This week's FHE lesson topic comes from the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 13, Luke 8and 13. Check out this week'sCome, Follow Me study ideas on LDS Living for additional resources and suggestions.
Thought
“We need to be reminded that in total and over a significant period of time, seemingly small things bring to pass great things.”
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018)
Scripture
“Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
Song
“The Things I do,” Children’s Songbook, no. 170
Lesson
Have a family member read Luke 13:18–22. Ask:
Why do you think Jesus chose a mustard seed and leaven (yeast) for this parable?
To help answer that question, show your family a picture of a mustard tree to help them see that from a small, seed a large a tree can grow.
Then pour warm water into a bowl of yeast and watch the activation take place, again noting that the small amount of yeast causes a great effect. Ask:
What examples can you think of where someone did a small thing that produced great results? (For example, Joseph Smith’s first prayer.) What are some simple things we can do that will help or bless others and ourselves?
Share with your family some of the small things you have seen them do that have made a difference in your family or neighborhood. Have each one write in their journals one small thing they will do more consistently that can make a big difference in his or her life.
(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The New Testament, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2006])
Story
End by reading this excerpt from a talk given by Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela:
During a visiting teaching visit, Martha, a member of our ward, told my wife and her companion never to come back again. She had decided to stop coming to church. One of the visiting teachers asked Martha if they could sing a hymn together this one last time, and she agreed. As they sang, something special happened. Little by little, the Spirit began to fill the room. Each of them felt it. Martha’s heart began to soften. With her eyes filled with tears, she expressed to her visiting teachers the feelings of her heart. At that moment, she realized that she knew that the gospel was true. She now thanked her visiting teachers and expressed a desire for them to return. From that day forward, she received them with joy. Martha began to attend church with her young daughter. For years they attended regularly, with Martha never losing hope that her husband might eventually choose to join them. At last the day came when the Lord touched his heart, and he began to attend with them, as did their other daughter soon thereafter. This family began to feel the true joy that comes from having gospel blessings in their home. Martha has since served faithfully as our ward Relief Society president, and her husband has served well in several callings within the stake. All this began with the singing of a hymn, a small and simple thing that touched Martha’s heart.
(Arnulfo Valenzuela, “Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2013)
Lead image from Shutterstock
