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Ye Are the Light of the World

Jesus’s surprising secret list for real happiness, and how one kid can light up a whole room

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 7
  • 📅 Sunday, February 14, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

When I live the way Jesus taught on the mountain, I find real happiness, and my light helps other people find Him.

I can let my light shine by being gentle, kind and a peacemaker like Jesus.

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

Early in His ministry, huge crowds followed Jesus from Galilee, Jerusalem and beyond. He went up on a mountain, sat down (teachers in those days often seem to have sat to teach; compare Luke 4:20), and gave the sermon we call the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5–7. Luke 6 records a very similar sermon. This week covers Matthew 5: the Beatitudes, salt and light, a higher way to live (no staying angry, making peace fast, loving even enemies), and the invitation to become perfect.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12) each start with “Blessed,” which means deeply happy and favored by God. Jesus turned the world’s idea of happiness upside down: not the richest, loudest or most popular, but the humble, the gentle, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers. Every quality comes with a promise. For eight-year-olds, focus on a few they can practice this week: meek (gentle, not bossy), merciful (forgiving), pure in heart, and peacemaker. When Jesus gave this same sermon to the people in the Americas, He began by blessing those who believe in Him, are baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 12:1–2). Most of your class just did exactly that.

Salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16): in Jesus’s day salt kept food from spoiling and made it taste good, and it was part of covenant offerings in ancient Israel. A “bushel” was a basket or bowl for measuring grain, so hiding a lamp under one would be silly. Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12). Our light is His light shining through our good works, and the goal is that people “glorify your Father which is in heaven,” not us.

“Be ye therefore perfect” (Matthew 5:48) can scare conscientious kids. The Greek word points to being complete or whole. It is a goal we grow toward over a lifetime with Jesus’s help, not a rule that we must never make mistakes. Repentance and the sacrament are part of the plan.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Matthew 5:1–16. Grab a flashlight and a mixing bowl. Run the Story Drama in Teach Mode, do Light Under a Bowl, then play Forehead Guess. No flashlight? Tap “I brought nothing” and the kids become the candles.

What to bring6 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. Write BE-ATTITUDES on a sheet of paper, fold it, seal it in the envelope, and write TOP SECRET: JESUS’S HAPPY LIST on the front.
  2. Tape the picture of Jesus low on a wall on the far side of the room. Before class, turn off the lights and make sure your flashlight beam reaches it.
  3. Find the room’s light switch and decide who will be the Light Helper.
  4. Bonus taste test: check with parents about food allergies and follow your ward’s food policy first. Put two unsalted crackers on one napkin and two salted crackers on another, and mark the napkins A and B underneath.
  5. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • “Lights out” is huge excitement. Tell them first: the lights go off only when everyone is frozen and silent. One shriek and the lights come back on.
  • Use the Be-Attitude moves as an instant reset. Shout “Meek!” and everyone freezes as a gentle statue petting a lamb.
  • Give the flashlight to the kid who most needs a job. Holding the light is a big honor and keeps busy hands busy.
  • When two kids start bickering, call “Peacemaker moment!” They shake hands and each says one nice thing. Then keep going.
  • The Grumpy Neighbor role is perfect for your most dramatic kid. A big frown that melts into a wave gets a laugh every time.

The 25-minute plan25 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

Top Secret: Jesus’s Happy List

2 min

A body vote and a sealed envelope get everyone moving and curious in the first minute.

  1. Hold up the TOP SECRET envelope and don’t explain it yet.
  2. SAY“Vote with your body! JUMP if this would make you the happiest kid alive: a million dollars… winning every game… a day with no rules… a mountain of ice cream!”
  3. SAY“Jesus once gave a giant crowd His secret list for being truly happy. Some of it will surprise you. It’s in here.”
  4. Let a kid who is sitting ready open it and read it: BE-ATTITUDES. Say: “Not things to HAVE. Ways to BE. Let’s go up the mountain and hear them.”
🌪️ Only jumpers who land in their own spot get to vote on the next one.

Class screen: 🤫 TOP SECRET: Jesus’s list for REAL happiness · Jump if it makes you happy!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: An envelope with a sheet of paper inside that says BE-ATTITUDES in big letters

Top Secret Whisper

  1. SAY“Vote with your body! JUMP if this would make you the happiest kid alive: a million dollars… winning every game… a day with no rules… a mountain of ice cream!”
  2. SAY“Jesus once gave a giant crowd His secret list for being truly happy. I’m going to whisper the secret name to ONE person.”
  3. Whisper “Be-Attitudes” to a kid who is sitting ready. They whisper it to the next kid, all the way around the circle, like a telephone game.
  4. The last kid says it out loud. Show the kid screen and say: “Not things to HAVE. Ways to BE. Let’s go up the mountain and hear them.”

Class screen: 🤫 The secret is… BE-ATTITUDES! · Not things to HAVE · Ways to BE

2. Story

Story Drama: The Sermon on the Mountain

5 min

Kids become the crowd on the mountain and see Jesus’s teachings change real people.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone without a role is the Crowd. Say: “The widow, shepherd, brothers, lamp lighter and grumpy neighbor are pretend people we imagine in the crowd. Jesus’s words come right from Matthew 5.”
  2. You read Jesus’s words yourself. Point to a spot on the “mountain” (a chair or the front of the room) where He sits. No one plays Jesus.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At the last scene, everyone stands and says the big line together: “Let it shine!”
🌪️ Keep scenes moving fast. If an actor gets silly, give them the next sound or line so their energy has a job.

Class screen: ⛰️ Climb the mountain! Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part

3. Wiggle break

Be-Attitude Moves

2 min

A speed-call movement game drills four Beatitudes into their muscles.

  1. Teach four moves fast. MEEK = pet a tiny lamb gently. MERCIFUL = reach down and pull a fallen friend up. PURE IN HEART = make a heart with your hands. PEACEMAKER = shake hands with the air.
  2. Call them out in random order, faster and faster. Throw in “Freeze!” and “Mountain!” (stand on tiptoe, arms up).
  3. Finish with “Peacemaker!” and have everyone shout the promise: “Children of God!”

Class screen: 🐑 Be-Attitude Moves! Listen fast! · 🐑 Meek · 🫴 Merciful · 💖 Pure in heart · 🤝 Peacemaker

4. Object lesson

Light Under a Bowl

4 min

A flashlight hidden and then lifted shows that our light is meant to shine and point to Jesus.

  1. Wait until everyone is frozen and silent. The Light Helper turns off the lights.
  2. Turn the flashlight on and put the bowl over it. Say: “Can anybody find the picture of Jesus in here? Why not?” (The light is hidden!)
  3. Lift the bowl and hold the flashlight up high. Shine it slowly across the room until it lands on the picture of Jesus. Everyone whispers: “There He is!”
  4. SAY“Jesus is the Light of the World. When we do good works, His light shines through us, and it helps people find Him, not us.”
  5. Pass the flashlight to three or four kids. Each one names a good work they can do this week, then shines the light on Jesus. Lights on.
🌪️ Lights go back on the second anyone runs or shrieks. They will be very still.

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

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A flashlight, A big mixing bowl or small laundry basket (the “bushel”), A picture of Jesus Christ (from a Church magazine or printed at home)

Human Candles

  1. Everyone stands up as a candle: arms straight up, fingertips pressed together like a flame.
  2. Walk around and “light” each candle with a tap on the shoulder. When you’re lit, wiggle your fingertips like a flickering flame. Turn off the room lights if a switch is handy.
  3. Call “Bushel!” and everyone crouches low and covers their flame with the other hand. Say: “Can this candle help anyone see? Nope!” Call “Candlestick!” and everyone springs up on tiptoe, flames high.
  4. SAY“Jesus is the Light of the World. When we do good works, His light shines through us, and it helps people find Him, not us.” Everyone points their flame toward a picture of Jesus in the room, or up toward heaven.
  5. Go around quickly: each candle names one good work they can do this week. Lights on.

Class screen: 🕯️ You are the candles! Don’t hide your flame! · Bushel = hide 🙈 · Candlestick = shine! 💡

5. Object lesson

Salt Taste Test

3 minBONUS

A quick taste test shows what Jesus meant by “Ye are the salt of the earth.”

  1. Check allergies first. Give each kid a piece of cracker A (unsalted). Ask: “How does it taste?” (Blah!)
  2. Give each kid a piece of cracker B (salted). Ask: “Which one is better? What made the difference?”
  3. SAY“Just a little salt changes everything. Jesus said YOU are the salt of the earth. One kind kid can make a whole class, family or team better.”
  4. Ask: “Where could you be the salt this week?”

Class screen: 🧂 Cracker A or cracker B? · You are the salt of the earth!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Plain unsalted crackers and regular salted crackers, plus napkins (for the bonus taste test; check food allergies and your ward’s food policy)

Salt-less Soup

  1. Pretend to stir a giant pot of soup. Take a big pretend taste and make the grossest face you can: “Blah! Something is missing!”
  2. Kids guess what’s missing. When someone says salt, everyone sprinkles pretend salt into the pot: “Shh, shh, shh!”
  3. Take another taste: “MMM! Perfect!” Tap the cheer sound on the Sound Board.
  4. SAY“Just a little salt changes everything. Jesus said YOU are the salt of the earth. One kind kid can make a whole class, family or team better. Where could you be the salt this week?”
6. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Matthew 5:16

3 min

Motions help active kids memorize Jesus’s invitation to shine.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it once slowly.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Say it three ways: a tiny candle whisper, a normal voice, then a lighthouse voice (loud and proud, but no screaming).
  4. Ask: “Who gets the praise when we let our light shine?” (Heavenly Father!)

Class screen: 💡 Let your light so shine!

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Mountain Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game reviews the people, pictures and Beatitudes from today.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. The class gives clues without saying the word. The hint under each word helps if they get stuck.
  3. Guesser tilts your phone or tablet down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn lasts 45 seconds.
  4. Switch to Act It Out mode for your wiggliest kids: clue-givers can only act, no talking. The Be-Attitude moves work great here.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay in their seats. Anyone who shouts the word loses their next clue turn.
▶ 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. Split into two teams. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

9. Talk it over

Peacemaker or Troublemaker?

3 min

Real-life situations turn the Beatitudes into choices they will face this week.

  1. Read each situation. Kids with a peacemaker idea stand up; pick one to answer, then everyone sits.
  2. Praise every good idea with “Children of God!” and share your own answer too.
💬 Ask the class
  • Your little brother knocks over your LEGO tower. What would a peacemaker do?
  • Two friends at recess both grab the same ball and start yelling. How could you help make peace?
  • Someone at school says something mean to you. Jesus said to pray for them. What could you pray?
  • Which Be-Attitude do you want to practice this week: gentle, merciful, pure in heart, or peacemaker?

Class screen: 🤝 What would a peacemaker do?

10. Testimony

Testimony & Light Spotters

2 min

End calm and reverent, with a way to shine at home.

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about someone whose light helped you come closer to Jesus, or how living His way has made you happy.
  2. Remind them: “When you were baptized, you promised to follow Jesus. Letting your light shine is how we keep that promise every day.”
  3. Introduce the Light Spotter challenge on the screen. If you brought sticky notes, give each kid one to stick on their shirt as a badge.
  4. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🔦 This week: be a Light Spotter! · Do one secret good work each day · Spot someone else shining

Story drama

The Sermon on the Mountain

Matthew 5:1–16, 43–45 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • PeterA fisherman disciple who climbs up and sits close to Jesus to listen (Matthew 5:1).
  • The Sad WidowWipes tears, then hugs herself and smiles when she hears she will be comforted.
  • The Gentle ShepherdCarries a tiny pretend lamb very, very gently the whole time.
  • Two Arguing BrothersTwo kids who tug over the last fish, then share it and shake hands.
  • The Lamp LighterLights a pretend lamp, tries to hide it under a basket, then lifts it high.
  • The Grumpy NeighborCrosses arms and frowns at everybody, then surprises everyone with a friendly wave.
  • The CrowdEveryone else: climbs the mountain, huffs and puffs, gasps, and repeats the big lines.

Scenes

  1. 🚶‍♀️⛰️ Crowds follow Jesus up a mountain

    News about Jesus spread everywhere. Huge crowds came from Galilee, Jerusalem and far beyond to see Him. When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountain.

    🎬 Peter and the Crowd climb in place, huffing and puffing: “Up, up, up!”

  2. 🪨👂 Jesus sits down to teach

    Jesus sat down on the mountainside, and His disciples came close to Him. Imagine the whole crowd getting very quiet to hear what He would teach.

    🎬 Peter scoots in close. Everyone sits down fast and zips their lips. Hold the silence for three seconds.

  3. 😢🤗 “Blessed are they that mourn”

    Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Imagine a sad widow in the crowd looking up. Blessed means truly happy, blessed by God. Even sad people? Jesus promised that God would comfort them.

    🎬 The Widow wipes her tears, then hugs herself and smiles. Crowd: “Ahhh.”

  4. 🐑💛 Gentle people are blessed

    Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek.” Meek means gentle and humble, strong but never bossy. The world says be loud and pushy to win. Jesus said the gentle will inherit the earth.

    🎬 The Shepherd cradles the lamb. Everyone pets a pretend lamb softly: “Baaa.”

  5. 🐟🤝 “Blessed are the peacemakers”

    Pretend two brothers in the crowd were fighting over the last fish. Then they heard Jesus say, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

    🎬 The Brothers tug an invisible fish, freeze, then split it and shake hands. Crowd: “Children of God!”

  6. 🧂😋 “Ye are the salt of the earth”

    Jesus told the people listening, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Salt makes food taste good and keeps it from spoiling. Jesus meant that His followers can make the world better!

    🎬 Everyone sprinkles pretend salt: “Shh, shh, shh!” Then smacks their lips: “Mmm!”

  7. 🕯️🧺 Don’t hide your light!

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

    🎬 The Lamp Lighter hides the lamp under an invisible basket. Crowd: “Nooo! Too dark!” Then lifts it high. Crowd: “Ahhh!”

  8. 😠👋 Love even your enemies

    Then Jesus said something shocking. Love your enemies, and pray for people who are mean to you. That way you act like children of your Father in Heaven, who sends sunshine and rain on everyone.

    🎬 The Grumpy Neighbor frowns… slowly uncrosses arms… and waves. Everyone: “Whoa!”

  9. 🏙️💡 A city on a hill shines

    Remember, Jesus said a city on a hill can’t be hidden. When Jesus’s followers live His way, people see their good works and praise Heavenly Father. His light shines through them.

    🎬 Everyone stands, arms high like a shining city, and wiggles sparkle fingers: “Let it shine!”

Key verse

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 makes them think of Heavenly Father.
🙌 “Let your light” = cup hands at your chest like a lamp · “so shine” = burst fingers up and out · “before men” = point around the room · “see your good works” = binoculars, then a high five in the air · “glorify your Father which is in heaven” = both arms reach up high

More verses

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 truly happy, and God calls them His children.
Matthew 5:14 ↗
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
In kid words: You are a light for the whole world, like a city on a hill that everyone can see.
Matthew 5:13 ↗
“Ye are the salt of the earth”
In kid words: You make the world better, the way 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 back, and do good things for them.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • ⛰️ Mountain
  • 😊 Beatitudes
  • 🙌 Blessed
  • 🧂 Salt
  • 💡 Light
  • 🕯️ Candle
  • 🧺 Basket
  • 🏙️ City on a Hill
  • 🤝 Peacemaker
  • 🐑 Gentle
  • 💗 Merciful
  • 💖 Pure in Heart
  • 😠 Enemy
  • 👥 Crowd
  • 🎣 Disciples
  • 🤗 Comfort
  • 🙋 Good Works
  • 🙏 Pray
Clues for each word
  • Mountain: Jesus climbed one and sat down to teach
  • Beatitudes: Jesus’s list of ways to BE truly happy
  • Blessed: Truly happy, with God’s help
  • Salt: Sprinkle it on fries to make them taste good
  • Light: Flip the switch and the dark goes away
  • Candle: It has a tiny flame and a wick
  • Basket: Don’t hide your light under one!
  • City on a Hill: Lots of buildings up high that can’t be hidden
  • Peacemaker: Someone who helps people stop fighting
  • Gentle: Soft and kind, like holding a baby lamb
  • Merciful: You forgive someone even when they mess up
  • Pure in Heart: Jesus said these people shall see God
  • Enemy: Someone who is mean to you. Jesus said love them!
  • Crowd: A huge group of people all together
  • Disciples: Jesus’s followers, and some were fishermen
  • Comfort: What God gives people who are sad
  • Good Works: Kind things you do that let your light shine
  • Pray: Jesus said do this even for people who are mean
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Where did Jesus sit down to teach this famous sermon?
    • A. On a boat
    • B. On a mountain
    • C. In a palace
    Show answer

    ✅ B. On a mountain That’s why we call it the Sermon on the Mount!

  2. What does “blessed” mean in the Beatitudes?
    • A. Truly happy, with God’s help
    • B. Sneezing a lot
    • C. Being the richest person
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Truly happy, with God’s help Jesus taught that real happiness comes from living His way.

  3. What did Jesus promise to the peacemakers?
    • A. A big prize
    • B. A trip to the beach
    • C. They shall be called the children of God
    Show answer

    ✅ C. They shall be called the children of God Matthew 5:9. Peacemakers act just like Heavenly Father’s children.

  4. Jesus said, “Ye are the ___ of the earth.”
    • A. Pepper
    • B. Salt
    • C. Sugar
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Salt Salt makes food better, and so do kind kids!

  5. Where should you NOT put a lit candle?
    • A. On a candlestick
    • B. Up high so everyone can see
    • C. Under a basket
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Under a basket Hiding a light is silly. Jesus wants our light to shine!

  6. When people see our good works, who should they praise?
    • A. Our Father which is in heaven
    • B. Us, because we’re awesome
    • C. Nobody
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Our Father which is in heaven Matthew 5:16. Our light points people to Heavenly Father and Jesus.

  7. What did Jesus say to do for people who are mean to you?
    • A. Be mean back
    • B. Love them and pray for them
    • C. Never talk to them again
    Show answer

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

  8. What does “meek” mean?
    • A. Squeaky like a mouse
    • B. Loud and bossy
    • C. Gentle and humble
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Gentle and humble Meek people are strong enough to be gentle, like Jesus.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

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

    Sing it after the Grumpy Neighbor scene. Jesus said to love even our enemies. Find it ↗

  • Love One Another Children’s Songbook, p. 136

    Peacemakers love one another the way Jesus loves us. Find it ↗

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

    Letting our light shine means trying to be like Him every day. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Light Spotter

Do one secret good work every day this week, like making your sibling’s bed or sharing a snack. Then spot someone else letting their light shine, and tell your family about it at dinner.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we climbed the “mountain” and heard Jesus teach the Beatitudes: blessed are the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart and the peacemakers. We learned that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). Ask your child: what is one secret good work you can do this week to let your light 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?

🏃 Mercy Tag · 4 min

  1. Play freeze tag in a safe space. When you’re tagged, you freeze.
  2. Frozen kids can only be unfrozen when a friend walks over, says something kind, and gives a high five.
  3. Afterward, ask: “Jesus said the merciful will obtain mercy. How did it feel when someone came to rescue you?”

🔦 Hidden Light Hunt · 4 min

  1. Hide the flashlight (turned on) somewhere in the room under a coat or a bowl while kids cover their eyes.
  2. Turn off the lights. Kids tiptoe to find the glow.
  3. Ask: “Was it easy or hard to find? What happens when we hide our light instead of letting it shine?”

🌱 Be Ye Therefore Perfect? · 3 min

  1. Read Matthew 5:48. Ask: “Does anybody here never make mistakes?” (Nope!)
  2. Show how a baby learns to walk: crawl, wobble, fall, get up, step. Kids act it out.
  3. SAY“Becoming perfect is like learning to walk. We grow a little at a time, and Jesus helps us every step. When we fall, we repent and get back up.”

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 8 lessons