2019
Family Study Fun
October 2019

“Family Study Fun,” Ensign, October 2019

Come, Follow Me: New Testament

Family Study Fun

Consider these activities during family scripture study or home evening.

September 30–October 13 (Ephesians 5:31, 33)

United We Stand!

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two people with arms linked

Illustrations by David Green

Loving relationships are critical in a family, particularly between husband and wife, who should be “one flesh,” meaning equal and united.

  1. Pair up two people of relatively equal size.

  2. Have them sit on the floor back to back, arms linked.

  3. Have them stand up by pushing off each other.

  4. Repeat, but this time have only one person push.

Discussion: Why is having two people work together easier? Read “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (see Ensign, May 2017, 145). What roles do fathers and mothers have? How do they work together?

October 14–20 (Philippians 4:4)

Frowny Face Challenge

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frowning girl

Everybody has bad days, but when we follow Paul’s counsel and “rejoice in the Lord alway[s]” (Philippians 4:4), we think of Christ and allow His grace to keep us as happy, optimistic, and positive as possible.

  1. Have someone put on a frowny face.

  2. Have each family member try, without touching the person, to turn that frown into a smile. (Extra points for getting a laugh.)

Discussion: How do we rejoice in the Lord? How can we help others find happiness in Christ? What are some examples from the scriptures of rejoicing in Christ?

October 21–27 (1 Thessalonians 5:2)

Second Coming Surprise

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a thief at night

Jesus Christ will come again “as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2), meaning unexpectedly and at an unknown time. Are we preparing each day for that event?

  1. On small, individual slips of paper, have family members write down what they did yesterday (soccer practice, school, and so on).

  2. Put the slips into a hat (or bag). Parents secretly add another slip that reads: “Second Coming.”

  3. Take turns drawing an activity from the hat and reading it aloud.

  4. When someone draws “Second Coming,” the game’s over.

Discussion: Which of the activities drawn from the hat helped prepare our family for Christ’s return? What should we add to our daily routines to prepare us more?

October 28–November 3 (2 Timothy 3:15–17)

Scripture Treasure Hunt

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map

Paul taught that scriptures bless us with wisdom, doctrine, correction, instruction, and faith.

  1. On separate pieces of paper, write “wisdom (Acts 18:28)”; “doctrine (Titus 1:9)”; “correction (Matthew 4:3–10)”; “instruction (Acts 17:2–3)”; and “faith (Romans 10:17).”

  2. Send everyone out of the room.

  3. Hide the five papers in the following locations: table, window, door, pillow, book.

  4. Invite everyone back. Have them read these scriptures to identify the keyword clue to find each hidden paper. (John 18:16=door; Mark 4:38=pillow; Revelation 22:7=book; Acts 20:9=window; Luke 22:21=table.)

  5. Read aloud the scripture on each found paper and discuss how it’s an example of that blessing.

Discussion: What can we do to improve our personal and family scripture study?