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Oct 2008 Issue
By Alison Palmer
Scripture: D&C 4:2
Song: “I Will Be Valiant,” Children’s Songbook, 162
Preparation: Gather a stack of index cards. Write one of each term- heart, might, mind, strength on four of the cards. Write the scriptures that correspond with each term, as outlined in the lesson, on the remaining cards. Mix up the cards and place them upside down to form a small game of concentration. Create enough additional sets of index cards with the topic names on them for each family member.
Lesson: Begin by asking the family to perform some type of physical exercise such as running in place or jumping jacks. See how long each member of the family lasts until they are tired. Talk about how people get stronger and healthier by exercising. Why is this important? What kinds of goals could a person have that would require more exercise and a healthy diet? What kinds of activities might they choose to do for better health?
Read D&C 4:2 with the family and ask them how they think a person might serve God in each of these ways. Show the family the small concentration game. Indicate that underneath are the names of the four areas mentioned in the Doctrine and Covenants. The other four cards have scriptures on them.
Your family must take turns choosing cards to turn over. On each turn, two cards will be turned over looking for matches. If a scripture is turned over it must be looked up by the family and discussed in order to identify which area it should match with. When the right conclusion has been drawn write the answer on the bottom of the scripture card. If the two cards showing match, they are removed from play. If they do not match, they are turned back over and play continues. Once a scripture has been read it does not need to be looked up each time it is revealed, but you may choose to review what the scripture talked about as a reminder.
When the game is complete ask the family to discuss how could these things could be strengthened and improved in order to serve God better.
Give each family member a set of index cards labeled with each item. Read the brief situations provided and ask everyone to choose which attribute would be most needed and hold it up. Discuss the situation and how an individual could prepare to serve God in each case. To give distinction between might and strength, consider might to be protection and endurance, the things that keep us going and strength to mean power, courage and ability to resist evil and do right. Encourage family members to think about the types of challenges they each face and to find ways to build up their spiritual muscles to help solve problems and serve Heavenly Father well.
Heart – Romans 10: 10
Situation: Michael’s Primary teacher has asked his class to pray about their testimonies of Jesus Christ, then share their testimonies next Sunday in Fast and Testimony meeting. Michael is scared and doesn’t think he’ll have anything to say.
Might – D&C 75: 3
Situation: John and his dad home teach an inactive family. John doesn’t think they should go any more because it’s uncomfortable. They never have anything to talk about and the family is never going to come to church.
Mind – Acts 17: 11
Situation: Abby will have to attend early morning seminary next year. She doesn’t want to get up that early just to go to church.
Strength – Moses 1:20
Situation: Jason’s friends are watching an inappropriate show on television. Jason wants to tell them to turn the channel, or leave, but he knows his friends will just make fun of him.
Activities
Create “exercise” stations (serious or silly). Redistribute one set of the heart, might, minds, and strength cards from the lesson, giving one card to each family member or team of members. Give everyone 15 minutes to decide on and set up an activity for the family that will help them “work” these spiritual muscles. Set up the activities in appropriate places around your house and rotate through each station as a family. Ideas might include: Scrabble® (using only gospel terms) for the mind, writing or sharing testimonies for heart, an obstacle course for might, etc.
Refreshments
Strengthen your body and spirit with:
• Heart shaped slices of cheese
• Graham crackers with peanut butter and alphabet shaped cereal to spell words on the top
• Barbells made of mini bagels and carrot sticks
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