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Follow Me, Little Fishers

A rock that stayed a rock, nets so full they broke, and fishermen who followed Jesus right away

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–6
  • Week 5
  • 📅 Sunday, January 31, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus always chose the right, and when He says “Follow me,” I can follow Him right away.

I can follow Jesus by choosing the right, even when it’s hard.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 4; Luke 4–5 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 4; Luke 4–5)
Know the chapters

After His baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness to be close to Heavenly Father. He fasted for forty days. Then Satan came and tried three times to get Him to do wrong. He said to turn stones into bread, jump off the top of the temple and bow down to Satan. Each time Jesus said no and answered with the scriptures: “It is written.” That’s Matthew 4:1–11. For ages 4–7, keep it simple. Jesus was very hungry and very tired, and He still chose the right. He knew the scriptures, and He knew who He was. So can they.

Luke 4 tells how Jesus went home to Nazareth and stood up in the synagogue. He read from Isaiah about the One who would heal broken hearts and set people free. Then, in Luke 4:16–21, He told everyone He was that promised Savior. Here’s a great line for children. Jesus came to help people who are sad, sick or stuck.

Today’s story is Luke 5:1–11, with Matthew 4:18–22. Peter and his partners fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told Peter to go out into the deep water and try again. Peter was tired, but he said he’d do it because Jesus asked. The nets filled with so many fish that they began to break. Two boats started to sink! Then Jesus invited these fishermen to follow Him and help bring people to God. They left everything and followed Him. You tell the story and read Jesus’s words, and the class joins in from their seats.

Next Sunday is fast Sunday. Little children aren’t required to fast. But they can learn why we fast. It helps us feel close to Heavenly Father, like Jesus did. For your 7-year-olds preparing for baptism, point out that baptism is how we promise to follow Jesus. It’s just like Peter leaving his boat.

Only have 5 minutes?

Grab a rock and a slice of bread. Start with Rock or Bread? Then tell the story in Teach Mode. Teach Matthew 4:19 with fishing motions and play Right Away! Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing,” and the rock and bread become a fist and soft hands.

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 Matthew 4:1–4 and 4:18–22, and Luke 5:1–11.
  2. Put the rock and the bread in a bag. You’ll pull them out like a surprise.

If your class is wild

  • Knee-patting is your steering wheel. Whenever the room gets loud, start a soft “Follow Jesus!” on your knees. Everyone copies.
  • Give your wiggliest 6- or 7-year-old the Sound Helper job. Now their energy has a job.
  • In Rock or Bread?, only kids sitting on their bottoms get to hold the rock. Suddenly you’ll have a very still class.
  • In Right Away!, pair little ones with big-kid buddies. Then a 4-year-old hears each choice twice.

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

Rock or Bread?

3 min

A real rock and real bread show how Jesus chose the right when He was tempted.

  1. SAY“Jesus fasted for forty days. He was so hungry! Then Satan told Him to turn stones into bread.”
  2. Pull out the rock, then the bread. Ask, “Could Jesus do that?” Yes, He had power. Then ask, “Did He?” No!
  3. SAY“He obeyed Heavenly Father. He answered, ‘It is written.’ Jesus always chose the right. Today we’ll meet fishermen who chose to follow Him.”
  4. Let a child who’s sitting still hold the rock.
🌪️ The rock stays in laps. Holders must be sitting, and it goes to a new child after each question.

Class screen: 🪨 Stone or bread? Jesus chose the right! · It is written 📖

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A rock (any stone from outside) and a slice of bread or a roll, just to show, not to eat

Pretend Stone, Pretend Bread

  1. SAY“Jesus fasted for forty days. He was so hungry! Then Satan told Him to turn stones into bread.”
  2. Make a hard fist for the stone. Squish soft hands for the bread. Ask, “Could Jesus do that?” Yes. “Did He?” No! Open your hands like a book.
  3. SAY“He obeyed Heavenly Father. He answered, ‘It is written.’ Jesus always chose the right. Today we’ll meet fishermen who chose to follow Him.”
2. Story

Story: Nets So Full They Broke

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. Sometimes I’ll say a line, and you say it back to me.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. When a line shows at the bottom, say it first. Then the class says it back.
  3. At scene 4, ask, “Peter was tired. Why did he try again?” Because Jesus asked him!
  4. After scene 7, ask, “When you’re baptized, you promise to follow Jesus too. How can you follow Him this week?”
🌪️ If the room drifts, start a soft “Follow Jesus!” on your knees and wait. Patting hands are listening hands.

Class screen: 🐟 Nets so full they broke! · 🔁 Say it back! · 👣 Follow Jesus!

3. Wiggle break

Cast, Reel, Follow!

2 min

A quick stand-in-place fishing wiggle ends with following Jesus.

  1. SAY“Stand up, fishermen! Cast your net!”
  2. Everyone throws their arms out wide. Then call, “Reel it in!” Pull hand over hand, slowly. It’s so heavy!
  3. Call “Fish!” and wiggle like a fish in place, faster and faster. End with, “Drop your net and follow Jesus!”
  4. Everyone drops the net, pats knees fast and sits down.
🌪️ Nets stay in your own space. Fish wiggle standing up, not on the floor.

Class screen: 🎣 Cast! Reel! Follow Jesus! · 🎣 🐟 👣

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Matthew 4:19

3 min

Fishing motions help kids remember Jesus’s invitation to follow Him.

  1. SAY“Here are the words Jesus said to Peter by the sea.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. Ask a reader to read it out loud.
  3. SAY“Fishers of men means helping people come to Jesus. You can do that by being kind and inviting friends.”
  4. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it three ways: a whisper, a fishy bubble voice, then a strong, happy voice.

Class screen: 🎣 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” · Matthew 4:19

5. Game

Right Away!

6 min

Kids practice choosing the right, right away, the way Jesus did and the way Peter followed.

  1. SAY“Peter followed Jesus right away. Let’s practice choosing the right, right away!”
  2. Read a choice from the screen. For a right choice, pat knees fast: “Follow Jesus!” For a wrong choice, cross your arms: “No way!”
  3. Start the Big Timer for 5 seconds each round. Can the whole class choose before it rings? Let a 6- or 7-year-old read the next choice.
  4. Ask, “When is it hard to choose the right?” Take answers. Then ask, “What can help?” Praying, a scripture or a Primary song can help.
🌪️ Show choices with hands only, no shouting. The quietest knee-patters get to read the next choice.
⏱️ Big Timer (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 👣 Follow Jesus or no way? · Mom says, “Time to clean up!” 🧸 · Share your snack 🍎 · Hit your brother 👊 · Say your prayers 🙏 · Take a cookie without asking 🍪 · Help a sad friend 💛

6. Testimony

Follow Him Right Away

3 min

End quiet, with one way to follow Jesus right away this week.

  1. SAY“Let’s put our nets down and fold our arms.”
  2. Share a sentence or two about a time you chose to follow Jesus even when it was hard.
  3. SAY“When we’re baptized, we promise to follow Jesus, just like Peter did. And every week at the sacrament, we promise again.”
  4. Show the Right Away challenge on the screen. Then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 👣 I can follow Jesus right away. · Choose the right · Obey right away · Invite a friend

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Sea of Galilee

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 make great clues. Pull a net for Net, fish lips for Fish, knee-patting for Follow. 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 Peter versus Team Andrew!”
  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

Nets So Full They Broke

Luke 5:1–11; Matthew 4:18–22 ↗

Optional helpers

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

Scenes

  1. 🌙🎣 Fishing all night… no fish!

    Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen. All night long they threw their nets into the sea. But every time they pulled them up, the nets were empty. Not one fish!

    🙌 Pull the net and peek inside. Say it back: “Nothing!”

  2. 👥🚣 Jesus teaches from Peter’s boat

    In the morning, a big crowd pressed close around Jesus by the shore. They wanted to hear Him. So many people! Jesus climbed into Peter’s boat and sat down. Then He taught everyone from the water.

    🙌

  3. 🌊🥅 “Go out into the deep water”

    When Jesus finished teaching, He told Peter to row out into the deep water. He said to let down the nets. But the fishermen were so tired. They had just tried all night!

    🙌

  4. 🤔➡️😊 “At thy word I will let down the net”

    Peter was tired. They had worked all night and caught nothing! But because Jesus asked, Peter would try again. He said, “nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”

    🙌 Thumbs up. Say it back: “At thy word!”

  5. 🐟🐟🐟 Fish! Fish! So many fish!

    Splash! Down went the net. Then it got heavy. Then heavier! It was so full of fish that it started to break! James and John rowed over to help. And both boats began to sink!

    🙌 Pull the heavy net hand over hand: “Fish! Fish! Fish!”

  6. 🧎💛 Peter kneels by Jesus

    Peter was so amazed that he knelt down by Jesus. Jesus said kindly, “Fear not.” From now on, Peter would help bring people to God.

    🙌

  7. 👣🌅 They followed Jesus right away!

    Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And guess what? Peter, Andrew, James and John left their boats right away. They left their nets and all those fish. They followed Jesus!

    🙌 Say it back: “Follow me!”

Key verse

Matthew 4:19 ↗
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
In kid words: Jesus said, “Come with Me, and I will help you bring people to Me.”
🙌 “Follow me” = march in place · “and I will make you” = point to yourself · “fishers” = cast a pretend fishing pole and reel it in · “of men” = scoop your arms in like you’re bringing friends close

More verses

Matthew 4:20 ↗
“And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
In kid words: They dropped their nets right away and followed Jesus.
Luke 5:5 ↗
“nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net”
In kid words: Peter said, “Because You told me to, I will do it.”
Matthew 4:4 ↗
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
In kid words: Jesus told Satan that we need God’s words even more than we need food.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 🐟 Fish
  • 🚣 Boat
  • 🥅 Net
  • 🎣 Fishing pole
  • 🌊 Waves
  • 🌙 Night
  • ☀️ Sun
  • 🪨 Rock
  • 🍞 Bread
  • ⛰️ Mountain
  • 📖 Scriptures
  • 👼 Angel
  • 👥 Crowd
  • 🧎 Kneel
  • 👣 Follow
  • 🙏 Pray
Clues for each word
  • Fish: It swims and has fins
  • Boat: Peter rowed it on the sea
  • Net: Fishermen throw it in the water to catch fish
  • Fishing pole: Cast it and reel it in
  • Waves: Water that goes up and down
  • Night: Dark time with the moon. They fished all of it
  • Sun: Bright and hot in the morning sky
  • Rock: Satan said to turn it into bread
  • Bread: You make sandwiches with it
  • Mountain: Very tall and pointy. You can climb it
  • Scriptures: Jesus said, “It is written”
  • Angel: Came to help Jesus after Satan left
  • Crowd: Lots and lots of people
  • Kneel: Get down on your knees, like Peter did
  • Follow: Walk behind someone and go where they go
  • Pray: Fold your arms and talk to Heavenly Father
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. What did Peter catch after fishing all night?
    • A. Nothing!
    • B. A whale 🐋
    • C. A boot 👢
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Nothing! Luke 5:5. The nets were empty all night long.

  2. Where did Jesus sit to teach the big crowd?
    • A. On a horse 🐴
    • B. In Peter’s boat 🚣
    • C. In a tree 🌳
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In Peter’s boat 🚣 Luke 5:3. He taught the people from the water.

  3. What happened when Peter let down the net again?
    • A. It floated away
    • B. A crab bit it 🦀
    • C. It filled with fish 🐟
    Show answer

    ✅ C. It filled with fish 🐟 Luke 5:6. So many fish that the net started to break!

  4. Who came to help pull in all the fish?
    • A. James and John
    • B. Two big dogs 🐕
    • C. A mermaid 🧜
    Show answer

    ✅ A. James and John Luke 5:7, 10. They filled both boats until they started to sink.

  5. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of…”
    • A. Frogs 🐸
    • B. Men
    • C. Sandwiches 🥪
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Men Matthew 4:19. That means helping people come to Jesus.

  6. What did the fishermen do when Jesus said “Follow me”?
    • A. Took a nap 😴
    • B. Said “Maybe later”
    • C. Followed Him right away 👣
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Followed Him right away 👣 Matthew 4:20. They left their nets straightway, right away.

  7. Satan told hungry Jesus to turn a stone into…
    • A. Bread 🍞
    • B. A toy 🧸
    • C. Gold
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Bread 🍞 Matthew 4:3. Jesus said no and answered with the scriptures.

  8. What did Jesus say each time Satan tried to trick Him?
    • A. “Okay!”
    • B. “It is written”
    • C. “Go away, fish!”
    Show answer

    ✅ B. “It is written” Matthew 4:4, 7, 10. He used the scriptures to choose the right.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • I’m Trying to Be like Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 78

    Sing it after the testimony: following Jesus means trying to be like Him. Find it ↗

  • Choose the Right Way Children’s Songbook, p. 160

    Goes with Rock or Bread?: Jesus always chose the right. Find it ↗

  • Search, Ponder, and Pray Children’s Songbook, p. 109

    Jesus knew the scriptures and answered Satan with them. We can learn them too. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Right Away

This week, when a grown-up at home asks you to do something good, do it right away. That’s what Peter did when Jesus said, “Follow me.” Count how many times you can do it!

Text the parents

This week we heard how Peter fished all night and caught no fish. When Jesus told him to try again, Peter obeyed, and his nets filled until they broke! Then Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That’s Matthew 4:19. The fishermen followed Him right away. We also learned that Jesus said no to Satan and always chose the right. Ask your child, “What did Peter do when Jesus said, ‘Follow me’?” Next Sunday is fast Sunday. It’s a great week to talk as a family about why we fast.

📝 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?

🙏 Why Do We Fast? · 3 min

  1. SAY“Jesus fasted to feel close to Heavenly Father. Next Sunday is fast Sunday. Grown-ups skip two meals and pray for something special. They also give money to help people in need.”
  2. SAY“Little children don’t have to fast. But you can join your family by praying for the same special thing.”
  3. Ask: “Who is someone we could pray for on fast Sunday?” Let each child name a person.

💛 Jesus Came to Help · 3 min

  1. Show Luke 4:18 on your phone or tablet.
  2. SAY“In His hometown, Jesus read from Isaiah. He said He came to help people who are sad, sick, or stuck.”
  3. Name a need, and kids show with their hands how Jesus helps. A hug for a sad friend. Gentle hands for someone sick. Lead someone lost by the hand.
  4. Ask: “How can we help people the way Jesus does?”

🔁 Try Again Relay · 3 min

  1. Pretend the rug is the sea. Kids take turns casting an invisible net and pulling it up empty: “Nothing!”
  2. On the third try, say, “Because Jesus asked!” Everyone pulls up a huge, heavy catch together.
  3. SAY“Sometimes we have to keep trying. When we listen to Jesus, good things happen.”

🐟 Fishers of Friends · 4 min

  1. Everyone is a fish, swimming slowly around the room with walking feet. Pick one fisher.
  2. The fisher gently taps a fish on the shoulder. That fish names a way to follow Jesus, like praying or sharing. Then they hold the fisher’s hand.
  3. The net keeps growing as each new fish joins hands. Keep going until everyone is in the net.
  4. SAY“Jesus asked Peter to help bring people to Him. When we’re kind and invite friends, we’re fishers too!”

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