Recently in conference, Sister Esplin taught about teaching our children to understand the gospel. See HERE for the excellent talk.
I love this quote from her, "Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives."
This is a very simple Preach My Gospel (pg. 107) based Family Home Evening to check for our children's understanding.
Really take notice of family members' answers. As a parent, if you notice that children don't understand a question... then take the time sometime that week to go over the scriptures in the Book of Mormon that answer it with them!!!
Opening Prayer
Song
Opening Attention Activity: What are some "Great questions of the soul"?? What are some really big or little questions that you might have?? Where might we find answers??
Activity: Get out the video camera! Ask the questions found on page 107 of Preach My Gospel and let family members answer while being recorded. Obviously some questions are more geared for mom and dad like "How can I balance my family and career?" but it's also easily adaptable- how can I balance my family and school? etc. Some questions starting with the word "Does" need to be expounded with a why or a how.
If there is time, watch some of your video!
In closing: There are a lot of questions in life. Fortunately, Heavenly Father has provided the scriptures, prayer and a living prophet to help us receive most answers!
Bear Testimonies
Song
Closing Prayer
Treat
Make sure to add lots of praise to answers given!
*Wow! Thanks for sharing.
*Great ideas, thank you!
* You really know what you're talking about! Thanks for sharing.
*Woah. Brilliant thoughts! Thank you.
If you want children to talk to you, then encourage them to do so by sincerely validating what they say.
And just because I talk too much, I have to share my 5 year old daughter's answer to "How can I avoid sin?" First she asked what "avoid" was and I said it was like driving a car and steering clear of something. She replied, "If you want to steer clear of sin you need to WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!!!!" I'm so grateful I have their wise words on video!! It's going to be a special treasure of mine for years to come I'm sure.
UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE? BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteWhy are there so many Christian denomination? Is there a direct correlation between multiple denominations and the untaught and unstable?
1 Peter 3:15-16.....just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures to their own destruction.(NASB)
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE?
Many in the denominational world deny that repentance and water baptism are essential to receive forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NASB)
Acts 2:38 And Peter replied, "Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. (The Living Bible -Paraphrased)
How is it possible to believe that the conjunction "and" does not connect repentance and water baptism as both being essential for the forgiveness of sin? [THE UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE DISTORT]
How could anyone reach the conclusion the repentance is unnecessary for forgiveness?[THE UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE DISTORT]
How is it that men teach that"for"in Acts 2:38 actually means, because your sins have already been forgiven? [THE UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE DISTORT]
How can men interpret, for the forgiveness of "your" sins in Acts 2:38 to mean that men and infants alike should be baptized in water for the forgiveness of the sin Adam committed in the garden of Eden?[THE UNTAUGHT AND UNSTABLE DISTORT]
THINGS THE APOSTLE PETER DID NOT SAY IN ACTS 2:38 NOR ANYWHERE ELSE IN SCRIPTURE .
1. Peter did not say repentance was not essential to receive forgiveness from sins.
2. Peter did not say water baptism was not necessary for forgiveness from sins.
3. Peter did not say be baptized so you can be forgiven for the sin of Adam (original sin).
4. Peter did not say be baptized because your sins have already been forgiven.
5. Peter did not say your sins are forgiven by faith only; therefore you do not have to be baptized in water in order to receive salvation.
6. Peter did not say you need to be baptized into your local church denomination.
7. Peter did not say be baptized in water as a testimony of your faith to your community.
In order to believe or teach these things you either have to be untaught, unstable or both.
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