February 7-13
Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2
"To be a greater of righteousness"
Materials: a posterboard or whiteboard, card printouts (see below), tape
Opening Song: "Follow the prophet" verse 4: Abraham (Children's Songbook, 110)
Opening Prayer:
Attention Activity: Bring up a member of your family tell them to hold out their hand for a pinky promise. What is a pinky promise mean? A promise is a commitment to do or not do something. What is it called when we make a promise with the Lord? It is called a covenant.
Lesson:
We know that a covenant is a sacred promise you make with Heavenly Father. We make our first covenant when we are baptized. In Old Testament times, a covenant was actually more than just a promise. A covenant is a relationship of trust with God. God trusts you to keep the commandments and you trust him to bless you.
Abraham was a prophet who desired to be in a covenant relationship with God. He wanted to be a "follower of righteousness" and tried very hard to be good (Abr. 1:2). God loved Abraham and was pleased with him. The Lord made a special covenant with Abraham called the Abrahamic Covenant or sometimes just called The Covenant.
Even though God made this covenant with Abraham, it affects the whole world. It has special meaning for us because we receive blessings because of the Abrahamic Covenant.
Activity: Abrahamic Covenant Sort
Before FHE, print and cut out the cards below. Take a poster board or white board and split it into 3 categories. Color coat and label these categories: the promised land, the promise of descendants, the promise of blessings and redemption. Each family member will take turns reading each card and then placing it in it's corresponding category.
The Lord blessed Abraham with some pretty wonderful promises and these promises apply to us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we look at the promises Heavenly Father blessed Abraham with, think about how they can apply to you.
The promised land for Abraham was an actually piece of property where his children and grandchildren could grow up. We also believe in a promised land. Last year, we learned that Zion will one day be built in Jackson County Missouri, so that is a promised land. Also, in Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families it says, "When you read about the promise of a land of inheritance, don’t think just about the land promised to Abraham. Think also about the celestial destiny of the earth itself—an inheritance promised to the 'meek' who 'wait upon the Lord'" ("Thoughts to Keep in Mind: The Covenant," pg. 28).
The promise of descendants also can mean a great deal to us a members of the church. We believe the power of families and seek to multiply and replenish the earth. We know that families are essential to God's plan. God has promised us that families can be eternal and we can continue to grow our families in the celestial kingdom.
The promise of blessings and redemption is an essential part of the Abrahamic Covenant. We not only can receive blessings of God but also, be a blessing from God to others. The priesthood and the blessings of temple are part of the Abrahamic Covenant. As we preach the gospel and do temple work we can be part of the Abrahamic Covenant as we bless others by helping them come unto Christ.
Read Abraham 2:10. When you choose to be baptized you are become a member of the family of Abraham and are able to receive the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant. When you are ready (usually in your teenage or young adult years) you will be able to receive your patriarchal blessing. This blessing is special because it tells you what Abrahamic tribe you belong to. Each tribe is blessed with specific talents from the Lord to help in the Kingdom of God.
Bear your testimony of the Abrahamic Covenant and possibly how the knowledge from your patriarchal blessing has been a blessing to you.
Closing Song: "Israel, Israel, God is calling" (Hymns, 7)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Valentines whoopee pies recipe here
