The Gospel Blesses Families (PMG Lesson 1 Principle 2)

Lesson 1 Principle 2: The Gospel Blesses Families

There are some people who say that the idea of families was invented by people.  But we know that's not true.  Before the earth was even created, we lived as part of a family.  We had a Father in heaven and we were His children.  God created families because He loves us and wants us to be happy. Coming to earth to live in a family is an important part of God's plan for us.

There is a song that teaches these principles:
The Family is of God (verse 1 and chorus)
     (sing-along video)

Why did God give us families? (listen to the song or come up with your own ideas; here are just a few possible answers)
     to bring happiness
     to help us learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere
     to prepare us for eternal life

Object lesson:
You are like this craft stick.  If you were sent to earth all by yourself, how strong would you be?  Would it be easy for Satan to break you?  That's why families are such an important part of the plan.  A family is like a group of sticks all bundled tightly together.  Is this easy to break?  Together, in families, we are stronger and more able to resist evil.

Are all families strong?  What helps some families to be stronger than others?
   
There is a sentence in The Family: A Proclamation to the World that we are going to use as our scripture this week:
"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." (link to printable scripture)

In other words, the gospel of Jesus Christ helps families to be stronger and happier.

(Optional: If you have only younger children, you may want to end here.)

There is a hymn in our hymnbook called Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth (#298). It teaches us that the righteous things we do in our homes are directly linked to blessings of happiness, safety, and joy.

Let's sing the song (all verses).  Then let's look at the lyrics and make a chart.  In one column, list all the things the family does.  In the other column, list the blessings they receive. (Your chart may look different than mine.  That's great!  It's included only as a help to get you started.)

What the family does: love (warmth, kindness, charity), gathering each week (FHE), serving with cheerful hearts, parents teach and lead, children honor and obey parents, pray daily, search the scriptures faithfully, sing hymns

Blessings received: home feels like heaven, happiness and joy, safety and security, home is a place we want to be, grow in truth and light, we'll feel His love, hearts and minds are nourished

Which things do we do as a family?  Are there things we could do better? (Perhaps pick one to work on.)  Are there blessings we would like to experience more fully?

Bear testimony of the doctrine of the family, that it is ordained by God, and that learning and living the gospel will bless all families of the earth.

(Optional treat idea: As you bake something together, discuss how it takes different ingredients to make a recipe work.  Have you ever forgotten an ingredient?  What happened? Families are like that: individual ingredients coming together to create something wonderful.)


THIS WEEK FOR FAMILY SCRIPTURE STUDY:
-- Sing EITHER "The Family is of God" OR "Home can be a Heaven on Earth" (your choice)
-- Recite the scripture: "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ."
-- Assign a family member one of the following:

1.  Read this sentence from the Family Proclamation:  "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."  In your own words, what does this mean? Bear testimony of this week's principle.

2.  Read this quote from President Harold B. Lee: "The most important of the Lord’s work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes."  What does this mean?  Give an example.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

3.  (for a younger child)  Sing the first verse of I am a Child of God.  What does it teach you?  What has God given you?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

4.  Sing "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man".  Read Helaman 5:12.  How could this apply to families?  Give specific examples.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

5. (for a younger child) Show a picture of the nativity.  Tell about how Jesus Christ was born into a family when He came to earth.  Bear testimony of the importance of families.

6.  Read Deuteronomy 6:5-7.  What do these verses mean?  How can our family apply them?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

7.  Sing "From Homes of Saints" (Hymn #297).  What do you learn from the lyrics?  In verse two, it lists three things that "God's truths" will do.  What are they?  Give an example from your own life of a time when God's truths protected or lifted you.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

8.  Sing "Home" (CS pg. 192).  What do you learn from this song? How have you felt God's love in your home?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

9.  Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-26.  How could this apply to family members?  How is each person needed?  Do we all rejoice when one family member is honored?  Bear testimony of the importance of love and unity in the family.

10.  Read Isaiah 54:13.  What does this scripture mean to you?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

11.  Read Mosiah 4:13-15.  Read Ephesians 6:1-4. What responsibilities do parents have?  What responsibilities do children have?  How can you use these scriptures to strengthen your family?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

12.  (for a teenager) Read Psalm 127:3-5.  How does this make you feel about becoming a parent in your future?  How is this different from what the world teaches about motherhood or fatherhood?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

13.  Show a picture of the family of Adam and Eve (GAK 119).  Read Moses 5:12.  How can your family be like Adam and Eve's family?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

14.  (for an 11 year old) Do Faith in God -- Preparing for YM/YW #5: Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” Make a list of things you can do to help strengthen your family and make a happy home. Share the list with your parents.

I Know My Father Lives (Hymn #302 OR CS p. 5)

Today we are going to learn a song that teaches us about God.  Did you know there are many people in the world who are confused about who God is and what He is like?  But we don't have to be confused, because we can learn the truth through this song.

I'm going to sing the first phrase of this song, and I want you to listen for two truths it tells us about God:
(sing) I know my Father lives

Truth #1:  God is my Father
Truth #2:  God has a body; He lives

Now I'm going to sing the next phrase.  Listen for another truth:
(sing) and loves me too

Truth #3: God loves me

Will you sing that whole line with me?  ("I know my Father lives, and loves me too")

(Bear testimony:) God is real.  He lives, and because He is your Father, He loves you. I know that is true.

Do you feel the Holy Ghost whispering to you that this is true?  That's the Holy Ghost's job: to tell you in your mind and in your heart what is true.  When you feel happy, that is the Spirit speaking to you.

The next line of the song reminds us of this.  It tells us HOW we can know these things are true.
(sing) The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true; and tells me it is true.

This song is a testimony.  It tells what you know, and how you know it.  When you sing this song, it is just like bearing your testimony.  Will you sing it with me? (repeat it several times until it is learned)

God is Our Loving Heavenly Father (PMG Lesson 1 Principle 1)

Lesson 1 Principle 1: God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

FHE LESSON:

Note: This is written for younger children who may be unfamiliar with this song.  Obviously if your family already knows this song, sing it and discuss the doctrine without all the extra repetition. Always feel free to adapt to your family's needs.

(CS p.5 OR Hymn #302)
Today we are going to learn a song that teaches us about God.  Did you know there are many people in the world who are confused about who God is and what He is like?  But we don't have to be confused, because we can learn the truth through this song and through the scriptures.

I'm going to sing the first line of this song, and I want you to listen for three truths it tells us about God:
(sing) I know my Father lives and loves me too

(We have a white board we wrote these truths on.  Then we left it up all week to help us remember what to bear testimony about.)
Truth #1:  God is my Father
Truth #2:  God lives; He has a body
Truth #3: God loves me

Will you sing that line with me? As we sing, think about how it makes you feel.
sing: "I know my Father lives, and loves me too"

Bear testimony: God is real.  He lives, and because He is your Father, He loves you. I know this is true.

Do you feel the Holy Ghost whispering to you that this is true?  That's the Holy Ghost's job: to tell you in your mind and in your heart what is true.

The next line of the song reminds us of this.  It tells us HOW we can know these things are true.
(sing) The Spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true; and tells me it is true.

This song is a testimony.  It tells WHAT you know, and HOW you know it.  When you sing this song, it is just like bearing your testimony.  Will you sing the whole song with me? (repeat it several times until it is learned)

There is a scripture in the Bible that bears this same testimony. 

(Hold up printed scripture)  "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." --Romans 8:16

How is this scripture like the song we just learned?  Will you read it with me (or repeat after me for non-readers)?  Let's memorize this scripture this week.  Then if you meet someone who doesn't know what you know about God, you can share your testimony through this song and scripture.

Bear testimony.

THIS WEEK FOR FAMILY SCRIPTURE STUDY:
Each day, do these three things:
--  Sing "I Know My Father Lives"
--   Recite Romans 8:16
--   Assign a family member one of the following.  There are more than six for a reason.  Choose which are the best fit for your family.  You may want to assign older children first, so that by the end of the week, the younger children will have heard the doctrine taught several times before it is their turn to teach. The important part is learning to teach and bear testimony in their own words.

1.  Read 3 Nephi 14:9-11.  In your own words, tell what it means.  What important doctrine is being taught? Share a related personal experience.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

2.  Read Doctrine and Covenants 18:10.  In your own words, tell what it means.  Share a personal experience.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

3.  Read or recite the First Article of Faith. The rest of the family can also recite it or sing the song (CS p.122). What does it teach?  Why is it important to know and understand?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

4.  Read Doctrine and Covenants 130:22.  In your own words, tell what it means. Why is it important to understand?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

5.  Read Joseph Smith--History 1:17.  Retell it in your own words.  What truths can you learn from this verse? What does it tell you about the Godhead?  What does it tell you about God's love for you as an individual? Bear testimony of this week's principle.

6.  Read this quote from President Monson:

"Heavenly Father loves you -- each of you.  That love never changes.  It is not influenced by your appearance or by your possessions.  It is not changed by your talents and abilities.  It is simply there.  It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful.  God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love.  It is simply always there." -- Thomas S. Monson (Ensign Nov 2013)

Retell it in your own words.  Share an experience of a time when you felt God's love for you.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

7.  (for a Young Woman or 11 yr old girl)  Recite the first sentence of the Young Women theme: "We are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love Him."  Why is this important for you to know?  Share a personal experience.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

8.  (for a Young Woman) Do Individual Worth #1 in your Personal Progress.  Share your experience.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

9.  (for a Young Man)  Learn about the Godhead for your Duty to God.  Share what you have learned.  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

10.  (for older children) Ammon and Aaron were missionaries to people who did not know about God.  Read Alma 18:24-40 and 22:4-23.  What did these missionaries teach about the nature of God?  How can you follow their examples as you prepare to be a missionary?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

11.  (for very young children) Look at a picture of the First Vision (GAK 403).  Who is in this picture?  How does Heavenly Father feel about Joseph Smith?  How does He feel about you?  Bear testimony of this week's principle.

12.  Read Hebrews 12:9.  Bear testimony that God is the Father of our spirits.

Preach My Gospel lesson explanation

This will be the first entry in a series of FHE lessons based on the lessons in Preach My Gospel (Chapter 3).  There are several objectives that I have with these:

1.  I am my children's first and most important missionary.  It is my job to teach them all the principles of the gospel. Following Preach My Gospel is a great way to ensure all the basic principles are covered.

2.  It is my job to prepare my children to BE missionaries.  In order to do that, they need opportunities to teach and explain gospel principles in their own words.  Learning to verbalize their own thoughts and feelings is a vital skill I want them to develop.

3.  Music is one of the best ways to teach and remember doctrine.  The truths in a well-loved Primary song or Hymn will be cherished and remembered forever.

4.  Memorized scriptures are also a great way to have doctrine engraved on their hearts.  Elder Scott said, "Great power can come from memorizing scriptures. To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship. It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change."  I want my children to have that great power.

I also wanted to make the lessons simple, without a lot of prep time or materials needed.  I wanted them to be accessible to families with children of mixed ages, so that each child would be able to learn and be strengthened.  I also wanted to tie in daily scripture/gospel study so there would be greater continuity and reinforcing of the principles.

Each PMG lesson is broken down into 6-12 principles.  For example, in lesson 1 there are eight principles.  I highly recommend going in order as they build upon each other. (Be aware that the blog does not list them in order.) Then at the end of the eight weeks spent learning those principles, we will have a review week, where each member of the family gets the opportunity to teach a "first discussion", tying the principles into one cohesive lesson.

As I was writing the lessons, I first identified all the points of doctrine in a particular section.  Then I chose one song and one scripture that I felt best taught those principles.

The lessons do not have to be taught exactly as written.  I highly suggest you adapt them to your family's ages and needs.  The important part is the doctrine.  How you present it is up to you.

You'll notice there is a lot of material per lesson.  I suggest using the main lesson for FHE.  Then, each day after, assign one family member to teach and bear testimony of that same principle (using different scriptures, stories, songs, or personal experiences).  I give ideas for doing this, but feel free to adapt it to your family's needs.  Also practice that week's scripture and song each day and try to have them memorized by the end of the week.

These have been a blessing to our family, and I hope they can bless yours as well.