Super-Charged FHE: The Sacrament
Here’s another easy Family Home Evening inspired by requirements from each program (Faith in God, Duty to God, Personal Progress and Scouting). Take out what you don’t need or toss in an add-on for a FHE that’s just right for your family.
Also, I share the recipe for the easiest, most delicious cookies you’ll ever eat. I get asked for this recipe all the time. It’s my go-to recipe when I need something fast or when I’m making cookies to give away.
Super-Charged FHE: The Sacrament
Opening song:
God Loved Us, So He Sent His Son, Hymn #187 (link includes audio)
Object lesson:
Prepare an object made of clear glass (such as a drinking glass, bowl or mirror) by sprinkling it with water and then dirt. Allow to dry. Show the glass and ask if it’s clean or dirty. Should we throw the glass away because it’s dirty? What should we do? Clean the glass with glass cleaner or by rinsing with water.
Compare the glass to our spiritual selves. Explain that just as a glass can be made clean, so can we. What are some ways we can be cleansed? (Baptism, taking the sacrament, repentance.)
Lesson:
Read Doctrine and Covenants 59:9. If we want to be “unspotted”, how do we do that? How does prayer help keep us clean? How does taking the sacrament help keep us clean?
Sing, listen to or read the words to Children’s Hymn #72, The Sacrament.
The second verse says we can remember the Savior by serving Him. What are some ways we can serve Him? What are some other things we can do to show we remember Him?
Activity:
Challenge each family member to set a goal to make taking the sacrament more meaningful. Brainstorm ways to achieve this (see requirements below for ideas, but see what your family comes up with on their own first). Pass out slips of paper and have each person write down their personal goal. Follow up with this in a future FHE.
Treat:
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
1 package chocolate cake mix (any kind)
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
Complicated, I know.
Mix all ingredients. At first it will seem like there isn’t enough liquid, especially if you use medium-sized eggs (which I do). Keep mixing until it all comes together in a moist dough. Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Place on a cookie sheet and flatten slightly with your fingers. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.
Go ahead and have one. You know you want to.
This lesson fulfills part or all of the following requirements:
Faith in God – Learning and Living the Gospel #1: “Explain how taking the sacrament helps you renew your baptismal covenant. In a family home evening, teach others about things we can do to remain faithful.”
Wolf Cub Scout requirement 11c: “Give two ideas on how you can practice or demonstrate your religious beliefs. Choose one and do it. ”
Bear Cub Scout requirement 1b: “Make a list of things you can do this week to practice your religion as you are taught in your home, church, synagogue, mosque, or other religious community. Check them off your list as you complete them.”
Webelos Cub Scout requirement 8e (which lists several options, including): “With your religious leader, discuss and make a plan to do two things you think will help you draw nearer to God. Do these things for a month. ”
Personal Progress Faith requirement 4: “Learn more about the sacrament. Read about the Last Supper in Matthew 26:26–28, Mark 14:22–24, and Luke 22:17–20. Establish a pattern of pondering during the sacrament by listening carefully to the sacrament hymn and prayers. Think about why we partake of the bread and water. After three weeks of following this pattern, write in your journal some of the promises you make as you partake of the sacrament and remember your baptismal covenants and what you do to keep those promises. Record in your journal how your understanding of these promises has strengthened your faith in the Savior.”
Personal Progress Divine Nature requirement 4: “Memorize the sacrament prayers in Doctrine and Covenants 20:77, 79. During the sacrament, listen carefully to the prayers and think about what it means to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ and how doing this should affect your actions and decisions. Practice keeping your baptismal covenants. Begin by doing something each day to recognize and further develop your divine qualities and to help you always remember the Lord Jesus Christ. After two weeks record your experience in your journal.”
(Note: these two PP requirements are related, but separate. Your young woman could pick one to focus on as a result of your FHE.)
Easy Add-Ons:
Duty to God Deacon – Quorum Activities requirement 7: “Write a half-page explanation of the purpose of the sacrament. You can refer to Matthew 26:26, D&C 20:75–79, or the Topical Guide.”
Duty to God Priest – Quorum Activities requirement 1: “Memorize the sacrament prayers. Talk to a priesthood leader about the baptismal covenant and what it involves.”
Doing this one for FHE this week!
Excellent! Let me know how it goes.
Bless your soul! I sure appreciate this-it’s really helpful to find such well planned activities to help with achieving these goals.