Fasting FHE Lesson

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Fasting FHE Lesson

by Lara Goold Materials needed: Scriptures, a large block or small box (for the die in the Fasting with Power game)

Preparation: Read “Learning to Fast” which came from an old FHE manual (included on page 4)

Purpose: A lesson designed to teach family members about fasting and the power it gives to us as we pray.

Scripture: “I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth.” Doctrine and Covenants 88:76

Opening song(s) and prayer: “Teach Me to Walk in the Light,” Children’s Songbook, page 177

Lesson: Ask your family the following questions about fasting and use the resources/activities listed to teach as you go. What is Fasting?: “To fast is to go without food and drink. Proper fasting, with prayer as its companion, increases spirituality, fosters a spirit of devotion and love of God, increases faith, encourages humility, teaches man his dependence upon God, and provides an opportunity for the spirit to take control over the body.” Bruce R. McConkie Why Do We Fast?: ROLE PLAY: “Why do we have Fast Sunday?” Pick 2 volunteers to play the parts of Dad and Glen and learn about why we fast. Use the FASTING WHEEL as visual reinforcement of why we fast. Ask which of these reasons seems the most important to you, and why? Discuss the various answers, agreeing that all are important, but concluding that helping us pray with special meaning and to draw closer to our Heavenly Father are the most important reasons why we fast. How Should We Fast? Read Matthew 6:16-18 and Doctrine and Covenants 59:13-16. Answers should include the following: in secret, joyfully, with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and faces. What Blessings Do We Receive When We Fast? Using the same scriptures mentioned above, discuss the blessings that come to us when we properly fast. Answers will include: we will be rewarded openly, we will receive fullness of joy and fullness of earth. Scripture Story—using the small booklet included, read about the Sons of Mosiah and discuss how the Lord blessed them after fasting.


Fasting with Power game—Distribute a game board to each person. Take turns rolling the die. Take the “weight” corresponds with what the die shows. The first person to collect each of the four different “weights” onto their game board is the winner. Take time to tie in the points made in the lesson to the different “weights”. Emphasize It is important for everyone to understand that sincere prayer along with fasting is crucial. You may also want to remind them of the previously discussed scriptures that we should be fasting willingly, cheerfully, and without complaining. Bear Testimony If possible, share an experience where fasting has impacted your life and bear your testimony of the power of fasting.

Closing song: “Faith,” Children’s Songbook, page 96 “A Child’s Prayer,” Children’s Songbook, page 12

Closing Prayer:

Refreshments: See below for a yummy recipe Enrichment: Based on the ages and attention spans of your children, choose one or more of the following enrichment activities to enhance the message of the lesson. Enrichment activities do not necessarily need to be completed on the same night as the lesson. We often use them as reinforcement/reminders during the week.

More Scriptures to ponder: 2 Chronicles 20:1-3, 13-24—Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, called the people together in prayer and fasting when their enemies came to battle. They were promised victory and they won without having to fight! Ezra 8:heading, 21-24, 28-31—Ezra and his people fasted and prayed for guidance in taking temple treasures to Jerusalem from Babylon. They were delivered from the hands of enemies and thieves and arrived safely in Jerusalem. Alma 5:1, 45-46—Alma testified that he had fasted and prayed many days to gain an understanding and a testimony of the gospel truths that he taught. Matthew 4:1-11—Jesus fasted for 40 days as he prepared Himself for His great ministry. He was able to withstand Satan’s temptations and was ministered to by angels Esther 1-10—Esther had the Jews fast and pray as she approached the King to ask for their deliverance from the wicked new law Daniel 6:16-23--

Fasting Magnet: Cut out and decorate the quote about fasting. Hang it up somewhere in the house to remind you of what you’ve learned about fasting during FHE this week. Demonstration—using a piece of wood, 2 screws, screwdriver and a power drill—demonstrate the difference in the ease of screwing in a screw with a screwdriver compared to a power drill. Liken the power of the power drill to the power that fasting can give to our prayers.


Strawberry Filled Oatmeal Coconut Muffins From http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com The ingredients: 1 cup oats 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup flour (I used 1/2 whole wheat, 1/2 white flour) 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 3/4 cup coconut Strawberry preserves (or whatever flavor you prefer) Combine oats in buttermilk and let soak at least 30 minutes. Sift four, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together. Set aside. Blend oil, brown sugar, egg, and coconut and add to oatmeal mixture. Blend well. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Spoon into greased muffin tins. Spoon a small teaspoon strawberry preserves in center of each muffin and cover preserves with a little more dough. Bake at 400° for 15-18 minutes. Make 12 muffins. Enjoy!


“Why Do We Have Fast Sunday” ROLE PLAY—(print two) Sally Gunnell, “Why Do We Have Fast Sunday?,” Friend, Feb 1983, 34

Fasting is an important part of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here is a conversation between Glen and his dad about fasting. Maybe it will answer some of the questions you have too.

Glen: Why do we have Fast Sunday? What is fasting, anyway?

Dad: To fast means to go without eating and drinking. Jesus set the example Himself by fasting.

Glen: I don’t know if I could go without food and water.

Dad: It certainly isn’t easy, and Heavenly Father doesn’t expect little children to fast. When you are old enough and want to fast, it’s best to start out by missing just one meal.

Glen: I still don’t know why we fast.

Dad: One reason we fast is that it is a teaching of Jesus Christ. We can read about fasting in the scriptures. Some good verses to look up are: Exodus 34:28, [Ex. 34:28] Matthew 4:2 [Matt. 4:2] and 6:16–18 [Matt. 6:16–18], Helaman 3:35 [Hel. 3:35], and Doctrine and Covenants 59:12–14 [D&C 59:12–14].

Another reason we fast is to help the poor and needy. We give the money we save by not eating our meals to the fast offering fund. That fund helps others who don’t have enough food.

Fasting is also a way of developing self-control. If we can learn to have control over what and when we eat, we’ll have greater control in other things we do too. That is one of the blessings of fasting.

Glen: When do we fast? I know we don’t do it every Sunday.

Dad: Unless there is a special conference on the first Sunday of the month, fast Sunday is always held on that day. Fast Sunday is also a time when we share our testimonies. The Spirit of our Heavenly Father always seems to be very close during testimony-bearing time. Do you think that might be because we are fasting?

Glen: Sure. I love testimony meeting. It really does make me think more about Heavenly Father. But can we fast only on Fast Sunday?

Dad: No, we can fast whenever we want to or whenever we need special blessings for ourselves or others. Remember when Aunt Kathy had cancer? The whole family fasted and prayed for her. She was given a special blessing, too, and the operation and the treatments she had were successful.

Another very important reason we fast is so that we can be more humble and feel closer to Heavenly Father and have His guidance and influence in our lives.

Glen: How long do we go without food and water?

Dad: Your mother and I fast twenty-four hours, or from dinnertime one day until dinnertime the next day.

Glen: That’s a long time!

Dad: Yes, and because it isn’t always easy, we can pray and ask our Heavenly Father for strength to complete our fast. The more often we fast, of course, the easier it becomes. The time will come when with prayer and practice you will be able to do the same.


FASTING WHEEL—adapted from a visual found in the Friend magazine (Cut around circle, laminate if desired. Affix front side [below] with a metal craft brad)


FASTING WHEEL—adapted from a visual found in the Friend magazine (Cut around circle. Cut out 2 windows. Laminate if desired. Affix front to back [above] with metal craft brad)


Sons of Mosiah booklet—cut out pages, punch hole in upper left corner, laminate if desired. Adjoin the pages with a small binder ring (or yarn) through the punched hole.


We used a large foam block or small box for our die and just taped the squares to each side. You could also just place all of the squares into a basket and take turns drawing them out without looking.


By Erika Miller at http://sugardoodle.net

Fasting FHE Lesson

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