Lesson 46: Hosea 1-6; 10-14; Joel

November 7-13
Hosea 1-6; 10-14; Joel
"I will love them freely"

Materials: video, scriptures, word search
Opening Song: "Come unto Jesus" (Hymns, 117)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Watch the "Parable of the 10 virgins" video. In this parable of Jesus, Jesus teaches that we must always be prepared for His second coming. In the parable, Jesus likens himself to a groom at a marriage. This is a common metaphor the Savior likes to use. He is the groom and we, the Church, are the bride. 

Lesson: 

In the book of Hosea, the prophet Hosea also likens Jehovah to a groom and God's people as the bride. Read Hosea 2: 19-20. Betroth is a word that means to be engaged to be married. Hosea prophecies that when we are righteous and faithful it is like we are betrothed to the Lord. How is our relationship to God like a marriage?

What happens when 2 people get married? In a marriage, 2 people make vows or promises of faithfulness and love to each other. As we make covenants, we make promises to the Lord to love Him and be faithful to Him. 

Ask a member of your family that has been baptized, "What covenants did you make with Heavenly Father when you were baptized?" 

Keep His Commandments-- Just like 2 people in a marriage promise to be faithful to one another, we have promised to be faithful in keeping the Lord's commandments. In Hosea, The Lord uses adultry symbolically for those who are "departing from the Lord" (Hosea 1:2). 

Always Remember Him-- In marriage, 2 people vow to love your spouse "with all your heart" (D&C 42:22).  In baptism, we covenant to always remember Him. Christ said, "Thou shalt ^alove the Lord thy God with all thy ^bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy ^cmind." (Matt. 22:37). 

Take His Name Upon You-- In marriage, you become one family. In most cases, the wife litterally takes the last name of her husband. As we are baptized, we promise to take His name upon us, meaning to be His disciples or to become the "children of Christ". In Hosea, the Lord says, "Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God" (2:23). 

Activity:

Baptismal Covenant Word Search

When we are baptized, we make a covenants with Heavenly Father. As we keep these covenants, our relationship to God grows stronger. We can renew these covenants every week as we take the sacrament. Bear your testimony of your baptismal covenants. 

Closing Song: "Come Follow Me" (Hymns, 116)
Closing Prayer: 
Refreshment: Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball recipe here

Lesson 45: Daniel 1-6

October 31- November 6
Daniel 1-6
"There is no other God that can deliver"

Materials: For the Strength of Youth *(if possible, have 1 pamphlet per family member to keep in the scriptures a future reference), video (link below), paper, coloring supplies,  
Opening Song: "I want to live the gospel" (Children's Songbook, 148)
Opening Prayer: 

Attention Activity: Watch "Daniel and His Friends" Old Testament Story video from the church website. 

Lesson:

In the book of Daniel, we will read stories about Daniel and his friends: Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-nego. Daniel was a young man when Israel was taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel was a man of great faith who showed time and time again that nothing would stop him from keeping the commandments. How did Daniel keep God's commandments in the video? 

At that time, jews were commanded to only eat and drink certain types of foods and drinks. Daniel and his friends did not want to break this commandment. The Lord blessed Daniel with added strength because he was willing to keep His commandments even though it was hard. Daniel practiced having high standards. 

What are personal standards? Standards are rules of behavior we set for ourselves that reflect our faith in God. For example, we do not take the Lord's name in vain by saying popular phrases like, "Oh my ___." Personal standards can be broken down into a number of different areas. The Church has a pamphlet called The For Strength of Youth that describes standards the Lord wants us to have. The pamphlet is geared towards the youth of the church, but it can be helpful for all members. 

(If possible, give all family members a copy of the For Strength of Youth  pamphlet and have them look at it.)

Activity: Pass out paper and coloring supplies. Have each family member pick a section in the For Strength of Youth and have them read it. Each family member will then use the paper and crayons to make a poster or draw a picture depicting what his or her section discussed. Take turns sharing everyones picture with others. 

This week, as we read Daniel, look for times Daniel keeps his high standards. For example, think back to the video. What were some of Daniel's personal standards you saw in the video (Daniel ate drank water and ate food that was good for him, instead of the wine and meat the King was offering. Daniel chose good friends who held high standards like he did. Daniel practiced faith in the Lord as he kept the commandments.) 

Bear your testimony on how your personal standards have blessed your life. 

Closing Song: "I will be valiant" (Children's Songbook, 162)
Closing Prayer: 
Refreshment: Brown sugar maple cookies recipe here

Lesson 44: Ezekiel 1-3; 33-34; 36-37; 47

October 24--30 
Ezekiel 1-3; 33-34; 36-37; 47
"A new spirit will I put within you"

Materials: a bag, scriptures, two sticks painted different colors and labeled "Bible" and "Book of Mormon", scripture story pictures, paper, crayons,  
Opening Song: "Scripture Power" (Additional Songs for Children, Gospel Music App)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Before FHE put a set of scriptures into a bag. Ask family member to come up and reach into the bag. Tell them to describe what they are feeling to the rest of the family. Have them keep giving clues until the family guesses it is the scriptures. 

Lesson: 

Before FHE, gather two sticks and paint them different colors. Label one "the Bible," and the other "Book of Mormon." Have your family take turns looking at the sticks and reading the labels. 

Why do you think the stick are labeled "The Bible" and "The Book of Mormon." Read Ezekiel 37:16-17. The children of Judah mainly wrote and assembled the Bible, and the children of  Joseph wrote and assembled The Book of Mormon. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon are important works of scripture. 

What do you think it means when it says, "they shall become one in thine hand"? The Bible and The Book of Mormon are meant to be read and studied together. We are meant to learn from both and revere them both as God's word. What blessings have you had from studying the Bible and The Book of Mormon together?

Read Ezekiel 37: 21-22. The scriptures play an important part of the gathering of Israel in the latter-days. How can the scriptures help gather Israel? If someone in you family has served a mission, ask them how The Book of Mormon helped people to come unto Christ. 

The Gathering of Israel means that all will hear the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make covenants and ordinances with Heavenly Father. The Lord says, "I will save them out of tall their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God" (Ezk. 37: 23). 

Activity: Before FHE gather pictures of scripture stories or paper and crayons. Ask your family to find or draw a picture of their favorite scripture story fro the Bible or The Book of Mormon. How does that story help you feel closer to the savior?

President Nelson has said, "The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a tangible sign to the world that the Lord has commenced gathering Israel and fulfilling covenants He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" ("The Book of Mormon, the Gathering of Israel, and the Second Coming, Ensign, July 2014). 

Bear your testimony of the scriptures and how reading the Bible and The Book of Mormon have helped you come unto Christ. 

Closing Song: "The Eighth Article of Faith" (Children's Songbook, 127)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: Zucchini chocolate chip cookies recipe here