FHE: I Am a Child of God

Jan 2009 Issue

By Alison Palmer
Scripture: Psalm 82:6

Song: “I Lived in Heaven,” Children’s Songbook, 4

Preparation: Gather paper and drawing implements for each member of the family and a favorite picture of Jesus Christ.

Lesson:

Pass out the pieces of paper to each family member. Ask them to draw a picture of themselves. When everyone is finished spend a few minutes talking about the characteristics that are shared by members of the family, such as: brown hair, green eyes, or freckles. Next, have the family turn their papers over and write or draw a few things about themselves that aren’t visible from the outside, such as: likes animals, happy, or patient.
Talk about the many types of things family members can have in common.
These things help them relate to each other, understand each other and love each other more.

Ask the family for their impressions about the phrase “I am a child of God.”
What kinds of things come to mind? How does this knowledge make them feel about themselves? Remind the family that when we left Heavenly Father to come to earth we were given bodies like His and we were placed in families to remind us of Him as we tried to learn and grow to be like Him. Along with having a body like Heavenly Father, we have a spirit that is like Him as well. Not all of our bodies look the same, and not all of our spirits have the same talents or gifts, but we all possess goodness and blessings given to us by a loving Heavenly Father to help us understand Him, love Him, and learn how to return to Him.

As an example, show the family your picture of Christ. Ask the family to share some of the things they love best about the Savior and point out attributes they mention that have also been listed on their own papers.

End by reminding the family that they are children of God, that He loves each one of us and has a plan for our happiness that will help us return to Him. When we seek out the best parts of ourselves and our families we are following that plan and showing how much we love Him as well.

Activity:

Younger Children- Gather a stack of paper plates, glue, a stapler, a bunch of miscellaneous scraps and craft items and some index cards. Have each family member create a “self portrait” on the back of a paper plate using whatever they can find around the house. Next, staple a second plate to the back of the faces, leaving an opening between the two plates at the top of the head. Talk about the importance of learning and growing in many different ways to become the best we can for Heavenly Father. Let each person draw or write one thing they’d like to “pack” into their spirit before returning to Heavenly Father on the index cards. Then, they can stuff these inside their paper plate head. Encourage them to place their craft somewhere that they can pull out the treasures and wishes they placed inside and look at them as reminders about how they want to learn and grow as children of God. You may also use this opportunity to talk about the kinds of things you don’t want to put in your mind and heart.

Older Children- Play a version of the suitcase game: Each player repeats the a phrase such as “When I return to live with Heavenly Father, with me I will bring:” then list an item of spiritual/eternal value that begins with either a letter of the alphabet in order, or the first letter in the person’s name. Each subsequent family member must repeat the items carried back to Heavenly Father by the people who have gone before him, before adding his own idea.

Refreshments:

Chocolate fondue and a number of items for dipping such as marshmallows, potato chips, pretzels and apples. Remind the family that no matter which items they choose there are “sweet” blessings in store for Heavenly Father’s children.

Teach gospel lessons through the Primary songs with Alison Palmer’s latest book. Sharing Through Song: My Eternal Family. Now available in LDS bookstores everywhere.