FAMILY FUN SERVICE
For CHURCH & HOME
“Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
WE CAN SHOW LOVE TO OUR FRIENDS & FAMILY THROUGH SERVICE.
SOMETHING MAGICAL HAPPENS WHEN WE SERVE.
#1 Others feel JOY as we serve them.
#2 We feel JOY while serving.
#3 God feels JOY knowing we served.
Mosiah 2:17: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” See #23 poster below.
For this purpose, we have created 31 FAMILY FUN SERVICE activities that YOUTH CAN TEACH.
Part 1 Unselfish SERVICE
Part 2 Planning to SERVE
Part 3 SERVING Family
Part 4 SERVING Outside Family
Part 5 SERVING Ideas
Find all of our YOUTH CAN TEACH blog posts (HERE) with more QUICK-AND-EASY gospel lessons.
Part 1
Unselfish SERVICE
“Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others.” – Dallan H. Oaks, “Unselfish Service” April 2009 general conference
HOW CAN I SHARE AND CARE FOR OTHERS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH children ways to express love for others through kind words and deeds using this I CAN SHARE & CARE Good Samaritan show-and-tell activity. The Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:33-34) can inspire and motivate the children. The older children can write on the back of the activity ways they can serve others.
ACTIVITY:
After reading The Good Samaritan have the children role play the story (bring a basket with cloth bandages, a bottle of water, jar of [pretend] ointment).
A young Navajo family traveling through Utah broke down on a lonely road. After dark a farmer came along. He noticed the family was tired. The father explained the problem. The farmer asked the father if he would be comfortable coming to his home for dinner and staying the night. He explained he had tools and could fix their truck in the morning. The young father agreed. The farmer’s wife fed the family soup and bread, then gave them a bedroom for the night. The next morning they ate breakfast, the farmer fixed the truck, and his wife packed them a lunch for their journey. The grateful little family drove away with full tummies and happy hearts.
Questions: Who was in need? Who helped? What help was given?
HOW CAN OUR FAMILY HELP THOSE IN NEED?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth how to see the needs of others and give love to them as Jesus did. Write the words on the cue cards (in your language) to place on the back. For example, “If you don’t” walk or talk as others do I won’t walk away from you. . . . “Jesus walked away from none. He gave his love to everyone. So I will.”
ACTIVITY:
(Bring a bouquet of artificial or real flowers or) Have the youth imagine how red roses, yellow zinnias, purple carnations, and white daisy’s all make a lovely bouquet.
Talk about the differences in each flower. Explain that friends are unique and different too (talents, looks, size, abilities, age, etc.)
Discuss the needs of flower seeds (soil, water, sunlight, and nourishment).
Explain that the needs of friends are similar. They need to be nourished with kind words, encouragement, and love. Some friends are easy to love, others take more effort and patience.
Sing I’ll Walk With You.
HOW CAN I INTERNALIZE MY SERVICE TO OTHERS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth using this SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE! sunny-action planner that serving others can fill their hearts with sunshine! And youth can write on each sun-ray how they PLAN to spread their sunshine. When the service is complete they can tear the action strip off and write their experiences on the back.
ACTIVITY:
PRAYER is the best way to start any act of service. Teach that asking Heavenly Father WHO needs help and WHAT to do is important.
IDEA! A fun way to spread sunshine is to make super lemonade and take it along with some lemon cake or chocolate chip cookies to your local nursing home (be sure to make an appointment). Perhaps sing some fun “sunshine” songs. Or sit and chat with the residents.
SUPER LEMONADE (yields 10-8 oz servings) 1 3/4 cups sugar, 1 cup water, 9 medium lemons, 7 cups ice water, ice as needed DIRECTIONS: Combine sugar and 1 cup water in small saucepan. Stir to dissolve sugar and bring to a boil. Set aside to cool slightly. Roll lemons on counter to soften. Cut lemons in half crosswise & squeeze into a liquid measuring cup. Add pulp but discard seeds. Continue to 1 1/2 cups juice. Add all ingredients together. Add ice before serving. You may also add 2 cups of blended strawberries. Yum!
WHAT BAPTISMAL PROMISES DO/DID WE MAKE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth with this BAPTISM PROMISES TO SERVE match game that they can renew the covenants made at baptism. This is done when partaking of the sacrament. A promise is a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specific. At baptism we PROMISE to help others, share in their sorrows, bring comfort, be an example of Christ, and honor His commandments.(Mosiah 18:8-10).
ACTIVITY:
God expects us to honor our promises. A COVENANT is a promise. As we strive each week to worthily partake of the sacrament, renew our covenants, and remember our promises, over time we will grow to become like Christ.
Our baptismal COVENANTS are:
1) BEAR one another’s BURDENS
2) MOURN with those who mourn
3) COMFORT those in need of comfort
4) STAND as a WITNESS of JESUS CHRIST
5) KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS
DISCUSSION: Perhaps ask the youth to give examples of one or more of these five parts of our baptismal covenants. Ask them to COMMIT to memory BEAR, MOURN, COMFORT, STAND, AND KEEP for when they partake of the sacrament.
HOW TO SERVE WITHOUT BOASTING
YOUTH CAN TEACH children that EVERYONE IS WORTH serving, and serving in secret is especially fun! This SECRET SERVICE with GIVEAWAY HEARTS is an easy way for children to leave behind a bit of love for the person they serve after their secret service is completed.
ACTIVITY:
With these SECRET SERVICE heart-shaped notes, children can leave notes next to the service deed, making it fun to serve.
Tell them they can wear the hearts inside their shirt or place them in a pocket, sack, or purse to keep it a SECRET!
HOW CAN I SERVE IN SECRET?
YOUTH CAN TEACH others ways to walk humbly as they serve others as Jesus did. HUMBLE DEEDS Secret Service Deeds button your lip cards are fun to leave at the spot of service. The receiver will be clueless of who provided this delightful service. Joy will be felt by all!
ACTIVITY:
JESUS CHRIST never served someone expecting praise and admiration. He saw a need and filled it saying nothing. We can serve in secret too.
Read the story of the proud rich and humble poor Zoramites and the Rameumptom (Alma 31-32). Talk about the differences.
Allow the youth to place this list of Secret Service Deeds in the pocket with the button cards that read “This good deed for you shows my service true.” Then they can do good deeds and leave the card to show they have been there, secretly.
DISCUSS the meaning of MOTIVE and why it is important to understand. Also CHARITY (Alma 34:28-29).
Part 2
Planning to SERVE
As you pray with your family, ask to know the needs of others and how to serve. Parents can assign age-appropriate chores to supervised children.
HOW CAN FAMILY PRAYER HELP US SERVE OTHERS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH the children that family prayer helps us stay close to each other and to Heavenly Father. The Savior said that if we pray with our families in His name, our family will be blessed (3 Nephi 18:21). Praying together invites the Holy Ghost to guide us, and we can grow closer to Heavenly Father as we pray and receive guidance and protection.
ACTIVITY:
Who knows WHAT is best for you? Who knows WHEN something is good for you? Who knows WHY something is not good for you? Who knows YOU? HEAVENLY FATHER!
Our Father hears our prayers but we must be patient and remember that sometimes HIS answer is NO.
(show a string of pearls or beads) This string of pearls represents beautiful blessings our Heavenly Father gives to us. (family, friends, sunlight, etc.) What is not seen? (the string that holds them all together – Heavenly Father). We can trust our Father is there and will bless us with what is best for us, when it is the right time, and if it is His will. We need to believe and be obedient.
WHO, WHY, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN DO WE SERVE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth with this FAITHFUL SERVANT Service Planner how to organize and carry out service for others. They can record WHOM/WHO needs to be served, WHY they need help, WHAT they need, WHERE to go, and WHEN to serve. To be a faithful serv”ant” they can answer questions to create their plan.
ACTIVITY:
SERVICE can be alone, with a large group, or a few friends. SERVICE brings unexpected blessings.
11 year old Jason was an enterprising young man, and he loved to bake chocolate chip cookies. Through the block was an old Victorian home of two elderly sisters, Mable and Margaret. One day Jason took cookies to them as an act of service. They loved them! The next time he brought cookies Mable brought out a large jar filled with money! Jason’s eyes widened as she offered to pay him. He loved visiting them and refused to take payment for his cookies. Jason continued to bring cookies. AND do odd jobs for MONEY!
HOW DO WE SERVE OTHERS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth that by serving others they are serving God (Mosiah 2:17). With I WILL BE A SERV”ANT” TOSS AND TELL Players can TOSS a bean or a raisin (as it looks like an ant) into the ANT sack and TELL a way to serve someone.
ACTIVITY:
SERVICE gladdens the heart of the person being served and the one serving.
BEFORE you play the game, have the youth close their eyes and remember the last time they were served by someone. Then ask them to remember the last time they served someone. No need to tell. This can be a silent reminder that we are either an actively serving busy serv”ant” or maybe a slower not so quick serv”ant”. Sometimes we become too busy to notice the needs of others which means we are TOO busy.
HOW CAN I USE MY TALENTS TO SERVE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH others that they have gifts and talents they may not know about. They can explore their talents with this SERVICE & TALENT SHOW planner/poster. How we behave and the things we do reflect on our character. They can draw themselves doing a service as a picture/journal. They might write next to a heart “Be kind,” or next to a smiley face “Shine the mirrors.”
ACTIVITY:
A CHARACTER is what marks the peculiar, distinctive qualities of a person or thing; what they are good at or known for! God gives us unique talents to serve others. By serving others we serve Him!
What characteristics do you possess?
What characteristics do you want to possess?
God expects us to share the talents He has given us! Hiding our talents is not fair to us or to others.
As we develop our talents sometimes we might feel they are not so special or important. Do not give up. You can pray for help to improving your talents and even ask for more.
I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody’s need made me
blind.
But I never have yet
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind!
Anonymous
HOW CAN I BUILD UP GOD’S KINGDOM?
YOUTH CAN TEACH others using JEWELS IN MY CROWN Service List that to give up their time, talents, and means to build up the kingdom of God will bring them a crowning glory and blessings. List ways.
ACTIVITY:
Youth can use a service list to note ways they can give of their time, their talents, and even possessions to build the kingdom of God.
We have been taught that if we are true to our covenants we may receive a “crown of righteousness.” How we treat God’s other children is important and will determine if we do receive that “crown of righteousness.”
What can you offer?
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the appreciation of honest critics, and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
WHAT MUST I GIVE UP TO GIVE TO OTHERS?
YOUTH CAN TEACH with this SOMETHING TO SACRIFICE goal planner that those who sacrifice their time, talents, and means to build up the kingdom of God upon the earth will find great blessings. See D&C 97: 28: “I will bless her (Zion)with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her, and upon her generations forever and ever, saith the Lord your God.” The quote on the planner explains the sacrifices to make to earn these blessings.
ACTIVITY:
DISCUSS: “Thou shalt not be idle; for he that is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer” D&C 42:42.
THINK ABOUT IT:
I shall pass trough this world but once.
Any good therefore that I can do, Or any kindness I can show to any human being,
Let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it,
For I shall not pass this way again.
– attributed to Stephen Grellet
PRINCIPLES TO UNDERSTAND
“God expects us to rise and shine.”
• We help build the kingdom of God by living righteously.
• Individuals and families are strengthened by activity in the Church.
• We should willingly serve wherever we are.
• Blessings come as we serve in the kingdom of God.
HOW DO I MAKE TIME FOR SERVICE?
YOUTH CAN present this COMFORT, HELP, AND “BEAR” ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS planner to others any time of the year to give service and fulfill their baptismal promise found in Mosiah 18:7-10.
ACTIVITY:
PONDER THE PROMISES: Read Mosiah 18:7-10 out loud or silently together. Give some time (three minutes) to ponder the promises found there.
DISCUSS what it means to be redeemed of God, be numbered with those of the first resurrection, and to have eternal life.
SCRIPTURE CHASE bearing another’s burdens, for example, Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Part 3
SERVING Family
“Weekly family home evening… adds protection to our homes.” Sister Linda S. Reeves
“Each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls.” Elder David A. Bednar
“This heaven-inspired program … can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family…” President Thomas S. Monson
HOW DO I PLAN A FAMILY NIGHT?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth how to create this chart to help their family remember family home evening, and to assign responsibilities to family members. Sundays are great to have a lesson, keeping the Sabbath day holy, and Mondays are super to have an activity.
ACTIVITY:
Family Home Evening lessons are best if all family members take turns giving it. As the family gets older Mom and dad can be encouraged to take a backseat and enjoy watching their children create.
With this chart they can either rotate the peanuts for the next week or put them in a bag and draw.
IDEAS:
•play “Baby Elephant Walk” to call everyone to FHE.
•Serve peanuts in a bag for the lesson. Or peanut butter with celery and apples (careful of allergies).
•Do “white elephant” gift exchanges on special occasions.
•Find a small picture of a baby elephant and laminate it. Make someone’s bed and place “baby elephant” on the bed. Then its that person’s turn to do a kindness leaving “baby elephant” behind, and so on.
HELPING MAKES ME HAPPY
YOUTH CAN TEACH the children “When We’re Helping” using this song visual. This song helps them think of ways to help “mother” and they can sing it “father” and “brother” and “sister” and “grandmother” and “grandfather” or any person they want to help. This song helps them to think about helping others as Jesus would. This will make them happy and their family and friends happy too.
ACTIVITY:
Ask the children questions such as, “Who swept the floor today?” Or, “Who made their bed?” “Who tended baby sister?” This is a way to choose helpers.
Lyrics:
When we’re helping, we’re happy,
And we sing as we go;
And we like to help mother,*
For we all love her so.
Tra la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la
Tra la la la la la la
Tra la la la la la
Words: Wallace F. Bennett, 1898-1993
Music: German Folk Song
HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER TO HELP?
YOUTH CAN TEACH others with this SCOOP-UP FAMILY SUCCESS Service Toppers idea. They can really get the “scoop” on service when they serve their family. This will help them learn to serve others outside their family too. Everyone likes ice cream, and youth will like listening to situations of family needs telling how to serve. They can top off each cone with IDEAS FOR SERVICE.
ACTIVITY:
Every Family member wants a Happy, Healthy, and Helpful family. Being a part of a family takes hard work, patience, love, forgiveness, and repentance.
DISCUSSION: Take a moment and read or talk about Noah and his family building the ark and preparing for their voyage (Genesis 6-8, Moses 8). Also Lehi and Sariah and their journey to the promised land (1 Nephi 1-18). Both families had to do hard things.
What are the ways children and youth can create family success? Listen to situations of family needs and talk about how they might work together to “scoop” up and fill those needs.
HOW CAN I HONOR MY FAMILY?
YOUTH CAN TEACH others using this HONORABLE FAMILY FOOD STORAGE match by pretending they are an item in the cupboard pantry. What would they be and what would they do to honor their family to make it a happy home? For example, “Tommy Tomato helped his brother study …” (match #1) “and catch up on his homework” (match #2).
ACTIVITY:
We need to love and care for our families. President Gordon B. Hinckley tells us to “love each other, respect each other, to treat each other with love, kindness, and respect.”
“Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful … families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”)
Do you really know what your mother and father do for the family?
ASSIGNMENT: After this activity take a pen and paper and interview your mother and father and ask them what they do for the family. You may be surprised just how much time, money, and hard work they put into your happy, healthy, and safe family.
HOW CAN I GIVE UNCONDITIONAL SERVICE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH other youth about the importance of being humble as Jesus did when they serve others. With HUMBLE DEEDS Secret Service they can learn about pride and how it hurts their efforts to serve. Read the story of the proud rich and humble poor Zoramites and the Rameumpton (Alma 34:28-29).
ACTIVITY:
Have the youth place their list of Secret Service Deeds in the pocket with the button cards that read “This good deed for you shows my service true. ”Then they can do good deeds and leave the card to show they have been there, secretly.
I AM ONLY ONE
I am only one
But I am one.
I cannot do everything
But I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do;
And what I ought to do
By the grace of God,
I will do.
-Edward Everett Hale
WHAT ARE WAYS TO HONOR YOUR MOM & DAD?
YOUTH CAN TEACH @
WHY IS PET CARE A GOOD WAY TO PRACTICE SERVING?
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Part 4
SERVING Outside Family
If you visit this Serving Others Together page, you will discover why it is good to serve as a family, carefully, even prayerfully think of the needs of others close to you to:
• Not give service where it is not needed or wanted.
• Consider giving service anonymously is sometimes easier to accept.
• Let each family member offer ideas and contribute.
HOW IS LOVING OTHERS LOVING JESUS?
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WHAT ARE WAYS MY FAMILY CAN SERVE?
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HOW DOES RAKING SOMEONE’S LEAVES SERVE GOD?
YOUTH CAN TEACH that by serving one person you serve three people at the same time (1) Fellow beings; (2) God; and (3) Themselves as they improve their countenance and feelings of self-worth.
ACTIVITY:
King Benjamin’s example of service
When King Benjamin* was nearing the end of his life, he asked his son Mosiah to call the Nephite people together so he could speak to them. They gathered in families at the temple to listen to King Benjamin* (see Mosiah 2:1–9).
Read Mosiah 2:10–14, looking for how King Benjamin* served his people.
See MORE ⇒
*See King Benjamin featured in this Serve Like a Prophet Guessing Game (HERE or below)
HOW 2?
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HOW 2?
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HOW CAN SERVING MAKE ME HAPPY?
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WHAT COMES FROM SMALL ACTS OF SERVICE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH about simple acts of service at home, school, and church that bring true happiness. While they imagine gassing up at the Jalopy “Junk”tion – Lovey’s Service Station, they will soon be Ready-to-Roll! on their next service project.
HOW TO “GROW” SERVICE HABITS
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WHAT @?
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HOW HAS JESUS TAUGHT US TO SERVE?
YOUTH CAN TEACH that Jesus Christ was our perfect example of how to serve. Here you can match similar actions as you guess the HELPING HANDS. Just say, “I will serve each day in a Christ-like way.”
WHAT @?
YOUTH CAN TEACH @
Part 1
SERVING Ideas
Visit Someone Who Lives Alone
When Jesus was on the earth, He paid special attention to the lonely. He sought out the sick, gave time to the grieving, and noticed those who had been forgotten. How can you do the same? Think of someone in your network or neighborhood who lives alone. Then, plan a time when you can stop by and visit with them. Often just your presence will mean more than you know!
Take a Meal to Someone
You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to reach out in love to friend or family member. Whether it’s an entire meal or just a small snack, bringing food to others is a great way to show them that you care.
When a family has welcomed a new baby into their home or someone is having health problems, the ward looks for ways to help (see Mosiah 18:8). Often, that includes people providing home-cooked meals. Imagine if we turned outward and helped all of our neighbors and friends in the same way.
Send a Thoughtful Message
Something as simple as a text message is often enough to make someone smile. Whether you choose to check in with a close friend or reach out to someone new, one message could make their whole day.
SEE MORE ACTIVITIES (like #28 above) for Activity Days Ages 1-8 (HERE or click poster ⇒
Don’t miss these:
• Good Samaritan Secret Service Project
• Show Respect & Appreciation “Buzz”-illion Thanks! Jot-a-Thought card”
• Create a Nutritious Meal – chef recipes
• Babysitting Basics
• Senior Spotlight – King & Queen (crown and bingo)
• Plan an activity to entertain children: Drive-in Movie, Rally, Red & Green Light
