Family home evening is a time to gather your children and to teach them the gospel each week. It is also a time to create a strong family bond and lasting memories. It should be a positive experience each week, and it is important that we put every effort into having family home evening on a regular basis. It is easy to allow other things to interfere with our family home evening lessons.
It is important to make family home evening the priority. This means scheduling one night a week when that happens. The church recommends Monday nights, but sometimes work schedules or other uncontrollable events get in the way. If Mondays do not work for you set up a definite set day of the week that does work for you. Avoid scheduling school activities, or extracurricular events on Monday nights so that you can have family home evening. If all else fails have family home evening on Sunday nights.
Additionally the quality of the lessons that you teach is important. Start the night out with prayer, and a scripture. Your lesson may be short if you have young children or a bit longer if you have teenagers. Take the time to answer questions and to promote discussion about the gospel with your children. Allowing them to teach will give them the opportunity to learn the subject better, and give them experience teaching as well.
The resources you use are important as well. Consider using the family home evening manual, the lesson manuals, the For the Strength of Youth booklet, and the Preach My Gospel manuals. All of these are available through the church distribution center or online. You can also use the church magazines and of course you should use the scriptures as well.
Finally focus on the spirit that you have while at family home evening. The best way to have the spirit there is through the love that you show your children. If you are having a difficult time with your little ones listening try reaching them in a different way. Encourage your children to show respect to each other. Additionally end the night with a fun game or other activity that just allows your family to spend time together.
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