Gospel Sparks Get the app

Let Your Light Shine

Jesus teaches on a mountain: be gentle, make peace, and don’t hide your light

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–6
  • Week 7
  • 📅 Sunday, February 14, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

When I am kind, gentle and a peacemaker like Jesus taught, I am happy, and my light helps others see Him.

I can let my light shine by being kind and making peace.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 5; Luke 6 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 5; Luke 6)
Know the chapters

Big crowds were following Jesus. So He went up on a mountain, sat down and taught His disciples. We call it the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5–7. Luke 6 records a similar sermon. This week covers Matthew 5: the Beatitudes, salt and light, and loving everyone, even people who are unkind.

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3–12 each begin with “Blessed.” It means truly happy and loved by God. Jesus said the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers are blessed. Meek means gentle, and merciful means forgiving. He gave each one a promise. For ages 4–7, choose three or four. Turn each into an action they can do this week. Be gentle, forgive, keep a clean heart and help stop a fight.

In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus said His followers are like salt, which makes food taste better. They’re also like a light, which should never be hidden under a basket. Jesus is the Light of the World. Our light is His goodness shining through what we do, so people think of Heavenly Father. Children can shine by sharing, helping, smiling at someone alone and being reverent.

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus also taught us to love our enemies and be kind to people who are unkind to us. That’s hard, even for grown-ups! Keep it practical. Use kind words back. Walk away and tell a grown-up if someone is hurting you. And pray for them. Here’s one for your 7-year-olds. When Jesus visited the people in the Americas, He began this same sermon by blessing those who believe in Him, are baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. That’s in 3 Nephi 12:1–2.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Matthew 5:1–16. Grab a flashlight and a bowl. Do Hide It or Shine It, then tell the story in Teach Mode, stopping for guesses. Do Happy Moves and say Matthew 5:14 with motions. Then do Light Under a Bowl and close with Light Spotters. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing,” and the kids’ hands become the lights.

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 5:1–16.
  2. Check that the flashlight works. Set it and the bowl by your chair.

If your class is wild

  • Take guesses from raised hands. Every guess gets a “Great guess!”
  • Give your wiggliest 6-year-old the Light Leader job. Now their energy leads “Let it shine!” for everyone.
  • When two kids start bickering, call, “Peacemaker moment!” They clasp hands and each says one nice thing. Then keep going.
  • Four-year-olds may not have an answer for Light Under a Bowl. Let them whisper to a big-kid buddy, or just say “share!”
  • If things get silly during the testimony, stop, fold your arms and wait. Softly say, “This part is special.” Then go on.

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

Hide It or Shine It?

3 min

Kids use their hands right away and start wondering how they can shine.

  1. SAY“Everyone make a tiny light in your hands. Now hide it behind your back! Can it help anyone see?”
  2. Cup your hands like you’re holding something glowing, and kids copy. When they say “No!” count down: “Three, two, one, shine!” Hands pop up high.
  3. SAY“Jesus taught a big crowd how to be truly happy and how to shine.”
🌪️ Hands stay in your own space. Anyone who bumps a neighbor shines with one hand.

Class screen: ✋ Hide it… or shine it? · 🙈 Hide it? · 💡 Shine it?

2. Story

Story: The Sermon on the Mountain

7 min

Jesus’s own words show kids how to be truly happy: be gentle, forgive, make peace and let their light shine.

  1. SAY“This is a true story. I’ll stop sometimes so you can guess what happens next.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. A big kid can read each caption. At each “Guess!”, take a few guesses, then read on.
  3. After scene 4, ask, “Two friends both want the same swing. What would a peacemaker do?” Listen for taking turns, sharing or saying sorry.
  4. After scene 6, ask, “Someone is unkind to you at school. What can you do?” Kind words back, telling a grown-up and praying all help.
🌪️ If the room drifts, add an extra “Let it shine!” between scenes. Hands up high stay out of trouble.

Class screen: ⛰️ The Sermon on the Mountain · 🤔 Guess! · 💡 Let it shine!

3. Wiggle break

Happy Moves

2 min

A quick move for each blessing gets the wiggles out and helps little bodies remember Jesus’s happy list.

  1. SAY“Stand up by your chair. Jesus taught how to be truly happy. Let’s do the happy moves!”
  2. Gentle means pet a pretend kitten. Forgiving means hug yourself. Clean heart means draw a heart in the air. Peacemaker means clasp your hands.
  3. Call them out faster and faster, all mixed up. End with the slowest one, “Clean heart.” Then everyone sits down.

Class screen: 😊 Gentle! Forgiving! Clean heart! Peacemaker! · 🐱 🤗 💗 🤝

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Matthew 5:14

3 min

A short verse with motions lets even the youngest children say Jesus’s words by heart.

  1. SAY“Here are Jesus’s words about you. Listen for the word ye. Ye means you!”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. A big kid reads it out loud.
  3. Teach the motions. Say it three ways: a whisper, a normal voice, then a big, bright voice.
  4. Point to each child while the class says, “[Name], you are the light of the world!”
  5. Ask, “Who is the Light of the World?” Jesus! When we follow Him, His light shines through us.

Class screen: ✨ “Ye are the light of the world.” · Matthew 5:14

5. Object lesson

Light Under a Bowl

6 min

Kids take turns naming a kind, peacemaking thing to do, and each one lifts the light out from under the bowl.

  1. SAY“Here’s a light. Watch!”
  2. Turn on the flashlight and cover it with the bowl. Ask, “Is a hidden light any help?” No!
  3. SAY“Tell me one kind thing you can do this week. Then you get to lift the bowl.”
  4. Kids take turns, like share a toy or smile at someone alone. As each one lifts the bowl, everyone says, “Let it shine!”
  5. SAY“When we’re kind and make peace, Jesus’s light shines through us. And people think of Heavenly Father.”
🌪️ Never point the flashlight at eyes. The bowl lifter keeps the light pointed at the ceiling.

Class screen: 🔦 Don’t hide your light! · Under a bowl? 🙈 · Up high! 💡

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A flashlight (or a battery candle), A bowl or small basket big enough to cover it

Hands of Light

  1. SAY“Everyone make a light in your hands again. Now hide it under a basket!”
  2. Kids cup their hands, then put them behind their backs.
  3. SAY“Tell me one kind thing you can do this week. Then you get to shine.”
  4. Kids take turns, like share a toy, help Mom or say sorry. As each one pops their hands up high, everyone says, “Let it shine!”
  5. SAY“When we’re kind and make peace, Jesus’s light shines through us. And people think of Heavenly Father.”

Class screen: ✋ Hide your light… 3, 2, 1, SHINE! · 💡 Let it shine!

6. Testimony

Light Spotters

3 min

End calm and reverent by noticing each child’s light and pointing to Jesus.

  1. SAY“Let’s fold our arms and get quiet. I spotted some lights shining in this room today.”
  2. Name one true, kind thing you saw a few children do today: “Mia, you helped Sam find his chair. That’s your light!”
  3. Share a sentence or two about Jesus, the Light of the World. Remind older kids that at baptism they promise to follow Him and shine.
  4. Share the Light Spotter challenge. Then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🌟 I can let my light shine. · Be gentle · Forgive · Make peace

7. Game

Forehead Guess: On the Mountain

4 minBONUS

A picture guessing game reviews the lesson, and the pictures let non-readers give clues 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. Little ones can do a motion or a sound for the picture. Pair each little guesser with a big-kid buddy.
  4. Tilt down for “got it” and up to pass. After about 30 seconds, your phone or tablet moves to the next kid.
🌪️ Go around the room 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 picture quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Salt versus Team Light!”
  2. Split the class in two, mixing big and little kids. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  3. Read each question 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

The Sermon on the Mountain

Matthew 5:1–16, 43–45 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Light LeaderStarts the cupped-hands “Let it shine!” from their seat at the big moment. A good job for a 6-year-old.
  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 👥⛰️ Crowds climb a mountain

    So many people wanted to hear Jesus! They came from towns near and far. Jesus went up a mountain and sat down. His disciples came close. And everyone got very quiet to listen.

    🙌 Zip your lips and cup your ears. Three quiet seconds.

  2. 😊🐑 The gentle are blessed

    Jesus taught how to be truly happy. He said people who are gentle and humble are blessed. Blessed means truly happy, and loved by God.

    🙌

  3. 💗🙌 Forgiving hearts and clean hearts

    Jesus said people who forgive are blessed. They will be forgiven too. And people with pure, clean hearts will see God.

    🙌 Guess! Who will Jesus say is blessed next?

  4. 🤝🕊️ Peacemakers are God’s children

    Jesus said peacemakers are blessed. A peacemaker helps people stop fighting and be friends again. Jesus said they will be called the children of God.

    🙌

  5. 🧺🪔 Don’t hide your light!

    Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world.” Ye means you! Nobody lights a lamp and hides it under a basket. That would be silly! You put it up high, so it lights the whole house.

    🙌 Cup your hands, then burst them open: “Let it shine!”

  6. 💛😠 Love even people who are unkind

    Then Jesus taught something hard. Love people who are unkind to you! Say kind words back, and do good things for them. Pray for them. That’s how Heavenly Father’s children act.

    🙌 Guess! What happens when people see your light?

  7. 🏙️✨ A city on a hill shines

    Jesus said a city on a hill can’t be hidden. When we’re kind and good, people see our light. And they think of Heavenly Father. Jesus’s light shines through us!

    🙌

Key verse

Matthew 5:14 ↗
“Ye are the light of the world.”
In kid words: Jesus said that you are a light for the whole world!
🙌 “Ye are” = point to a friend · “the light” = open your fists like a light turning on · “of the world” = draw a big circle in the air with both arms

More verses

Matthew 5:16 ↗
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
In kid words: Be so kind and good that people notice, and it helps them think of Heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:9 ↗
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
In kid words: People who help others stop fighting are happy, and God calls them His children.
Matthew 5:13 ↗
“Ye are the salt of the earth”
In kid words: You make the world better, like salt makes food taste good.
Matthew 5:44 ↗
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you”
In kid words: Love people who are mean to you, say kind things, and do nice things for them.

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • ⛰️ Mountain
  • 🧂 Salt
  • 💡 Light
  • 🕯️ Candle
  • 🔦 Flashlight
  • 🧺 Basket
  • 🏙️ City
  • ☀️ Sun
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🐱 Kitten
  • 🤗 Hug
  • ❤️ Heart
  • 🤝 Handshake
  • 🕊️ Dove
  • 😊 Smile
  • 👥 Crowd
Clues for each word
  • Mountain: Jesus taught on top of one
  • Salt: Shake it on food to make it taste good
  • Light: It helps you see in the dark
  • Candle: It has a little flame on top
  • Flashlight: Click it on in the dark
  • Basket: Don’t hide your light under this!
  • City: Lots of tall buildings. One on a hill can’t hide
  • Sun: The biggest light in the sky
  • Star: Twinkles at night
  • Kitten: Pet it gently. Gentle people are blessed
  • Hug: Wrap your arms around someone
  • Heart: Jesus said the pure in this will see God
  • Handshake: Peacemakers do this to be friends again
  • Dove: A white bird that means peace
  • Smile: Show your happy face
  • Crowd: Lots of people climbed up to hear Jesus
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Where did Jesus teach this big sermon?
    • A. On a boat 🚤
    • B. On a mountain ⛰️
    • C. In a cave
    Show answer

    ✅ B. On a mountain ⛰️ Matthew 5:1. That’s why we call it the Sermon on the Mount.

  2. “Blessed” means…
    • A. Truly happy and loved by God
    • B. Sneezing 🤧
    • C. Very sleepy 😴
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Truly happy and loved by God Jesus taught many ways to be truly happy.

  3. What does a peacemaker do?
    • A. Starts fights 😠
    • B. Takes the toys
    • C. Helps people be friends 🤝
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Helps people be friends 🤝 Matthew 5:9. Jesus said peacemakers are called the children of God.

  4. Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of the…”
    • A. Earth 🌍
    • B. Sea 🌊
    • C. Kitchen
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Earth 🌍 Matthew 5:13. Salt makes food better, and we make the world better.

  5. Where should you NOT put a lamp?
    • A. Up high
    • B. On a table
    • C. Under a basket 🧺
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Under a basket 🧺 Matthew 5:15. A hidden light doesn’t help anyone!

  6. Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the…”
    • A. Party 🎉
    • B. World 🌍
    • C. Moon 🌙
    Show answer

    ✅ B. World 🌍 Matthew 5:14. Your good choices help others see Jesus.

  7. What should we do when someone is unkind to us?
    • A. Be mean back
    • B. Love them and pray for them 🙏
    • C. Hide forever
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Love them and pray for them 🙏 Matthew 5:44. It’s hard, but Jesus can help us.

  8. When people see our good works, they think of…
    • A. Heavenly Father 💛
    • B. Pizza 🍕
    • C. Dinosaurs 🦖
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Heavenly Father 💛 Matthew 5:16. Our light helps people remember Him.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Jesus Said Love Everyone Children’s Songbook, p. 61

    Goes with Matthew 5:44: love everyone, even people who are unkind. Find it ↗

  • Kindness Begins with Me Children’s Songbook, p. 145

    Goes with the peacemaker questions in the story: every child can start being kind. Find it ↗

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

    Sing it after Light Spotters: Jesus is the Light, and we try to shine like Him. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Light Spotter

This week, do one kind thing every day to let your light shine. Then spot someone else’s light and tell them, “I saw your light!”

Text the parents

This week we learned about Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. He taught that gentle, forgiving peacemakers are truly happy. In Matthew 5:14–16 He said we shouldn’t hide our light. We hid a flashlight under a bowl. Then we took turns naming kind things that let our light shine. Ask your child, “Where should you never hide a light? How can you let yours shine?”

📝 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?

🧩 Blessing Match · 4 min

  1. Start a Beatitude and let kids guess the promise. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall…” Obtain mercy! “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called…” The children of God!
  2. Read Matthew 5:7–9 together to check.
  3. SAY“Every time Jesus asks us to do something good, He promises a blessing.”

🕯️ Pass the Light · 3 min

  1. Sit in a circle. The first child cups their hands like they’re holding a light. They say one kind thing they’ll do this week.
  2. They pass the light into the next child’s hands. That child shares their own kind thing.
  3. SAY“When we share our light, it doesn’t get smaller. It fills the whole room!”

🧂 Salt Taste Test · 3 min

  1. Check allergies and your ward’s snack policy first. Give each child one plain cracker. Ask, “How does it taste?” Plain and boring!
  2. Now give each child one salted cracker. Ask, “What’s different?” Yummy!
  3. Show Matthew 5:13 on your phone or tablet.
  4. SAY“Jesus said, ‘Ye are the salt of the earth.’ Salt makes food better. When we’re kind, we make the world better!”

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