Family Home Evening - Christ Centered Families!

What are YOU doing as a Family

to create

A Christ Centered Home?

Yesterday during Stake Conference we heard

some really amazing talks that I hope to review during

the next few week's.

(Brother and Sister Shuppe both did a great job!)

Opening Prayer:

Song:

Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth

Children's Songbook

Scripture:

The speakers based their talks on the scripture found in

D&C 88: 119

Organize Yourselves;
Prepare Every Needful Thing;

and Establish a House,

even a house of PRAYER,

a house of FASTING,

a house of FAITH,

a house of LEARNING,

a house of GLORY,

 a house of ORDER,

A HOUSE OF GOD.

I have always loved this scripture, especially because

of my love of organizing, but also because it covers

EVERYTHING THAT HAS ETERNAL VALUE!

...PRAYER...

Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and

the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other.

The object of prayer is not to change the will of God,

but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that

God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional

upon our asking for them.

Blessings require some work or effort on or part

before we can obtain them.

Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means

for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

...FAMILY PRAYER...

One of the best things we can do as a family

is PRAY TOGETHER.

Pray for each other.

When a child hears another a brother or sister pray

for something important to them great bonds are formed.

We all have CrAzY schedules

and getting together for prayers may seem like an impossible goal.

We have one in Elementary School, Jr. High, High School, and

one that will be leaving on a mission.

We found that our best time for family prayer

is at dinnertime.

Instead of just saying a blessing on the food,

we kneel for family prayer.

Because our morning schedules are so different,

I say prayer with each child before they leave for school.

Find what works for you, BUT most importantly...

MAKE IT A PRIORITY!

...FASTING...

This is a hard one for my family.

We are all hypoglycemic and fasting is very difficult.

We have found that fasting with a purpose

and saying prayers along the way makes our fast

no matter how long we can go,

much more meaningful.

...FAITH...

Faith is an action!!!

"... faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;

wherefore, dispute not because ye see not,

for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Ether 12:6

We demonstrate faith by:
Saying Prayers, Fasting, Holding

Regular Family Home Evening, Attending the Temple, and

Following the Example of Jesus Christ.

Things may not always be perfect,

they very seldom are . . . but when we are

CONSISTENT and make these principles

a part of our DAILY ROUTINES,

ETERNAL HABITS will be developed!

...LEARNING...

DAILY SCRIPTURE STUDY

and

EDUCATION

are very important for our growth and development.

If we make studying the scriptures a daily practice,

line upon line, precept upon precept, we will learn the things

that will help us to return home to live with our Heavenly Father.

We must never stop learning!

Study and Read GOOD BOOKS that will lift and inspire us.

Check to make sure that the books you are reading

fit with the Lord's standards.

...GLORY...

Is Christ the Center of Our Homes?

If someone were to come into your home

could they find Him there?

Are we letting unclean things enter our Homes.

Our home can offer safety from the storms of life.

It is our responsibility to make sure

that our homes are protected from sin as much as possible.

Set internet filters, limit TV viewing, and be very careful

about the shows we allow in our homes.

We need to be thoughtful and kind to each other.

If you haven't already dedicated your home,

NOW might be a good time!

...ORDER...

Finances are a big part of order.

Wants vs. Needs

Does your family know the difference?

(This is something we are constantly working on in my family!)

Christmas is coming and so is the burden of debt

for many!

It doesn't have to be this way.

Christmas is supposed to be Centered on Christ.

Maybe that could be the main focus in our families this year.

Challenge family members to be careful in filling out their

Christmas List this year.

Focus on gifts of the heart rather than gifts

that have no real value.

See what happens when we take the focus from ourselves

and instead focus on others.

...A HOUSE OF GOD...

Together all of these things will create a

House of God!

Closing Prayer:

Time for TREATS:

I know I've shared this recipe with you before,

but it also works as an OBJECT LESSON for this topic.

7 Layer Bars!

Here's the Recipe:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of butter melted

1 cup of finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

2 cups of Nestle's Chocolate Chips

(1 - 12 ounce bag)

2 cups of Nestle's Butterscotch Chips

(1 - 12 ounce bag)

1 cup of shredded sweetened coconut

1 small can of sweetened condensed milk

1 cup of chopped walnuts

To make less of a mess, I use a 9 X 13 inch glass baking dish.

Instructions:

Melt butter.

 I put the glass pan in the microwave and set it for 1 minute on high.

If using a different pan, place melted butter in your baking pan.

Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter,

using the back of a fork, distribute the crumbs evenly leaving a crumb base.

If there are wet spots in the base,

add additional graham cracker crumbs.

Next, sprinkle evenly in order,

chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and coconut.

Drizzle condensed milk evenly over the chips and coconut.

Sprinkle with walnuts.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes

or until the edges begin to brown and the top is slightly golden.

Cool completely, then cut into small bars,

1 inch x 2 inch.

This doesn't make a lot of bars,

so when they are smaller you get more.

Each of the ingredients in this recipe are needed

to make a SWEET COOKIE, just as each of the 7 areas

in the scripture are needed to enjoy the
SWEET BLESSINGS

of a
HOME CENTERED ON CHRIST.

Here's the PDF:

Family Home Evening Lesson PDF

Have a GREAT Night!