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Jesus Helps Me When I’m Sad

A bag too heavy to carry, a gentle picture story, and a hide-and-seek picture of Jesus

  • ☀️ Sunbeam
  • Week 41
  • 📅 Sunday, October 11, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus carried my sad and hurting feelings, so He can help me feel better.

I can say a prayer when I feel sad, and Jesus can help me feel better.

Study it yourself firstRead Isaiah 50–57 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Isaiah 50–57)
Know the chapters

In Isaiah 50–57, Isaiah looks ahead about 700 years to the Savior. Isaiah 53:7 describes Someone gentle and quiet “as a lamb.” Isaiah 53:4 says He “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” In the Book of Mormon, Abinadi quoted this chapter and taught that it’s about Jesus Christ. That’s Mosiah 14–15. In Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus took on our sins, our pains, and our sadness. Alma 7:11–12 says He did it so He’d know exactly how to help us. Then He rose again.

Three-year-olds need one tiny truth: when I feel sad, Jesus can help me feel better. Speak of His suffering gently and briefly. Something like “Jesus felt all our sad and hurt feelings” is enough. Then move quickly to the happy news. He’s alive, He loves us, and we can pray to Heavenly Father any time. Leave out pictures or descriptions of pain. Sunbeams have big feelings. Naming “sad” and knowing what to do with it is real help for them.

Other verses in these chapters make great moments for little ones. “Awake, awake; put on thy strength” in 52:1 is a ready-made wiggle. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found” in 55:6 turns into hide-and-seek with a picture of Jesus. And “great shall be the peace of thy children” in 54:13 is a lovely promise to share with parents.

Only have 5 minutes?

Put a few books in a tote bag and grab a picture of Jesus. Lift the heavy bag together. Tell the picture story and let them point to what they see. Say “Jesus carried my sad feelings” with motions. Play hide-and-seek with the picture. End with a quiet hug and your testimony. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” Lift an invisible rock and hide your scriptures instead.

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. Pack the tote bag with books. A three-year-old should be able to budge it but not run off with it.
  2. Pick one or two easy hiding spots for the picture of Jesus. Try a chair seat, behind a door, or under a table.

If your class is wild

  • Some Sunbeams cry when a parent leaves. Let the parent stay a few minutes. Then invite the child to be your Picture Helper. Keep a soft stuffed animal nearby for anyone who needs a cuddle.
  • This lesson talks about sad feelings. A child might share something real, like a lost pet, a new baby, or a move. Thank them and gently say, “Jesus knows how you feel.” Tell their parent after class.
  • A soft “Baa” is your calm-down tool. If the room gets loud, whisper it and wait for everyone to copy you.
  • 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.
  • Keep the picture of Jesus in plain sight at child height. Three-year-olds get upset if the search takes too long.

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

Uh-oh, So Heavy!

3 min

Lifting something heavy together gives three-year-olds a feeling they can remember: things are lighter when someone helps.

  1. SAY“Oof! Ugh! This bag is SO heavy! Can you help me?”
  2. Groan and tug at the bag. Let two or three children try to lift it, and stay right beside them. Say, “Whew! It’s heavy for you too!”
  3. Everyone puts one hand on the bag. Lift it together. Say, “Wow! It’s lighter when someone helps!”
  4. SAY“Sad feelings can feel heavy, like this bag. Today we’ll learn that Jesus helps carry our sad feelings.”
🌪️ Only kids sitting on their spots get a turn to lift. Keep the bag low, and keep one hand on it.

Class screen: 🎒 Oof! This bag is SO heavy!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A tote bag or backpack with a few books inside (heavy enough to be a struggle, light enough to be safe)

The Giant Invisible Rock

  1. SAY“Oof! Ugh! This rock is SO heavy! Can you help me?”
  2. Squat and try to lift a giant invisible rock. Let two or three children try. Everyone groans, “Ugh!”
  3. Everyone reaches out from their spot, and you lift the rock together. Say, “Wow! It’s lighter when someone helps!”
  4. SAY“Sad feelings can feel heavy, like this rock. Today we’ll learn that Jesus helps carry our sad feelings.”

Class screen: 🪨 Oof! This rock is SO heavy!

2. Story

Picture Story: Isaiah Told About Jesus

6 min

Seven gentle picture scenes show that Jesus knows our sad feelings and is alive to help us.

  1. SAY“Isaiah told people about Jesus a long, long time ago. Let’s look at the pictures. Can you find things?”
  2. Point to the screen first. Then let them point too.
  3. Swipe through the scenes. Read each one. Do the motion together when one shows.
  4. Slow down and whisper for scene 5. After scene 7, say together, “Jesus carried my sad feelings.”
🌪️ If they get loud at scene 6, whisper the next line. They’ll lean in to hear you.

Class screen: 📜 Isaiah told about Jesus! · 👉 Point! · 🙌 Yay!

3. Wiggle break

Awake, Awake!

2 min

Isaiah 52:1 becomes a wake-up-and-get-strong wiggle that three-year-olds will beg to repeat.

  1. SAY“Everybody put your head down and go to sleep.”
  2. Snore together, “Zzzz…” Then say, “Isaiah said, ‘Awake, awake; put on thy strength!’” Everyone pops up and makes big muscles.
  3. Do it two more times. Sleep, wake, muscles! Then sit back down on your spot.

Class screen: 💪 Awake, awake! Be strong! · Zzzz… · Awake! · Muscles!

4. Scripture

Our Little Verse: Isaiah 53:4

3 min

Carry-tear-heart motions help Sunbeams remember that Jesus carried their sad feelings.

  1. SAY“Isaiah wrote about Jesus in the Bible. Listen!”
  2. Hold up your scriptures. Read slowly, “he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”
  3. SAY“That means Jesus carried our sad feelings.”
  4. Teach the Key Verse motions one at a time. Then say together, “Jesus carried my sad feelings.”
  5. Say it three ways: a mouse whisper, a regular voice, then a big strong voice. End each time with a hug and a smile.

Class screen: 📖 Jesus carried my sad feelings. · ☝️ Jesus · 🎒 carried · 😢 my sad · ❤️ feelings

5. Game

Where Is Jesus?

5 min

Hide-and-seek with a picture of Jesus practices Isaiah 55:6: when we feel sad, we can look for Jesus and find Him.

  1. SAY“Isaiah said to look for Jesus. This is a picture of Jesus. Cover your eyes!”
  2. Hide it somewhere easy. Then say, “Open your eyes and look! Walking feet!”
  3. When someone finds it, everyone cheers, “We found Jesus!”
  4. Ask the finder, “When you feel sad, how can you find Jesus?” Help them answer. Pray, sing, hug, or go to church.
  5. The finder hides it next. Whisper a spot to them. Play three or four rounds.
🌪️ Hide the picture in plain sight at child height. Three-year-olds get upset if the search takes too long.

Class screen: 🔍 Look for the picture of Jesus!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A picture of Jesus Christ (from your meetinghouse library, a Friend magazine, or home)

Where Are the Stories About Jesus?

  1. SAY“Isaiah said to look for Jesus. This book has stories about Jesus. Cover your eyes!”
  2. Put your scriptures somewhere easy to find. Then say, “Open your eyes and look! Walking feet!”
  3. When someone finds them, everyone cheers, “We found the stories about Jesus!”
  4. Ask the finder, “When you feel sad, how can you find Jesus?” Help them answer. Pray, sing, hug, or go to church.
  5. The finder hides them next. Whisper a spot to them. Play three or four rounds.

Class screen: 📖 Find the book about Jesus!

6. Testimony

A Quiet Hug

3 min

A calm, personal moment helps each child feel that Jesus loves them and can comfort them.

  1. SAY“When I feel sad, a hug helps me feel better.”
  2. Hold the soft stuffed animal and lower your voice. Pass it gently around the circle. As each child hugs it, say, “Jesus loves you, Emma.”
  3. Share your testimony, “I know Jesus loves me. When I’m sad, I pray, and He helps me.”
  4. Invite them to try the Sad-to-Glad Prayer this week. Fold arms for the closing prayer. Whisper the words for the child who prays.

Class screen: 🤗 Jesus loves you and helps you. · When I’m sad, I can pray

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A soft stuffed animal for the quiet hug at the end

  1. SAY“When I feel sad, a hug helps me feel better. Let’s all wrap our arms around ourselves.”
  2. Lower your voice and go around the circle. Say each name softly, like “Jesus loves you, Emma.” That child hugs themselves.
  3. Share your testimony, “I know Jesus loves me. When I’m sad, I pray, and He helps me.”
  4. Invite them to try the Sad-to-Glad Prayer this week. Fold arms for the closing prayer. Whisper the words for the child who prays.
7. Game

What’s Hiding? Mystery Picture

3 minBONUS

A picture reveal reviews the story if you have a few extra minutes.

  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 sad face!” 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

Isaiah Told About Jesus

Isaiah 53:3–7; Mark 10:13–16; Luke 22:39–44; Luke 24:1–6 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Picture HelperSits by you and holds up the picture of Jesus in scenes 4 and 7.
  • Sound HelperTaps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet with your help.

Scenes

  1. 🧔📜 Isaiah told about Jesus

    Long, long before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah told everyone about Him. Isaiah said, “Jesus is coming!”

    🙌

  2. 🐑🤍 Gentle like a little lamb

    Isaiah said Jesus would be gentle and kind, like a soft little lamb.

    🙌

  3. 👶⭐ Baby Jesus was born

    Then, just like the prophets said, baby Jesus was born. He was gentle and kind, like a little lamb.

    🙌 Point to baby Jesus. Whisper, “Baa.”

  4. 🤗😢 Jesus helped sad people

    When Jesus grew up, He helped sad people, sick people, and hurt people. He held the little children and blessed them.

    🙌 Point to the children Jesus helped.

  5. 🌳🙏 Jesus prayed in a garden

    One night, Jesus prayed in a garden. He felt all our sad and hurt feelings. So He would always know how to help us.

    🙌 Fold your arms. Be very quiet.

  6. 🌅😊 Jesus is alive again!

    Jesus died, and then He came back to life! He is alive today, and He loves you.

    🙌 Arms up high: “Yay!”

  7. 🙏💛 When I’m sad, Jesus helps me

    When you feel sad, you can say a prayer. Jesus loves you and can help you feel better.

    🙌

Key verse

Isaiah 53:4 ↗
“he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows”
In kid words: Jesus carried my sad feelings.
🙌 “Jesus” = point up · “carried” = scoop your arms like carrying a big heavy bag · “my sad” = trace a tear down your cheek with one finger · “feelings” = both hands on your heart · then give yourself a hug and smile!

More verses

Isaiah 53:7 ↗
“he is brought as a lamb”
In kid words: Isaiah said Jesus would be gentle and quiet, like a lamb.
Isaiah 55:6 ↗
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found”
In kid words: Look for Jesus! We find Him when we pray, sing, and learn about Him.
Isaiah 54:13 ↗
“great shall be the peace of thy children”
In kid words: Heavenly Father wants children to feel happy and calm inside.
Mark 10:16 ↗
“And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
In kid words: Jesus held the little children and blessed them.

Forehead Guess words14 words

  • 🐑 Lamb
  • 🧔 Isaiah
  • 📜 Scroll
  • 👶 Baby
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🌳 Garden
  • 🙏 Prayer
  • 😢 Sad
  • 😊 Happy
  • 🤗 Hug
  • 🎒 Heavy Bag
  • 🌅 Sunrise
  • ❤️ Heart
  • 💪 Muscles
Clues for each word
  • Lamb: Soft and gentle. Says baa!
  • Isaiah: The prophet who told about Jesus
  • Scroll: Rolled-up paper Isaiah wrote on
  • Baby: Jesus was born as one
  • Star: Twinkles in the night sky
  • Garden: Where Jesus prayed
  • Prayer: Fold your arms and talk to Heavenly Father
  • Sad: Show me a frowny face
  • Happy: Show me a big smile
  • Hug: Wrap your arms around someone
  • Heavy Bag: Oof! Lift it together!
  • Sunrise: Morning light. Jesus is alive!
  • Heart: It means love
  • Muscles: Awake, awake! Be strong!
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown7 questions

  1. Which face is sad?
    • A. 😊 Happy
    • B. 😢 Sad
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 😢 Sad It’s okay to feel sad. Jesus can help us feel better.

  2. Isaiah said Jesus would be gentle like a…
    • A. 🦁 Lion
    • B. 🦖 Dinosaur
    • C. 🐑 Lamb
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🐑 Lamb Isaiah 53:7. Jesus is gentle and kind, like a soft little lamb.

  3. What can you do when you feel sad?
    • A. 🙏 Say a prayer
    • B. 🦶 Kick the wall
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🙏 Say a prayer We can pray any time. Heavenly Father and Jesus love to help us.

  4. Who carried our sad feelings?
    • A. 🧸 My teddy bear
    • B. ❤️ Jesus
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ❤️ Jesus Isaiah 53:4. Jesus carried our sad feelings so He can help us.

  5. Where did Jesus pray?
    • A. 🌳 In a garden
    • B. 🏊 In a pool
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🌳 In a garden Jesus prayed in a garden, and He felt all our sad feelings there.

  6. Is Jesus alive today?
    • A. 😴 No
    • B. 😊 Yes!
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 😊 Yes! Jesus came back to life! He is alive, and He loves you.

  7. Which one is heavy?
    • A. 🪶 A feather
    • B. 🪨 A big rock
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🪨 A big rock Sad feelings can feel heavy like a rock. Jesus helps us carry them.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 57

    A gentle song about Jesus. Sing it softly before the testimony if you have a minute. Find it ↗

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

    Sing it slow, then super fast, after the Awake, Awake! wiggle. Find it ↗

  • Seek the Lord Early Children’s Songbook, p. 108

    Hum it while the children look for the picture of Jesus (Isaiah 55:6). Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Sad-to-Glad Prayer

When you feel sad this week, fold your arms and say a little prayer. Mom or Dad can help. Then hug yourself and remember that Jesus loves you and can help you feel better.

Text the parents

Today your Sunbeam learned from Isaiah 53 that Jesus “carried our sorrows.” He knows our sad feelings and can help us feel better. We lifted a heavy bag together and heard a gentle story about Jesus. Then we played hide-and-seek with His picture. Ask your child, “What can you do when you feel sad?” The answer is say a prayer! Then practice folding arms together.

📝 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?

👣 Happy News Feet · 2 min

  1. Open to Isaiah 52:7. Say, “Isaiah said the feet of people who share happy news are beautiful.”
  2. Everyone marches on happy feet. When you say “Stop!”, they freeze and shout the happy news, “Jesus loves you!”
  3. Do it three or four times. Try tiptoe feet, stompy feet, and hopping feet.

⛰️ Mountains Move, Love Stays · 2 min

  1. Everyone stands tall like a mountain, arms making a peak.
  2. Say, “Isaiah said even mountains could move away…” Everyone shuffles to a new spot.
  3. Point to Isaiah 54:10. Say, “…but Heavenly Father’s kindness will never go away from you.” Everyone gives themselves a big hug.

🙂 Feelings Faces · 3 min

  1. Call out a feeling, like happy, sad, mad, scared, sleepy, or silly. Everyone makes that face.
  2. After each one, ask, “What can we do when we feel that way?” Help with gentle answers. Pray, hug, breathe deep, or tell a grown-up.
  3. End with a happy face. Say, “Jesus loves us when we feel every feeling.”

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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