Week 52: The Second Coming

Song: I Believe in Christ (H. 134)

Thought: Four matters are indisputable to Latter-day Saints: (1) The Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during a millennium of righteousness and peace. (2) At the time of His coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. (3) No one knows the time of His coming, but (4) the faithful are taught to study the signs of it and to be prepared for it. (Dallin H. Oaks)

Object Lesson:

Show your family a picture of the parable of the Ten Virgins and ask them to tell you what they can about the parable. Have available several pitchers (some with water and some without.) Talk about the things that add oil to our lamps and take turns filling pitchers. Then talk about things that can remove oil from our lamps and take water out. Use this to illustrate to your family how easily the oil can be lost as well as gained.

Video:


Lesson Activity: Have your family create two columns on a sheet of paper and label the columns “Parable of Ten Virgins” and “Second Coming” and individually consider the comparisons the Savior was making. Invite them to write components of the parable in the first column, such as wise virgins, Bridegroom, and oil, and write in the second column what these things represent about the Second Coming. If they need help, share with them “The Parable of the Ten Virgins” (Ensign, Mar. 2009, 48–49; or Liahona, Mar. 2009, 20–21). Discuss together what they learned and what they are inspired to do after studying this parable. (Come, Follow Me)

This Week's Challenge: As a family come up with some family goals and individual goals of things to accomplish or work on in the new year. Encourage your family to have the goals primarily focus on those things that will "fill their lamps."

Week 48: Christ-Centered Homes

Song: Love is Spoken Here (CS. 190)

Thought: Regardless of your circumstances, you can center your home and your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the source of true peace in this life.
Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do. When He is the center of your home, there is peace and serenity. There is a spirit of assurance that pervades the home, and it is felt by all who dwell there.
The fulfillment of this counsel does not rest upon parents alone, although it is their role to lead. Children can be responsible for improving the Christ-centered efforts in the home. It is important for parents to teach children to recognize how their actions affect each individual who lives in the home. Children who are made to feel accountable for their actions, whether righteous or otherwise, grow to become trustworthy citizens in the kingdom of God. (Richard G. Scott)

Object Lesson: The Recipe to a Happy Home
(for full instructions see link)
These are the ingredients for a heavenly home. First, at the very beginning, invite the Holy Ghost to your home to stay.
Crush Temptations and Sin and set them aside outside the bowl.
Blend in one Temple Marriage, one Mother (who loves Dad), one Dad (who loves Mother).
Gradually add Children.
Quickly stir in Living the Gospel: Scripture Study, Prayer, and Meeting Attendance.
Sprinkle liberally with Courtesy and Communication.
Garnish with the Word of Wisdom: Exercise, Proper Diet, and Rest.
Pour Love over everything.
Serve with Unselfishness.

Video: You can choose to watch one or both. As you watch them encourage your family members to think of themselves as the mother or father in the video as they watch it. After each video, ask them to discuss what the main message is and what additional principles they learned that will help them establish Christ-centered homes.




Lesson Activity:
The Road to a Happy Family is a cute board game that can be enjoyed by all ages of your family.

Divide the family into three groups, and assign each group to read one of the following scripture passages: Mosiah 4:14–15, Alma 53:20–21, 56:47–48. Invite them to make a list of principles in these verses that will help them establish Christ-centered homes. Invite them to share examples of these principles from their own families or other families. (Come, Follow Me)

This Week's Challenge: As Christmas time is here challenge your family to focus this week not only on inviting the Spirit and making your home a Christ-centered home, but on finding ways to make your Christmas celebrations be Christ-centered as well.