Opening Song: The Family is of God (The Friend, October, 2018)
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-01-0070-the-family-is-of-god?lang=eng
Opening Prayer:
There are lots of ways we can spend time with our families but is the quality and quantity of time that matters the most. This time spent needs to be meaningful and prepared for, it doesn't just happen.
Families spend much wasted time on things such as electronics and social media. They spend less time exercising, work too much, and are don't spend enough time outdoors. When families choose wholesome recreational activities they strengthen relationships. This also reduces negative consequences towards families such as emotional and spiritual voids (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012).
When family members get too wrapped up in personal hobbies and recreation it takes away time from their loved ones. Many times people desire to use these personal activities to fill a void of happiness. They then tend to find themself not satisfied at all and look for ways to fill the void with more things that do not bring true happiness. They can find true pleasure and happiness when they choose to spend their free time in recreational activities with their family (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012).
In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, President Gordon B. Hinckley emphasized an important truth for successful families when he said that they are based on those who spend time in wholesome recreational activity.
Video: Watch the following two videos of families who are doing great family activities; dinner and a hike. Which of them seems to be a more wholesome use of time with these great activity ideas? If one needs improvement, how might they do differently next time?
Family #1 Dinner
Family #2 Hike
Activity: Give the family time to think of their favorite family activity or an activity they would like to do. Give each a piece of paper and have them draw their activity. Each family member then takes turns having the rest of the family guess what their activity is or was. Share stories of some of the most enjoyable activities you have done. If you don't have many memories yet create a list of adventures you would like to do as a family and post it on the calendar.
There are many benefits of spending time together as a family besides quality time. When families spend time outdoors it has a direct influence on their physical and health and wellbeing. It reduces stress and helps with behaviors in children with ADHD. Families can reconnect and it helps to resolve any conflicts that may be troubling them (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012).
When planning activities for your family make sure they are wholesome and have value. Not all activities cost money, in fact, many are free and easy to plan in your own town. You can turn these activities into new family traditions. One simple activity would be going for a family walk after dinner. This is a good time to have discussions on how things are going in individuals' lives. While walking you can also observe nature, pick up litter, you could even do an object treasure hunt for items you would see out and about such as a bike, red car, brown dog, a bluebird, etc.
Families could also read together. This can be done in regular family scripture studies or bedtime stories. They could create and write a play to act out, do chores together, or work in a garden. It could be a service activity to help others. They could learn new hobbies together or perhaps build a tree fort or sandcastle. There are many ideas!
Wholesome recreational activities with families help to develop positive identities. Family members who spent time together also have a better chance of high well-being and develop many positive character traits. They are creative, curious, love to learn, are persistent, have integrity and kindness, are good citizens, forgive, have humility, gratitude, and are spiritual (Widmer, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., 2012).
Scripture Story: Read 2 Nephi Chapter 5 together
or paraphrase the following story.
The Lord told Nephi to take his family in the wilderness to escape the Lamanites who were not making good choices and wanted to hurt the. As he lead his family for many days towards safety they were obedient to the commandments of the Lord. They worked hard together to make their new lives comfortable. They grew food, tended to their animals, built buildings (including a temple), studied and lived the gospel together. They were blessed for their efforts, as Nephi said, they "lived after the manner of happiness."
Testimony:
The way we live in families matters. If we want to have happiness in our lives we must do so in the company of our family. We will find happiness in working with our families just as Nephi did. We will be blessed beyond measure. The Lord will help us make the time to spend with our families if we have a desire to make it a priority in our lives. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is a valuable resource to all. In its principles, we will find true lasting happiness in this life and in the life to come. I am grateful for my own family and for the one I was raised in. The family traditions I made in my family growing up have helped me to fulfill connections with my children today. I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father's plan that families are forever.
Invite all family members to share their testimony on the importance of families spending time together. Make it a goal for the next month to intentionally spend one day a week for 2-4 hours spending time as a family. For more ideas on fun activities review this link:
Closing Song: Famlies can be together Forever (Children's Songbook 188)
Closing Prayer:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (1995).
The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng
Widner, M. and Taniguchi, S.T., “Wholesome recreation: building
strong families” (2012), In Hawkins, A. J., In
Dollahite, D. C., & In Draper, T., Successful
Marriages and Families: Proclamation Principles and Research Perspectives.
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