The next topic in the “For the Strength of Youth” manual is “Tithes and Offerings.” This is a great topic to spend a family home evening discussing. This principle is a good one to review from time to time because it is important to remember why we pay our tithing. The section also covers the law of the fast.
You can open the lesson by reading Malachi 3:10. You may want to discuss what it means by the types of blessings you receive. These blessings are not necessarily monetary, but are definitely spiritual blessings. As a family read the “Tithes and Offerings” section from the manual. You will want to talk about the blessings you have received as you have paid your tithing. You will want to discuss how to pay your tithing, and whom you pay your tithing too. It is important to review the concept of paying a full ten- percent of your income to tithing. You may want to discuss the different things that the tithing funds go towards. If your children are old enough you will want to review the law of the fast with them. Many families I know have their children begin fasting one meal after they are baptized, and then move up to two meals when they enter Young Men or Young Women. This is a personal family choice. There are times when fasting is not appropriate as it may be harmful to your health. It is important to discuss having the proper attitude while fasting. You may want to discuss the importance of paying fast offerings as well. “The Tithing Habit” and “Dad’s Tithing Trek” are two excellent articles on tithing. Here is a Mormonad about fasting, and a “Question and Answer” section on fasting. You can conclude the lesson by reading and discussing Doctrine and Covenants 119:3-4.
If you have Primary aged children you may want to read this blog about teaching your children about tithing. Primary children learn more effectively with hands on examples of one tenth. You may want to provide dimes, nickels and bills so that they can figure out what one tenth is. You may also want to use these suggestions about teaching tithing. This is an interesting matching game about tithing.
If you are primarily teaching adults you will want to follow the basic outline above. You may want to use “Opening the Windows of Heaven” and “Tithing: A Test of Faith with Eternal Principles” to discuss the law of tithing. To supplement your teaching material on fasting you may want to use “The Blessings of a Proper Fast” and “The Law of the Fast.”
One excellent song for tithing is “I’m Glad to Pay a Tithing” on p150 in “The Children’s Songbook.” A good song for fasting is “In Fasting We Approach Thee” on p 139 in “Hymns.” Do not forget to play a game as a family and to have some refreshments.