Week 47: Education

Song: Seek the Lord Early (CS. 108)

Thought: Education is an important part of our Heavenly Father’s plan to help us become more like Him. Obtaining an education provides understanding and skills that can help us develop self-reliance. Education will also prepare us for greater service in our families, the Church, and the world.

Object Lesson:
Materials: A bowl filled with wheat or other whole grain.
Presentation: Ask what would happen if this grain was left in a dry place. Ask what would happen if it was planted and given water. Discuss.
Give a definition of wisdom (ability to judge what is right or true). Explain that the grain is like knowledge. To become wise, experience and time must be added. Ask what kind of experience can help make knowledge into wisdom (education).
(Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, More Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991], p. 102. from Deseret Books' Website)  (The Value of Wisdom)

Video: (There is no video available for this topic)

Lesson Activity: Assign each family member to read individually one of the five paragraphs from the “Education” section of For the Strength of Youth or the statements by President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson at the beginning of the talk “Seek Learning: You Have a Work to Do.” Ask them to explain to the family what they read, and discuss why it is important to work diligently now to gain a good education. Invite them to think about and share their goals to gain an education.
If there are family members who have received or are receiving a college education have them share with the family their experiences in preparing for that education and the blessings they have received in their lives because of there education experience.

This Week's Challenge: Talk to your family about the LDS Church's Perpetual Education Fund. As a family decide if there is a way you can help others gain an education. For family members who are currently in school challenge them to set some goals for their education (i.e. improving grades, work ethic, preparing for college). If there are family members in need of more education challenge them to make a plan to receive it.