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Follow the Star to Jesus

Shepherds hurry, Simeon and Anna wait, wise men follow a star, and a mystery box shows the best gift for Jesus

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–6
  • Week 2
  • 📅 Sunday, January 10, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ was born to be my Savior, and like the shepherds and wise men, I can come to Him and grow up like Him.

I can come to Jesus, show Him I love Him, and grow like Him a little more every day.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 2; Luke 2 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Know the chapters

Christmas just ended, so your class already knows pieces of this story. Now they get it straight from the scriptures. In Luke 2, Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem and find no room in the inn. They lay newborn Jesus in a manger. An angel tells shepherds the good news. The sky fills with angels praising God, and the shepherds hurry to find the baby. When Jesus is still tiny, Mary and Joseph take Him to the temple. There, faithful old Simeon and the prophetess Anna recognize Him as the Savior. In Matthew 2, wise men see a new star and travel a long way. They kneel to worship the young child and give gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Notice that in Matthew 2:11 the wise men came to a house and found a “young child.” So they probably came later than the shepherds. Keep King Herod gentle for this age. He was a jealous king who didn’t want a new king. Heavenly Father kept Jesus safe by warning the wise men and Joseph in dreams. You don’t need to tell the class about Matthew 2:16.

The manual also points to Jesus growing up, in Luke 2:40–52. When He was twelve, Jesus stayed behind at the temple. He listened to the teachers and asked them questions. When Mary and Joseph found Him, He said He needed to be about His Father’s business. Luke 2:52 says He grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and with people. Wisdom is His mind, and stature is His body. Children love knowing Jesus was once a child who grew just like them.

For 4- to 7-year-olds, the thread is simple. Many people came to Jesus. The shepherds hurried, Simeon and Anna waited, and the wise men traveled far. The story says it: “Hurry to Jesus!” “Follow the star!” and “I love Jesus!” We come to Jesus by praying, singing, taking the sacrament reverently and being kind. Your 7-year-olds will be baptized this year, one of the biggest ways to come to Jesus. Prophets said long before that this would happen. Isaiah wrote about a child who would be born, in Isaiah 9:6. In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite said a new star would appear, in Helaman 14:5.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:1–20 and Matthew 2:1–11 so you can tell them in your own words. Cut out a paper star. Put a hand mirror in a small box. Tell the story in Teach Mode, stopping for guesses. Teach Luke 2:52 with the Grow Like Jesus motions and open the Best Gift box. End by kneeling quietly like the shepherds. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” The star shows on your phone or tablet, and your hands become the gift box.

What to bring2 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read Luke 2:1–20 and 2:40–52, and Matthew 2:1–11.
  2. Cut out the star. Put the mirror in the box facing up, and don’t let anyone peek.

If your class is wild

  • Knee-patting is your steering wheel. Busy hands on knees can’t poke a neighbor. Start a soft “Hurry to Jesus!” whenever the room drifts.
  • Give your wiggliest 6- or 7-year-old the Sound Helper job. Now their energy has a job.
  • The mirror reveal works best with suspense. Shake the box and whisper. Hold it yourself while each child peeks, one at a time.
  • Your readers can read the captions and the verse. Your 4-year-olds are the best twinklers in the room.

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Follow the Star

3 min

A star floating around the room starts the story.

  1. SAY“Long ago, wise men saw a brand-new star. They followed it a long, long way. Let’s follow a star with our eyes!”
  2. Walk the paper star slowly around the room while everyone points and twinkles. Let it land on the wrapped box.
  3. Ask, “The star led the wise men to someone very special. Who was it?” Jesus!
  4. SAY“And what’s in this box? We’ll find out later.”
🌪️ Eyes follow the star, and bottoms stay on seats. The quietest twinklers get to hold the star next.

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star! · 🐫 🐫 🐫 ⭐

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper star (cut from yellow paper, or draw a big star on any paper)

Your phone or tablet Star

  1. SAY“Long ago, wise men saw a brand-new star. They followed it a long, long way. Let’s follow a star with our eyes!”
  2. Hold up your phone or tablet with the ⭐ on the screen. Walk it slowly around the room while everyone points and twinkles.
  3. Ask, “The star led the wise men to someone very special. Who was it?” Jesus!
2. Story

Story: Who Came to See Jesus?

7 min

You tell a true scripture story with pictures. The whole class joins in from their seats.

  1. SAY“This is a true story from the scriptures. I’ll stop so you can guess what happens next.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. At each “Guess!”, take a few guesses, then read on. Big kids can read the caption first.
  3. After scene 4, ask, “Who came to see Jesus so far?” Shepherds, Simeon and Anna!
  4. After scene 7, ask, “How can we come to Jesus today?” Listen for praying, singing, taking the sacrament and being kind.
🌪️ Scene 4 is a built-in quiet moment. Whisper it. Let the room get still before you tap to the star.

Class screen: 👶 Who came to see Jesus? · 🤔 Guess! · 🏃 Hurry to Jesus!

3. Wiggle break

Hurry, Twinkle, Freeze

2 min

The story’s motions become a quick stand-up wiggle.

  1. SAY“Stand up! When I call a move, do it big.”
  2. Call “Hurry to Jesus!” and run in place. Call “Follow the star!” and twinkle high. Speed up, then slow down.
  3. End on “I love Jesus!” with a hand on your heart. Freeze, then sit down softly.
  4. Whisper: “Shh, Baby Jesus is sleeping.”
🌪️ Run in place only. Feet stay in your own spot.

Class screen: 🏃 Hurry! Twinkle! Freeze! · 🏃 ⭐ ❤️

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Luke 2:52

3 min

Growing motions help kids remember that Jesus was once a child who grew, just like them.

  1. SAY“Jesus was once a child, just like you. Here’s how He grew.”
  2. Show the verse and ask a reader to read it slowly while little ones echo. Teach the motions. Say it together, starting small and ending tall.
  3. Ask, “How can you grow in wisdom?” Learn! “In stature?” Eat and sleep! “With God?” Pray! “With people?” Be kind!

Class screen: 📏 Grow like Jesus! · Wisdom 🧠 · Stature 📏 · With God 🙏 · With people 🤝 · Luke 2:52

5. Object lesson

The Best Gift for Jesus

6 min

A surprise mirror shows that the best gift we can give Jesus is ourselves, and kids choose a gift for this week.

  1. SAY“The wise men gave Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. Inside this box is the best gift anyone can give Jesus. Don’t say what you see!”
  2. Let each child peek in, one at a time, and keep the secret. When everyone has peeked, ask, “What did you see?” Me!
  3. SAY“The best gift you can give Jesus is you. Your heart, your kind choices, your prayers. When you’re baptized, you promise to follow Him.”
  4. Go around the circle. Each child names one gift for Jesus this week. Everyone answers with a hand on their heart: “I love Jesus!”
🌪️ Hold the box yourself while each child peeks, so it doesn’t get grabbed or dropped.

Class screen: 🎁 The best gift for Jesus is… me! · Pray 🙏 · Be kind 💗 · Share 🤝 · Be reverent 🤫

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small box or gift bag with a hand mirror inside (wrap it if you can)

The Invisible Gift

  1. SAY“The wise men gave Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. Inside my hands is the best gift anyone can give Jesus.”
  2. Cup your hands like a box, and everyone copies. On three, open your hands and look at the friend next to you.
  3. Ask, “Who is your friend looking at?” Me!
  4. SAY“The best gift you can give Jesus is you. Your heart, your kind choices, your prayers. When you’re baptized, you promise to follow Him.”
  5. Go around the circle. Each child names one gift for Jesus this week. Everyone answers with a hand on their heart: “I love Jesus!”
6. Testimony

Still Like the Shepherds

3 min

End quiet and reverent, like the shepherds at the manger.

  1. SAY“Let’s be as still as the shepherds when they found Baby Jesus. Fold your arms.”
  2. Hum “Away in a Manger” softly.
  3. Share a short testimony. Jesus was born to be our Savior. He grew up, and He loves each child here.
  4. Show the A Gift for Jesus challenge on the screen. Then invite a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🧎 We came to worship Him. · Jesus is my Savior 💛

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Bethlehem Edition

4 minBONUS

A Heads Up–style review of today’s story. The picture shows with each word, so pre-readers can play too.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Give clues, but don’t say the word.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Everyone else gives clues from their seats.
  3. Motions and sounds make great clues. Baa for Sheep, twinkle fingers for Star, bumpy knees for Camel. Tilt down for “got it” and up to pass.
  4. Give each turn about 30 seconds. Pair a 4- or 5-year-old guesser with an older buddy who whispers help.
🌪️ Go around the circle with one clue each, so nobody shouts over anybody.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues. Don’t say the word!

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Shepherds versus Team Wise Men!”
  2. Split the class in two, mixing big and little kids. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  3. Read each question and the picture choices out loud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  4. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point. Cheer for both teams.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

Who Came to See Jesus?

Luke 2:1–20, 25–38, 40–52; Matthew 2:1–12 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 🫏🌾 A long trip and a manger bed

    Joseph and Mary took a long, dusty trip to Bethlehem. The town was so full, there was no room at the inn. When Jesus was born, Mary laid Him in a manger. That’s a box where animals eat hay.

    🙌

  2. 🐑👼 An angel visits the shepherds

    That night, shepherds were watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel came, and bright light shone all around! “Fear not,” the angel said. A Savior was born in Bethlehem! Then the sky filled with angels praising God.

    🙌 Guess! What will the shepherds do now?

  3. 🏃🐑 The shepherds hurry to Jesus

    The shepherds said, “Let’s go see!” They hurried to Bethlehem. They found Mary and Joseph, and Baby Jesus lying in the manger, just like the angel said. Then they told everyone about Him.

    🙌 Pat your knees fast: “Hurry to Jesus!”

  4. 🏛️👵 Simeon and Anna meet Baby Jesus

    When Jesus was a tiny baby, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple. Old Simeon had waited his whole life to see the Savior. He held Baby Jesus and thanked God. And old Anna thanked God too.

    🙌

  5. ⭐🐫 Wise men follow a new star

    Far away in the east, wise men saw a bright new star. They knew it meant a new King had been born. They traveled a long, long way to find Him.

    🙌 Guess! Where will the star lead the wise men?

  6. 🎁🏠 Gifts for young Jesus

    The star led them to the house where young Jesus lived with Mary. The wise men knelt down and worshipped Him. They gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And Heavenly Father kept Jesus safe.

    🙌 Bow your head like the wise men. Then hand on heart: “I love Jesus!”

  7. 📏🏛️ Jesus grows up

    Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He grew taller and wiser. When He was twelve, Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple. He was listening to the teachers and asking questions. He was already doing Heavenly Father’s work.

    🙌

Key verse

Luke 2:52 ↗
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
In kid words: Jesus grew smarter, grew taller, grew closer to Heavenly Father, and was a good friend to people.
🙌 “And Jesus increased” = start crouched and grow up tall · “in wisdom” = tap your head · “and stature” = stretch up high on your tiptoes · “and in favour with God” = point up, then fold your arms · “and man” = wave or high-five a friend.

More verses

Luke 2:11 ↗
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
In kid words: Today in Bethlehem your Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord!
Matthew 2:2 ↗
“we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him”
In kid words: We saw His star, and we came to worship Him!
Luke 2:16 ↗
“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”
In kid words: The shepherds hurried and found Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the manger.
Luke 2:49 ↗
“wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
In kid words: Didn’t you know I need to be doing Heavenly Father’s work?

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • ⭐ Star
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 🧑‍🌾 Shepherd
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 🐫 Camel
  • 🎁 Wise Men
  • 🪙 Gold
  • 👑 King
  • 🫏 Donkey
  • 👶 Baby
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 📏 Grow
  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🧎 Kneel
  • 🏨 Inn
Clues for each word
  • Star: It twinkles in the sky and led the wise men
  • Sheep: Baa! A fluffy animal
  • Shepherd: Takes care of sheep
  • Angel: Told the shepherds the good news
  • Manger: A hay box where Baby Jesus slept
  • Camel: A tall animal with a hump
  • Wise Men: They brought gifts to young Jesus
  • Gold: A shiny gift for a king
  • King: He wears a crown
  • Donkey: Hee-haw! An animal with long ears
  • Baby: Jesus was born as one
  • Temple: Simeon and Anna met Jesus here
  • Grow: Get taller and bigger
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Kneel: Get down on your knees to pray
  • Inn: “No room here!” Mary and Joseph couldn’t stay there
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Where was Baby Jesus born?
    • A. A castle 🏰
    • B. Bethlehem 🏘️
    • C. A boat ⛵
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Bethlehem 🏘️ Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, and Jesus was born there.

  2. Where did Mary lay Baby Jesus?
    • A. In a manger 🌾
    • B. In a car seat 🚗
    • C. In a tree 🌳
    Show answer

    ✅ A. In a manger 🌾 There was no room in the inn, so He slept in a manger.

  3. Who told the shepherds the good news?
    • A. A cow 🐄
    • B. A mailman 📬
    • C. An angel 👼
    Show answer

    ✅ C. An angel 👼 An angel said a Savior was born, and then the sky filled with angels.

  4. What did the shepherds do after the angels left?
    • A. Went back to sleep 😴
    • B. Hurried to find Jesus 🏃
    • C. Ate lunch 🥪
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Hurried to find Jesus 🏃 They came quickly and found Baby Jesus, just like the angel said.

  5. What led the wise men to Jesus?
    • A. A map 🗺️
    • B. A dog 🐕
    • C. A star ⭐
    Show answer

    ✅ C. A star ⭐ A bright new star showed them the way.

  6. What did the wise men give Jesus?
    • A. Gold and other gifts 🪙
    • B. Toys and candy 🧸
    • C. Nothing at all 🚫
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Gold and other gifts 🪙 Gold, frankincense and myrrh: gifts for a King!

  7. Who held Baby Jesus at the temple and thanked God?
    • A. King Herod 👑
    • B. Simeon 👴
    • C. A shepherd 🧑‍🌾
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Simeon 👴 The Holy Ghost promised Simeon he would see the Savior, and he did!

  8. What is the best gift we can give Jesus?
    • A. Money 💵
    • B. A cake 🎂
    • C. Ourselves: our hearts and choices 💛
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Ourselves: our hearts and choices 💛 Jesus wants our love, our prayers and our kind choices.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Stars Were Gleaming Children’s Songbook, p. 37

    Sing it after the Follow the Star hook. Find it ↗

  • Away in a Manger Children’s Songbook, p. 42

    Little ones know it well. Use it for the quiet testimony at the end. Find it ↗

  • Jesus Once Was a Little Child Children’s Songbook, p. 55

    Jesus grew up just like them, which goes with Luke 2:52. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

A Gift for Jesus

This week, give Jesus a gift every day. Say a prayer, help someone, share a toy or be reverent at church. Tell your family about the shepherds and the wise men who came to see Jesus.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we heard Luke 2 and Matthew 2. Shepherds hurried to the manger. Simeon and Anna met Baby Jesus at the temple. And wise men followed a star. We learned Luke 2:52, that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and with God and people. Ask your child, “What was in the gift box? What’s the best gift we can give Jesus?”

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

📏 Grow Chart · 4 min

  1. Tape a long strip of paper to the wall. Mark each child’s height and write their name.
  2. SAY“You grow in stature, like Jesus! You can also grow in wisdom. And you can grow with God and with people too.”
  3. Ask each child to name one way they’ll grow like Jesus this week.

🔎 Lost and Found · 4 min

  1. Hide a small picture of the temple somewhere in the room. A quick drawing works too.
  2. Kids search like Mary and Joseph searched for twelve-year-old Jesus. Call out “warmer” or “colder.”
  3. When it’s found, gather everyone close.
  4. SAY“Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple, doing His Father’s work. We can do Heavenly Father’s work too, by helping and being kind.”

📜 Prophets Knew! · 3 min

  1. SAY“Long before Jesus was born, prophets said He would come.”
  2. Read Isaiah 9:6 to the class. Then tell how Samuel the Lamanite said a new star would appear. It’s in the Book of Mormon, Helaman 14:5.
  3. Ask, “Did it come true?” Yes!
  4. SAY“Prophets teach us true things today too. We can listen to the living prophet.”

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–6 lessons