someone who you can help/befriend at church this year

Hold FHE about the temple. Take small children to visit the outside of the Temple
Complete 15 in 15 Family History. Show pictures of relatives. Teach children about their ancestors.



Copy and make this Sabbath Day Plan  from lds.org




To keep kids busy if need use old church magazines, print things online have them cut out pictures that will match your goals, even draw to make a collage of all your ideas.

Find pictures that represent a goal in each category. Stick these pictures on a chart with the four headings. Use it to play a matching game with kids.


Set achievable and measurable goals for your family. Pray that the outcome will be the area of vision To strengthen families and individuals by increasing faith and trust in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ and in the Atonement.

Closing Song:

Closing Prayer:

FHE LESSON { New Year}

Opening Song:

Opening Prayer:


Lesson:


Talk about the year in review. 
Ask children to mention some of their favourite things of 2015.
Here is a Year in Review Questionaire for older kids so inclined to fill in answers 
(and you can keep them over the years)

{Our kids can often NOT remember anything they've done past a few weeks ago - which makes me sad. I take alot of photos so scrolling through our photos on the computer soon pricks everyones memory - OHHhhhh remember that, when we did this, wow can we do that again, laughing etc - just need to remember kids aren't ungrateful they just don't have long term memory yet }

Get children to list things they would like to DO this coming year 2015

eg my kids come up with in the past :

Iceskating
Camping
Rockclimbing
Beach
Visit Planetarium
Visit favourite Parks
mentioned a few of their favourite family traditions

We decided that we had enough activities for half a year and will designate one saturday a month to check off the above activities.

Via design mom I heard about these fun questions to ask your children, fill out as a questionnaire.
{and keep their replies to look back on over the years}

This year:

Something I want to do
Something I want to read
Somewhere I want to go
something I want to be better at
Something I want

Maybe you can also include:
spiritual goals: {prayers, scripture reading, holding regular FHE etc}
physical goals: {games to play with kids, daily walks together etc}
Places to go:
Mental health/organizational goals: {kids helping with chores}

Write goals on a Calendar or large piece of paper to keep in view.


 Have fun planning out an awesome year! I find written down goals seem to happen more and better!


Activity suggestions:

We have little voice snippets/video segments of our children saying "Hi my name is ____ I am ____ years old. My favourite thing is ____ . I go to______ school. I love to do______ . It is so fun to look back on the old ones and how they used to sound. Our 7 year old was mimicking her 4 year old voice after we did this activity. She was surprised at how 'babyish' she sounded.

Since we only have a couple of these random snippets we thought it might be a nice thing to record each year. Around New Years would be a good day for it?
We said our names, ages, where we live, what we like to do, favourite things.
Each segment lasted about 30secs to 1min.
This is one of our kids favourite things and they have asked about them, saying where is that video about me from when I was ..... old?


Make a family time capsule to store all your comments/questionnaires in for the year and the coming years.


I am making a Happy Things Jar for this year. Hopefully we will keep it up. Decorate a jar and leave a pen and post it notes near by. Each time something nice happens write it down and put it in the jar. On New Years Eve next year (or whenever- ) take out all the folded papers and read them out. A years full of happy memories.
eg - date nights, Childrens milestones, holidays, funny things kids do, sweet acts of service performed to you and by you.


Closing Song:

Closing Prayer:


Treat: Have a mini new year party with sparkling drink and sparkle

FHE Lesson {Thanks and Giving}

Opening Song: I am Glad for Many Things #151   A Song of Thanks #20

Opening Prayer:


Lesson:


I love this idea of a Thanks and Giving Countdown from Cranial Hiccups!


Write something you are thankful for and on the other side write how you can turn that into a blessing for someone else.

Some suggestions {but you can write your own too}

THANKS: I am thankful for my kitchen (house full of food)
GIVING: Make some yummy food to give to another person

THANKS: I am thankful for my favourite toy
GIVING: Invite someone over to play and share your toy with them

THANKS: I am thankful for church
GIVING: Invite someone along to an activity, sunday worship

THANKS: I am thankful for my body
GIVING: Use it to perform a good deed

THANKS:I am thankful for my family
GIVING: Plan out some time to be together
or visit someone who may be alone at this time of year

THANKS:I am thankful for flowers
GIVING: Give a special someone a small posy out of the blue for no reason

THANKS:I am thankful for all the things I have
GIVING: Donate to a toy drive/Christmas appeal

THANKS:I am thankful for my Grandparents
GIVING:Write them a letter/Call them on the phone

THANKS:I am thankful for my teacher
GIVING: Say thankyou and why you love them

THANKS: I am thankful for my bed/bedroom
GIVING: Clean it up and keep it neat

THANKS: I am thankful for Jesus
GIVING: Write a testimony down. Share it. Record your feelings in a journal



Scripture:
Here are the scriptures under the topical guide for Thanks, Thanksgiving, Thankful:
Ideas :
Share a few with your family.
Print some out and attach to a gratitude tree.
Read one each night for the rest of November
Write them up on a chalkboard

• It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord:Ps. 92:1;
• Come before his presence with thanksgiving:Ps. 95:1–2;
• Be thankful unto him, and bless his name:Ps. 100:1–5;
• Cease not to give thanks:Eph. 1:15–16;
• Be ye thankful:Col. 3:15;
• Blessing, and glory, and thanksgiving, and honor be unto our God:Rev. 7:12;
• O how you ought to thank your heavenly King:Mosiah 2:19–21;
• Live in thanksgiving daily:Alma 34:38;
• When thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God:Alma 37:37;
• Ye should do all things with prayer and thanksgiving:D&C 46:7;
• Ye must give thanks unto God:D&C 46:32;
• Do these things with thanksgiving:D&C 59:15–21;
• Receive this blessing from the hand of the Lord, with a thankful heart:D&C 62:7;
• He who receives all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious:D&C 78:19;
• In everything give thanks:D&C 98:1; ( 1 Thes. 5:18; )
• Praise the Lord with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving:D&C 136:28;

Closing Song: Thanks for our Father #20

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat:

FHE Lesson {Olive Oil Clay Lamps}

The actual reason we were making the lamps is because I had seen an idea about having a Bethlehem dinner at Christmas and eating by clay lamp light to be like it was at Jesus time. I wanted to prepare some lamps for that, so we had this lesson first :)
Opening Song: Seek the Lord Early #108

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson:

Who remembers a bible story about oil and lamps?
Today we are making our very own olive oil lamps.

We used oven bake clay - Fimo.  2 squares made 4 small lamps.

We followed this tutorial at  Cranial Hiccups

Basically make your clay into a circle and fold it up in the middle.
Make a spout and a circle at the back to fill with oil.
Make sure spout is facing upwards a little.

While our lamps were baking in the oven {about 20 mins} we watched
this: 10 virgins video LDS

This is a parable. A story with other meanings.
What is the oil?
Why can you not share it?
How can we fill our own oil reserves?
These lamps enabled people to carry light wherever they went.
In the same way we are to carry the light of the gospel with us.


Ten virgins = Church members

Oil = Spiritual preparation

Bridegroom = Jesus Christ

Marriage = Second coming of Jesus

extra reading:  Parable of 10 virgins March 2009 Ensign

 Some neat facts about olive oil lamps:
Olive oil burns cleanly, without smoking and is odorless. 
 It doesn’t spread toxic hydro-carbons into the air. 
olive oil won’t ignite if the flame drops down into the oil — in fact it will smother the flame.  
Making it a safe light source. It’s quite amazing that olive oil will burn at all. 
Even old rancid oil burns well. A little oil can burn for quite a long time.


Alternative : glass olive oil lamps


** Take care around fire at all times. 
NEVER leave a burning lamp unattended. 
Teach children careful Fire safety and rules.

Our lamps were in no way perfect. We didn't tilt our spouts up enough before hardening. We used unravelled cotton balls and twill for a wick. The tip of our clay lamp did burn due to proximity of our wicks. The oil must be very close to the edge of the wick or it wont light. We didn't burn them for over 10 mins because of these factors but the lamps do indeed work and we have lit them several times. Keep on a tray incase the olive olive spills out.

Closing Song: When he comes again #82
Closing Prayer:
Treat:

FHE Lesson {The Lords Law of Health}

Opening Song:  The Lord Gave me a Temple #153

Opening Prayer:

Lesson:

Object lesson:

Mouse trap. Place a piece of chocolate on a mouse trap and set it. Discuss the dangers of something so nice but potentially dangerous. Now place a picture of something other people may deem nice but not good for us (eg cigarette, alcohol, drugs)  – wouldn’t we immediately reject this? Of course.

What is the Word of Wisdom?

The Word of Wisdom is a law of health revealed by the Lord for the physical and spiritual benefit of His children.

Where can we find information about the word of wisdom?

Doctrine and Covenants 89

What does the Word of Wisdom say about what we should eat?

The Lord revealed which foods are good for us to eat and which substances are not good for the human body.

What are the promises of the word of wisdom?

Health, protection, knowledge, and wisdom to those who obey the Word of Wisdom.

What principle of the gospel is the word of wisdom teaching us?

Obedience and caring for our bodies.

Youth say about the word of wisdom

Video [7.5mins]

LDS Youth Video Physical Health

Activity.

Holding Fruit and candy

Have child hold an  arm out straight palm facing up.
Place a piece of chocolate on the hand. Is this food health or unhealthy?
Tell them to try keeping it up. Then the adult uses 2 fingers to push the arms down on their wrist. The arm will go down. The body rejects the bad. 

Do it again with fruit and the body will resist the pushing.
The arm will stay up. The body accepts the good food.

This activity worked so well for our family. I hope it does for everyone {because I'm not sure of the science behind it?} The kids were impressed that the arm with the chocolate or candy on it was weak and would go down but the arm holding the apple resisted and stayed strong!

Closing Song:

Closing Prayer: Child

Treat: Fruit

“One keeps the Word of Wisdom knowing that obedience will not only bring freedom from addiction, but it will also add blessings of wisdom and treasures of knowledge.” —Russell M. Nelson “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign, May 2011, 35