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I Will Give You Rest

A rock in a lunch bag, a man who stretched out his hand, and a Savior who helps carry our heavy loads

  • 💧 Valiant 7–8
  • Week 11
  • 📅 Sunday, March 14, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

When I come to Jesus Christ, He helps me carry what feels heavy, and the Sabbath is a special day to come to Him and do good.

I can come to Jesus when something feels heavy, and I can do good on the Sabbath.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 11–12; Luke 11 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 11–12; Luke 11)
Know the chapters

In Matthew 11:28–30 Jesus gives one of His most tender invitations. Come to Him when you’re tired and weighed down. Take His yoke, and find rest. A yoke is a wooden beam that joins two oxen so they pull a load together. When we make covenants with Jesus, like the children did at baptism, it’s as if we’re yoked to Him. He doesn’t always take our burdens away. But He pulls with us, and the load gets lighter.

Matthew 12 shows what Jesus’s rest is not. The Pharisees had piled so many extra rules onto the Sabbath that it felt like a burden. Hungry disciples picked some grain, which the King James Version calls “corn,” and the Pharisees complained. In the synagogue they pointed to a man with a withered hand. They asked if healing on the Sabbath was allowed, hoping to trap Jesus. He asked who wouldn’t lift their one sheep out of a pit on the Sabbath. Then He taught that a person matters much more than a sheep. So it’s right to do good on the Sabbath, in Matthew 12:11–12. He told the man to stretch out his hand, and it was healed.

Luke 11 adds how we come to Him, through prayer. Jesus teaches His disciples to pray. Then He asks what father would hand his hungry child a stone instead of bread, or a snake instead of a fish. Earthly parents know how to give good gifts. So Heavenly Father will surely give the Holy Spirit to those who ask, in Luke 11:11–13.

For eight-year-olds, keep it concrete. Their burdens are real. Maybe a friend was mean at recess, or there’s a hard spelling test. Maybe they miss a grandparent or feel bad about a mistake. The message is simple. Bring it to Jesus. Pray, read about Him, take the sacrament, and do good on His day. He’ll help carry it.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Matthew 11:28–30 and Matthew 12:9–13. Drop a slice of bread and a rock in a lunch bag for the hook. Tell the story from Teach Mode, and let the class make a few sounds. Teach Matthew 11:28 with the motions, do the Heavy Backpack, and close with your testimony. No backpack? Tap “I brought nothing.” Tug of War on your phone or tablet teaches the yoke.

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 11:28–30 and Matthew 12:1–14.
  2. Put the bread and the rock in the lunch bag. Set the empty backpack and the books by your chair.

If your class is wild

  • Kids love wagging a finger at the grumpy rule-watchers, so let the “Tsk, tsk!” be big.
  • Make your class clown the Sheep. Their big “Baa!” gets the laugh at just the right time.
  • In the backpack lesson, only kids sitting ready get to name a heavy thing and drop a book in.
  • Keep the backpack walk to one slow lap. Everyone counts the steps out loud, so nobody wanders.
  • If energy’s sky-high, do the Sheep in a Pit extra right after the hook.

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

The Rock Sandwich

3 min

A silly surprise gets giggles and shows how good Heavenly Father is.

  1. SAY“Pretend you just got home from school and you’re STARVING. You ask your dad for a sandwich. And he hands you…”
  2. Pull the rock from the bag. Pretend to bite it. “CRUNCH! Ow!” Ask, “Would a loving dad do that?” No!
  3. Pull out the bread. Jesus taught this in Luke 11:11–13. Heavenly Father gives even better gifts.
  4. SAY“Today Jesus meets some grumpy rule-watchers, a sheep in a pit and a man with a hurt hand.”
🌪️ Let a kid who’s sitting ready knock on the rock to prove it’s real.

Class screen: 🪨 You asked for a sandwich… and got a ROCK?! · 🪨 CRUNCH!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper lunch bag with a slice of bread and a clean rock inside (the bread is just for show)

The Invisible Rock Sandwich

  1. SAY“Pretend you just got home from school and you’re STARVING. You ask your dad for a sandwich. And he hands you…”
  2. Lift an invisible rock with both hands. Pretend to bite it. “CRUNCH! Ow!” Ask, “Would a loving dad do that?” No!
  3. Everyone mimes the yummiest sandwich ever. Heavenly Father gives even better gifts.
  4. SAY“Today Jesus meets some grumpy rule-watchers, a sheep in a pit and a man with a hurt hand.”
2. Story

Story: Stretch Out Your Hand!

7 min

Matthew 12 shows that Jesus’s day is a day for coming to Him and doing good, not a day for grumpy rules.

  1. SAY“This is a true story about Jesus on the Sabbath. You get to make some of the sounds.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. When a sound shows on the screen, everyone makes it. Then it’s quiet for the next part.
  3. After scene 5, ask why Jesus would help a sheep, and a person, on the Sabbath. People matter, and it’s a day to do good.
  4. After scene 7, ask, “Were the Pharisees grumbling or doing good?” Then ask what Jesus did. He healed!
🌪️ If the “Tsk, tsk!” gets too loud, whisper the next one. Kids will match you.

Class screen: 🖐️ Stretch Out Your Hand! · ☝️ Tsk, tsk! · 🐑 Baa! · 🎉 Hooray!

3. Scripture

Key Verse: Matthew 11:28

4 min

Motions help active kids remember Jesus’s invitation.

  1. SAY“Here is Jesus’s invitation to everyone who feels tired or heavy.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it slowly.
  3. SAY“‘Labour’ means work hard. ‘Heavy laden’ means carrying a heavy load.”
  4. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it tired and droopy, then normal, then happy and rested.
  5. Ask how we can come unto Jesus. Pray, read scriptures, go to church, and take the sacrament.

Class screen: 🛌 Come unto me… and I will give you rest

4. Object lesson

The Heavy Backpack

7 min

A backpack full of books shows what a yoke is and how Jesus helps carry our heavy things when we come to Him.

  1. SAY“What feels heavy for kids?”
  2. A helper wears the empty backpack. Drop in a book for each answer, like a hard test. They walk a slow lap. Ask how it feels.
  3. SAY“Farmers put a wooden yoke on two oxen so they pull together. Jesus said, ‘Take my yoke upon you.’ He pulls with us.”
  4. Slip one strap onto your own shoulder and walk a lap together. Ask, “Now how does it feel?”
  5. SAY“Jesus may not take the backpack away. But He makes it lighter when we pray, read about Him and take the sacrament.”
🌪️ Only one helper wears the pack. Everyone else names heavy things from their seats.
🪢 Tug of War (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🐂🐂 Pulling together makes the load light! · Alone = heavy · With Jesus = light

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A backpack and 5 or 6 heavy books

The Tug of War Trick

  1. SAY“What feels heavy for kids?”
  2. Tap Tug of War. One helper takes one side. Three or four kids are the heavy things on the other side. Ask how it felt.
  3. SAY“Farmers put a wooden yoke on two oxen so they pull together. Jesus said, ‘Take my yoke upon you.’ He pulls with us.”
  4. Play again, but this time YOU join the helper’s side and tap as fast as you can. Cheer when you win together.
  5. SAY“Jesus may not take hard things away. But He makes them lighter when we pray, read about Him and take the sacrament.”

Class screen: 🐂🐂 Alone vs. together. Who wins? · Alone = heavy · With Jesus = light

5. Testimony

Testimony & Do-Good Sunday

3 min

End calm and reverent, with a plan for next Sunday.

  1. SAY“Let’s rest for a moment, the way Jesus promised.”
  2. Hands in laps. Wait for quiet.
  3. Briefly share a time something felt heavy and Jesus helped you carry it.
  4. Ask, “What’s one do-good thing you could do next Sunday?” Take two or three answers.
  5. Show the Do-Good Sunday challenge. Then invite a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: ☀️ This week: plan a Do-Good Sunday! · Heavy day? Pray and ask Jesus to help · Next Sunday: do one good thing

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Heavy & Light Edition

4 minBONUS

A quick Heads Up–style review of today’s story and words.

  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 Yoke versus Team Sheep!”
  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

Stretch Out Your Hand!

Matthew 12:1–14 ↗

Optional helpers

  • SheepGives the loudest “Baa!” from their seat when the sheep falls in the pit.
  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 🌾🧐 “Not allowed!” say the Pharisees

    One Sabbath day, Jesus and His hungry disciples walked through a field of grain. The disciples picked some and ate it. Some Pharisees saw it. They had made lots of extra Sabbath rules. They said that was against the rules!

    🙌 Wag a finger: “Tsk, tsk!”

  2. 💛📜 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

    Jesus told them God wants kindness and mercy, not rules for show. And He said that He is Lord of the Sabbath. It is His day, and He knows what it’s really for.

    🙌

  3. 🏛️✋ A man with a hurt hand

    Then Jesus went into the synagogue, their church building. A man was there whose hand was withered. It was shriveled up, and he couldn’t use it.

    🙌

  4. 🕵️❓ A sneaky trick question

    The Pharisees wanted to catch Jesus doing something wrong. They asked Jesus a tricky question. “Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?” That means, is healing allowed?

    🙌

  5. 🐑🕳️ What about a sheep in a pit?

    Jesus asked: if your one sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you lift it out? Of course! “How much then is a man better than a sheep?” People matter more! It’s right to do good on the Sabbath.

    🙌 Everyone: “Baa! Baa!” A sheep is stuck in the pit!

  6. 🖐️✨ “Stretch forth thine hand!”

    Jesus said to the man, “Stretch forth thine hand.” He stretched it out. It was healed! It was whole, just like his other hand!

    🙌 Everyone gasp! Then cheer: “Hooray!”

  7. 😠☀️ Grumpy Pharisees, one happy man

    The Pharisees left angry and made plans against Jesus. But the man went home with two strong hands. Jesus showed that the Sabbath is a day to come to Him and do good.

    🙌

Key verse

Matthew 11:28 ↗
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”
In kid words: Jesus said, “Come to Me when you’re tired and your load feels heavy, and I will help you rest.”
🙌 “Come unto me” = wave someone toward you · “all ye that labour” = wipe your forehead · “and are heavy laden” = slump your shoulders like you’re carrying rocks · “and I will give you rest” = hands under your cheek like a pillow, then a big relieved “Ahhh”

More verses

Matthew 11:29–30 ↗
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me … For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”
In kid words: Let Me pull with you and learn from Me. When we pull together, the load gets light.
Matthew 12:12 ↗
“it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days”
In kid words: It is right to do good things on Sunday.
Luke 11:13 ↗
“how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him”
In kid words: Heavenly Father is so happy to give the Holy Ghost to everyone who asks Him.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 🪵 Yoke
  • 🐂 Ox
  • 🎒 Backpack
  • 😌 Rest
  • ⛪ Sabbath
  • 🧐 Pharisees
  • 🖐️ Hand
  • 🐑 Sheep
  • 🕳️ Pit
  • 🌾 Grain
  • 🏛️ Synagogue
  • 🪨 Rock
  • 🍞 Bread
  • 🐍 Snake
  • 🕊️ Holy Ghost
  • 🙏 Prayer
  • 🍞💧 Sacrament
  • 🚪 Knock
Clues for each word
  • Yoke: A wooden bar that joins two oxen
  • Ox: A big, strong animal that pulls a plow
  • Backpack: Fill it with books and it gets heavy
  • Rest: Jesus gives this to tired people who come to Him
  • Sabbath: The Lord’s day: Sunday!
  • Pharisees: They made lots of extra rules and tried to trick Jesus
  • Hand: Jesus said, “Stretch it forth!”
  • Sheep: You’d lift it out of a pit
  • Pit: A deep hole an animal could fall into
  • Grain: The hungry disciples picked it and ate it
  • Synagogue: The building where people went to worship
  • Rock: A good dad would never give this instead of bread
  • Bread: What a hungry kid asks for
  • Snake: A good dad would never give this instead of a fish
  • Holy Ghost: Heavenly Father gives this gift to those who ask
  • Prayer: The disciples said, “Teach us to ___”
  • Sacrament: Bread and water we take on Sunday
  • Knock: Ask, seek, and ___
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Jesus said, “Come unto me … and I will give you” what?
    • A. Rest
    • B. Homework
    • C. A trophy
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Rest Matthew 11:28. Jesus helps tired, heavy-hearted people feel peace.

  2. What does a yoke do?
    • A. Makes eggs
    • B. Joins two animals so they pull together
    • C. Rings like a bell
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Joins two animals so they pull together When we’re yoked with Jesus, He pulls with us and the load gets lighter.

  3. What was wrong with the man in the synagogue?
    • A. He had a cold
    • B. He was lost
    • C. His hand was withered
    Show answer

    ✅ C. His hand was withered His hand was shriveled, but Jesus healed it on the Sabbath.

  4. What animal did Jesus say you’d lift out of a pit on the Sabbath?
    • A. A sheep
    • B. A camel
    • C. A fish
    Show answer

    ✅ A. A sheep And Jesus said a person is worth much more than a sheep!

  5. Jesus taught that on the Sabbath it is right to…
    • A. Stay grumpy all day
    • B. Do good
    • C. Do all your chores
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Do good Matthew 12:12: “it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”

  6. What did Jesus tell the man to do with his hand?
    • A. Wash it
    • B. Hide it
    • C. Stretch it out
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Stretch it out When he stretched it out, it was healed, just like his other hand.

  7. A loving dad would never give his hungry child a…
    • A. Stone
    • B. Sandwich
    • C. Hug
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Stone Luke 11:11. Heavenly Father gives even better gifts than the best dad.

  8. What gift will Heavenly Father give to those who ask Him?
    • A. A pony
    • B. The Holy Spirit
    • C. A new bike
    Show answer

    ✅ B. The Holy Spirit Luke 11:13. The Holy Ghost comforts us and helps us when life feels heavy.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • I Feel My Savior’s Love Children’s Songbook, p. 74

    Jesus invites us to come to Him and feel His love and rest. Find it ↗

  • A Child’s Prayer Children’s Songbook, p. 12

    Luke 11: Heavenly Father hears and answers when we ask. Find it ↗

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

    Doing good for others is a great way to spend the Sabbath. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Do-Good Sunday

When something feels heavy this week, pray and ask Jesus to help you carry it. Then plan a do-good thing for next Sunday, like a note, a visit, or helping at home. And do it!

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned that Jesus said, “Come unto me… and I will give you rest.” That’s Matthew 11:28. We carried a heavy backpack alone and then together to learn what a yoke is. We also heard how Jesus healed a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Ask your child what feels heavy right now. Then plan a do-good thing your family could do next Sunday.

📝 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?

🚪 Ask, Seek, Knock · 4 min

  1. Read Luke 11:9. Hide a small gift, like a sticker or a paper heart, somewhere in the room.
  2. One kid asks for a hint, seeks around the room, and knocks on three spots. Classmates call “Warmer!” or “Colder!”
  3. Say, “Heavenly Father wants us to ask, seek and knock in prayer. He always answers in His way and time.”

🙏 Teach Us to Pray · 3 min

  1. Read Luke 11:1. The disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
  2. Go through the four parts of a prayer with hand signals. Hand up to open, heart to thank, palms to ask, arms folded to close.
  3. Let a volunteer say the closing prayer using the four parts.

🥤 Clean Inside and Out · 3 min

  1. Show a cup that’s clean outside but has crumbs inside. Ask, “Would you drink from it?”
  2. Read Luke 11:39–41. Jesus said the Pharisees cleaned the outside but not the inside.
  3. Ask, “How can we be good on the inside, not just look good on the outside?”

🐑 Sheep in a Pit · 2 min

  1. Everyone stands. Call “Graze!” and munch pretend grass. “Pit!” means crouch and bleat sadly. “Lift!” means jump up high.
  2. Call “Stretch forth!” Stretch both arms wide and wiggle all ten fingers.
  3. Mix up the calls faster and faster. End on “Rest!” Everyone sits with hands under their cheek.

🫙 Do-Good Guess · 4 min

  1. Tap Goal Jar. Whisper a Sunday do-good idea to one kid, like writing a thank-you note or calling a cousin.
  2. They give clues without saying it. When someone guesses, add a marble to the jar.
  3. Say, “Every one of these is a way to come to Jesus on His day.”

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