This week's FHE lesson topic comes from the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 16-17, Mark 9, andLuke 9. Check out this week's Come, Follow Me study ideas on LDS Living for additional resources and suggestions.
Thought
“This is the exchange the Savior is asking of us: we are to give up all our sins, big or small, for the Father’s reward of eternal life. We are to forget self-justifying stories, excuses, rationalizations, defense mechanisms, procrastinations, appearances, personal pride, judgmental thoughts, and doing things our way. We are to separate ourselves from all worldliness and take upon us the image of God in our countenances. Brothers and sisters, remember that this charge is more than just not doing bad things. With an engaged enemy we must also act and not sit in ‘thoughtless stupor.’ Taking upon the countenance of God means serving each other. There are sins of commission and sins of omission, and we are to rise above both.”
(Robert C. Gay, “What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2012)
Scripture
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
Song
"He Sent His Son," Children's Songbook, no. 34
Lesson
Gather items from around the house and lay them on the ground for everyone to see. Items could include phones, video games, and game consoles, books, and children’s toys. Ask family members to guess how much each item might cost and confirm whether they are right or wrong. Ask family members to guess how expensive their favorite car is or how expensive a trip to another country would be (Tip: tailor these questions to their interests). Have individuals guess the prices of more and more expensive items and then finally ask: “What is the price of a soul?”
After discussing, show them this video (or readIsaiah 53:3).
Ask, “What does this video teach us about the worth of our souls?” Read Matthew 16:25-27. Explain that Jesus Christ is our example of someone who, like the scripture in Matthew, lost His life for our sake, and that He paid the price for our sins and our souls with His own perfect sacrifice.
Teach your family that even when a brand new car is bought, it depreciates in value the moment it leaves the car lot. Unlike worldly items, our souls do not lose value. Explain that no matter what we do, our worth remains the same because we were bought at the price of an infinite sacrifice.
Ask, “What does the Lord ask us to do with our lives?” Discuss. Then read this quote from Robert C. Gay:
The Savior, however, calls us, without price, to exchange our sins, to take upon us His countenance, and to take that into the hearts of those within our reach. For this we may receive all that God has, which we are told is greater than all the combined treasures of this earth. Can you even imagine?
Discuss sacrifices that family members could make this week that will help them “lose their lives” and then find them again in Christ, as the scripture in Matthew discusses.
Story
You can also read Robert C. Gay’s story about the worth of a soul:
The Savior once asked His disciples the following question: “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” This is a question that my father taught me to carefully consider years ago. As I was growing up, my parents assigned me chores around the house and paid me an allowance for that work. I often used that money, a little over 50 cents a week, to go to the movies. Back then a movie ticket cost 25 cents for an 11-year-old. This left me with 25 cents to spend on candy bars, which cost 5 cents apiece. A movie with five candy bars! It couldn’t get much better than that. All was well until I turned 12. Standing in line one afternoon, I realized that the ticket price for a 12-year-old was 35 cents, and that meant two less candy bars. Not quite prepared to make that sacrifice, I reasoned to myself, “You look the same as you did a week ago.” I then stepped up and asked for the 25-cent ticket. The cashier did not blink, and I bought my regular five candy bars instead of three. Elated by my accomplishment, I later rushed home to tell my dad about my big coup. As I poured out the details, he said nothing. When I finished, he simply looked at me and said, “Son, would you sell your soul for a nickel?” His words pierced my 12-year-old heart. It is a lesson I have never forgotten.
(Robert C. Gay, “What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?,” Ensign or Liahona, Oct. 2012)
Lead image is from His Sacred Name—And Easter Declaration
