Lesson 32: Job 1-3; 12-14; 19; 21-24; 38-40; 42

August 1-7
Job 1-3; 12-14; 19; 21-24; 38-40; 42
"Yet I Will Trust in Him"

Materials: video (clip provided, photo (printed), document cards (printed), scissors, glue, scriptures 
Opening Song: "Abide with me tis' eventide" (Hymns, 165)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Watch the video "Get back up again" 

In the video clip, Poppy has bad things happen to her, even though she is trying to do the right thing by venturing out into the unknown to save her friends. The truth is, bad things do happen to good people. Just because we are righteous and follow Christ, doesn't mean we'll have an easy carefree life. They key is to be positive like Poppy and keep our faith in Christ through our trials. 

Lesson:

This week, we will be talking about a man named Job, the trials and challenges he faces, and how he was able to endure his suffering. The book of Job is written like a story with poetic language, but it was revealed to Joseph Smith in liberty jail that Job was a real person. In the book, Heavenly Father and Satan are talking and they disagree on why Job is so righteous. Satan thinks Job is only righteous because he is blessed. God allows Satan to afflict Job with many trials to test his faithfulness. Job looses his wealth, his children, and his health. However, Job stays faithful through it all. 

Job does wonder why all these bad things have happened to him. Others remark that he must have done something bad to have been punished with all his challenges, but Job knows he has always stayed faithful. The Lord finally appears to Job and talks with him. The Lord explains to Job that mortals have a limited perspective when it comes to the creation and His overarching plan. God then blesses Job with double the amount of wealth he had before, he has more children, and his health is restored. When he finally dies, he dies happy and blessed. 

Activity: Lessons from Job puzzle

Before FHE: print the picture and document below (Best if you scale up to 126%). Cut out cards. Arrange the cards onto the back of the photo to fit, paste, and cut photo into 20 pieces . Paste the cards to the back of the photo pieces. 

Directions: Place cards with word side up onto a table. Family members will take turns picking and reading a card and slowly building the picture on the back puzzle-style. 

Read the following quote from Elder Richard G. Scott ("Trust in the Lord" General Conference, Oct. 1995). 

"Your trust in the Lord must be more powerful and enduring than your confidence in your own personal feelings and experience.
To exercise faith is to trust that the Lord knows what He is doing with you and that He can accomplish it for your eternal good even though you cannot understand how He can possibly do it. We are like infants in our understanding of eternal matters and their impact on us here in mortality. Yet at times we act as if we knew it all. When you pass through trials for His purposes, as you trust Him, exercise faith in Him, He will help you. That support will generally come step by step, a portion at a time. While you are passing through each phase, the pain and difficulty that comes from being enlarged will continue. If all matters were immediately resolved at your first petition, you could not grow.”

Bear your testimony on how adversity has helped you to become better and strengthened your faith. 

Closing Song: "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Hymns, 136)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Biscoff cookie bars recipe here

Lesson 31: Esther

July 25-31
Esther
"Thou Art Come... for Such a Time as This"

Materials: Esther video (link provided),  CTR shield page printed, coloring utensils, scriptures
Opening Song: "Dare to do Right" (Children's Songbook, 158)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Print and have your family color the CTR shield. While they are coloring, ask, "What does CTR stand for?"; "What does it mean to choose the right?" "Why do you think the CTR symbol is a shield?" 

Lesson:

This week, we will be talking about on e of the greatest stories of the Old Testament- the story of Esther. Esther is a shining example of choosing the right, even if it means losing your life. 

Watch the video "God's story: Esther" from youtube (4:37)

How did Esther choose the right? Esther is a great example of bravery, faith, and daring to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. She could have died going to the king without permission, but she knew it was the right thing to do. She also knew she needed help. Read Esther 4:16. What did she ask the Jews to do to help her before she went before the King on their behalf? How would fasting help Esther?

Sometimes it's difficult to choose the right. It might mean not being able to do something that seems fun, or it might mean losing a friend. Closing the right is not always easy, in fact a lot of the time it is the harder choice to make. Making wrong choices often seems funner, easier, and it more immediate, but wrong choices lead to consequences that are harmful, difficult, and long lasting. As you make daily choices, try to think about your end goal--returning to Heavenly Father. Are the choices your making bringing you to Christ? Are they making you the best version of yourself?

How was Esther like Jesus Christ? Jesus was brave like Esther. He dared to do the right thing even though it cost him his own life. He died to save His people, including me and you. Bear your testimony on how the motto "Choose the Right" has helped you. 

Activity: The Friend Activity Page. 

Closing Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymns, 239)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: "Garlic cheese bomb" pull-apart loaf recipe here

Lesson 30: Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8

July 18-24
Ezra 1; 3-7; Nehemiah 2; 4-6; 8
"I Am Doing a Great Work"

Materials: The Friend activity pages printed, pens/pencils, video (link provided)
Opening Song: "I love to see the temple" (Children's Songbook, 95)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Print out the one or both of the following activity pages from The Friend and have each family member complete. 

Find that Temple! Answers: 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-f, 5-e, 6-d

Temples around the World (top part) Answers: 1-a, 2-h, 3-e, 4-f, 5-b, 6-c, 7-d, 8-g

Today we are going to talk about temples. Here are some fun facts about temples:

• 166 operating temples
• 41 temples under construction
• 7 temples under renovation
• 68 temples are announced and being planned
• Total: 282 Temples in 74 countries (As of Jun. 27, 2022)

Lesson:

Around 586 BCE, the Babylonian army led by Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. They burned the temple, carried of the sacred objects within, and led the Israelites away captive. Decades later, around 530 BCE, the Israelites returned to Jerusalem and sought to rebuild their lives. They also desired to rebuild the temple: "and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord" (Ezra 3: 8). Why do you think the Israelites made rebuilding the temple a priority?

Read Ezra 3: 10-13. How did the Israelites react to laying the foundation of the temple? After some setbacks, the building of the temple had stopped for a while. Then, a man named Zerubbabel started the work on the temple again after being urged by 2 prophets named Zechariah and Haggai who we'll read more about later this year. Read Ezra 6:16. How did the Israelites feel about the completion and dedication of the temple? 

As we've read these passages today we've talked about how the Israelites praised God, offered thanks, and had joy while they worked to complete the House of the Lord. Today, we continue this tradition. Before each temple is dedicated, the youth in that area lead a celebration in a performance called, "The Cultural Celebration." Watch "The Late Hawaii Temple Youth Cultural Celebration" video from churchofjesuschrist.org. 

Activity:

Go onto temple.churchofjesuschrist.org/list. Have family members call out places and countries around the world and see what the temple looks like in that location. As you look at the pictures of the temple ask family members the following discussion questions:

•  What feeling do you get on the temple grounds or inside the temple?
• How does the temple bring you joy? 
• Why do you go to the temple?
• How can we show our gratitude for the temple and its blessings?

Bear your testimony of the temple and the joy it brings you. 

Closing Song: "Families Can Be Together Forever" (Children's Songbook, 188)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Lemon Cookies recipe here

Lesson 29: 2 Kings 17-25

 July 11-17
2 Kings 17-25
"He trusted in the Lord God of Israel"

Materials: whiteboard and marker, video clip (link provided), scriptures, paper, and crayons
Opening Song: "Search, Ponder, and Pray" (Children's Songbook, 109)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Play a round of hangman with your family on a whiteboard or piece of paper with the phrase, "Feast upon the words of Christ." What does it mean to "feast upon the words of Christ?"

Lesson:

The Israelites in the Southern Kingdom had not been righteous. The king, Manasseh, had led the people to practice idolatry once again. After the death of Manasseh and his son, Josiah became the King over the southern Kingdom of Judah. 

Have family watch "King Josiah" video from churchofjesuschrist.org (1:36)

Read 2 Kings 22:10-11. What book did the servants find? Why did King Josiah rent his clothes?

The scriptures are a powerful tool God gave us. Reading the scriptures can turn our hearts to the Lord. How do the scriptures bless us?

King Josiah wanted all his people to hear the scriptures. Read 2 Kings 23: 2-3. How did king Josiah's people respond to the scriptures? Josiah made a covenant with God similar to the covenant we make at baptism: "to walk after the Lord, and keep his commandments." The people followed Josiah's need and made the same covenant. They wanted to be better. They removed all of the idols from the temple and held the sacred passover meal as a way of showing that they would follow the words of the scriptures.

We try to read the scriptures every day. How do we show we are following God's word in the scriptures?

Activity: Share favorite Scripture story. Using art supplies and paper have family members draw or write about their favorite scripture story. How has the story helped them to keep the commandments?

Read the following quote from Elder Robert D. Hales. Bear your testimony of the scriptures and how they have turned your hear to the Lord. 

Closing Song: "Scripture Power" (Additional Songs for Children, Gospel Library App)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Soft Pretzel Bites recipe here