You Will Need:
- A copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
- Enough blank cards (or paper to make cards) for each person, minus Dad.
- Crayons, markers, pencils, and other card embellishing paraphernalia to decorate your cards with.
- The story Showing Love, by Chad E. Phares from the June 2011 issue of The Children's Friend magazine.
Song: Daddy's Homecoming (Children's Songbook, pg.210), Love is Spoken Here (CSB, pg. 190), or My Dad (CSB, pg 211).
Lesson: Begin by asking your family what are some things they love about their Dad. Then ask what kinds of things their Dad does for them or helps them do. Read the paragraph in The Family: A Proclamation to the World that talks about a father's role. It is located in the paragraph that begins "The family is ordained of God." about halfway through the paragraph. It is also pasted below, although it may be more meaningful if you actually read it from the proclamation.
By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. - The Family, A Proclamation to the World.
Read the story "Showing Love", by Chad E. Phares. After you are finished talk about the way your dad helps and serves his family. Point out the ways he fulfills his role as described in the Family Proclamation.
Activity: Give each member of your family, except dad, a card or blank piece of paper. Set out the crayons and other supplies you have gathered. Instruct them write down something they would like to tell Dad. It can be a favorite memory, qualities about him, special things he does to help and make his family a priority, ect. Younger kids can draw a picture. Even my 20 month old loves to color. While the family is writing their cards, ask Dad to share some of his favorite memories. They can be of your family (special vacations, memories of his children, ect) or from his childhood (things he enjoyed doing with his dad).
After everyone is finished with their cards. Give them to dad or save them to give on Father's Day.
Treat: Dad's favorite treat.
