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Family Study Fun
December 2019

“Family Study Fun,” Ensign, December 2019

Come, Follow Me: New Testament

Family Study Fun

Consider these activities during family scripture study or home evening.

November 25–December 1 (1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6)

Ancestor Academy

hand with finger pointing to computer screen

Illustrations by David Green

Peter taught that those who did not hear the gospel in this life will have it preached to them in the next (see 1 Peter 3:18–20; 4:6).

  1. Log in to FamilySearch.org (or create a new account).

  2. Identify one or more deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity of accepting the gospel in this life. Or, find an old-timey photograph of people online.

  3. Talk about which principles of the gospel might be most appealing to them (temples? eternal families? prayer?). Consider their time period and life circumstances.

Discussion: How is this principle—that deceased ancestors can hear the gospel—evidence of Heavenly Father’s mercy? What more can we do as a family to prepare names for temple ordinances?

December 2–8 (1 John 4:7)

Pass-Along Love Cards

cards with names and hearts

The Apostle John says, “Let us love one another: for love is of God” (1 John 4:7).

  1. Have the family sit in a circle.

  2. Give everyone an index card with their name at the top.

  3. Have everyone pass their card to the left. Instruct family members to silently read the name and write on the card how that person shows love in the family.

  4. Keep passing the cards to the left until everyone has written on each card.

  5. Read the cards aloud.

Discussion: How do you feel inside when you show love to others? How do acts of love strengthen our family?

December 9–15 (Revelation 1–22)

Symbol Sketch-and-Guess

pencil and drawing of sheep

To better understand the book of Revelation, we must first understand the symbols.

  1. Write one word per slip of paper: Lamb, candlestick, stars, dragon, bride, sword.

  2. Pass out the papers and take turns drawing the object while the family guesses what it is.

  3. When the family guesses correctly, read aloud the scriptures to learn the symbol’s meaning.

Discussion: Why is a lamb a frequent symbol of Christ? Why are symbols sometimes used in scripture?

December 16–22 (Christmas)

Christmas Sing-Along

music note and Christmas decorations

Open the Sacred Music app and sing the following hymns joyfully after reading each scripture.

  • Luke 2:4 (“O Little Town of Bethlehem,” no. 208)

  • Luke 2:7 (“Away in a Manger,” no. 206)

  • Luke 2:8 (“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks,” no. 211)

  • Luke 2:9–10 (“Joy to the World,” no. 201)

  • Luke 2:13–14 (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” no. 209; or “Angels We Have Heard on High,” no. 203)

  • Luke 2:16 (“Silent Night,” no. 204)

  • Luke 2:17 (“Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful,” no. 202)

  • Luke 2:20 (“Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains,” no. 212)

  • Matthew 2:1–11 (“With Wondering Awe,” no. 210)

Discussion: How can we praise God and Jesus Christ each day without actually singing?

December 23–29 (Revelation 14:6)

Life-Changer Film Festival

open book with video play button

The Book of Mormon is the means by which the angel (Moroni), as prophesied in Revelation 14:6, will preach “the everlasting gospel … to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

  1. Go to ChurchofJesusChrist.org/go/change1219.

  2. Watch any of the short films featuring people whose lives have been forever changed by the Book of Mormon.

Discussion: How has your own life been blessed and changed by studying the Book of Mormon? What goals can we set as a family regarding studying the Book of Mormon in 2020?