mother and daughters cooking

October 8

How Can the Gospel of Jesus Christ Help Me Strengthen My Family?

Ephesians

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the class or quorum presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then, in addition to counseling about specific class or quorum business, you may want to discuss impressions and themes from general conference. The following questions may help.

• What themes or messages stood out to us? What strengthened our faith in Jesus Christ?

• What strengthened our testimonies of living prophets? What did we feel prompted to do because of what we learned or felt?

• What do we need to do as a class or quorum to remember and act on counsel we heard in general conference?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

Some people in your class or quorum may have strong, loving families that nurture faith and spirituality. Others may be alone in their efforts to live the gospel, and some may face contention and heartache at home. But no one in your class or quorum has a perfect family, free from challenges. And everyone has access to the power of Jesus Christ, which can heal and strengthen families.

The Savior wants to bless families. Sometimes the way He does this is through the love and example of a young person who is striving to follow Him and live His gospel. As you prepare to teach the youth about the power available to them and their families through Jesus Christ, ponder principles in Ephesians that can help us strengthen family relationships. You might also study “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Learn Together

After giving class or quorum members a chance to share what the Spirit taught them this week as they studied Ephesians, look for ways to introduce the topic of how Jesus Christ can help us strengthen our families. For instance, you might invite the youth to find and share passages in Ephesians that contain principles we can use to strengthen family relationships. Some examples might include Ephesians 2:19–22; 3:14–19; 4:1–3, 25–26, 29–32; 5:1–2; 6:1–4. How could the counsel in these verses bless a family? How have the Savior and His gospel been a blessing in our homes? Here are some additional activity ideas related to this topic.

• If you would like to discuss the commandment to “honour thy father and mother” (Ephesians 6:2), you might start by asking class or quorum members what the word honor means to them. Perhaps someone could share the definition from a dictionary or the Guide to the Scriptures (scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Invite the youth to talk about how they might apply this commandment in their own lives. It could also be inspiring to explore how Jesus Christ honored His Father in Heaven and His mother, Mary (see, for example, Luke 2:41–52; Joseph Smith Translation, John 2:4 [in John 2:4, footnote a]; John 8:29; 19:25–27). What can we learn from Jesus’s example that can strengthen our relationships with our parents?

• It might be helpful to talk about what materials are needed to build a sturdy house. What are some of the things needed to build a strong family? As part of this discussion, you might share this statement by Elder L. Whitney Clayton: “What matters is the interior design of the souls of the inhabitants, not the structure itself” (“The Finest Homes,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 107–9). You could also discuss the four suggestions Elder Clayton gave in his message for how to build “the finest homes.”

• “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” includes this promise: “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.” How do the Savior’s teachings create the foundation for a happy family? The family proclamation and the scriptures under “Supporting Resources” provide examples. How can family members help each other live these teachings?

• Perhaps class members could watch the video “Through Small Things,” in which three siblings talk about accepting their bishop’s invitation to think of ways to make their home a holier place. How was the family in the video blessed because of the actions of these youth? What can make a home a holy place? Consider inviting the youth to accept the same invitation that the bishop extended. To help them consider what they might do, you could discuss the question asked in the video: “What are you willing to do to have the Spirit in your home?”

family studying together

The teachings of Jesus Christ are the foundation for happiness in family life.

Act in Faith

Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Supporting Resources

• Matthew 5:21–24, 38–42; 6:14; 7:1–5; 22:36–39; 3 Nephi 18:21; Moroni 7:33; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–13

• Henry B. Eyring, “A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 22–25

• “Love at Home,” “Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth,” Hymns, nos. 294, 298

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

If the youth sense that you trust them, their confidence in their divine potential will grow, and they will surprise you with what they can accomplish. Help them see a vision of what Heavenly Father knows they can become.