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Build on the Rock!

Two builders, a big storm, and a cup tower that stands strong on the rock

  • ☀️ Sunbeam
  • Week 8
  • 📅 Sunday, February 21, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

When I do what Jesus says, I am strong like a house on a rock.

I can do what Jesus says.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 6–7 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 6–7)
Know the chapters

Matthew 6–7 finishes the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus teaches how to pray in Matthew 6:9–13. In 6:19–21, He teaches us to seek treasures in heaven instead of things that rust and get stolen. In 7:7–11, He says to ask, seek, and knock, because Heavenly Father loves to give good gifts. And in 7:12, He teaches us to treat others the way we want to be treated.

He ends with a story every Primary child knows. A wise man built his house on a rock. A foolish man built his house on the sand. When the rain, floods, and wind came, only the house on the rock stood. That’s Matthew 7:24–27. Both men heard Jesus, so hearing wasn’t the difference. The wise man heard and did what Jesus said.

Your one tiny truth today: when I do what Jesus says, I am strong like a house on a rock. Three-year-olds love to build things. They love knocking them down even more, so this lesson lets them do both. Name the “rock” things plainly. Praying, being kind, sharing, and listening to Mom and Dad. Say the tiny truth again and again, and tap fist on fist for “Strong!”

Show Jesus with a picture and read His words yourself. No child plays Jesus. Prayer and heavenly treasure are simple extras if you have time.

Only have 5 minutes?

Grab some cups, a big book for the rock, and a pillow for the sand. Build a tower together. Tell the builders story in Teach Mode while they listen for the word “house.” Sing “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man.” Say “built his house upon a rock” with motions, then play Rock Builders. End with, “When you do what Jesus says, you are strong.” Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” Stack fists instead of cups.

What to bring4 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. Put the cups, the book, and the pillow in a bag under your chair.
  2. Practice once. Stack three cups on the book and three on the pillow. Wiggle the pillow so that tower tumbles.
  3. Practice once. Hammer fists, “Bang, bang!” Rain fingers on your knees, “Pitter-pat!”

If your class is wild

  • Crying at the door? Let the parent stay a few minutes. Hand the child a cup and ask, “Will you be my builder helper?” If tears keep going, a parent can sit in the back.
  • Potty breaks happen. Follow your ward’s policy. Usually a parent or the second adult takes the child. Keep two adults with the children, and never leave the class alone.
  • Knocking towers down is the best part for three-year-olds. Promise, “Everyone gets a cup turn!” Then keep that promise. It keeps hands off until it’s time.
  • Use “Strong!” as your call-back. Say it with fist on fist. Everyone copies and sits still like a strong house.
  • When the rain fingers get loud, bring it back down. Say, “The storm is over… the sun comes out… quiet hands in your lap.”

The 25-minute plan22 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

Build It Up!

3 min

Building a tower together gets little hands busy and sets up the two builders.

  1. SAY“Let’s build something! Everyone gets one cup.”
  2. Pass the cups around the circle. One at a time, each child adds a cup to a tower on the floor. Count the cups together.
  3. SAY“Look what we built! Today Jesus tells a story about two builders. One house stayed strong. And one went… CRASH!”
🌪️ Kids stay on their spots and wait for their name. Everyone gets a turn.

Class screen: 🥤 Let’s build a tower!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 6–10 plastic or paper cups, or toy blocks, for building

Fist Tower

  1. SAY“Let’s build a tower with our hands!”
  2. Put one fist out in the middle. One at a time, each child stacks a fist on top. Count the fists as the tower grows.
  3. SAY“Look what we built! Today Jesus tells a story about two builders. One house stayed strong. And one went… CRASH!”

Class screen: ✊ Stack your fists!

2. Story

Picture Story: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man

6 min

Seven picture scenes show that doing what Jesus says keeps us strong.

  1. SAY“Jesus told a story about two builders. When you hear ‘house,’ make a roof with your hands!”
  2. Swipe through the scenes. Read each one, and watch for roofs. Do a motion together when one shows.
  3. After scene 7, say together, “When I do what Jesus says, I am strong!”
🌪️ If the rain gets too loud, make your rain fingers tiny and slow. They’ll copy you.

Class screen: 🏠 Two builders and a big storm! · 👂 Listen for “house” · 🏠 Make a roof!

3. Wiggle break

Sing and Build

2 min

Jesus’s story as an action song gets the wiggles out before the verse.

  1. SAY“Let’s sing Jesus’s story! Stand up by your spot.”
  2. Sing “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man,” Children’s Songbook page 281. Fist on fist for the rock. Rain fingers for the storm.
  3. On the crash, sit down gently on your spot. Say, “The house on the rock stood strong!”

Class screen: 🎵 Sing the builders song!

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Matthew 7:24

3 min

Hammer-roof-rock motions help Sunbeams remember the wise man’s strong house.

  1. SAY“These words are in the Bible. Jesus said them. Listen!”
  2. Hold up your scriptures and read slowly, “built his house upon a rock.”
  3. Teach the Key Verse motions one at a time. Say it together with the motions.
  4. Say it three ways: a whisper, a big strong builder voice, then a squeaky little voice.
  5. Say, “The wise man built on the rock. When I do what Jesus says, I am strong!”

Class screen: 📖 “built his house upon a rock” · 🔨 built · 🏠 his house · 🪨 upon a rock

5. Game

Rock Builders

5 min

Adding a cup for every choice Jesus wants practices the big idea: doing what Jesus says makes us strong.

  1. SAY“Let’s build a strong house on the rock! When I say something Jesus wants, add a cup!”
  2. Put the book on the floor. Call out choices, like saying a prayer, hitting my brother, sharing a snack, saying sorry, or listening to Mom.
  3. For each good one, a child adds a cup. Everyone says, “Strong!” For a not-good one, shake heads. Ask, “What could we do instead?”
  4. Build three cups on the pillow too. Everyone does rain fingers while you wiggle the pillow. Crash! Ask, “Which house stood strong?”
  5. Say, “When I do what Jesus says, I’m strong like the house on the rock!”
🌪️ Only the child you name adds a cup. The rest keep their rain fingers ready for the storm.

Class screen: 🪨 Good choice? Add a cup! · 🥤 Add a cup · ✊ Strong!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 6–10 plastic or paper cups, or toy blocks, for building, A big hardcover book or a cutting board (the rock), A bed pillow or a folded blanket (the sand)

Grow the House

  1. SAY“Let’s build a strong house with our hands!”
  2. Everyone stacks their fists low in their laps. Call out a choice. If Jesus wants it, say “Strong!” and stack fists higher.
  3. Try saying a prayer, sharing a snack, saying sorry, and listening to Mom. For hitting my brother, stay still and shake heads.
  4. When the hand towers are up high, do rain fingers. Nobody falls!
  5. Say, “When I do what Jesus says, I’m strong!”

Class screen: ✊ Good choice? Build it higher!

6. Testimony

Quiet Houses

3 min

A calm, loving close where each child hears they can do what Jesus says.

  1. SAY“The storm is over. The sun comes out. Let’s be quiet little houses. Fold your arms.”
  2. Hold up the picture of Jesus. Ask softly, “What does Jesus want us to do?” Nod at every answer, like pray, share, or be kind.
  3. Say softly, “Jesus loves you. When you do what He says, you’re strong like the house on the rock. I know that’s true.”
  4. Name each child, like “Lily, you can do what Jesus says.” Invite them to build a Strong Like a Rock tower at home. Then say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🏡 I can do what Jesus says. · 🪨 Strong like a rock

7. Game

Builder Picture Quiz

3 minBONUS

Picture questions review the story if you have a few extra minutes, and every child gets to point.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Point to the right picture.”
  2. Open Scripture Showdown. Read each question and point to each picture. Skip the teams. Everyone wins.
  3. After every answer, everyone taps fist on fist and says, “Strong!”
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 👉 Point to the right picture!

8. Game

What’s Hiding? Mystery Picture

3 minBONUS

A slow picture reveal reviews the story.

  1. SAY“A picture from our story is hiding! Let’s find out what it is.”
  2. Open Mystery Picture. Call out a “show me,” like “Show me a hammer!” Tap away a tile after each one.
  3. Let everyone guess. When the picture shows, tell that part of the story together.
🧩 Mystery Picture (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🖼️ What’s hiding?

The story

The Wise Man and the Foolish Man

Matthew 7:24–27 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Picture HelperSits by you and holds up the picture of Jesus in scenes 1 and 7.
  • Sound HelperTaps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet with your help. Knock, rain, crash!

Scenes

  1. 🙂📖 Jesus told a story

    Jesus told a story about two men. Each man built a house.

    🙌 Hammer your fists: “Bang, bang!”

  2. 🪨🏠 The wise man built on a rock

    The wise man built his house on a big, hard rock.

    🙌

  3. 🏖️🏠 The foolish man built on sand

    The foolish man built his house on soft, slippery sand.

    🙌

  4. 🌧️🌬️ Down came the rain!

    Then the rain came down. The wind blew. The water came up, up, up!

    🙌 Rain fingers on your knees: “Pitter-pat!”

  5. 🏠💪 The house on the rock stood strong

    The house on the rock did not fall. It stood strong!

    🙌

  6. 💥🏖️ The house on the sand fell!

    The house on the sand went… CRASH! Down it fell.

    🙌 One big clap: “Crash!”

  7. 🙏🪨 I can do what Jesus says

    When I do what Jesus says, I am strong like the house on the rock.

    🙌

Key verse

Matthew 7:24 ↗
“built his house upon a rock”
In kid words: The wise man built his house on a strong rock.
🙌 “Built” = hammer your fists together · “his house” = make a pointy roof over your head · “upon a rock” = pound one fist on the other, strong and still.

More verses

Matthew 7:25 ↗
“it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock”
In kid words: The house did not fall, because it was built on a rock.
Matthew 7:26 ↗
“a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand”
In kid words: The foolish man built his house on the sand.
Matthew 7:7 ↗
“Ask, and it shall be given you”
In kid words: When we ask Heavenly Father in prayer, He hears us.

Forehead Guess words12 words

  • 🪨 Rock
  • 🏖️ Sand
  • 🏠 House
  • 🔨 Hammer
  • 🌧️ Rain
  • 🌬️ Wind
  • ☁️ Cloud
  • ☀️ Sun
  • 🚪 Door
  • 💎 Treasure
  • 🙏 Praying hands
  • 📖 Scriptures
Clues for each word
  • Rock: Hard and strong
  • Sand: Soft and slippery at the beach
  • House: Where a family lives
  • Hammer: Bang, bang, bang!
  • Rain: Drip, drop from the clouds
  • Wind: Whoooo! It blows
  • Cloud: Rain comes from it
  • Sun: Comes out after the storm
  • Door: Knock, knock! Open it
  • Treasure: Something very special
  • Praying hands: We fold our arms and talk to Heavenly Father
  • Scriptures: The holy book with Jesus’s story
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Where did the wise man build his house?
    • A. 🪨 On a rock
    • B. 🏖️ On the sand
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🪨 On a rock On the rock! Stomp, stomp, strong!

  2. Where did the foolish man build?
    • A. 🌳 In a tree
    • B. 🏖️ On the sand
    • C. ☁️ On a cloud
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🏖️ On the sand On soft, slippery sand. Squishy!

  3. What came down from the sky?
    • A. 🍭 Candy
    • B. 🌧️ Rain
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🌧️ Rain Down came the rain! Wiggle your fingers.

  4. Which house fell down?
    • A. 🪨 The rock house
    • B. 🏖️ The sand house
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🏖️ The sand house The house on the sand went CRASH!

  5. Which house stood strong?
    • A. 🪨 The rock house
    • B. 🏖️ The sand house
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🪨 The rock house The house on the rock did not fall!

  6. What does a builder use?
    • A. 🧸 A teddy
    • B. 🍌 A banana
    • C. 🔨 A hammer
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🔨 A hammer Bang, bang, bang! Builders use hammers.

  7. Which one is doing what Jesus says?
    • A. 🙏 Saying a prayer
    • B. 😠 Hitting
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🙏 Saying a prayer Praying is building on the rock!

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • The Wise Man and the Foolish Man Children’s Songbook, p. 281

    This week’s story as an action song, made for Sunbeams. Find it ↗

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

    Jesus taught us to ask Heavenly Father in prayer (Matthew 7:7). Find it ↗

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

    Hum or sing the chorus softly during the testimony. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Strong Like a Rock

Build a tower at home with blocks or cups. Each time you do something Jesus wants, add one more block. Pray, share, say sorry, or help!

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we learned Jesus’s story of the wise man and the foolish man. One built his house on a rock, and one built on the sand. Our tiny truth: when I do what Jesus says, I am strong like a house on a rock. Ask your child, “Which house fell down?” Then build a block tower together. Add a block for each thing Jesus wants us to do.

📝 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?

🚪 Knock, Knock! · 3 min

  1. Open to Matthew 7:7. Say, “Jesus said to ask, seek, and knock, and Heavenly Father will answer.”
  2. Stand behind a real or pretend door. Kids knock and say, “Knock, knock!” Open it with a big smile and a “Hello!” Everyone gets a turn.
  3. Say, “When we pray, it’s like knocking on Heavenly Father’s door. He always hears us!” Fold arms for a short prayer.

💎 Treasure in Heaven · 3 min

  1. Hide a paper heart in a small box. Say, “A treasure is something very special. Let’s peek!”
  2. Open it to show the heart. Point to Matthew 6:19–21. Say, “Jesus said the best treasures are in heaven. Loving people and being kind!”
  3. Pass the box around. Each child says or points to someone they love.

🤗 Treat Friends Kindly · 2 min

  1. Ask, “Do you like it when a friend shares? When a friend gives you a hug?” Let them shout, “Yes!”
  2. Point to Matthew 7:12. Say, “Jesus said to be nice to others the way we want them to be nice to us.”
  3. Practice with a partner. Share a pretend toy, give a gentle high five, and say “Thank you!”

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.

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