Lesson 39: Ephesians

**General Conference is Oct.5-6. The Come Follow Me For Individuals and Families has this lesson scheduled for September 30-October 13. You can take choose to do this lesson at any point during those two weeks. I will probably do a family game night or activity for our FHE the other week. 

September 30- October 13
Ephesians
"For the Perfecting of the Saints"

Materials: Household Items to represent the armor of God (see below), video "The Armour of God" on churchofjesuschrist.org, Armor of God paper dolls. 
Opening Song: "Scripture Power" verse 2 (found on Sacred Music app or churchofjesuschrist.org)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Attention Activity: Remind your family of the "war against evil" activity from a few weeks ago. Today we will continue talking about the armor we war in the war against evil. 

Lesson: 
Read Ephesians 6: 10-13.  What are we fighting? (powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual wickedness) In verse 11 it talks about putting on the whole armor of God. So lets talk about what that would look like. 

Armor of God Activity:
Invite someone to be your soldier. While you dress them with each piece of armor, describe how that piece can help protect us spiritually.

Helmet of Salvation (bike helmet, football helmet, hat, etc): Just as a helmet protects our heads, our minds need to be protected from Satan. How can we protect our minds from Satan (watch good media, listen to good music, speak kindly, no profanity, no pornography, getting an education)

Shield of Fatih (Paper plate, round lid, etc.) Our faith in Christ and His Atonement is our shield against Satan. Having faith in Christ can protect us from temptation and lead us back to him after we have made wrong choices. 

Girdle of Truth (belt): Knowing the truth always gives you power over the adversary and can protect us from Satan's lies and tricks. 

Breastplate of Righteousness (vest): Breastplates are worn to protect the heart and other vital organs. We must love God and all his children. Choosing the Right and living righteously will protect our heart, our feelings and we will be happy. 

Shoes shod with Preparation of the Gospel of Peace (shoes, boots): We must always be spiritually prepared through things like reading our scriptures and studying the words of the apostles and prophets. 

Sword of the Spirit (toy sword, paper towel tube, foil sword, etc) The Spirit or the Holy Ghost is our weapon against Satan. If we live worthy, the Holy Ghost, a member of the godhead will help us to combat Satan and lead us from temptation. 

Watch the video "The Armor of God" found on churchofjesuschrist.org 

What can we do to help each other put on the armour of God? Share a story of a time in  your life when you were able to use your testimony of the gospel to resist temptation. Bear your testimony of the armor of god and what that means to you.

Activity: Armor of God Paper Dolls
Print and cut out one per family member. If you have a laminator, you could laminate the pieces and attach with bits of velcro. This is a great activity for the church bag!

Closing Song: "We Are All Enlisted" (Hymnal, 250)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Peach Cobbler Recipe Here

Lesson 38: Galations

September 23-29
Galations
"Walk in the Spirit"

Materials: Fruits cut outs (see below), 
Opening Song: "Teach me to Walk in the light"
Opening Prayer:
Scripture:

Attention Activity: 
Go on a short walk as a family. As you walk explain that in order to live a spiritual life, Paul tells us we need to "walk in the spirit" or being led by the Spirit. 

Lesson:
Paul explained in the book of Galations that as we "walk by the spirit" we will receive the "fruit of the spirit." The fruits of the spirit are the positive results we receive by living a spiritual life.

Read Galations 5:22-23.  Before FHE, cut out the fruits from the handout below. Have a member of your family choose a fruit. Define it and think of an example that quality. 

Paul says that if we live righteously, we should have love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, goodness, meekness, and temperance. Exemplifying these attributes helps bring the spirit into our home. What are some things we can do to work on these different attributes? 

President Eyring said in last general conference. "You will find some of your greatest joys in your efforts to make your home a place of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a place that is permeated with love, the pure love of Christ." If were try to exemplify the fruits of the spirit, we will be able to make a place where the spirit of the Lord dwells.

Closing Song: "Let the Holy Spirit Guide"
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:

Pistachio Fruit Salad

1.5 boxes of pistachio Jello Pudding mix
1 full-sized can pineapple tidbits
1 can fruit cocktail
1 can mandarine oranges
8 oz. cool whip 
3/4 bag of mini marshmallows

 Mix ingredients together and chill 20 min. before serving. 

Lesson 37: 2 Corinthians 8-13

September 16-22
2 Corinthians 8-13 
"God Loveth a Cheerful Giver"

Materials: Whiteboard and dry erase markers or large sheet of paper; CTR shield picture, nerf guns or paper balls and pillows (see below)
Opening Song: "We Are All Enlisted" (Hymnal, 250)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure ^ahardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Attention Activity:
Ask your family members to name some famous wars. (Revolutionary War, World Wars I & II, Civil War, etc.) Wars and conflict are an unfortunate part of existence. There has been wars on Earth ever since recorded history and there was even a war in heaven in the preexistence. As long as there has been evil, there has been a fight against it. 
  Lesson:

We are at war. This war isn't a war against another country, race, or religion. It is a war against wickedness. On a whiteboard or large sheet of paper make two columns. Label one "weapons" and the other "war against." Have a family member read 2 Corinthians 10:3-7. As they read list the words in the verses to describe the weapons of the righteous and what they are against. Like below:
Weapons
mighty
not carnal--spiritual 

War Against
strongholds of Satan
imaginations 
everything that exalt itself--prideful
against the knowledge of God
disobedient thoughts
disobedience

What are some of the strongholds of Satan? (pride, impurity, disobedience, doubt, lies, attacking the family, attacking religion, twisting good things into bad things) How can we combat them? What are some weapons that we can use against these?

Elder Rasband spoke about our was against evil in last general conference. He compared the prophet like a watchmen warning people of coming attacks and he said a Christ-centered home is like a fortress. "Our homes are fortresses against the evils of the world. In our homes we come unto Christ by learning to follow His commandments, by studying the scriptures and praying together, and by helping one another stay on the covenant path...But remember, our homes are only as powerful as the spiritual strength of each one of us within the walls." ("Build a Fortress of Spirituality and Protection" April 2019). 

What were some things Elder Rasband mentioned that will help make our home  a spiritual fortress? Show a picture of the CTR shield found on churchofjesuschrist.org. Choosing the Right is a shield and a protection to us against Satan. As we make good choices and keep our covenants we will be spiritually prepared to resist evil. 

Activity: Nerf War
Using nerf guns, have a mock battle to dramatize our "warfare against wickedness." You can also use wadded up paper balls, small pillows, etc. in lieu of nerf guns.  

Closing Song: "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (Hymnal, 60)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Camo Cupcakes recipe here

Lesson 36: 1 Corinthians 1-7

September 9-15
2 Corinthians 1-7
"Be Ye Reconciled to God"

Materials: picture of uncut diamond, piece of diamond jewelry (or a picture), pieces of paper and pencils, video (link below)
Opening Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 78)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Mosiah 24: 14

Attention Activity:
Show a picture of an uncut diamond. Explain that in order for the diamond to go from looking like a rock to looking beautiful in a piece of jewelry it must first go through a difficult process. The diamond has to be refined, cut, polished, and cleaned before it can be place in a jewelry setting. This setting is meant to showcase the diamonds brilliance, beauty, clarity and purity. 

Show are picture of a cut diamond, or if you have one, show a piece of diamond jewelry. We are all diamonds of a divine nature. We have excellent potential. But we are uncut diamonds. We need to be refined. This means we are to be tested, tried, and polished in order to achieve our full potential. Only after we have been refined through challenges and adversity can we be polished enough to be ready for our eternal setting. 

Lesson:
In Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians, he wrote to them about the purposes and blessings of tribulations. Everyone in life faces challenges, trials, hard things they have to endure. This is also called adversity. Sometimes we face challenges because we've sinned. Sometimes we have to face a hard situation because someone else has sinned. Other times, we face a trial that's just a natural part of life. Trials could be anything from a test you are worried about taking, to dealing with bullies, to overcoming a bad habit like lying. Or they could be things like dealing with an illness or when a loved one dies.

Paul was no novice when it came to overcome difficult challenges. What are some challenges we've read that Paul had to overcome? (being rebuked by Christ, not being accepted by the Jews, being bitten by a snake, being falsely accused, being cast into prison)

Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. In verse 6, Paul is saying that our suffering is bringing about our salvation. Our challenges are blessings because as we overcome our challenges we grow into stronger better people.

Read verse 5 again. Christ is the ultimate example of overcoming adversity. What were some trials Christ had to face during his life? How did he overcome them? Read Matthew 11:28-30. Christ wants us to depend on him when we have challenges. Read Mosiah 24:14. How can Christ ease our burdens? (Through the Holy Ghost comforting us, through others comforting us and helping us, through inspiration, divine intervention, repentance.)

Pass out a piece of paper and a pencil to everyone. Have each member write down the answer to this question: What is a trial you are facing now or might be facing soon? Have your family members share what they wrote. How can we overcome those challenges?

Think of a trial your family has faced in the past that you have gotten through together. How did you overcome that challenge?

Show the video "God Will Lift Us Up" from churchofjesuschrist.org 

Even though our trials and tribulations can be hard. It is always important to keep an eternal perspective. Helping other people with their trials can also bring us joy and make it easier to bear our own. Remember we are like the diamonds being refined for our celestial home. Bear your testimony of how trials and tribulations can be a blessing.

Optional video: "Spiritual Whirlwinds" by Elder Anderson 


Closing Song: "If the Savior stood beside me" (Additional Songs for Children)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment:
Blueberry Scones Recipe here

Lesson 35: 1 Corinthians 14-16

September 2-8
1 Corinthians 14-16
"God is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace" 

Materials: makeup pencil, washcloth, picture of the temple, picture of temple baptismal font
Opening Song: "Baptism" (Children's Songbook, )
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 6 For for this cause was the gospelpreached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Attention Activity: 
With a makeup pencil, draw a frowny face on the cheek of a family member and set a wet washcloth in from of them. Tell them, "If you're able to clean off the frowny face with the washcloth, you'll get a piece of candy. But you can not touch the washcloth." Does this task seem impossible? How can you possibly use the washcloth to clean your face if you can't touch it? Draw a smiley face on you. Then, ask another family member to pick up the washcloth and help you clean it off. Did the mark come off? Did I touch the washcloth?

This is like the work we do for others in the temple. When you do something for someone else because they are unable to do it for themselves, it is called doing it "by proxy."

Lesson:
Heavenly Father loves all His children. "God is no respecter of persons." He wants us all to return to Him in heaven. But there are many people who didn't learn about the gospel when they were alive or they weren't baptized with the proper authority. Millions of people have lived on the earth have not received the ordinances necessary to enter the celestial kingdom. How do you think they will be able to enter the celestial kingdom if they weren't baptized while alive?

Show a picture of the temple. In the temple, we perform ordinances by proxy on behalf of our ancestors that lived before us. Show a picture of a temple baptismal font like the one in the CFM manual.  The year you turn twelve, if  you are worthy, you can be interviewed by the bishop to receive a special limited use temple recommend allowing you to participate in baptisms for the dead. 

If there is a teenager in your family who has participated, ask him to share his experience on what it was like inside the temple. 

Read 1 Corinthians 15:29. Here, we learn that the members of the ancient Church participated in baptisms for the dead just like we do today. This is an important distinction. When the Church was restored, baptisms for the dead were restored. Now everyone who has ever lived will be able to be baptized if they choose to accept the ordinance.

Show the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzCSrMJhWeQ

*If you have children who you think are ready and able to participate in family history work (11+),  you can also show this video of Elder Bendar's challenge to the youth. 

How are we doing as a family in preparing the names of our ancestors for the temple? If neccesary, show your family members how to use apps like Family Search and Take a Name. Sometimes it is hard to find names that are ready to take to the temple, but you can still help do family history work through indexing. Indexing is when you read pictures of historical documents and input the information into a computer program. For more information on indexing click this link. 

Share your testimony on baptisms for the dead and temple ordinances. Encourage your family to set a goal for  family history work. 

Activity: Family Tree
Have each family member fill out their family tree. 


Closing Song: "When Jesus Christ was Baptized" (Children's Songbook, )

Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: 
Grandma's Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe Here

Lesson 34: 1 Corinthians 8-13

August 26- September 1
1 Corinthians 8-13
"Ye Are  the Body of Christ"

Materials: Picture of Relief Society Seal, Paper Heart, cut out hearts (see below), picture of Christ
Opening Song: "Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth" (Hymnal, 298)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Moroni 7:47  But ^acharity is the pure ^blove of Christ, and it endureth ^cforever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

Attention Activity:
Show a picture of the Relief Society Seal. What is the Relief Society? Have a family member read the words at the the top of the seal, "Charity Never Faileth." This is the Relief Society motto, which is a phrase you try to live by. What does it mean? Why would the Relief Society use that as their motto?

Lesson:
The motto, "Charity never faileth" comes from Paul's letter to the Corinthians found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13. In this chapter Paul talks a lot about charity. What is charity? Show a paper heart with the words "Charity= The Pure Love of Christ." The Book of Mormon teaches us that charity is the pure love of Christ. It is the Christlike love we show for others. 

Activity:
Directions: Cut out the hearts below and put tape them around room. Have your family members take turns picking hearts. These are the phrases Paul uses to describe charity in 1 Corinthians 13. As they choose each one, describe what each one means.  Take the heart a put re-tape it around a picture of Christ. 

Suffereth long- charity is long lasting
kind- charity begins with kindness
envieth not- charity means not being jealous of others
vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up- charity is not arrogant 
Doth not behave unseemingly- charitable people are well-behaved and obedient
seeketh not her own- charity is not selfish
thinketh no evil- charitable people try to have clean thoughts
rejoiceth not in iniquity- charitable people try to sin
beareth all things- charity can endure hard things
believeth all things- charitable people are believing
hopeth all things- charitable people have hope
never faileth- charity always makes things better; charity endures 

These phrases Paul used to help us understand charity can also be used to describe Jesus Christ. Can you think of examples of how Jesus exemplified these attributes? Read 1 Corinthians 13:13. How can we abide in charity?

"Charity is three dimensional: it encompasses a love for Christ, love from Christ, and love like Christ. In other words, to experience the pure love of Christ means to feel Christ's love for you, to love Christ purely yourself, and to love others purely as Christ loves them." (John Bytheway 

Bear your testimony of charity. Encourage your family to try to have charity during the week. Ask each family member to share one way they can show charity, the pure love of Jesus Christ. 

Closing Song: "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 78)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Chocolate Kiss Cookies Recipe Here

Lesson 33: 1 Corinthians 1-7

August 19-25
1 Corinthian 1-7
"Be Perfectly Joined Together"

Materials: Pictures of temples, whiteboard and marker, picture fo body, My body is a temple maze, 
Opening Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymnal, 239)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 1 Corinthian 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Attention Activity:
Pass around pictures of temples to your family. What words could we use to describe the temple? Make a list of these words on the white board.


Show picture of a body like the one below. How are our bodies like temples? Circle the words on the whiteboard that can also describe our bodies.

Lesson:

Paul taught the Corinthians that our bodies are temples. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Paul points out that our bodies are temple because the Holy Ghost can dwell in us just like he dwells in the temple. How can we treat our bodies like temples? Make a list of there answers on the board. As your family gives answers discuss the following:

- Obey the Word of Wisdom. If we a careful about the things we put into our bodies, we will receive great blessings. Read D&C 89: 19-21

- Have High Standards in dress and grooming. "Prophets of God have continually counseled His children to dress modestly. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and you can be a good influence on others. Your dress and grooming influence the way you and others act...Do not disfigure yourself with tattoos or body piercings. Young women, if you desire to have your ears pierced, wear only one pair of earrings." (For the Strength of Youth)

- Use clean language. Only soft, kind words are spoken in the temple. So we should refrain from swearing, gossip, and vulgarities (potty language). Always speak kindly to/of others. "Use language to build and uplift those around you." (Thomas S. Monson) This also includes ourselves. We should try to keep our thoughts clean of self degrading remarks. 

- Obey the Law of Chastity. Just as temples are pure sacred places are bodies are also. This means we need to keep the law of chastity. Do not date until you're 16 and then only date in groups until you are ready to find an eternal companion. Sex should only be between a man and a woman legally and lawfully wedded. Refrain from pornography. (Tailor to your family's situation) "Remaining sexually pure helps you to be confident and truly happy and improves your ability to make good decisions now and in the future."(For the Strength of Youth) See the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet on "Sexual Purity" for ideas on how to talk to your children about chastity. 

- Peace, Kindness, and Love. Temples are peaceful places full of love and kindness. We should emulate those qualities in our lives. 

Activity: My Body is a Temple Maze 

Read again 1 Corinthians 6:20. What does it mean that we are "bought with a price?" Christ suffered for our sins; our debt was paid by Him. Paul implores us to righteously use our bodies to glorify God. If we treat our bodies the same way we would treat the temple, we will be able to have that same peaceful spirit with us always. 

Closing Song: "Choose the Right Way" (Children's Songbook, 160)
Closing Prayer: 

Refreshment: Lemon Blueberry Bread Recipe Here

Lesson 32: Romans 7-16

August 12-18
Romans 7-16
"Overcome Evil with Good"

Materials: small sticker, piece of paper, tape, video: "Looking Through Windows" 
Opening Song: "Lord I Would Follow Thee" (Hymnal, 220)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2 1 ^aJudge not, that ye be not ^bjudged.

2 For with what ^ajudgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what ^bmeasure ye mete, it shall be ^cmeasured to you again.

Attention Activity:
Watch the video "Looking Through Windows" found on churchofjesuschrist.org . Why did the woman keep looking through her window? What does it mean to judge others?

** This lesson has several quotes. You may want to print them out and have family members read them aloud to engage them in the lesson. 

Lesson:
When Paul was writing to the saints in Rome he told them that it is wrong to judge others. Read Romans 14: 13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."
Sometimes we assume things about people based on their appearance. Sometimes we criticize someone when they make choices we don't agree with. This is judging others. It can become easy for members of the church to judge others because we set such high standards for ourselves. When others aren't living our same standards, it can be easy to think negatively about them. This is not what the Heavenly Father wants us to do. Not everybody shares our standards and we can never fully understand someones circumstances. Only Jesus is allowed to judge others because only he knows their hearts. 

“Do we judge one another? Do we criticize each other for individual choices, thinking we know better, when in fact we rarely understand another’s unique circumstance or individual inspiration? ... Such judgments, and so many others like them, rob us of the good part, that pure love of Christ.” Bonnie D. Parkin, Ensign, Nov 2003 © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Just like sister Parkin said, when we criticize others, we are not showing love. When you judge someone unrighteously you invite the spirt of contention into your heart. Paul counseled, "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." 

Sometimes we do have to make judgements. The Savior called this making "righteous judgements." “You need to make judgments of people in many of your important decisions, such as choosing friends, voting for government leaders, and choosing an eternal companion. Judgment is an important use of your agency and requires great care, especially when you make judgments about other people. All your judgments must be guided by righteous standards. Remember that only God, who knows each individual’s heart, can make final judgments of individuals (see Revelation 20:12)” True to the Faith © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. When we go to make decisions about friends and relationships those decisions should come from a place of understanding and never from a place of criticism. 

Activity:
The Savior warned us about judging others when He taught the Sermon on the Mount. Read Matthew 7: 2-5. Place a small sticker next to the eye of one family member. Explain that this sticker represents a "mote" which is like a splinter. Then take a piece of paper and tape it to the face of another family member. The paper represents the beam. 

Ask the "beam" family member to try to remove the sticker from the "mote" family member. Did you feel foolish pulling off the sticker with that big paper on your face? It is just as foolish to judge other’s faults unrighteously while attempting to cover up or hide our own faults. Let us not look foolish! Instead be humble and recognize and work on overcoming our faults. Then, with love and compassion, we can help others.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated: “This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:
'Stop it!'"

If we apply the counsel of Elder Uchtdorf to "stop it," we will be able to open our eyes to see the good in others. We will be able to be more understanding, compassionate, and charitable towards others. 

Closing Song: "Kindness Begins With Me" (Children's Songbook, 145b)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: Texas Sheet Cake Cookies Recipe  These are awesome. I doubled the cookie part of the recipe when I made them because the yield is a little small. 

Lesson 31: Romans 1-6

August 5-11
Romans 1-6
"The Power of God Unto Salvation"

Materials: Coloring Page, parachute toys (optional), scriptures, "His Grace is sufficient" video (link below)
Opening Song: "I Stand All Amazed" (Hymnal, 193)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: Romans 3:24  ^aBeing ^bjustified freely by his ^cgrace through the ^dredemptionthat is in Christ Jesus:

Attention Activity:
Tell your family to close their eyes and imagine they are flying in a small airplane. What would happen if while you were up in airplane and you decided to jump out? Why would you fall? What would you need to survive?

Lesson:
A long time ago Paul and the other apostles did not have text messaging or cell phones. If they wanted to send a message to someone, they had to write letters. The letters found in the Bible are called epistles and they communicated gospel truths to the Saints around the world. In Paul's epistle to the Romans, he wrote to them about grace. What is grace? "Grace is the help or strength given to us through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (gospel topics, "grace") 

Read Romans 3: 23-24 and point out the JST in the footnotes. Some people misunderstand what Paul taught about grace. They think that because grace is "free" we don't have to anything to receive God's grace, that all you have to do is have faith in Jesus Christ. While faith is always the first step, there is more to accepting God's grace than just having faith in him. We still need to live righteously and repent in order to truely be changed through grace of Jesus Christ.

 Read Romans 3:28 and explain that the law referred to by Paul in that verse is the law of Moses. Paul is telling people they no longer need to do the works required by the law of Moses. Christians no longer need the law of Moses to pay for sins because Christ paid for them. We now live what Paul calls "the law of faith." So, what do we have to do to accept grace? 

Think back to the airplane question for the beginning of the lesson. Last General Conference, Brother Tad R. Callister shared this same analogy to help us understand grace. 

"Suppose for a moment a man contemplating an exhilarating free fall makes a rash decision and spontaneously jumps from a small plane. After doing so, he quickly realizes the foolishness of his actions. He wants to land safely, but there is an obstacle—the law of gravity. He moves his arms with astounding speed, hoping to fly, but to no avail. He positions his body to float or glide to slow the descent, but the law of gravity is unrelenting and unmerciful. He tries to reason with this basic law of nature: “It was a mistake. I will never do it again.” But his pleas fall on deaf ears. The law of gravity knows no compassion; it makes no exceptions. Fortuitously, though, the man suddenly feels something on his back. His friend in the plane, sensing the moment of foolishness, had placed a parachute there just before the jump. He finds the rip cord and pulls it. Relieved, he floats safely to the ground. We might ask, “Was the law of gravity violated, or did that parachute work within that law to provide a safe landing?”

When we sin, we are like the foolish man who jumped from the plane. No matter what we do on our own, only a crash-landing awaits us. We are subject to the law of justice, which, like the law of gravity, is exacting and unforgiving. We can be saved only because the Savior, through His Atonement, mercifully provides us with a spiritual parachute of sorts. If we have faith in Jesus Christ and repent (meaning we do our part and pull the rip cord), then the protective powers of the Savior are unleashed on our behalf and we can land spiritually unharmed."

What does the parachute represent in Brother Callister's analogy? Who gave us the parachute? Just as the parachute is useless without pulling the ripcord. Grace can only work for us, if we repent. If we don't repent we are still spiritually falling or in our "fallen" state. Grace was Jesus's ultimate gift to us. The ability we have to repent enables us to return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

How has his grace helped you overcome your sins and weaknesses? How has the gift of repentance helped you? Bear your testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Activity: Watch video clip from Brad Wilcox's talk "His Grace is Sufficient" 

Optional Activity: At your local dollar store, you can often find parachute toys for cheap. Give each child a parachute toy and have them throw them from a high point like a ladder or the stairs. Have each child describe to you how the parachute is like grace. 

Coloring Page:
 

Closing Song: "Amazing Grace" (lyrics found online)
Closing Prayer:

Refreshment: No Bake Berry Cheesecake Bars