The 2027 manual adds a Primary lesson for each fast Sunday (Appendix B). On fast Sunday (usually the first Sunday of the month), Primary teachers are encouraged to teach it in place of the regular Come, Follow Me lesson. January starts at the very beginning: Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, sometimes called the plan of happiness. It answers the three questions every person wonders about: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Remember it’s fast Sunday. Some kids may be hungry or a little grumpy, and some may be trying to fast with their families. Children aren’t required to fast. Keep things warm and upbeat, and don’t use food rewards today.
Stop 1, before we were born: we lived with Heavenly Father as His spirit children. He presented a plan: an earth would be made where we could live and show whether we would do what He asks (Abraham 3:24–26). We needed a Savior, and Jesus Christ offered to do His Father’s will and give the glory to Him (Moses 4:2). Satan wanted to take away our agency and take God’s glory for himself, and he was cast out (Moses 4:3). The Bible says the children of God “shouted for joy” (Job 38:7). Keep the Satan part to one calm sentence; the focus is Heavenly Father’s love and Jesus’s choice.
Stop 2, life on earth: we get a body and a family, forget our life before, and learn to choose by faith. Alma teaches that this life is the time to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32). Heavenly Father sends help: Jesus Christ, who felt our pains and sicknesses so He knows how to help us (Alma 7:11–13), the Holy Ghost, who will show us what to do (2 Nephi 32:5), prophets and apostles (Ephesians 4:11), scriptures, prayer and families. Jesus is “the way” home (John 14:6).
Stop 3, going home: the Savior invites everyone to repent, come to Him, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost so we can stand clean before Him (3 Nephi 27:19–20). Because He rose again, everyone will be resurrected, and God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). Most of your eight-year-olds were just baptized, so they’ve already taken a big step on the path. Make sure they hear that mistakes are part of the plan and repenting is how we keep going, not a sign we failed. Be gentle when you talk about death; a child in your class may have lost someone they love.