This week's FHE lesson topic comes from the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 19–20,Mark 10, and Luke 18. Check out this week's Come, Follow Me study ideas on LDS Living for additional resources and suggestions.
Thought
“My dear brothers and sisters, now anytime you feel you are being asked to do something hard—give up a poor habit or an addiction, put aside worldly pursuits, sacrifice a favorite activity because it is the Sabbath, forgive someone who has wronged you—think of the Lord beholding you, loving you, and inviting you to let it go and follow Him. And thank Him for loving you enough to invite you to do more.”
(S. Mark Palmer, “Then Jesus Beholding Him Loved Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017)
Scripture
“The Jesus beholding him loved him” (Mark 10:21).
Lesson
Read Mark 10:17-22, which tells the story of the man who asked “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” and Christ’s response to “go thy way, sell whatsoever thou has, and give to the poor…come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Direct your family’s attention to verse 21 where it says “Then Jesus beholding him loved him.”Ask your family:
What does it mean to “behold” someone and love them? When was the last time you experienced this? How can we “behold” others and love them as Christ did here?
Discuss how Christ and Heavenly Father see us for who we are and love us perfectly. Even though the rich young man had good desires, he was not willing to do what Christ asked. But that didn't change how much Christ and Heavenly Father loved the young man.
Talk about the ways you and your family can be like Christ and more fully see others for their divine nature and feel the love that Heavenly Father has for them. One activity to help reinforce this lesson might be to give each person in the family a piece of paper with their name on it. Then have every person pass their paper to the person next to them. Have each family member practice “beholding” the person whose paper they have by writing down how they think God sees that person. After a minute or two, pass the papers around in the circle until every family member has written on every paper. Family members can keep these reminders throughout the week as a reminder to practice seeing those around you as Christ sees them.