Family Night: The Miracles of Jesus

This is actually a family home evening that we did during Easter week but I never got around to posting it.  I wanted to help the kids really visualize some of the miracles that Jesus performed during his time on earth.  So, I picked four miracles that I could represent to them in some way with items we had in the house.  This turned out to be a really fun family night and everyone was completely attentive (which is a miracle in and of itself)  At the end of the lesson we talked about how Jesus helped people do things that seemed impossible and how He is able to help us with the difficult things in our lives too. It may seem like this is going to be complicated, but it's not at all..trust me.
So, here it is:

FAMILY HOME EVENING:

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS
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Objective: To help children learn about the miracles that Jesus performed and how he can help us to do things that may seem impossible.

Preparation: Gather the following supplies for the four miracles:
Storage bin or kiddie pool to fill with water, blindfolds, a quarter, paper and scissors to cut out fish, mason jars, pitcher of water, strips of paper to wrap around jars, and powdered drink mix (like Crystal Light)

Scripture: John 2:23...many believed in His name when they saw the miracles which he did

Introduction: When Jesus lived on the Earth he went about doing good and performing miracles.  Sometimes it's hard to imagine what it would have been like to be there and see what he is really like.  Tonight we are going to read about some of His Miracles and do some activities that will help us imagine what it would have been like to be there and be blessed by Him in such great ways.  As we are doing the activities we want you to tell us how you think those people felt.

Lesson/Activity(Summary):

Each miracle has an activity that accompanies it. 

HEALING THE BLIND: (Luke 18:35-43)

kids wear blindfolds and imagine what it would be like to be blind while they listen to the story

WALKING ON WATER: (Matthew 14:22-33)

Kids are asked to walk on top of the water in the wading pool (or tub, or storage bin).  Ask them to keep trying until they finally conclude it is impossible.  Then tell the story of Peter walking on water.

COIN IN FISHES MOUTH: (Matthew 17:23-27)

 Kids pretend to be fishing and with each catch they get a regular paper fish,  Then tell the story about how Jesus promised they his disciple would find the money he needed in the fish in the sea. Have the kids pretend to fish again and this time they will catch the fish that you have prepared with the coin in its mouth.

WATER INTO WINE: (John 2:1-11)

Tell the story of Jesus turning water into wine.  When it comes to the appropriate time in the story pour the water from your pitcher into the mason jars that you have prepared (they should have powdered drink mix in the bottom and paper around the jars so that you cannot see that they have anything in them) when you pour in the water the jars will fill with a colored drink. (They will be totally amazed by this)

After each activity ask the following questions:

"How do you think those people felt when that happened?"

"Why did Jesus do that for them?"

"How could this story help us understand what Jesus could do for us?"

CLICK HERE FOR FULL LESSON IN PRINTABLE PDF FORMAT

Closing:

Bear testimony of the love that the Savior has for us.  Let your family know that Jesus can help us to overcome trials and to have great things happen in our lives if we will have faith and trust in Him.

Family Night: Put on the Armor of God

This is a family night we have done many times and the kids still love it.  It takes a bit of preparation (simple, but takes a few minutes to cut and glue) to make the armor but it is memorable and worth it.  The kids especially love when they get to defend themselves against all the fiery darts once they are in their full armor.  Here it is:

Put on the Whole Armor of God

Summary: Dressed in the full armor of God (made from tinfoil, posterboard, and tape) your kids will withstand all the “fiery darts” (plastic cups with temptations and trials written on them) that come their way

Objective: To teach children how to withstand the difficult trials and temptations that come to us in this life through finding strength in God

Preparation: Gather the following supplies:

Aluminum foil, cardboard, posterboard, duct tape, and scissors

Plastic or paper cups, a Sharpie (or other marker to write on the cups)

Prepare the armor before the lesson so you are ready to discuss each piece as a family. You can make armor for each child or just make one set and take turns wearing it. Most pieces can be made from posterboard and covered with foil to give the metal armor look. For the helmet we just formed a piece of foil around the child’s head and then used another piece of foil to make a face guard. You need to make:

SHIELD of faith

SWORD of the Spirit

BREASTPLATE of righteousness

HELMET of salvation

LOIN covering of truth

FEET covering of salvation

Opening Song: Armies of Helaman, Children’s Song Book pg

Opening Prayer: Chosen by parents

Scriptures: Ephesians 6:11-18

Introduction:

Have each person imagine that he or she is a knight in a great kingdom who is getting ready to go to battle. What do you think that you would do to prepare for the battle? Would it be wise to just walk out into a great war with no armor or protection and no sword?

In many ways we are like knights going to battle every day. We are part of God’s kingdom. He wants us to be happy. But, when we go out into the world it sometimes feels like we are being bombarded with “fiery darts” from the enemy.

Who is the enemy?

Our adversary is Satan.

What kinds of fiery darts does he send our way? Are they really darts?

The weapons that he uses against us are the things that will make us weak and unhappy. He wants us to fall into temptation, be discouraged, lose our way, and give up. But, our Heavenly Father has taught us what we need to do to win the battle and come out victorious. We need to put on the full armor of God!

Activity: List some of the temptations that might be thrown at you (use bad language, be rude, drugs and alcohol, gossip, immorality, anger, etc.) Write each temptation on a plastic cup.  After you have discussed each piece of armor and what it represents (ie. being faithful, knowing the truth, being prepared, etc.) put on the armor and let the rest of the family throw the darts at you as you defend yourself in full armor!

FOR FULL LESSON IN PRINTABLE PDF FORMAT CLICK HERE

Family Night: Honesty

We had a fun family home evening lesson last night so I thought I'd share.  I wanted to talk to the kids about honesty and the old saying "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to decieve" kept popping into my head.  So, I decided to go with a spider theme and a story about getting more and more tangled in the spider's web every time another lie was told.  We finished it off with spider cupcakes and the kids really got into it and talked about how it's not a good feeling when you tell a lie and how it is like being caught in a web or wrapped up so that you lose some of your freedom.  Here it is, enjoy!

Honesty Family Night Lesson PDF

Family Home Evening Lesson: Honesty

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Preparation:
You’ll need a ball of yarn or string and a drawing or printout of a spider.
Punch a hole in the spider and tie the end of the string to the spider (this is for the activity and story)

If you choose to make the spider treats to go with the lesson you’ll need chocolate cupcakes, chocolate frosting, black licorice whips, candy for spider eyes (lots of different candies could work for this), and chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Objective: To teach the concept that dishonesty leaves us feeling trapped and in a mess. The only way to be free and happy is to live a life of truth and integrity.

Opening Song: I Believe in Being Honest, Children’s Song Book pg 149

Opening Prayer: Your Choice

Scriptures:

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Introduction:

Ask your family what it means to be honest?

What does it mean to be dishonest? What about to tell a lie?

Elder Marvin J Ashton gave us this definition : “A lie is any communication given to another with the intent to deceive”

Sometimes it seems easy to be honest but other times it is very tempting to tell a lie. In the following story the little boy faces many temptations to be dishonest. Choose a volunteer to help you with the story

Story/Activity:

Caught in a Web of Lies

Summary: Peter is tempted to tell a lie.  One lie leads to another and each time he is dishonest he is wrapped tighter and tighter in the spider's web.  Choose someone in your family to be Peter and get wrapped up as the story goes.  Story includees discussion questions as you go.  The volunteer will be your object lesson and visual aid when you are done!

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE STORY AND FULL PRINTABLE LESSON

Treat: Spider Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Use Black licorice whips for spider legs, marshmallows and/or other candies for eyes. Chocolate sprinkles if desired.