This week's FHE lesson topic comes from the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 8-9 and Mark 2-5. Check outthis week's Come, Follow Me study ideas on LDS Living for additional resources and suggestions.
Thought
“When you reach up for the Lord’s power in your life with the same intensity that a drowning person has when grasping and gasping for air, power from Jesus Christ will be yours. When the Savior knows you truly want to reach up to Him—when He can feel that the greatest desire of your heart is to draw His power into your life—you will be led by the Holy Ghost to know exactly what you should do. When you spiritually stretch beyond anything you have ever done before, then His power will flow into you.”
(Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017)
Scripture
“And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”
Song
“I Will be Valiant,” Children’s Songbook, no. 162
Lesson
Come prepared with your family’s favorite treats (alternatively, you can use money, a favorite toy, or any other highly desired object in place of the treat). Put the treats in a hard to reach place—either holding the treat high above the family member’s head or placing the treat in an area that is just outside of the family member’s grasp (i.e. on a high shelf). Place the treat in such a way that each family member must exert a large amount of strength and energy to take possession of it.
After running through this exercise with each family member, ask your family members about their experience trying to reach their treat. How hard did you work to get this treat? How did you feel when you finally received it?
Read Matthew 9:20-22 about the woman with an issue of blood who reached out to Christ in order to be healed. Then read Russell M. Nelson’s quote about reaching out to the Savior (see Thought). Ask your family how they can draw His atoning power into their lives. Have them reflect on their current efforts to reach out for the Savior. Compare with how hard they reached out for their treats. Consider having each family member write down one goal on a piece of paper that will help them reach out to the Savior this week. Gather the papers and plan to go over their goal next family night.
Story
Read this story from President Russell M. Nelson:
There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples. Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel. It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought. But when we do, our doubts and fears flee.
Recently I learned of a fearless young Laurel. She was invited to participate in a statewide competition for her high school on the same evening she had committed to participate in a stake Relief Society meeting. When she realized the conflict and explained to competition officials that she would need to leave the competition early to attend an important meeting, she was told she would be disqualified if she did so.
What did this latter-day Laurel do? She kept her commitment to participate in the Relief Society meeting. As promised, she was disqualified from the statewide competition. When asked about her decision, she replied simply, “Well, the Church is more important, isn’t it?”
Faith in Jesus Christ propels us to do things we otherwise would not do. Faith that motivates us to action gives us more access to His power.
(Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017)
Lead image from Shutterstock
