Home Teaching Suggestions Needed - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Jeff Lebowski · 02-28-2006, 02:59 PM

Confession time: I struggle with home teaching. I don't mind going to visit the families, but I have a tough time preparing a thought/message. I have a hard time getting enthused about going over the first presidency message because my families have typically read it already and it seems like we are just going through the motions. The mother of one of my families actually groans sometimes when I pull out the Ensign.

I do like my families and I bring over a small gift and note whenever someone has a birthday. And in the summer I usually invite the families to a big BBQ at a local park. So I do try to have a variety of ways to interact with them. It's just that I struggle coming up with something interesting for a lesson.

Anyway, suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated.

The_Tick · 02-28-2006, 03:29 PM

I have 5 families, and I only take a set message to 2 of them.

The other 3 families just love that my comp. and I come over once a month at visit with them and get an update on their lives.

The 3 families are extremely active and do their FHE. So it would be the Dept. of Redundency Dept. if I brought the message again.

Mormon Red Death · 02-28-2006, 04:04 PM

Just read them a scripture on something that stuck out to you in the past little while. Then its easy, spiritual and fast. The idea behind home teaching is to find out how the family is doing and provide them with a little lift.

bluegoose · 02-28-2006, 08:07 PM

I also find it a bit redundant redundant to share a first presidency message with an active family. Thus, I usually don't do it unless I strongly suspect that they don't regularly read the Ensign.

If there are young kids in the family, I find that the parents really appreciate and enjoy a message directed toward the little ones. You can always conclude the lesson with an applicable thought or scripture on the same subject directed toward Mom and Dad. Dig up some old FHE lessons you've used with your kids (if you have any) and consider sharing it with your assigned families.

SteelBlue · 02-28-2006, 09:44 PM

When I'm teaching families that are active and already know the message I usually just prepare one brief thought that I had as a result of reading that message and share it. I don't even try to give the whole message as it's redundant and feels hokey.

Parrot Head · 02-28-2006, 10:09 PM

You can also try the option of asking the parents if there's anything they'd like to hear. I always thought that might be a cop out for when the parents don't want to discuss drugs or chicks or whatever, but it might lead to something else and maybe it's just something they need to hear.

Option 2) Belly dancing lessons are always a big hit.

All-American · 02-28-2006, 10:17 PM

I'm in a singles ward, so my perspective is obviously going to be a lot different, but my advice is not to bring a lesson at all. Go talk to your home teachees for a half hour. Spiritual matters tend to bring themselves up.

Our responsibility as home teachers is a lot less teaching and a lot more friendshipping. I wish that home teachers in my ward would realize that.

Jeff Lebowski · 02-28-2006, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All-American

I'm in a singles ward, so my perspective is obviously going to be a lot different, but my advice is not to bring a lesson at all. Go talk to your home teachees for a half hour. Spiritual matters tend to bring themselves up.

Our responsibility as home teachers is a lot less teaching and a lot more friendshipping. I wish that home teachers in my ward would realize that.

Hmmm.... I like that approach. Sometimes I feel like I am a slacker if I don't prepare something, but I need to get out of that mode of thinking. I definitely agree that the bonding/friendship part is MUCH more important.

02-28-2006, 02:59 PM	#1
Jeff Lebowski Charon Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the heart of darkness (Provo) Posts: 9,564	Home Teaching Suggestions Needed Confession time: I struggle with home teaching. I don't mind going to visit the families, but I have a tough time preparing a thought/message. I have a hard time getting enthused about going over the first presidency message because my families have typically read it already and it seems like we are just going through the motions. The mother of one of my families actually groans sometimes when I pull out the Ensign. I do like my families and I bring over a small gift and note whenever someone has a birthday. And in the summer I usually invite the families to a big BBQ at a local park. So I do try to have a variety of ways to interact with them. It's just that I struggle coming up with something interesting for a lesson. Anyway, suggestions and thoughts would be appreciated.

02-28-2006, 03:29 PM	#2
The_Tick Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 626	I have 5 families, and I only take a set message to 2 of them. The other 3 families just love that my comp. and I come over once a month at visit with them and get an update on their lives. The 3 families are extremely active and do their FHE. So it would be the Dept. of Redundency Dept. if I brought the message again. __________________ Spooooooon

02-28-2006, 04:04 PM	#3
Mormon Red Death Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Clinton Township, MI Posts: 3,126	Just read them a scripture on something that stuck out to you in the past little while. Then its easy, spiritual and fast. The idea behind home teaching is to find out how the family is doing and provide them with a little lift. __________________ Its all about the suit

02-28-2006, 10:17 PM	#7
All-American Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 3,420	I'm in a singles ward, so my perspective is obviously going to be a lot different, but my advice is not to bring a lesson at all. Go talk to your home teachees for a half hour. Spiritual matters tend to bring themselves up. Our responsibility as home teachers is a lot less teaching and a lot more friendshipping. I wish that home teachers in my ward would realize that. __________________ εν αρχη ην ο λογος

02-28-2006, 08:07 PM	#4
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	I also find it a bit redundant redundant to share a first presidency message with an active family. Thus, I usually don't do it unless I strongly suspect that they don't regularly read the Ensign. If there are young kids in the family, I find that the parents really appreciate and enjoy a message directed toward the little ones. You can always conclude the lesson with an applicable thought or scripture on the same subject directed toward Mom and Dad. Dig up some old FHE lessons you've used with your kids (if you have any) and consider sharing it with your assigned families.

02-28-2006, 09:44 PM	#5
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	When I'm teaching families that are active and already know the message I usually just prepare one brief thought that I had as a result of reading that message and share it. I don't even try to give the whole message as it's redundant and feels hokey.

02-28-2006, 10:09 PM	#6
Parrot Head Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 763	You can also try the option of asking the parents if there's anything they'd like to hear. I always thought that might be a cop out for when the parents don't want to discuss drugs or chicks or whatever, but it might lead to something else and maybe it's just something they need to hear. Option 2) Belly dancing lessons are always a big hit.