Gospel Sparks Join the beta

Little Girl, Get Up!

A worried daddy, a big squishy crowd, and a little girl who wakes up when Jesus takes her hand

  • ☀️ Sunbeams
  • Week 10
  • 📅 Sunday, March 7, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus loves me and has power to heal and help.

I can believe in Jesus.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9)
Know the chapters

This week Jesus heals again and again. He helps a man walk, opens the eyes of two blind men, and calls twelve Apostles and gives them power to bless and heal (Matthew 9–10; Luke 9). He also teaches that Heavenly Father notices even a tiny sparrow, and that the very hairs on our heads are numbered (Matthew 10:29–31).

The story for Sunbeams is Mark 5:22–43. A dad named Jairus begged Jesus to come help his very sick little girl. On the way, a woman who had been sick for a long time reached through the crowd and touched Jesus’s clothes, and she was healed. Then someone brought sad news: the little girl had died. Jesus told Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe.” He went to the house, took the girl by the hand and told her to get up, and she got right up and walked. Jesus even reminded her parents to give her something to eat.

Your one tiny truth for today: Jesus has power to help and heal. Keep the sad part short and gentle (“She was so sick she died, and her family was very sad”) and make the waking-up part joyful. Some children have heard about sick grandparents; it’s okay to say that Jesus loves every family and that He helps in many ways, including priesthood blessings, doctors and moms and dads. If a child has lost someone they love, say gently that Jesus loves them and that because of Him, everyone will live again.

Everyone gets to be the little girl who wakes up. Nobody plays Jesus: you tell what He did, say “Little girl, get up!” (our Sunbeam way to say what He told her in Mark 5:41), and the whole class pops up with a happy shout.

Only have 5 minutes?

Tell the story with your phone or tablet scenes (everyone squishes in the crowd, reaches for Jesus’s robe, and lies down and pops up when you say, “Little girl, get up!”), play Sleepy Children, Wake Up!, say “Be not afraid, only believe” with the motions, and end by saying, “Jesus loves you. He has power to help and heal. I know it’s true.”

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. Tuck the doll under the blanket like it’s sleeping and set it by your chair for the hook.
  2. Put on the scarf or jacket, or have it ready, for the Touch the Robe game.
  3. Clear a spot on the floor where everyone can lie down together for the story and the wiggle.
  4. Open this lesson in Teach Mode so the story pictures and the cheer sound are ready.

If your class is wild

  • Crying at the door? Let the parent stay a few minutes. Give the child a job: “Can you help me tuck in the baby?” A job helps a lot. If tears keep going, a parent can sit in the back.
  • Potty breaks: have one grown-up (a class helper or a parent) take the child; never be alone out of sight with a child. Keep going with everyone else.
  • Lying-down games can turn into rolling games. Say, “Sleeping children lie very still. Let’s see who can be the stillest sleeper!” and whisper your next words.
  • If a child seems worried when the girl is sick, say right away, “Guess what? Jesus is coming to help! Let’s see what happens.”
  • The crowd scene is squishy on purpose, but gentle. Say, “Crowds go slow, like turtles,” before you start.

The 25-minute plan21 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

Shhh, the Baby Is Sleeping

2 min

A tucked-in doll brings everyone close and sets up the wake-up moment of the story.

  1. Sit on the floor with the doll tucked under the blanket. Whisper: “Shhh! Someone is sleeping.”
  2. Let each child gently pat the baby. Say: “Is she sleeping? Let’s whisper, ‘Wake up, baby!’”
  3. Pull back the blanket and lift the doll up: “Good morning!” Everyone waves.
  4. SAY“Today we’ll hear about a little girl, and how Jesus took her hand and helped her get up!”
🌪️ If everyone grabs for the doll, pass it around the circle while everyone counts to three for each turn.

Class screen: 🧸 Shhh… who is sleeping?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A baby doll or stuffed animal and a small blanket to tuck it in

Sleepy Teacher

  1. Lie down or lean your head on your hands and pretend to sleep. Snore softly.
  2. Whisper to the children: “Can you wake me up? Say, ‘Wake up!’”
  3. Pop up with a big stretch: “Good morning!” Everyone waves.
  4. SAY“Today we’ll hear about a little girl, and how Jesus took her hand and helped her get up!”

Class screen: 😴 Wake up, teacher!

2. Story

Story: Jesus Helps a Little Girl

5 min

Every child gets to be in the crowd and to be the little girl who wakes up, so the tiny truth is something they feel.

  1. Pick a Jairus Helper and a Reaching Helper. Say: “Everyone else is the crowd, and later you’ll all be the little girl!”
  2. Show each scene on your phone or tablet and read the one or two sentences.
  3. Do each action together. Go slowly and make it big.
  4. In scene 7, wait until everyone is lying still. Then say warmly, “Little girl, get up!”
  5. End by saying the tiny truth together: “Jesus has power to help and heal!”
🌪️ If the crowd scene gets pushy, turn it into a slow-motion crowd: “Everyone walk like a slow, slow turtle.”
🔊 Sound Board (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 👧 Little girl, get up! · Hurry! · Reach! · Get up!

3. Wiggle break

Sleepy Children, Wake Up!

2 min

Burns energy and plays the best moment of the story again and again.

  1. SAY“Everybody lie down and be sleepy children. Shhh!”
  2. Wait a few seconds, then say, “Little children, get up!” Everyone pops up and hops, skips or walks in place.
  3. Call out a move each time: “Get up and hop like a bunny!” “Get up and twirl!” “Get up and march!”
  4. Play 3 or 4 rounds. End lying down, then get up very, very slowly.
🌪️ If someone won’t lie down, make them the “wake-up helper” who says, “Get up!” with you.

Class screen: 🐰 Sleep… then get up!

4. Scripture

Key Words: “Be Not Afraid, Only Believe”

3 min

Five words with motions help the children remember what Jesus told the worried daddy.

  1. Hold up your scriptures. Say: “These words are from the Bible. Jesus said them to Jairus.”
  2. Say it slowly with the motions: “Be not” (shake head) “afraid” (cover eyes, peek) “only” (one finger) “believe” (hand on heart, point up).
  3. Say it together three ways: in a whisper, in a brave strong voice, and in a happy singing voice.
  4. SAY“Jairus believed, and Jesus helped his little girl. Jesus has power to help and heal!”

Class screen: 📖 “Be not afraid, only believe” · 🙅 Be not afraid · ☝️ only · 💛 believe

5. Game

Touch the Robe

3 min

Children practice reaching out to Jesus like the woman in the crowd.

  1. Put on the scarf or jacket. The children sit in a circle. Say: “I’ll walk around like Jesus walking through the crowd. You’re the lady who reached out!”
  2. Walk slowly around the outside of the circle. The children reach out and gently touch the edge of your scarf as you pass.
  3. Stop and say, “Who touched me?” The children raise their hands. Smile and give high fives: “You reached out to Jesus!”
  4. Play 3 or 4 rounds. Say: “She believed in Jesus, and He helped her. Jesus has power to help and heal.”
🌪️ If they grab and pull, say, “Gentle fingers! Just one little touch, like a butterfly.” Show them.

Class screen: 🤲 Reach out and touch the robe!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A scarf, shawl or jacket to wear as a “robe” with an edge children can touch

Touch the Sleeve

  1. The children sit in a circle. Hold out your arm and point to your shirt sleeve: “This is the edge of my robe!”
  2. Walk slowly around the circle with your arm out low. The children gently touch your sleeve as you pass.
  3. Stop and say, “Who touched me?” The children raise their hands. Give high fives: “You reached out to Jesus!”
  4. Play 3 or 4 rounds. Say: “She believed in Jesus, and He helped her. Jesus has power to help and heal.”
6. Wiggle break

Every Hair on My Head

2 min

A body song shows that Heavenly Father knows every bit of them, right down to their hair.

  1. SAY“Heavenly Father knows how many hairs are on your head! Pat your hair. Can you count them? No! But He knows!”
  2. Sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” (Children’s Songbook, 275) slowly, then fast.
  3. End by patting your hair gently and saying, “Heavenly Father knows me!”

Class screen: 💇 Heavenly Father knows every hair!

7. Talk it over

Jesus Helps Us Get Better

2 min

Children connect the story to their own lives: being sick, getting help, and priesthood blessings.

  1. Hold up the picture of Jesus. Say: “Jesus loves children. He has power to help and heal.”
  2. Ask the questions one at a time. Any answer, even a point or a nod, gets a smile and a “Yes!”
  3. If it fits, share a tiny story of a priesthood blessing or a prayer when someone in your family was sick.
💬 Ask the class
  • Show me how you look when you feel sick.
  • Who helps you when you’re sick? (Mom, Dad, a doctor, Jesus)
  • Has someone ever given you a blessing when you were sick?
  • Show me how the little girl got up!

Class screen: 💛 Jesus can help and heal

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A picture of Jesus (from the Friend magazine, a printout from the Gospel Library app, or the ward library)

Hands That Help

  1. Hold out your hand like Jesus reaching for the little girl. Say: “Jesus loves children. He has power to help and heal.”
  2. Ask the questions one at a time. After each answer, everyone holds out a helping hand.
  3. If it fits, share a tiny story of a priesthood blessing or a prayer when someone in your family was sick.

Class screen: 🤝 Jesus can help and heal

8. Testimony

Hand in Hand

2 min

A calm, loving moment where the teacher shares a simple testimony.

  1. SAY“Let’s hold hands in our circle, like Jesus held the little girl’s hand.” Then fold arms and get very quiet.
  2. In a soft voice, say: “Jesus loves you. He helped the little girl and the lady in the crowd. He has power to help and heal. I know that is true.”
  3. Name each child: “Ava, Jesus loves you. Leo, Jesus loves you.” (Use your own class names.)
  4. Say a short closing prayer or help a child say one.

Class screen: 🤝 Jesus loves me and helps me.

9. Game

Little Girl Picture Quiz

3 minBONUS

Picture questions review the story, and every child gets a turn to point.

  1. Open Scripture Showdown. Read each question and point to each picture.
  2. Children point to the right picture or call it out. No teams needed: everyone wins.
  3. After every answer, everyone pops up and says, “Get up!”
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 👧 Point to the right picture!

10. Game

Mystery Picture: What’s Hiding?

3 minBONUS

A slow reveal keeps them guessing and names things from the story.

  1. Open Mystery Picture. Say: “Something is hiding! Let’s take the squares away.”
  2. Remove a square each time someone does a story move: run like Jairus, reach out, lie down and pop up.
  3. When they guess, act it out: bed = sleep, bread = eat, bird = flap, crowd = squish.
🧩 Mystery Picture (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: ❓ What’s hiding?

11. Craft

Sleepy Girl Puppet

4 minBONUS

A simple puppet lets them tell the story at home.

  1. Give each child an upside-down paper cup (or a small paper plate). Help them draw a happy face on it.
  2. Show them how to lay it down “sleeping,” then stand it up: “Little girl, get up!”
  3. SAY“Tell your family how Jesus helped the little girl get up. Jesus has power to help and heal!”

Class screen: 🖍️ Make a little-girl puppet!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: For the bonus craft: one paper cup or small paper plate per child and crayons

Finger Puppet

  1. Show how to lay one finger down flat on your other hand like a sleeping girl.
  2. Say, “Little girl, get up!” and pop your finger up. Walk it across your hand.
  3. SAY“Take your finger puppet home and tell your family how Jesus helped the little girl.”

Story drama

Jesus Helps a Little Girl

Mark 5:22–43 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • Everyone: The Big CrowdWalk slowly and squish close together, saying, “Excuse me! Excuse me!”
  • Everyone: The Little GirlLie down very still, then pop up and walk when the teacher says Jesus’s words.
  • Jairus HelperOne child runs in place like the worried daddy hurrying to find Jesus.
  • Reaching HelperOne child reaches out and gently touches the edge of the teacher’s scarf or sleeve.

Scenes

  1. 👨 A daddy named Jairus

    A daddy named Jairus had a little girl. She was very, very sick. Jairus hurried to find Jesus.

    🎬 Run in place fast, fast, fast!

  2. 🙏 Jairus asks Jesus for help

    Jairus knelt down by Jesus. He asked Jesus to please come and help his little girl. And Jesus went with him.

    🎬 Kneel down and fold your arms: “Please help!”

  3. 👥 A big, squishy crowd

    Lots and lots of people walked with Jesus. It was a big, squishy crowd!

    🎬 Stand up and scoot close together. “Excuse me! Excuse me!”

  4. 🤲 A woman touches Jesus’s robe

    A sick woman reached out and touched Jesus’s clothes. Right away she was healed! Jesus was kind to her.

    🎬 Reach out one hand and gently touch your sleeve.

  5. 😢 Sad news for Jairus

    Then someone came with sad news: the little girl had died. Jairus was so sad.

    🎬 Make a sad face. Put a hand on your heart.

  6. 💛 “Be not afraid, only believe.”

    Jesus said to Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe.” That means: don’t be scared; believe in Me.

    🎬 Shake your head no, then put your hand on your heart.

  7. 🛏️ Jesus takes her hand

    Jesus went into the little girl’s room. He took her by the hand and said, “Talitha cumi.” Those words told her: little girl, get up!

    🎬 Everyone lies down very still. The teacher says, “Little girl, get up!”

  8. 🎉 She gets up and walks!

    She got right up and walked! Her mom and dad were so happy. Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

    🎬 Pop up! Walk around, then pretend to eat a yummy snack.

Key verse

Mark 5:36 ↗
“Be not afraid, only believe”
In kid words: Jesus said, “Don’t be scared. Just believe in Me.”
🙌 “Be not” = shake your head no · “afraid” = cover your eyes, then peek out · “only” = hold up one finger · “believe” = hand on your heart, then point up.

More verses

Mark 5:41 ↗
“he took the damsel by the hand”
In kid words: Jesus took the little girl by the hand.
Matthew 10:30 ↗
“the very hairs of your head are all numbered”
In kid words: Heavenly Father knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows you!
Mark 5:34 ↗
“Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole”
In kid words: Jesus told the woman her faith helped her get well.

Forehead Guess words12 words

  • 👨 Daddy
  • 👧 Little Girl
  • 🛏️ Bed
  • ✋ Hand
  • 👥 Crowd
  • 🧥 Robe
  • 🍞 Bread
  • 🐦 Bird
  • 💇 Hair
  • 💛 Heart
  • 🩺 Doctor
  • 📖 Scriptures
Clues for each word
  • Daddy: Jairus ran to find Jesus
  • Little Girl: She got up and walked
  • Bed: The sick girl lay here
  • Hand: Jesus took hers
  • Crowd: Lots and lots of people
  • Robe: The woman touched it
  • Bread: Give the girl something to eat
  • Bird: Heavenly Father knows every little one
  • Hair: Heavenly Father knows every one on your head
  • Heart: We believe with it
  • Doctor: Helps us when we’re sick
  • Scriptures: The book with Jesus’s words
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Who ran to find Jesus?
    • A. 👨 A daddy
    • B. 🐢 A turtle
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 👨 A daddy Jairus was a daddy who loved his little girl.

  2. Who was very sick?
    • A. 🐶 A puppy
    • B. 👧 A little girl
    • C. 🦒 A giraffe
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 👧 A little girl Jairus’s little girl was very sick.

  3. What did the woman touch?
    • A. 🧥 Jesus’s robe
    • B. 🍦 An ice cream cone
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🧥 Jesus’s robe She reached out and touched Jesus’s clothes, and she was healed!

  4. Jesus took the little girl’s…
    • A. 👟 Shoe
    • B. 🎈 Balloon
    • C. ✋ Hand
    Show answer

    ✅ C. ✋ Hand Jesus took her by the hand and told her to get up!

  5. What did the little girl do?
    • A. 😴 Kept sleeping
    • B. 🚶 Got up and walked
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🚶 Got up and walked She got right up and walked! Everyone was so happy.

  6. What did Jesus say to give her?
    • A. 🍞 Something to eat
    • B. 🧸 A teddy bear
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🍞 Something to eat Jesus cared that she was hungry, too.

  7. Who has power to help and heal?
    • A. 🦖 A dinosaur
    • B. 💛 Jesus
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 💛 Jesus Jesus loves us and has power to help and heal.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Children’s Songbook, p. 275

    Heavenly Father knows every part of us, even every hair. Find it ↗

  • My Heavenly Father Loves Me Children’s Songbook, p. 228

    Heavenly Father notices every little bird and every child. Find it ↗

  • Faith Children’s Songbook, p. 96

    Jairus and the woman in the crowd believed in Jesus. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Helping Hands

When someone in your family feels sick this week, hold their hand, say a prayer for them, and remember: Jesus has power to help and heal.

Text the parents

Today in Sunbeams we learned how Jesus took a little girl by the hand and helped her get up, and that He has power to help and heal. Ask your child: “What did Jesus tell the little girl to do?” (Get up!) Then share a time Jesus or a priesthood blessing helped your family.

📝 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?

🐦 Heavenly Father Knows the Little Birds · 2 min

  1. SAY“Jesus said Heavenly Father knows when even one little bird falls” (Matthew 10:29–31).
  2. Everyone becomes a little bird: flap, hop, peck, then “fall” gently to the floor.
  3. SAY“Heavenly Father saw that little bird. He sees you too, and you matter even more to Him!”

🙂 Meet Today’s Apostles · 3 min

  1. SAY“Jesus chose twelve Apostles to help Him. Today we have a living prophet and Apostles too.”
  2. Show a picture of the living prophet and the Apostles, if you brought one. Count twelve fingers and toes together (ten fingers, then two toes!).
  3. SAY“Jesus gave His Apostles power to bless people. He still helps us through His priesthood today.”

🧸 Get-Well Hug · 2 min

  1. Pretend a stuffed animal (or a child’s own arm) is sick. Everyone gently pats it and says, “Feel better!”
  2. Talk about kind things to do for someone sick: bring water, give a hug, say a prayer.
  3. SAY“Jesus helped sick people. We can be kind helpers too.”

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 Sunbeams lessons