Holding a family council is a great way to kick off the year with Come, Follow Me. Take the time to gather together and create a vision and plan for how you want to do Come, Follow Me that year as a family
The Idea of Family Council may seem like a new idea to you, but actually it is about as old as it gets! President M. Russell Ballard taught:
“Family councils have always been needed. They are, in fact, eternal. We belonged to a family council in the premortal existence, when we lived with our heavenly parents as their spirit children.”
M. Russell Ballard, “Family Councils,” Ensign, May 2016, 63.
The idea of family council is modeled after our heavenly council. It is a time we can gather as a parents with our children to strengthen our relationship, problem solve, celebrate, and discuss the needs of the family and each person individually.
Below I want to share with you four tips for having a successful family council this year to meet and talk about Come, Follow Me.
Pick Your Setting
Family council often seems like a very rigid and structured event. Things like gather together, start with a prayer, have an agenda ready, take turns discussing. This is a great way to do family council, but not the only way. Remember to pick a setting that works for your family. Having a discussion over the dinner table can be just as effective if everyone is there and attentive. Sometimes they may be planned but other times they may naturally occur. Don’t be afraid to bring some treats and get cozy on the couch or start a natural conversation when you notice you are all gathered outside on your patio. You know best which kind of setting your kids will feel most comfortable talking in. Laugh a little and have some fun being together! This is a time to strengthen and connect as a family.
Listen, Listen, Listen!
Family council is not meant to be a lecture but a conversation where everyone has an equal and valued voice. I love this quote from Elizabeth Pinborough:
“Counseling is a divine pattern and set of principles that will bring more problem-solving power and harmony into your home. You might be thinking, “How am I going to do that with my kids? They’re not really interested in hearing what I have to say.
If you approach a family council like a lecture, you’ll miss its full potential. You can help guide the outcome of councils by listening to every voice. A joyful atmosphere can be created where every voice is valued and respected, and everyone feels like they are part of the solution.”
Four Ways to Improve Family Councils, Elizabeth Pinborough
Start of the council by LISTENING! This signals that their ideas matter and have weight in this decision. Let everyone have the chance to speak and feel safe sharing their ideas and opinions. If you want your family to be interested and supportive of Come, Follow Me in your home, you need to listen and involve them in the process. We always care more about the things we have an active part in creating.
Discuss Come, Follow Me
So how do you discuss Come, Follow Me?
Let your kids know you want their input for Come, Follow Me and scripture study for the year. This is something you are doing together as a family and you want everyone to be included and share their ideas to make it an enjoyable experience.
Then ask some natural questions to get the ideas going. Here are a few suggestions:
- Why do you think we should do Come, Follow Me?
- How are you feeling about family scripture study? What are you excited about? Concerns?
- How do you feel about studying the New Testament?
- What did you love about family scripture study from last year?
- How could we make the experience better for you this year?
- What do you want to add or do differently?
Make sure to have a volunteer to write down some of the ideas you discuss so you don’t forget.!
Create a Plan
After you have had time to discuss and EVERYONE has had a chance (or more) to share their thoughts, it’s time to turn that into a plan.
You can write it out or even create your own fun poster or other visual to hang up somewhere where everyone can see it for the year.
If you haven’t discussed these items in the above step, make sure to consider these questions when you are putting your plan together:
- When and where do you want to do scripture study?
- How do you want it to look (formal/less formal, more reading or discussion, do you want to do any activities/journaling, how long, how will lead the study time?)
- How will you gather? (will you have a signal, someone assigned to tell everyone)
- What materials are needed? (should kids bring their scriptures, do you need to have a basket of notebooks/pens/highlighters)
Grab Our Free Family Council Printable
If you would like a quick and easy way to help you organize and execute your family council, grab our printable below by clicking HERE.
Conclusion
Family council is a fantastic way to get your family all on-board for Come, Follow Me this year. Take time to really listen to your kids needs, preferences, and desires. They will always be WAY more willing to help and be involved when they feel heard, seen, and included in this process. Remember, you are all in this together!
Come, Follow Me Family Bundle
Gather your family for meaningful gospel learning in your home with this beautiful Come, Follow Me bundle. Visuals are a powerful reminder and aid in learning. Let’s make this year in the Book of Mormon one your kids will remember!
This family bundle includes aids to help you plan simple scripture study with your family, a monthly scripture poster, a reading chart, and a scripture memorizing kit to help your kids memorize 12 scriptures by the end of the year.
