October 8, 2023 YOUTH DOCTRINAL CLASS “How Can the Gospel of Jesus Christ Help Me Strengthen My Family?” for Aaronic Priesthood Quorums & Young Women – Come Follow Me – Lessons (Ephesians), Activities and Goals

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).

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.”
  DOWNLOAD the above Proclamation “Happiness in family life . . .” (HERE or above)
  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?”