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We Have Come to Worship Him

Shepherds hurry, wise men follow a star, and two faithful friends meet Baby Jesus in the temple

  • 💧 Valiant 7–8
  • Week 2
  • 📅 Sunday, January 10, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

The shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the wise men all came to Jesus and worshipped Him, and I can come to Jesus and worship Him too.

I can worship Jesus by coming to Him, thanking Him and giving Him my heart.

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, and now the class gets the whole story from the scriptures. Luke 2 tells how Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be counted. They found no room in the inn and laid the newborn Jesus in a manger. An angel told shepherds the good news, and a crowd of angels praised God. The shepherds came quickly, found the baby, and told everyone. About forty days later, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost had promised Simeon he’d see the Savior before he died. There, he took Jesus in his arms and praised God. Anna was a very old prophetess who served in the temple with fasting and prayer night and day. She gave thanks and told others about Him.

Matthew 2 tells about wise men from the east who followed a new star. They asked where the newborn King was so they could worship Him. Jealous King Herod pretended he wanted to worship Jesus too. The star led the wise men to the house where the young child was. They knelt, worshipped and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. God warned them in a dream to go home another way. An angel warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Notice that the wise men came to a house and found a “young child,” in Matthew 2:11. So they probably came later than the shepherds, not the night He was born. Keep Herod gentle. He was a jealous, cruel king, and God protected Jesus by warning Joseph. You don’t need to tell the class about Matthew 2:16.

For eight-year-olds, the thread through every scene is people coming to Jesus. The shepherds hurried. Simeon and Anna waited faithfully for years. The wise men traveled a long way. Worship means showing love, honor and thanks to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Kids can do it too. They take the sacrament reverently, pray, sing, keep their baptism promises and are kind. The greatest gift they can give Jesus is themselves, their hearts and their choices.

These events fulfilled prophecies. Micah had said the Savior would come from Bethlehem, in Matthew 2:5–6. In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied a new star and a night with no darkness, in Helaman 14:2–5. Kids who studied the Old Testament last year love hearing that the prophets were right. Luke 2:40 and 52 also show that Jesus grew up just like they’re growing. He grew in wisdom, in size, and in favor with God and people.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:1–38 and Matthew 2:1–12. Drop a small mirror into a gift bag. Tell the story from Teach Mode while kids count who came to Jesus. Teach Matthew 2:2 with the motions, do The Best Gift, and close with a quiet testimony. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” Partners find the tiny gift in each other’s eyes instead.

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 2:1–38 and Matthew 2:1–12.
  2. Put the mirror in the bottom of the bag or box, facing up.

If your class is wild

  • Counting on fingers keeps hands busy. Have kids count everyone who came to Jesus as you go.
  • Make your wiggliest kid the Star Helper. They lead “Follow the star!” with twinkle fingers from their seat.
  • In the hook, the star moves slowly and everyone stays seated. No talking, just pointing.
  • Kids will say, “I already know this story!” Great! Make them the experts and ask what happens next.
  • The mirror peek works best in a line. Each kid makes their best surprised face and says nothing.

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 silent follow-the-star game from their seats gets eyes up and mouths quiet.

  1. SAY“I’m the star! Wise people follow without a sound. Point at me wherever I go.”
  2. Hold your phone or tablet up high. Walk slowly around the room, stopping three or four times. Every finger follows the star.
  3. SAY“When Jesus was born, lots of people came to find Him. Some hurried. Some waited their whole lives. And some followed a star.”
  4. SAY“Let’s meet everyone who came to Jesus.”
🌪️ Move the star slowly. A fast star makes wiggly wise men. A slow star makes quiet ones.

Class screen: ⭐ Follow the star… without a sound! · ⭐ Follow the star!

2. Story

Story: Who Came to See Jesus?

7 min

Shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the wise men all came to Jesus, so kids see the many ways people worship Him.

  1. SAY“You may know this story already. Watch the pictures, and count everyone who came to Jesus.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. When the screen says “Find” or “Count,” give kids a moment before you read on.
  3. Read scenes 4 and 5 slowly and softly. Ask, “How long did Simeon wait to see Jesus?” His whole life!
  4. After scene 7, ask who came to Jesus. Shepherds, Simeon, Anna, and wise men! Ask which one they’d want to be.
🌪️ Kids who say “I already know this!” are your experts. Before a scene or two, ask them what happens next.

Class screen: 🌟 Who came to see Jesus? · 👀 Who came to Jesus? · 🖐️ Count them!

3. Scripture

Key Verse: Matthew 2:2

4 min

Motions and three different “travelers” help kids memorize the wise men’s words.

  1. SAY“These are the wise men’s own words. Let’s learn them.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it slowly.
  3. SAY“To worship Jesus means to love Him, thank Him and honor Him. We do it with our actions, not just our words.”
  4. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it slow and grand like wise men, fast like shepherds, then happy and hushed like Anna.
  5. Ask, “How can we worship Jesus at church?” Then ask about home.

Class screen: ✨ We have seen His star… and come to worship Him!

4. Object lesson

The Best Gift

7 min

A mirror surprise practices the big idea: the gift Jesus wants most is each child’s heart.

  1. SAY“The wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. In this bag is the gift Jesus wants most from YOU.”
  2. Kids come up one at a time and peek inside. The rule is to make your most surprised face, but don’t say a word!
  3. When everyone’s looked, ask what they saw. Me! Say, “Jesus wants you, your heart and your choices. That’s worship.”
  4. Ask how they can give Jesus their heart this week. Maybe take the sacrament reverently, pray, or be kind to the new kid.
🌪️ Hold the bag yourself so it doesn’t get shaken, dropped or opened early.

Class screen: 🎁 What gift does Jesus want most? · Peek inside… · Don’t tell!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small mirror (a compact works) inside a gift bag or a box with a lid

The Tiny Gift in Your Eyes

  1. SAY“The wise men brought Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. A gift for Jesus is hiding in this room. But you need a partner to find it.”
  2. Pairs face each other, near the light if they can. Ask them to look closely at the dark middle of their partner’s eye.
  3. SAY“It’s a tiny you! That’s the gift Jesus wants most. Your heart, your love, your choices. That’s worship.”
  4. Ask how they can give Jesus their heart this week. Maybe take the sacrament reverently, pray, or be kind to the new kid.

Class screen: 👀 Find the tiny gift in your partner’s eyes!

🌪️ Give it 20 seconds of looking, then everyone freezes. Giggles are fine; staring contests are not.
5. Testimony

Testimony & Star Gifts

3 min

End calm and reverent, with a gift to give Jesus every day this week.

  1. SAY“Let’s be as quiet as Simeon in the temple.”
  2. Wait until the room is still. Then read Luke 2:52.
  3. SAY“Jesus was once eight too. He grew taller and wiser, and closer to God and people. You’re growing too!”
  4. Briefly share why you love Jesus Christ and how you know He’s the Savior born in Bethlehem.
  5. Show the Star Gifts challenge. Pass out gold coins if you brought them. Then invite a child to pray.

Class screen: ⭐ This week: give Jesus a Star Gift every day! · A kind act · A real prayer · Helping without being asked

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Shepherds vs. Wise Men

4 minBONUS

A quick Heads Up–style review of every person, place and gift from today.

  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. That way nobody shouts over anybody.
▶ 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 Shepherds versus Team Wise Men!”
  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

Who Came to See Jesus?

Luke 2:1–38; Matthew 2:1–14 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Star HelperLeads “Follow the star!” with twinkle fingers from their seat each time the star appears.
  • 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

    The ruler ordered everyone to go to their hometown to be counted. So Joseph and Mary made a long, dusty trip to Bethlehem. There was no room in the inn. When Jesus was born, Mary laid Him in a manger.

    🙌

  2. 🐑👼 “Good tidings of great joy!”

    Out in the fields, shepherds were watching their sheep at night. Suddenly an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them! The angel said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.”

    🙌 Find the sheep on the screen. Give a soft “Baa!”

  3. 🏃👶 The shepherds hurry to see

    A Savior was born! Then the sky filled with angels praising God. The shepherds said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem.” They came with haste! They found Mary, Joseph and the baby in a manger. Then they told everyone!

    🙌

  4. 🏛️👴 Simeon waited his whole life

    When Jesus was a tiny baby, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple. Old Simeon was there. The Holy Ghost had promised he would see the Savior before he died. Simeon held Baby Jesus and thanked God.

    🙌 Count on your fingers: who has come to Jesus so far?

  5. 👵🙏 Anna tells everyone

    Anna was a very old prophetess. She served God at the temple night and day, praying and fasting. When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks. She told everyone who was waiting for the Savior.

    🙌

  6. ⭐🐪 Wise men follow a new star

    Far away in the east, wise men saw a new star. They traveled a long, long way and asked, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

    🙌 Find the star on the screen. Twinkle your fingers up high!

  7. 🎁🙇 Gifts for the young child

    The star led them to the house where young Jesus was. They knelt, worshipped Him, and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. God warned them in a dream to stay away from jealous King Herod. And He warned Joseph to keep Jesus safe in Egypt.

    🙌 Hand on heart. Whisper: “We came to worship Him.”

Key verse

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!
🙌 “we have seen” = make binoculars with your hands · “his star” = twinkle fingers up high · “in the east” = point far away · “and are come” = walk in place · “to worship him” = kneel on one knee and fold your arms

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!
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 2:52 ↗
“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 God, and grew in friendship with people.
Matthew 2:11 ↗
“they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him”
In kid words: The wise men saw young Jesus with Mary, and they knelt down and worshipped Him.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 🏨 Inn
  • 🧑‍🌾 Shepherds
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 👼 Angel
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🐪 Wise Men
  • 🪙 Gold
  • 🎁 Gifts
  • 👴 Simeon
  • 👵 Anna
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 👑 King Herod
  • 👩 Mary
  • 🧔 Joseph
  • 🏜️ Egypt
  • 🙏 Worship
Clues for each word
  • Bethlehem: The little town where Jesus was born
  • Manger: An animal food box that became Jesus’s bed
  • Inn: It had no room for Mary and Joseph
  • Shepherds: Watched sheep at night and heard the angel
  • Sheep: Baa! The shepherds watched over them
  • Angel: Said “Fear not!” and brought good news
  • Star: Led the wise men to Jesus
  • Wise Men: Traveled from the east with gifts
  • Gold: A shiny gift the wise men brought
  • Gifts: Gold, frankincense and myrrh
  • Simeon: Old man who held Baby Jesus in the temple
  • Anna: Prophetess who prayed at the temple night and day
  • Temple: Where Simeon and Anna met Baby Jesus
  • King Herod: Jealous king the wise men didn’t go back to
  • Mary: Jesus’s mother, who kept everything in her heart
  • Joseph: Obeyed his dreams and kept Jesus safe
  • Egypt: Where Joseph took the family to be safe
  • Worship: To love, honor and thank God
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem?
    • A. To be counted
    • B. To go on vacation
    • C. To buy sheep
    Show answer

    ✅ A. To be counted The ruler ordered everyone to go to their family’s hometown to be counted and taxed.

  2. Where did Mary lay Baby Jesus?
    • A. In a crib
    • B. In a manger
    • C. In a basket
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In a manger There was no room in the inn, so His first bed was an animals’ food box.

  3. Who were the first people the angel told about Jesus’s birth?
    • A. Kings
    • B. Soldiers
    • C. Shepherds
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Shepherds Humble shepherds heard the news first, out in the fields at night.

  4. What did the shepherds do after they saw Jesus?
    • A. Told everyone
    • B. Went back to sleep
    • C. Kept it a secret
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Told everyone Luke 2:17: they spread the news, and people were amazed.

  5. What had the Holy Ghost promised Simeon?
    • A. He would be rich
    • B. He would see the Savior before he died
    • C. He would become king
    Show answer

    ✅ B. He would see the Savior before he died Simeon got to hold Baby Jesus in the temple and thank God.

  6. What led the wise men to Jesus?
    • A. A map
    • B. A camel
    • C. A new star
    Show answer

    ✅ C. A new star The star went before them until it stopped over the place where Jesus was.

  7. Why did the wise men go home another way?
    • A. They got lost
    • B. God warned them in a dream
    • C. They wanted to sightsee
    Show answer

    ✅ B. God warned them in a dream God protected Jesus from jealous King Herod.

  8. Luke 2:52 says Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with…
    • A. God and man
    • B. kings and queens
    • C. animals
    Show answer

    ✅ A. God and man Jesus grew up just like you: in mind, body, spirit and friendships.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    Sing it right after the wise men follow the star. Find it ↗

  • Once within a Lowly Stable Children’s Songbook, p. 41

    The manger, the shepherds and the angels in one gentle song. Find it ↗

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

    Pairs with the Grow Like Jesus wiggle and Luke 2:52. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Star Gifts

The wise men brought gifts to Jesus. Each day this week, give Him a Star Gift. Do a kind act, say a real prayer, or help without being asked. Draw a little star by your bed each time. How many will you have by Sunday?

Text the parents

Today in Primary we met everyone who came to Jesus. The shepherds hurried. Simeon and Anna waited in the temple. And the wise men followed a star. We learned Matthew 2:2: “we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” The gift Jesus wants most is our hearts. Ask your child what they saw inside the gift box, and what it means.

📝 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?

🏛️ About My Father’s Business · 5 min

  1. Read Luke 2:46–49. Twelve-year-old Jesus was found in the temple, listening and asking questions. You read His words in verse 49.
  2. Ask, “What is Heavenly Father’s business?” Helping His children come back to Him.
  3. Go around the circle. Each kid names a way to help, like inviting a friend or helping a sibling.

📜 Prophecy Came True! · 4 min

  1. Read Matthew 2:5–6. The priests knew the Savior would come from Bethlehem because a prophet had said so long before.
  2. Tell about Helaman 14:2–5. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied a new star and a night with no darkness.
  3. Ask, “What have our prophets today told us is coming?” Talk about the Second Coming.

🤫 Simeon’s Waiting Game · 3 min

  1. Open the Noise Meter. Challenge everyone to be as quiet as Simeon in the temple for 30 seconds.
  2. Ask what helped Simeon keep waiting for years. Faith and the Holy Ghost!

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