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Nothing Is Impossible with God

Happy New Year, and welcome to the New Testament! This week an angel brings surprising news to Zacharias, Elisabeth and Mary, and each of them learns that with God nothing is impossible. It’s the perfect week to set family goals, talk about prayers Heavenly Father answers in His own time, and get ready for fast Sunday on January 3.

  • Week 1
  • 📅 Dec 28, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027
  • 📖 Matthew 1; Luke 1
Start with Monday
Read it togetherMatthew 1; Luke 1 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualNew Testament 2027, week 1

What your kids learn in class

Stories, verses and games for the week come from each child’s own Primary or youth lesson, so home matches Sunday.

⚡ Fast Sunday this week (Primary)

Daily sparks

Five to ten minutes a day, Monday to Sunday, with everyday things you already have. Grown-ups lead; kids act, play and answer. Where a step says to tap something, that’s in the Gospel Sparks app; on the web, use the “Play along” links.

Monday · 8 min · Cozy story time

Couch Story: The Angel’s Big News

👼 An angel brings the most amazing news!Snuggle up and listen.Baby John is coming!Baby Jesus is coming!

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Heavenly Father heard Zacharias and Elisabeth’s prayers and answered them in His perfect time.

  1. Read Luke 1:13 together.
  2. Ask: “How long do you think they prayed for a baby?”
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father hears every prayer, even when the answer takes time.”

😄 Thumbs-up vote: would you rather meet an angel in the temple or in your room? Vote and explain!

📖 Read together: Luke 1:11–13, 26–38 ↗

  1. Pile onto the couch together. Tap Story.
  2. Read each scene in your best storyteller voice. Let the kids swipe.
  3. On the first scene, ask: “What do you think they prayed about all those years?”
  4. When Gabriel visits Mary, ask: “How would you feel if an angel came to you?”
  5. SAY“Heavenly Father heard their prayers the whole time. He answered in His own perfect time.”

🎭 Play along: the story scenes (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • How do you think Mary felt when she saw the angel?
  • What is something our family has prayed about for a long time?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one sit on your lap and tap to the next scene. Each time the angel shows up, they whisper, “Good news!”
📚 Big kids (10–13)Ask your older kid to read Mary’s answer in Luke 1:38. What was she saying yes to?
🧑 Teens (14–18)Have your teen compare Zacharias’s question in Luke 1:18 with Mary’s in Luke 1:34. Both asked, but only Zacharias lost his voice. Ask them to explain the difference between a question that seeks faith and one that demands proof.
☕️ For grown-upsLuke 1:6 calls Zacharias and Elisabeth righteous, and they still waited many years. A long-unanswered prayer isn’t proof that God is displeased with you.

Sticker for today: 👼

Tuesday · 6 min · Verse

Impossible? Not for God!

💪 With God, nothing is impossible!Point up.Make a big zero.Flex those muscles!

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 With God, nothing is impossible.

  1. Read Luke 1:37 together.
  2. Take turns naming something that feels too hard.
  3. SAY“You don’t have to do hard things alone. God can help.”

😄 Whisper-to-shout: say Luke 1:37 in a whisper, then normal, then your loudest voice.

📖 Read together: Luke 1:37 ↗

  1. Tap Key Verse. Read it three times: whisper, normal, then super loud.
  2. Point up for “For with God.” Make a big zero with your hands for “nothing.”
  3. Flex both arms like a superhero for “impossible.”
  4. Take turns naming something that seems impossible. Then everyone shouts the verse with motions.
  5. SAY“When something feels too hard this year, remember: you’re not doing it alone.”

📖 Play along: the key verse (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • What is something hard that Heavenly Father could help you with this year?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Hold your little one’s hands and do the motions together.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Challenge your older kid to say the verse from memory on one foot. Then have them teach it to a younger sibling.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Ask your teen to read Genesis 18:14 and Luke 1:37 side by side. Sarah and Elisabeth both faced the impossible. What have they seen the Lord change that once seemed impossible?
☕️ For grown-upsGabriel gave Mary something she could check: her cousin Elisabeth, who everyone thought couldn’t have children, was already expecting. Mary answered in the very next verse, “be it unto me according to thy word.” She trusted Him before she saw the result.

Sticker for today: 💪

Wednesday · 8 min · Draw

Zacharias’s Silent Drawings

🤐 Shhh! No talking! Draw a prayer!No words allowed.Draw something to pray about.Can they guess it?

✋ Grab: paper and a pen

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Zacharias couldn’t speak until John was born, and then he praised God.

  1. Read Luke 1:20 together.
  2. Read Luke 1:63–64 together.
  3. Ask: “What was the first thing Zacharias did when he could talk again?”

😄 Silent 30: nobody talks for 30 seconds. Use only faces and hands to tell each other something happy.

📖 Read together: Luke 1:18–22, 59–64 ↗

  1. Read Luke 1:20. Zacharias couldn’t talk until the baby was born.
  2. Now nobody talks! Tap Timer for two minutes.
  3. Take turns drawing something you can pray about. Guessers can only whisper!
  4. When the timer ends, read Luke 1:63. Everyone writes “His name is John” like Zacharias did.
  5. SAY“Heavenly Father hears every prayer. Sometimes He says yes. Sometimes wait. Sometimes something better.”

⏱️ Big Timer (in the Gospel Sparks app)

Talk about it
  • What is something you can pray about tonight?
  • Has Heavenly Father ever answered a prayer in a way you didn’t expect?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Whisper an idea to your little one, like a thank-you for food. Help them draw it.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Have your older kid draw a harder one, like being brave at a new school or helping a sad friend.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Have your teen read Zacharias’s first words after months of silence in Luke 1:64, 67–75. Then ask: “If you couldn’t speak for months, what would you want your first words to be?”
☕️ For grown-upsZacharias’s silence became time to prepare. When his voice came back, he used it for praise, not complaint. What might a quiet or waiting season be preparing you to say?

Sticker for today: 🤐

Thursday · 10 min · Game

New Year’s Eve Game Night

🎉 Game night! Guess the word on your head!Give clues.No saying the word!Tilt down when you get it.

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Mary trusted Heavenly Father’s plan even when it surprised her.

  1. Read Luke 1:30–31 together.
  2. Ask: “How do you think Mary felt when Gabriel came?”
  3. Share a time you trusted Heavenly Father.

😄 Quick guess: give clues about someone in this week’s story. Guessers get three tries.

  1. Gather on the couch. Tap Forehead Guess.
  2. One player holds your phone or tablet on their forehead. Everyone else gives clues without saying the word.
  3. Tilt down when you get it. Tilt up to pass.
  4. Keep score on your fingers. Everyone plays at least one round.
  5. Before bed, say a family prayer. Thank Heavenly Father for this year.

🤔 Play along: Forehead Guess (from the Valiant 7–8 lesson; pick your kid’s class above for theirs)

Talk about it
  • What was your favorite thing that happened to our family this year?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one hold your phone or tablet with a grown-up. They can give clues with animal sounds.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Your older kid can be the host. They keep score and pick who goes next.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Put your teen in charge of a family year in review. Before the game, they collect one highlight from each person and read them out between rounds.
☕️ For grown-upsMary’s song in Luke 1:46–55 looks back at what God had already done before it looks ahead. Before you set resolutions, take a minute to name where you saw His hand this past year.

Sticker for today: 🎉

Friday · 10 min · Dinner table

Goal Rocket at Dinner

🚀 3, 2, 1… launch your New Year goals!One goal to grow close to Jesus.One goal to help someone.Blast off!

✋ Grab: paper and a pen

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Mary said yes to Heavenly Father, and we can say yes to Him this year.

  1. Read Luke 1:38 together.
  2. Ask: “What will you say yes to Heavenly Father about this year?”
  3. Each person shares one small goal out loud.

😄 Blast off: count down from ten together and jump up on “Blast off!”

📖 Read together: Luke 1:38 ↗

  1. At dinner, read Luke 1:38 together.
  2. SAY“Mary said yes to Heavenly Father’s plan. This year, what will you say yes to?”
  3. Draw one big rocket on a piece of paper.
  4. Inside it, each person writes one goal to grow closer to Jesus and one goal to help someone.
  5. Count down from ten and shout, “Blast off!” Put the rocket on the fridge.
  6. Say a family prayer. Ask for help with each goal.
Talk about it
  • Who is someone you want to help this year?
  • How can Heavenly Father help you keep your goal?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Help your little one pick one simple goal, like giving hugs. Write it in the rocket for them.
📚 Big kids (10–13)Ask your older kid to break their goal into three small steps. Check in on the first Sunday of every month.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Invite your teen to write one goal that would really stretch them, plus the first step they’ll take before Sunday. They decide whether to share it or keep it between them and Heavenly Father.
☕️ For grown-upsMary’s “be it unto me” wasn’t a goal she had planned. It was a yes to God’s plan. As you set your own goals, ask what He might want you to say yes to this year that isn’t on your list.

Sticker for today: 🚀

Saturday · 8 min · Walk

A Walk Like Mary’s Visit

🚶 Walk and wave! Tomorrow we pray for something special!Wave to the neighbors.What should we pray for?

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Mary and Elisabeth helped and cheered each other, and we can lift others too.

  1. Read Luke 1:41–42 together.
  2. Ask: “How did Elisabeth make Mary feel welcome?”
  3. Name one person you can cheer up this week.

😄 Compliment chain: go around the circle giving the next person a quick compliment. Go as fast as you can!

📖 Read together: Luke 1:39–45 ↗

  1. Read Luke 1:41–42 together before you head out.
  2. SAY“Mary traveled to visit her cousin Elisabeth. They helped each other.”
  3. Take a short walk around the block and wave to every neighbor. Too cold? Walk laps inside.
  4. As you walk, talk about fast Sunday. Grown-ups and older kids who are ready skip two meals.
  5. SAY“The money we save helps people who need food. Kids don’t have to fast. Everyone can pray.”
  6. Pick one thing your family will pray about tomorrow. Back home, lay out Sunday clothes.
Talk about it
  • Who could our family pray for tomorrow?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Let your little one ride on your shoulders and do the waving. Help them pick someone to pray for.
📚 Big kids (10–13)If your older kid wants to try fasting, help them choose a simple goal, like skipping one meal with a purpose.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Ask your teen to read Isaiah 58:6–7 and help choose a purpose for tomorrow’s fast that fits what the Lord describes there. If they’re ready, invite them to fast with you.
☕️ For grown-upsWhen young Mary arrived with news no one expected, the older Elisabeth greeted her with a blessing, not questions. Mary stayed about three months. Who in your life might need an Elisabeth this year?

Sticker for today: 🙏

Sunday · 6 min · Sabbath

Great Things He Has Done

🌅 What did you learn in Primary today?Teach your family one thing.Name one great thing God did for you.

✅ Nothing to prep. Just start!

⏱ Only 10 minutes?

💡 Mary praised God for the great things He had done for her.

  1. Read Luke 1:49 together.
  2. Take turns naming one great thing Heavenly Father did for your family last year.
  3. Share a short testimony of Jesus Christ.

😄 High-five chain: pass a high five around the family and say “Great things!” with each one.

📖 Read together: Luke 1:46–49 ↗

  1. Ask: “What did you learn in Primary today?” Let each child teach you one thing.
  2. Read Luke 1:49 together. Mary said God had done great things for her.
  3. Take turns naming one great thing Heavenly Father did for our family last year.
  4. Share a short testimony of Jesus Christ.
  5. If your family fasted, close the fast with a prayer.
Talk about it
  • What great thing did Heavenly Father do for you this year?
  • How do you feel when you think about Jesus?
🧸 Little ones (2–5)Help your little one say one simple thank-you, like “Thank you for my family.”
📚 Big kids (10–13)Invite your older kid to share one sentence of testimony or a time they felt God’s help this year.
🧑 Teens (14–18)Have your teen read Mary’s song in Luke 1:46–55. Notice how often God lifts the humble and fills the hungry. Then they can write a short list of their own great things to share.
☕️ For grown-upsMary’s song echoes Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. Mary knew the scriptures well enough to worship with them in the biggest moment of her life. That’s a quiet case for daily study.

Sticker for today: 🌅

Family challenge

Nothing-Is-Impossible Goals

Every night this week, check your family Goal Rocket on the fridge and say one thing you did for your goal. When someone says “This is too hard!”, the whole family answers with Luke 1:37.

Parent Corner

Luke opens his Gospel with two announcements set side by side. One comes to an aged priest chosen by lot to burn incense in the temple while the people pray outside (Luke 1:8–10); the other comes to a young woman in an ordinary home in Nazareth. Zacharias and Elisabeth had done everything right and still carried an empty place in their home for years, which should forever settle the idea that delayed blessings are a verdict on our worthiness. Mary, facing a future she could not have explained to her neighbors, answered with trust rather than a plan. Both stories point to the same truth: God keeps His word in His own time, and what looks impossible from where we stand is simply not yet finished.

  • Ponder: Where is our family waiting on a blessing right now, and what does faithful waiting look like for us this year?
  • Try this: Read Luke 1:46–55 on your own this week and write your own list of great things the Lord has done for you. Share one with your spouse or a friend before Sunday.

From general conference

“In times of difficulty, we choose to trust the Lord in faith. We quietly pray, “Not my will but thine be done.” We feel the Lord’s approval for our meek willingness, and we await the promised peace the Lord will send in His chosen timing.”

— Elder Neil L. Andersen, “The Triumph of Hope,” October 2024

For parents: read with Elisabeth and Zacharias’s long wait and Mary’s answer in Luke 1:38.

Read the talk ↗

Dinner-table questions

  • If an angel visited you, what do you think you would do?
  • What’s something that seemed impossible but you did it anyway?
  • Why do you think Heavenly Father sometimes says “wait” to our prayers?
  • Mary said yes to God. What’s one yes you can say this week?
  • What’s one goal you’re excited about for the new year?

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

All family weeks