January 2017

a_year_in_the_scriptures_2017_january

The scripture for January is Luke 14: 28-33.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Challenge

The accompanying challenge is: prayerfully establish goals for 2017.

Ideas for accomplishing the challenge:

Printable

 

build a tower

 

Family Home Evening Ideas

With Children:

  1. Although this was for a previous year, this FHE about goals has a fun time capsule idea, too.
  2. This FHE for young children related to goal-setting is shared by Parenting in the Latter-days.

With Teens:

Idea #1:

LDS Living shares this low-prep FHE on goals and resolutions.

Idea #2:

Read through this list of 20 LDS quotes  or this one for the new year. Have everyone pick out their favorite and share what it is they like about it and an application for it in our lives.

With Adults:

Idea #1:

Read this article from Elder Joe J. Christensen on resolutions. It’s an excerpt given at a BYU devotional in 1994.

  • If you are with others, divide the article into parts depending upon how many people are in the group. Have each person read their section and share out:
    • three take-aways from the section
    • two quotes from the section
    • a one-word summary of the section
  • Consider setting your own goals in each of the four areas listed:
Idea #2:

The manual for the religion class “The Gospel and the Productive Life” has a lesson on goal-setting that would make a great FHE.

For Lessons and Talks

This parable, unique to Luke, is about discipleship and counting the cost before you commit. Possible lesson or talk ideas include:

  • The Greek word for tower used here ?????? is the same as the Hebrew word migdol, can also mean fortress. In what ways are we as disciples of Christ trying to build fortresses?
  • What are the possible costs of discipleship?
  • Read Rex D. Pinegar’s talk Decide to Decide for ideas on how decisions are a part of our foundation.
  • Emphasize not only the warning inherent in this text (if you’re not going to be able to finish, don’t even start), but also the invitation (build on the firm foundation of the Savior and plan well, so that you will end up with a wonderful tower or fortress).
  • You may wish to use the scripture block to discuss the idea of planning in general, particularly financial planning. If this is the path you choose to take, these conference talks will give you plenty of material from which to choose ideas:

Main Page

If you would like to see the resources for all of the monthly scriptures, visit this page.

Be sure to visit our Scripture Memorizing Ideas page for ideas and general help on memorizing scriptures.