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Make Room for the King

Haggai’s leaky bags, a temple rebuilt, and a King who rides a donkey

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 50
  • 📅 Sunday, December 13, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ is our King, and when we put Him and His house first, He blesses us and helps us become holy.

I can make room for Jesus by putting Him first every day, before screens and games.

Study it yourself firstRead Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14)
Know the chapters

After about 70 years as captives in Babylon, the Jews were finally allowed to go home. King Cyrus of Persia even told them to rebuild the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed (Ezra 1). They laid the foundation with trumpets and shouting, while the old people who remembered Solomon’s glorious temple wept (Ezra 3:10–13). Then enemies caused trouble, the work stopped, and it stayed stopped for about 15 years (Ezra 4). The people told themselves, “The time is not come” (Haggai 1:2), and put their energy into their own nice houses.

Around 520 B.C. the Lord sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to get the work going again (Ezra 5:1–2). Haggai asked, “Is it time for you… to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?” (Haggai 1:4). “Cieled” means paneled with fine wood. He told them, “Consider your ways”: they worked hard but never had enough, like a worker who “earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes” (1:5–6). The people listened. Led by Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest, they were back at work in about three weeks (Haggai 1:1, 14–15), and the Lord promised, “I am with you” (1:13). The temple was finished a few years later and dedicated with joy (Ezra 6:15–16).

Zechariah encouraged the builders with visions. The Lord told Zerubbabel his mountain of problems would be leveled, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” (Zechariah 4:6–7). In another vision, the filthy clothes of Joshua the high priest were taken away and replaced with clean ones, a picture of how the Savior removes our sins (Zechariah 3:3–5). That ties beautifully to baptism and the sacrament. Zechariah also prophesied of Jesus Christ: a humble King riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (9:9), fulfilled when crowds shouted “Hosanna” on the first Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1–11); and, at His Second Coming, the Savior standing on the Mount of Olives and showing the wounds in His hands (Zechariah 13:6; 14:4; see also Doctrine and Covenants 45:48–53).

For eight-year-olds, the message is simple: put the Lord first. Haggai’s people weren’t wicked; they were just busy with their own stuff, and kids understand that! Zechariah saw a day when even horse bells and cooking pots would carry the words “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD” (14:20). Today those words are on every temple: “Holiness to the Lord. The House of the Lord.” In December, remember that there was no room at the inn. We can make room for our King.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Haggai 1:2–8 and Zechariah 9:9. Poke holes in a paper bag and grab a handful of dry beans for the Leaky Bag hook. Let Teach Mode carry the story drama, teach the Zechariah 9:9 motions, and play Forehead Guess. Skip the rock jar and Tug of War if you’re short on time. Brought nothing at all? Tap “I brought nothing” and the kids become the leaky bag, the rocks and the temple stones.

What to bring7 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. Poke 5–6 pencil-sized holes in the bottom of a paper lunch bag. Set the tray on the table so the beans land there, not on the carpet.
  2. Big Rocks test (do this at home!): write one word on each rock with permanent marker: PRAY · SCRIPTURES · CHURCH · TEMPLE · FAMILY · HELP OTHERS. Put the rocks in the jar first, then pour in rice until it’s full to the top. Dump everything into the bowl and pick out the rocks. Now try rice first: the rocks shouldn’t all fit. Adjust the amount of rice until the demo works both ways.
  3. Draw a simple temple outline on two sheets of paper (one per team) and tape them to the wall. Cut 10 paper squares for “stones” and have tape ready.
  4. Optional: cut green paper into long strips and fringe the edges to make palm branches for the last drama scene.
  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

  • Give Haggai to a kid who loves to be loud. “Consider your ways!” is meant to be shouted (from a sturdy step, never a chair).
  • The Leaky Bag makes a satisfying mess. Let one helper hold the bag over the tray, and let the kid sitting stillest count the beans left inside.
  • In the drama, Builders can hammer with fists on the floor, but only during the action cue. When you raise your hand, the hammering stops.
  • The King James Bible uses an old word for donkey in Zechariah 9:9 that can make eight-year-olds giggle. If it comes up, say calmly, “That’s the old word for donkey,” and keep going.
  • If they’re bouncing off the walls, start with the Zion Playground wiggle and do the Leaky Bag right after.

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

The Leaky Bag

3 min

A surprise spill makes Haggai 1:6 impossible to forget.

  1. Choose a helper who is sitting ready. Hand them the paper bag to hold over the tray.
  2. SAY“You worked so hard this week! Here’s your pay!” Pour the beans (or pennies) into the bag with a big smile.
  3. Watch them rattle out the bottom. Act shocked: “Hey! Where is it all going?”
  4. Let a few kids peek at the holes. Ask: “What if your allowance always went into a bag like this?”
  5. SAY“A prophet named Haggai said God’s people were living just like this, and he told them why. Let’s find out what was wrong.”
🌪️ Only the helper touches the bag. The kid sitting stillest gets to count what’s left inside.

Class screen: 👜 Why does the money keep disappearing? · Plink… plink… HEY!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A paper lunch bag with 5–6 holes poked in the bottom, a handful of dry beans or pennies, and a baking tray to catch the spill

The Human Leaky Bag

  1. Choose four helpers who are sitting ready. They hold hands in a tight circle: “You are my money bag!”
  2. Choose three more kids to be pennies. Say: “You worked so hard this week! Here’s your pay!” Each penny curls up small and hops inside the bag. Everyone else says “Plink!” as each one lands.
  3. Secretly tap two bag kids on the shoulder: they let go of hands. That’s a hole! Whisper to the pennies: “Roll out!” Pennies roll out through the gap. Tap Sound Board and play “ding” as each one escapes.
  4. Act shocked: “Hey! Where is it all going?” Ask: “What if your allowance always went into a bag with holes like this?”
  5. SAY“A prophet named Haggai said God’s people were living just like this, and he told them why. Let’s find out what was wrong.”

Class screen: 👜 You are the bag… and it has holes! · Plink… plink… HEY!

2. Story

Story Drama: Build the Lord’s House!

6 min

Acting out the rebuilding lets them feel how the people went from stuck to joyful when they put the Lord first.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Give the Angel the white towel and the crowd the palm branches.
  2. Everyone without a role is on the Builders & Crowd team.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. Before scene 5, everyone practices whispering “Consider your ways,” so Haggai’s big shout lands.
  5. End with the Hosanna parade in scene 10, then have everyone sit down with a quiet “Hosanna” whisper.
🌪️ Hammering and parading only happen during the action cue. When you raise your hand, everyone freezes like a stone wall.

Class screen: 🎭 Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A white towel or pillowcase (Joshua’s clean clothes)

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone without a role is on the Builders & Crowd team.
  2. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  3. Before scene 5, everyone practices whispering “Consider your ways,” so Haggai’s big shout lands.
  4. In scene 7, the Angel pulls an invisible robe out of the sky, shakes it out (everyone: “Whoosh!”) and wraps it around Joshua. Joshua spins slowly to show it off. Everyone: “Squeaky clean!”
  5. In scene 10, everyone waves their arms high like palm branches while the Donkey clip-clops down the middle. End with a quiet “Hosanna” whisper as everyone sits down.
3. Wiggle break

Zion Playground

2 min

Kids discover the Bible talks about them playing, then move with a Freeze Dance twist.

  1. Read Zechariah 8:5: “And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.” Say: “Zechariah saw that in the Lord’s holy city, kids would be playing and happy!”
  2. Tap Freeze Dance. While the music plays, act out a playground game: jump rope, shoot hoops, swing, hopscotch.
  3. When the music stops, freeze! Call out the next game and start again.
  4. Last round: freeze in the pose of your favorite way to play. Say: “Heavenly Father loves to see His children happy.”
🧊 Freeze Dance (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🤸 Streets full of boys and girls playing! · Music = play · Stop = freeze!

4. Object lesson

Big Rocks First

3 min

A jar that only fits when the rocks go in first shows why the Lord comes first.

  1. Hand each rock to a different kid and have them read its word: pray, scriptures, church, temple, family, help others. Show the bowl of rice: “This is everything else: games, screens, sports, toys, snacks.”
  2. Round 1: Pour most of the rice into the jar first. Let the rock holders try to fit their rocks in. They won’t all fit!
  3. SAY“This is what Haggai’s people did. They filled up with their own stuff first, and there was no room for the Lord’s house.”
  4. Round 2: Dump it all into the bowl and fish out the rocks. Rock holders drop their rocks into the empty jar first, then pour the rice around them. Shake gently. It all fits!
  5. SAY“When we put Heavenly Father and Jesus first, He helps everything else fit. That’s what ‘consider your ways’ means: think about what you put first.”
  6. Ask: “Which rock could you put first tomorrow morning?”
🌪️ Six rocks means six jobs. Rock holders keep their rock in their lap until it’s their turn to drop it in.

Class screen: 🪨 Big rocks first, then everything fits! · Pray · Scriptures · Church · Temple · Family · Help others

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A clear jar or large clear cup, 6 rocks (or walnuts) that fit inside, a permanent marker, and a bowl of dry rice or beans

Big Rocks First: Kid Edition

  1. Push four chairs into a small square: “This is our jar.” Choose six kids to be Big Rocks and give each a word: pray, scriptures, church, temple, family, help others. Everyone else is Rice: games, screens, sports, toys, snacks.
  2. Round 1: Say: “Rice goes in first!” Rice kids fill the jar and spread out like starfish. Now Big Rocks try to squeeze in. No room!
  3. SAY“This is what Haggai’s people did. They filled up with their own stuff first, and there was no room for the Lord’s house.”
  4. Round 2: Everyone out. Big Rocks go in first and sit down. Then Rice kids curl up small and tuck into the gaps around them. Everyone fits!
  5. SAY“When we put Heavenly Father and Jesus first, He helps everything else fit. That’s what ‘consider your ways’ means: think about what you put first.”
  6. Ask: “Which rock could you put first tomorrow morning?”

Class screen: 🪨 Big rocks first, then everything fits! · Pray · Scriptures · Church · Temple · Family · Help others

5. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Zechariah 9:9

3 min

Big motions help them remember that Jesus is the King Zechariah saw coming.

  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: normal voice, whisper, then parade voice.
  4. Ask: “Who is the King?” (Jesus Christ!) “Why do you think He rode a humble donkey instead of a big war horse?”
  5. SAY“Jesus came once as a baby in Bethlehem, He rode into Jerusalem as a humble King, and He will come again. Christmas is a great time to make room for Him.”

Class screen: 👑 Behold, thy King cometh!

6. Game

Temple Tug of War

4 minBONUS

A high-energy team game reviews the story while two temples go up on the wall.

  1. Split into two teams: Team Haggai and Team Zechariah. Each team has a temple outline on the wall.
  2. Before each round, ask a quick question from today’s story. Teams whisper, then one kid answers. Right answer = tape a stone onto your temple.
  3. Tap Tug of War. One tapper from each team taps their side of your phone or tablet as fast as they can. The winning team adds another stone.
  4. Play 4–5 rounds, choosing new tappers each time so everyone gets a turn.
  5. At the end, tape both temples side by side and say: “Haggai needed everybody to build the Lord’s house. We did it together!”
🌪️ Only the two tappers touch your phone or tablet. Everyone else cheers from their seats with silent “hammer” fists.
🪢 Tug of War (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🧱 Temple Tug of War! · Right answer = 1 stone · Win the tug = 1 stone

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 2 sheets of paper, a marker, tape, and 10 paper squares for “stones” (Temple Tug of War)

Human Temple Tug of War

  1. Split into two teams: Team Haggai and Team Zechariah. Each team gets a spot on the wall where their temple will go up.
  2. Before each round, ask a quick question from today’s story. Teams whisper, then one kid answers. Right answer = one kid from that team walks to the wall and becomes a stone: stand tall and freeze in your spot.
  3. Tap Tug of War. One tapper from each team taps their side of your phone or tablet as fast as they can. The winning team adds another kid stone.
  4. Play 4–5 rounds, choosing new tappers each time. The last stones on each team make the roof: reach up and touch fingertips.
  5. SAY“Look! Haggai needed everybody to build the Lord’s house. You ARE the temple builders, and the stones too!”

Class screen: 🧱 Human Temple Tug of War! · Right answer = you become a stone · Win the tug = one more stone

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Temple Builders Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game that reviews the prophets, the builders and the King on a donkey.

  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: Donkey, Hammer, Palm Branch and Muscles are perfect for acting.
🌪️ Clue-givers raise a hand before they talk. If everyone shouts at once, the timer pauses until it’s quiet.
▶ 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

Talk It Over

2 min

Help them spot what crowds the Lord out of their own week.

  1. Sit in a circle. Toss a soft ball (or a rolled-up sock) to whoever answers next.
  2. Ask one question at a time, and share your own answer too.
💬 Ask the class
  • Haggai’s people were too busy with their own houses. What things can make kids too busy for Heavenly Father?
  • What’s one “big rock” you could put first every day this week?
  • In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua got clean clothes. How does Jesus make us clean? (Baptism, repentance and the sacrament.)
  • Jesus came as a baby, rode in as a humble King, and will come again. How can we get ready for Him?

Class screen: 💬 Let’s talk!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A soft ball or rolled-up sock

Talk It Over: Heavy Rock Toss

  1. Sit in a circle. Hold up an invisible Big Rock: “This rock is SO heavy. Whoever catches it answers the next question.”
  2. Toss it with a big grunt. The catcher staggers under the weight, answers, then tosses it to someone new.
  3. Ask one question at a time, and share your own answer too. If hands get grabby, tap Name Spinner to choose who catches next.
10. Testimony

Testimony & Lord First Mornings

2 min

End calm and reverent, with one simple way to put the Lord first at home.

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about how putting the Lord first has blessed you, or how you feel about the temple.
  2. Introduce the Lord First Mornings challenge on the screen.
  3. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 📝 This week: put the Lord first every morning! · Pray, read, or sing · Before screens and games

Story drama

Build the Lord’s House!

Ezra 3–6; Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 3–4; 9:9; Matthew 21:1–11 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • HaggaiStands on a sturdy step and shouts, “Consider your ways!”
  • ZechariahSees visions and tells Zerubbabel, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit!”
  • ZerubbabelThe governor with the fun name (say it: zuh-RUB-uh-bull) who leads the builders back to work.
  • Joshua the High PriestBrushes off pretend mud and gets clean clothes in Zechariah’s vision.
  • Angel of the LordWraps the clean white towel around Joshua’s shoulders.
  • Old-TimersTwo kids who remember Solomon’s temple and cry “Boo-hoo!” when the new one looks small.
  • The DonkeyClip-clops slowly down the middle of the room in the last scene.
  • Builders & CrowdEveryone else: hammer, saw, carry wood, and wave palm branches shouting “Hosanna!”

Scenes

  1. 🏚️ Home again, but the temple is rubble

    For about 70 years God’s people lived far away in Babylon. Then King Cyrus told them they could go home and build the Lord’s house again! They hiked all the way back to Jerusalem, but the beautiful temple was just a pile of broken stones.

    🎬 Everyone hikes in place, then gasps with hands on cheeks: “Oh no!”

  2. 🧱🎺 Shouting and crying at the same time

    The builders laid the foundation stones, and many people shouted for joy! But the Old-Timers remembered King Solomon’s gorgeous temple, and this one looked so small that they cried. It was so noisy that nobody could tell the happy shouts from the crying.

    🎬 Builders cheer “Hooray!” while the Old-Timers wail “Boo-hoo!” all at once. Then freeze!

  3. 🛑🏡 The work stops… for 15 years

    Grumpy neighbors complained to the king, and the work stopped. Years went by. People said, “The time is not come.” They meant it wasn’t the right time to build the Lord’s house. Instead, they built fancy homes for themselves with smooth wooden walls.

    🎬 Builders drop their tools (CLUNK!), then lean back and stretch: “Ahhh, so comfy.”

  4. 👜🕳️ Money in a bag with holes

    But something was wrong. They planted lots of seeds and harvested only a little. They ate but were still hungry. They wore clothes but were still cold. Their money disappeared as if they were putting it in a bag with holes!

    🎬 Everyone drops pretend coins into a pretend bag and watches them fall out: “Plink… plink… HEY!” Then rub your rumbly tummies.

  5. 📣🤔 “Consider your ways!”

    Then the Lord sent the prophet Haggai. He asked if it was time for them to live in fancy houses while the Lord’s house lay in ruins. Then he said, “Consider your ways… Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house.”

    🎬 Haggai shouts, “Consider your ways!” Everyone taps their head: “Hmmm…”

  6. 🔨🪵 Everybody back to work!

    And the people listened! In about three weeks, Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest had everyone building again. Haggai gave them a message from the Lord that made them brave: “I am with you.”

    🎬 Builders hammer, saw and pass pretend logs down the line: “Bang! Zzzt! Heave-ho!”

  7. 👕✨ Clean clothes for Joshua

    The prophet Zechariah saw a vision. Joshua the high priest stood before an angel in filthy clothes. The angel said, “Take away the filthy garments,” and Joshua was dressed in clean ones. It showed how Jesus can take away our sins and make us clean, like when we are baptized.

    🎬 Joshua brushes off pretend mud. The Angel wraps the white towel around him. Everyone: “Squeaky clean!”

  8. ⛰️💨 Not by might, nor by power

    Zerubbabel still had a mountain of work and a mountain of problems. Zechariah told him what the Lord said: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.” With the Lord’s help, that mountain would be flattened like a plain!

    🎬 Everyone flexes muscles (“Might!”), makes a fist (“Power!”), then puts a hand on their heart (“Spirit!”).

  9. 🏛️🎉 The temple is finished!

    A few years later, the Lord’s house was finished! Everyone came to dedicate it to the Lord, and they celebrated with great joy. The Lord had been with them the whole time.

    🎬 Everyone reaches up and touches fingertips to make a temple roof, then cheers!

  10. 🫏🌿 Behold, thy King cometh!

    Zechariah saw even further ahead: one day Jerusalem’s King would come humbly, riding on a donkey. More than 500 years later, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds spread their coats on the road, waved branches, and shouted, “Hosanna!”

    🎬 The Donkey clip-clops down the middle. Everyone waves palm branches: “Hosanna! Hosanna!”

Key verse

Zechariah 9:9 ↗
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation”
In kid words: Be super happy and shout! Your King is coming to you. He is fair and good, and He brings salvation.
🙌 “Rejoice greatly” = jump once with jazz hands · “O daughter of Zion” = sweep your arm around the whole class · “shout, O daughter of Jerusalem” = cup your hands around your mouth for a silent shout · “behold” = shade your eyes and look far away · “thy King” = make a crown on your head with your fingers · “cometh unto thee” = march in place, then point to yourself · “having salvation” = cross your arms over your heart

More verses

Haggai 1:5–6 ↗
“Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little … he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes”
In kid words: Think about what you’re doing! You work hard, but it’s like putting your money in a bag with holes.
Haggai 1:8 ↗
“Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it”
In kid words: Go get the wood and build My house, and it will make Me happy.
Zechariah 4:6 ↗
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
In kid words: You won’t do it by being strong or powerful. You’ll do it with the help of My Spirit.
Zechariah 13:6 ↗
“What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.”
In kid words: When Jesus comes again, He will show the marks in His hands, and everyone will know He is the Savior who suffered for them.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 📣 Haggai
  • 🕯️ Zechariah
  • 🧱 Zerubbabel
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 🔨 Hammer
  • 🪵 Wood
  • 🕳️ Bag with Holes
  • 🫏 Donkey
  • 🌿 Palm Branch
  • 🙌 Hosanna
  • 👑 King
  • 👕 Clean Clothes
  • ⛰️ Mountain
  • 💪 Muscles
  • 🛝 Playground
  • 🫒 Mount of Olives
  • 🏗️ Foundation
  • 🏙️ Babylon
Clues for each word
  • Haggai: Prophet who shouted, “Consider your ways!”
  • Zechariah: Prophet who saw visions and a King on a donkey
  • Zerubbabel: Governor with a super long name who led the builders
  • Temple: The house of the Lord they rebuilt
  • Hammer: Builders bang nails with it
  • Wood: Haggai said go up the mountain and bring this
  • Bag with Holes: Money you put in falls right out
  • Donkey: Jesus rode one into Jerusalem
  • Palm Branch: The crowd waved these for Jesus
  • Hosanna: What the crowd shouted when Jesus came
  • King: Zechariah said, “Behold, thy ___ cometh!”
  • Clean Clothes: Joshua got these instead of filthy ones
  • Mountain: Zerubbabel’s problems would get flattened like one
  • Muscles: “Not by might,” so not by these!
  • Playground: Where kids play at recess, like the streets Zechariah saw
  • Mount of Olives: Where Jesus will stand when He comes again
  • Foundation: The first stones at the very bottom of a building
  • Babylon: Where God’s people lived for about 70 years before coming home
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Which prophet said, “Consider your ways”?
    • A. Jonah
    • B. Haggai
    • C. Moses
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Haggai Haggai told the people to think hard about what they were putting first.

  2. What building did God’s people need to rebuild?
    • A. The temple
    • B. A castle
    • C. A barn
    Show answer

    ✅ A. The temple The Lord’s house in Jerusalem was a pile of rubble.

  3. Haggai said their money was like putting it in…
    • A. a treasure chest
    • B. a piggy bank
    • C. a bag with holes
    Show answer

    ✅ C. a bag with holes Haggai 1:6. No matter how hard they worked, it never felt like enough.

  4. About how long did work on the temple stop?
    • A. 15 minutes
    • B. About 15 years
    • C. 15 days
    Show answer

    ✅ B. About 15 years About 15 years, until Haggai and Zechariah got everyone building again.

  5. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my…”
    • A. Spirit
    • B. muscles
    • C. money
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Spirit Zechariah 4:6. The Lord helps us do hard things through His Spirit.

  6. Zechariah said the King would come riding on a…
    • A. war horse
    • B. chariot
    • C. donkey
    Show answer

    ✅ C. donkey Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem, just as Zechariah said (Matthew 21:1–11).

  7. What did the crowd shout when Jesus rode into Jerusalem?
    • A. “Goodbye!”
    • B. “Hosanna!”
    • C. “Touchdown!”
    Show answer

    ✅ B. “Hosanna!” Hosanna is a Hebrew word that means “save us, please!” They were praising Jesus as their King.

  8. What words are written on every temple today?
    • A. Holiness to the Lord
    • B. Keep Out
    • C. Built in a Day
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Holiness to the Lord Zechariah 14:20 said “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD” would be written on everyday things too.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • I Love to See the Temple Children’s Songbook, p. 95

    The people in Haggai’s day worked hard to rebuild the house of the Lord. Find it ↗

  • Joy to the World Hymns, no. 201

    Zechariah said to rejoice because the King was coming. Sing it for the King who came at Christmas. Find it ↗

  • When He Comes Again Children’s Songbook, p. 82

    Zechariah saw the Savior’s Second Coming on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4). Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Lord First Mornings

Stick a note that says LORD FIRST on your bedroom door. Every morning this week, before screens or toys, do one “big rock”: say a prayer, read a verse, or sing a Primary song.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned how the prophet Haggai told God’s people to “consider your ways” and rebuild the temple instead of only building their own fancy houses (Haggai 1:4–8). We watched beans fall out of a “bag with holes” and fit big rocks in a jar by putting them in first. We also learned that Zechariah said the King would come riding a donkey, and Jesus did! Ask your child: what “big rock” did you put first today?

📝 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?

🌿 Hosanna Parade · 4 min

  1. Cut green paper into long strips and fringe the edges to make palm branches.
  2. Read Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:8–9.
  3. Lay a few jackets on the floor like the crowd did, then parade around the room waving branches and whispering, “Hosanna!”
  4. SAY“Jesus came as a humble King. We can welcome Him into our hearts every day.”

👕 Clean Clothes · 3 min

  1. Draw a shirt on paper and scribble pencil “mud” all over it.
  2. Read Zechariah 3:4: “Take away the filthy garments from him.”
  3. Let a child erase the mud until the shirt is clean.
  4. Ask: “How does Jesus make us clean? When did you promise to follow Him?” (At baptism, and again every week when we take the sacrament.)

🔍 Compassion Detectives · 3 min

  1. Read Zechariah 7:9: “shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother.”
  2. Zechariah said to care for widows, children without parents, strangers and the poor.
  3. As a class, think of someone who might feel alone this Christmas: a new kid, a neighbor who lives alone, a grandparent far away.
  4. Plan one kind thing together: a card, a drawing, or a visit with a parent.

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