Blessings Made To Fit

I am loving the new youth curriculum "Come Follow Me." I am going to share my lesson plans and the resources I used in case you too are teaching youth, looking for ideas for your family or your personal study. Hopefully you find something useful for your needs. 

A couple weeks ago I taught a lesson on Patriarchal Blessings in Young Women's. 

We started off with a shoe swap. I collected all of the girls and the leaders shoes into a laundry basket. As we went around I asked everyone to say something positive and negative that occurred in the last month. Once everyone's experiences and shoes were in the basket I handed them back. We mixed them up first. Each person got a new set of shoes. A boot with a sandal, black flats with green heels or two left shoes. I had them put the shoes on. They were confused to say the least.

I proceeded to ask them how Patriarchal Blessings are like shoes. It took them a couple minutes to answer but they had some insightful answers. I have learned that patience is key, they know more than they sometimes let on.

Using their answers we had a discussion. What happens when you have shoes that don't fit correctly? Correctly? Shoes for specific purposes? We then related their answers to their personal blessings. 

Patriarchal blessings are specific for you. They adapt to fit the circumstances that you are in. They are a tool to be used on your journey. The possibilities continue, I am sure that you see the analogy.

Previously I asked for positive and negative experiences. I was able to share my testimony of Heavenly Father knowing each of us with a perfect love, even when he knows our strengths and weaknesses. Patriarchal Blessings are individual. Made for who we are and the things we individually deal with.

Scriptures direct us though revelation. Likewise our blessings are personal revelation from our Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father wants to communicate with his daughters and blessings are one way. Revelation comes through the Holy Ghost. Answers are there to be found but you have to be prepared and have an open mind to learn.

How can/do you study your blessing?

I love to color so I showed the girls one of my copies.  

Some examples for study are: 

• color your blessings, gifts, warning or direction given

• color young women's values

• color key phrases 

• ask a question and color what stands out

• color things that have happened or what the future holds

Patriarchal Blessings are not a checklist of specifics but is a general guidance to help you on your journey.

I always close my lessons with my testimony. For the most part I try to include an experience that grew my faith into a testimony. I want the to girls to know that not everything comes easy. Testimony often takes time and consistency. 

If you prepare the best that you can to teach I know that you will be prompted to share what your girls need to hear. We can't be everything but we can help show them doors that will lead them to their answers. 

I am so grateful for this opportunity as it allowed me to study this topic more in depth and to study my personal blessing.

Happy teaching!