Personal Progress and Duty To God Internet Cafe Night

In our ward we have a new YW and New YM Presidencies, both in finding our feet have discovered that there is a need for parents and youth to be reminded of how important the Personal Progress and Duty to God program's are in helping our youth Come Unto Christ and how important Parental support is in both of these program's.  We also have found that very few know of or how to use the ONLINE versions of both.
We are holding a combined Youth and Parents, Duty to God and Personal Progress Internet Cafe night.

We are starting the night with the following presentation which is accompanied by a demonstration of the Armor of God http://seminarymoments.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/nt-ephesians-6-armour-of-god.html)  - relating it back to Personal Progress and duty to God. (here is the powerpoint presentation - the first half is to present along with the above demonstration, the second half we are sending to families to use in fhe) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NC3hb7DJy5XJxXGSqM31ah9DBlVuRZjIzzJFHmVgE0Y/edit#slide=id.p

The second part of our night we are sending the youth off with their parents to complete 5 challenges (duty to god for boys and Personal Progress challenges for YW)
By the end of the night Each child and parent will have

•  Logged onto the PP and DTG online sites
• Found a specific scripture  and talked about it together (from PP or DTG goal)
• Completed One challenge together
• Made a plan to share PP or DTG  eg: Will meet every first Sunday to discuss goal, have one FHE lesson a month to focus on PP or DTG

Each parent and Child group have been asked to bring along a laptop or tablet to use on the night and each will be issued with a CAFE CARD : Each cafe card will have the 5 challenges - as each challenge is completed the cafe card is stamped and the pair can collect the cafe item as a reward : Items served : Slice, savoury, drink, bowl of chips, etc  The challenges will be printed out as CAFE NEWS SHEETS - one for boys and one for girls.

The room (cultural hall)  will be set up with various tables - each with a table number, cafe style table runner, and flowers.   Cafe food will be set up at one end of hall with trays to be carried by leaders to serve all those who complete an item. 

small couches from the foyer will be set up as casual places to sit. 

Our goal for the night is to help families realize the importance of working on personal Progress and Duty to God WITH their youth....... we particularly like this quote which is part of our presentation:

"We  should understand that Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements are not just lengthy lists of items to check off. They are personal goals set by each young man and young woman to help them become worthy to receive temple ordinances, serve missions, enter into eternal marriage, and enjoy exaltation. But let it be understood: for young men and young women to try to accomplish these goals alone would be a great loss and tragedy!

Fathers, mothers, and leaders of youth, we urge you to participate in Personal Progress and Duty to God with your children and with the youth. Not only will they grow; you will grow too. And just as importantly, you will grow together in a bond of faith and friendship that will allow you to strengthen each other and stay on the gospel path forever, to indeed be an eternal family". - Robert D Hales

The Armor of God - lesson

The Armor of God

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The scriptures use a powerful illustration to teach us how to protect ourselves in the battle against evil.

In the scriptures we learn that we are engaged in a battle against evil and that we must protect ourselves if we are to be victorious (see Ephesians 6:11–17; D&C 27:15–18). They speak of the “armour of God,” which will help us “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Here are some of the ways this armor protects us, as well as some ways we can secure it.

Whole armor

“Examine your armor. Is there an unguarded or unprotected place? Determine now to add whatever part is missing. … Through the great principle of repentance you can turn your life about and begin now clothing yourself with the armor of God through study, prayer, and a determination to serve God and keep his commandments.”

President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982), First Counselor in the First Presidency, “‘Put on the Whole Armor of God,’” Ensign, May 1979, 46.

Breastplate of righteousness

We should wear the “breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16). A breastplate protects vital organs such as the heart and lungs. Our righteousness, both in thought and deed, protects the core of our spiritual lives.

Sword

We should wield the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17; see D&C 27:18). A sword is a weapon used to strike at the enemy. The word of God is “sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12), and the power of the Spirit can “carry [the truth] unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1), help people to “know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:5), and even “thrash the nations” through the preaching of the gospel (D&C 35:13). With our testimony and the power and peace of God’s Spirit, we can strike against and conquer the enemy of all righteousness.

Feet shod

We should have our “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15; D&C 27:16). Shod means wearing shoes. “Your feet … represent your goals or objectives in life. … Preparedness is the way to victory, and ‘eternal vigilance is the price of safety.’ … The tide of victory rests with him who is prepared” (President Harold B. Lee [1899–1973], “Message from the First Presidency,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, 2).

Helmet

We should put on the “helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17; D&C 27:18). Focusing our minds on Christ and His salvation will protect us from unworthy thoughts, keep our “eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5), and guide us in our decisions.

Shield of faith

We should pick up the “shield of faith, wherewith [we] shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16; D&C 27:17). A shield is the most versatile and effective means of defense in battle. Our faith, if it is built upon Christ and His gospel, can defend us against the adversary’s numerous onslaughts, just as a shield, if it is made of the right material, will withstand volleys of fiery darts.

“In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis.”

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Shield of Faith,” Ensign, May 1995, 8.

Gird your loins

We should have our “loins girt about with truth” (Ephesians 6:14; D&C 27:16). Loins means the area between the hips and abdomen. Girt means tied around firmly with a belt. Generally, to “gird your loins” means to prepare for action. We prepare ourselves to take action in the battle against evil by learning the truth through prayer and scripture study (seeAlma 17:2–3; D&C 11:21; D&C 84:85).

http://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/01/the-armor-of-god

FHE using FIG, DTG and PP

Family Home Evening Idea

Family Home Evening is a great time to work on "Faith in God", "Duty to God"

 or "Personal Progress". There are several ways to do this.

 Try any of the following that might work for your family:

Have each child read over and decide on the specific goals they

 want to work on, while parents move from child to child to counsel,
 give suggestions and sign off goals the children have already completed.

Have each child complete one of the goals he/she is working on for any
 of the above programs during FHE such as: lead the singing, give a specific

 lesson, share a story or testimony. After  he/she completes the value experience,

 etc. make sure to sign them off.

After the FHE lesson, take time during refreshments for each parent to work

 one on one with a child to just review where they are at and sign off the things 

they have completed. 

Establish a week of the month such as the 1st Monday, etc. that is 

"Faith in God", "Duty to God", and "Personal Progress" FHE. Always do something 

for FHE from these programs.

If one of the goals the child/children is working on is something they need instruction 

on from a parent, prepare a FHE lesson on laundry, cooking, leading music, 

money management, etc. Make sure to include all the requirements needed for

 "Duty to God", etc. in the lesson material. These can be fun hands on lessons that give

 a change of pace from regular FHE lessons. 

Don't get discouraged! If it has been awhile and you have forgotten to work on these

 great programs just get back to it! Have fun teaching and learning new things with your great kids!
Ideas from http://simpleandsavy.blogspot.co.nz/2011/04/family-home-evening-idea.html