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The Great Journey Home

Where we lived before, why we came to earth, and how Jesus makes the way back home

  • 💧 Valiant 7–8
  • ⚡ Fast Sunday
  • 📅 Sunday, January 3, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Before I was born I lived with Heavenly Father, He sent me to earth to learn and grow, and because of Jesus Christ I can go home to live with Him again.

I can follow Heavenly Father’s plan like Jesus did by choosing the right and repenting when I make mistakes.

Study it yourself firstRead Abraham 3:24–26; Moses 4:2; Alma 34:32; John 6:38; 14:6; 3 Nephi 27:19–20; Revelation 21:3–4 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this fast-Sunday lesson (Abraham 3:24–26; Moses 4:2; Alma 34:32; John 6:38; 14:6; 3 Nephi 27:19–20; Revelation 21:3–4)
Know the chapters

The 2027 manual adds a Primary lesson for each fast Sunday, in Appendix B. Fast Sunday is usually the first Sunday of the month. That day, Primary teachers are encouraged to teach it instead of the regular Come, Follow Me lesson. January starts at the very beginning. It’s Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation, sometimes called the plan of happiness. It answers three questions everyone 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 is 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’d do what He asks, in Abraham 3:24–26. We needed a Savior. Jesus Christ offered to do His Father’s will and give the glory to Him, in Moses 4:2. Satan wanted to take away our agency and take God’s glory for himself. He was cast out, in Moses 4:3. The Bible says the children of God “shouted for joy,” in Job 38:7. Keep the Satan part to one calm sentence. The focus is Heavenly Father’s love and Jesus’s choice.

Stop 2 is 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, in Alma 34:32. Heavenly Father sends help. There’s Jesus Christ, who felt our pains and sicknesses so He knows how to help us, in Alma 7:11–13. There’s the Holy Ghost, who’ll show us what to do, in 2 Nephi 32:5. And there are prophets and apostles, in Ephesians 4:11, plus scriptures, prayer and families. Jesus is “the way” home, in John 14:6.

Stop 3 is going home. The Savior invites everyone to repent, come to Him, be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost. Then we can stand clean before Him, in 3 Nephi 27:19–20. Because He rose again, everyone will be resurrected. And God will wipe away every tear, in 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. 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.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Abraham 3:24–26 and John 14:6. Write BEFORE, EARTH and HOME on three sheets of paper. Play Human GPS and tell the story from Teach Mode, stopping for guesses. Say the key verse with motions, play Before, Earth or Home?, and close with your testimony. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” The signs become three hand motions.

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 Abraham 3:24–26 and John 14:6.
  2. Write 🌟 BEFORE, 🌍 EARTH and 🏡 HOME big on the three sheets. Set them in three spots around the room.

If your class is wild

  • It’s fast Sunday. Some kids skipped breakfast or are trying to fast. Keep your voice cheerful, give grumpy kids a job, and use high fives instead of treats.
  • Make your wiggliest kid the Sound Helper. Tapping the sounds gives their energy a job.
  • In Before, Earth or Home?, the rule is speed-walk, not run. A runner starts over at BEFORE, which they’ll think is hilarious.
  • A child may ask where their grandpa is now. Say simply that he’s still living as a spirit, and Jesus will bring bodies back. Offer to talk after class.

The 25-minute plan23 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

Human GPS

3 min

A silly robot-voice game sets up the three big questions the plan answers.

  1. SAY“I need a Driver! The rest of you are the GPS. Use your robot voice to get the Driver to the door.”
  2. Halfway there, the Driver spins once. The GPS says, “Recalculating…” and guides them the rest of the way.
  3. Ask what a GPS needs to know. Where you started, where you are, and where you’re going.
  4. SAY“Everyone wonders about three questions. Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Heavenly Father’s plan answers all three.”
🌪️ Only the Driver moves. GPS voices stay in their seats. If it gets loud, say “Low battery!” Everyone switches to a robot whisper.

Class screen: 📍 Three BIG questions! · 🌟 Where did I come from? · 🌍 Why am I here? · 🏡 Where am I going?

2. Story

Story: The Great Journey Home

7 min

The whole plan in seven pictures: Before, Earth and Home, with Jesus making the way.

  1. SAY“This is the story of YOU. Where you came from, why you’re here, and where you’re going. I’ll stop so you can guess.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. At each “Guess!”, take two or three guesses, then read on.
  3. After scene 5, ask which gift helps them most. The Holy Ghost, prayer, scriptures, prophets, or family?
  4. After scene 7, ask, “Who makes the way home possible?” Jesus Christ!
🌪️ If the room drifts, stop and ask a guess question. Everyone leans in for a mystery.

Class screen: 🧭 The Great Journey Home · 🤔 Guess! · 🌟 → 🌍 → 🏡

3. Scripture

Key Verse: John 14:6

4 min

Motions help kids remember that Jesus is the way home.

  1. SAY“Jesus told us exactly how to get home.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it slowly.
  3. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  4. Say it three ways: normal voice, whisper voice, then GPS robot voice.
  5. Ask how we follow Jesus home. We pray, repent, keep our baptism promises, and are kind like Him.

Class screen: 🛤️ Jesus is the way home!

4. Game

Before, Earth or Home?

6 min

Kids sort the parts of the plan themselves, which practices the whole big idea.

  1. SAY“I’ll call out something from the plan. Speed-walk to the sign where it happens. Ready?”
  2. Start calling. Getting a body? Earth! Cheering for the plan? Before! Being baptized? Earth! No more tears? Home!
  3. Keep going. Jesus chooses to be our Savior? Before! Learning to choose? Earth! Living with Heavenly Father again? Home!
  4. Last one. Ask, “Where are YOU right now?” Everyone walks to EARTH. This is where we learn, choose, and repent.
🌪️ Speed-walking only. A runner goes back to BEFORE and starts over.

Class screen: 🏃 Before, Earth or Home? · 🌟 Before · 🌍 Earth · 🏡 Home

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 3 sheets of paper, A marker

Before, Earth or Home? (Hand Signs)

  1. SAY“I’ll call out something from the plan. Show me with your hands where it happens: Before, Earth or Home!”
  2. Start calling. Getting a body? Earth! Cheering for the plan? Before! Being baptized? Earth! No more tears? Home!
  3. Keep going. Jesus chooses to be our Savior? Before! Learning to choose? Earth! Living with Heavenly Father again? Home!
  4. Last one. Ask, “Where are YOU right now?” Everyone makes the globe. This is where we learn, choose, and repent.

Class screen: 🙌 Show me: Before, Earth or Home? · 🌟 Twinkle fingers · 🌍 Globe arms · 🏡 Roof hands

5. Testimony

Testimony: You Are Here

3 min

End calm and reverent, with something to do at home.

  1. SAY“Heavenly Father’s plan isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s for each one of you.”
  2. Wait for quiet.
  3. Briefly share a time you felt Heavenly Father’s love, or knew Jesus was helping you on the path.
  4. SAY“It’s fast Sunday. Kids don’t have to fast, but every one of us can thank Heavenly Father for His plan today.”
  5. Show the Plan Map challenge. Then invite a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🗺️ This week: draw your Plan Map! · 🌟 → 🌍 → 🏡 · Put a ⭐ where you are · Teach your family

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Journey Home Edition

4 minBONUS

A Heads Up–style guessing game that reviews every stop on the path.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Give clues, but don’t say the word.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess.
  3. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Everyone else gives clues from their seats.
  4. Tilt down for “got it” and up to pass. Each turn is 45 seconds. Then pass your phone or tablet to the next kid.
🌪️ Go around the room one clue at a time.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues, don’t say the word!

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“Team Before versus Team Home!”
  2. Split the class in two and 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.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

The Great Journey Home

Abraham 3:22–26; Job 38:7; Moses 4:1–3; Alma 34:32; John 14:6; 3 Nephi 27:19–20; Revelation 21:4 ↗

Optional helpers

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

Scenes

  1. 🌟👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Before you were born

    Long before you were a baby, you were already alive! You lived with Heavenly Father as His spirit child. He knew your name, He loved you, and He taught you.

    🙌 Twinkle your fingers up high: “Before!”

  2. 📋🎉 A great plan, and a big cheer

    Heavenly Father made a plan so we could grow like Him. We would go to an earth, get a body and learn to choose. When we heard it, the Bible says we shouted for joy. You were cheering!

    🙌 Guess! Who will be our Savior?

  3. ✝️💛 Jesus said yes

    On earth we would make mistakes, and our bodies would someday die. We needed a Savior. Jesus Christ said He would do what Heavenly Father wanted, and the glory would be His Father’s.

    🙌

  4. 👶🌍 Born on earth!

    Then it was our turn. We came to earth as tiny babies and got bodies that can run, jump, hug and laugh. We forgot our life in heaven, so now we learn to choose by faith.

    🙌 Guess! What gifts help us here on earth?

  5. 🎒🕊️ Earth is where we learn

    Every day we choose between right and wrong: at school, at recess, at home. Heavenly Father didn’t send us alone. He gave us the Holy Ghost, scriptures, prophets, prayer and families to help us.

    🙌

  6. 🌿✝️🌅 Jesus makes the way

    Everybody makes mistakes. Jesus suffered for our sins, died, and rose again on Easter morning. Because of Him we can repent and be clean, and everyone will live again. Jesus said, “I am the way.”

    🙌

  7. 💧🏡 Welcome home!

    Jesus showed us the path: repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and keep following Him. Many of you already took the baptism step! At the end, we can live with Heavenly Father again, with no more tears.

    🙌 Hands make a roof over your head: “Home!”

Key verse

John 14:6 ↗
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”
In kid words: Jesus is the path back to Heavenly Father. He is true, and He gives life. The only way home is with Him.
🙌 “I am the way” = walk two fingers along your other arm like a path · “the truth” = hand on heart · “and the life” = arms burst up like a sunrise · “no man cometh unto the Father” = reach both hands high · “but by me” = hold up one finger (one way!), then fold arms

More verses

Job 38:7 ↗
“all the sons of God shouted for joy”
In kid words: Before we came to earth, all of Heavenly Father’s children cheered for His plan.
John 6:38 ↗
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me”
In kid words: Jesus came to earth to do what Heavenly Father wants.
Philippians 4:13 ↗
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”
In kid words: With Jesus helping me, I can do hard things.
Revelation 21:4 ↗
“God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying”
In kid words: When we go home, God will wipe away every tear, and no one will be sad or die anymore.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • ✋ Spirit
  • 🧍 Body
  • 👶 Baby
  • 🌍 Earth
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family
  • 📋 Plan
  • 🤔 Choose
  • 🎉 Shout for Joy
  • 💧 Baptism
  • 🕊️ Holy Ghost
  • 🙏 Prayer
  • 📖 Scriptures
  • 🧔 Prophet
  • 🔄 Repent
  • 🌅 Resurrection
  • 🧤 Glove
  • 📍 GPS
  • 🏡 Home
Clues for each word
  • Spirit: The real you, like the hand inside the glove
  • Body: We got one when we came to earth
  • Baby: How everyone arrives on earth
  • Earth: The planet where we learn and grow
  • Family: The people who welcomed you when you were born
  • Plan: Heavenly Father made one for us
  • Choose: Picking between right and wrong
  • Shout for Joy: What we did when we heard the plan
  • Baptism: A big step on the path; you go under the water
  • Holy Ghost: A gift that guides us after baptism
  • Prayer: Talking to Heavenly Father
  • Scriptures: Holy books that help us on the journey
  • Prophet: God’s messenger on earth today
  • Repent: Say sorry, turn around, try again
  • Resurrection: Spirit and body back together forever
  • Glove: Can’t wave until a hand goes inside
  • GPS: Robot voice that says “Recalculating…”
  • Home: Where we go back to Heavenly Father
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Where did we live before we were born?
    • A. On the moon
    • B. With Heavenly Father
    • C. Nowhere; we didn’t exist yet
    Show answer

    ✅ B. With Heavenly Father We lived with Heavenly Father as His spirit children, and He knew each of us.

  2. What did Heavenly Father’s children do when they heard His plan?
    • A. Shouted for joy
    • B. Fell asleep
    • C. Went bowling
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Shouted for joy Job 38:7 says the children of God shouted for joy. That included you!

  3. Who said He would do what Heavenly Father wanted and be our Savior?
    • A. Moses
    • B. Adam
    • C. Jesus Christ
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Jesus Christ Jesus chose to follow His Father’s will and give Him the glory (Moses 4:2).

  4. What did we get when we came to earth?
    • A. A spaceship
    • B. A body
    • C. Wings
    Show answer

    ✅ B. A body Our spirits came into bodies, like a hand going into a glove.

  5. Alma said this life is the time to…
    • A. Get ready to meet God
    • B. Watch as much TV as possible
    • C. Never make a mistake
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Get ready to meet God Alma 34:32. Earth is where we learn, grow and prepare to go home.

  6. What did Jesus say He is, in John 14:6?
    • A. The captain
    • B. The map
    • C. The way, the truth and the life
    Show answer

    ✅ C. The way, the truth and the life Jesus is the only way back to Heavenly Father.

  7. What is the Resurrection?
    • A. A kind of dinosaur
    • B. Spirit and body coming back together forever
    • C. A trip to the beach
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Spirit and body coming back together forever Because Jesus rose again, everyone will be resurrected someday.

  8. What does God promise to wipe away in Revelation 21:4?
    • A. Mud
    • B. Homework
    • C. All tears
    Show answer

    ✅ C. All tears When we go home, there will be no more sadness, crying or pain.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • I Lived in Heaven Children’s Songbook, p. 4

    It tells the first stop of the story: life with Heavenly Father and His plan. Find it ↗

  • I Am a Child of God Children’s Songbook, p. 2

    Why we’re here and where we’re going, in one song they already know. Find it ↗

  • He Sent His Son Children’s Songbook, p. 34

    Jesus is the center of the plan. Find it ↗

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

    Jesus followed the plan, and so can we. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Plan Map

Draw three stops on a piece of paper: 🌟 Before, 🌍 Earth, 🏡 Home. Put a star where you are right now. Use your map to teach your family Heavenly Father’s plan. Tell them who makes the way home possible.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned Heavenly Father’s plan. We lived with Him before we were born. We came to earth to get a body and learn to choose. And because of Jesus Christ, we can go home to Him again. We sorted the plan into Before, Earth and Home. Ask your child what we cheered about before we were born, and who is “the way” home.

📝 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?

🖍️ Plan Map Craft · 5 min

  1. Give each child a sheet of paper. They draw three circles for Before, Earth, and Home, with a winding path between.
  2. Along the path, they draw gifts that help, like a dove for the Holy Ghost or a book for scriptures.
  3. Put a big star on Earth that says “I am here.” Take it home for the challenge.

🔍 Why Did Heavenly Father Send Me? · 4 min

  1. Split into two teams. One team gets Abraham 3:25. The other gets Alma 34:32.
  2. Each team reads its verse and finishes this sentence: “Heavenly Father sent me to earth to…”
  3. Teams share their sentences. Ask, “How are the two answers alike?”

✝️ Jesus Did His Father’s Will · 4 min

  1. Read John 6:38 together.
  2. Set a one-minute timer. How many times can the class name Jesus doing what Heavenly Father wanted? Healing, praying, teaching…
  3. Ask, “What’s one way you can do what Heavenly Father wants this week?”

🧤 The Glove and the Hand · 3 min

  1. Lay a glove on the table and say, “Glove, wave hello!”
  2. Nothing happens. Hold up your bare hand. It’s like your spirit, the real you, who lived with Heavenly Father.
  3. Slide your hand in and make the glove wave. When we’re born, our spirit comes into a body.
  4. Pull your hand out. When someone dies, spirit and body separate for a while. The spirit keeps living.
  5. Put the glove back on. Because Jesus rose again, everyone’s spirit and body will come back together forever.

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 Valiant 7–8 lessons