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About My Father’s Business

Prophecies come true, witnesses hurry and wait, and a twelve-year-old amazes the temple teachers

  • ⭐ Valiant 9–10
  • Week 2
  • 📅 Sunday, January 10, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Shepherds, Simeon, Anna and the wise men all recognized and worshipped the Savior, and like Jesus at twelve, I can be about my Father’s business and grow the way He grew.

I can worship Jesus Christ, recognize Him when the Holy Ghost testifies, and grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and others.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 2; Luke 2 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Know the chapters

Matthew 2 and Luke 2 read like a collection of witness statements. Luke gives us the decree of Caesar Augustus that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. He tells of the manger, “because there was no room for them in the inn.” Shepherds heard an angel, came “with haste,” and then “made known abroad” what they saw. That’s Luke 2:1–20. Forty days later, Simeon was at the temple. The Holy Ghost had promised he’d see the Lord’s Christ before he died. He held the baby and praised God. Anna was a prophetess of about 84. She served in the temple “with fastings and prayers night and day.” She gave thanks and told others. That’s Luke 2:25–38. Matthew adds wise men who followed a star, and a nervous King Herod. He tells of gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And he tells of Joseph’s second and third angel dreams, which sent the family to Egypt and back.

Nine- to eleven-year-olds love to spot prophecy coming true, and this week is full of it. The chief priests told Herod exactly where Christ would be born. They quoted Micah 5:2, in Matthew 2:5–6. Isaiah 9:6 promised “unto us a child is born.” In the Book of Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied a new star and a night without darkness. That’s Helaman 14:2–5, fulfilled in 3 Nephi 1:15–21. Notice too that the wise men found a “young child” in a “house.” That’s Matthew 2:11. So they probably came some time after the shepherds. Keep Herod brief. He was a jealous king whose plans God defeated by warning Joseph. You don’t need to teach Matthew 2:16 to this class.

Luke 2:41–52 is the only story we have of Jesus as a youth. At twelve He stayed behind at the temple. He was “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.” He told His worried parents, “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Wist means know. Then He went home and “was subject unto them.” This is perfect for your class. Many of them will turn twelve soon. They’ll go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead and join deacons quorums and Young Women classes.

Luke 2:52 says Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” The Church’s Children and Youth program is built on those same four areas: intellectual, physical, spiritual and social. Kids can set real goals in each area, just as Jesus grew in each. Worship is more than a feeling at Christmas. It’s the shepherds hurrying and Simeon waiting. It’s the wise men giving their best. And it’s a boy who wanted to be in His Father’s house.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 2:1–20, 25–38 and 41–52, and Matthew 2:1–14. Open with the Prophecy Countdown. Tell the Witnesses story in Teach Mode while kids listen for the word “temple.” Say Luke 2:49 with motions. Run the Grow Four Ways race and goal cards. Close quietly with Simeon’s words. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” You read the prophecies yourself, and kids share goals out loud instead of writing them.

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 Luke 2:1–20, 25–38, 41–52 and Matthew 2:1–14.
  2. Mark the hook prophecies: Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6 and Helaman 14:2–5. Mark the Scripture Reader’s verses too: Luke 2:10–11, 2:26, 2:38 and 2:49.

If your class is wild

  • Nine- to eleven-year-olds love to compete. Keep one team score from the Prophecy Countdown through the Grow Four Ways race.
  • Knee pats make a good reset. If the room drifts, start a fast pat and wait until every hand joins.
  • Put your best reader on the Scripture Reader job. Luke 2:30–32 is beautiful read slowly.
  • Keep Herod brief: a jealous, nervous king whose plans God stopped by warning Joseph. You don’t need Matthew 2:16 for this class.
  • If the room gets loud, whisper Anna’s news, “He’s here,” and wait until everyone is whispering it back.

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

Prophecy Countdown

3 min

Reading prophecies written long before Jesus was born shows kids that God told His people exactly what was coming.

  1. SAY“Three predictions were made before Jesus was born. Two teams! Listen, then guess what each one predicts.”
  2. Tap drumroll on the Sound Board. Three kids read from their seats: Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6, then Helaman 14:2–5.
  3. The first team to name it scores. Answers: Bethlehem, a child who is the mighty God, and a new star.
  4. SAY“Micah wrote seven hundred years early. Samuel the Lamanite spoke just five years early. Today we meet the people who recognized Jesus when they saw Him.”
🌪️ Readers wait for the drumroll to end before reading. Blurting gives the point to the other team.

Class screen: 📜 Predictions made before Jesus was born. Did they come true? · 📜 Micah 5:2: 700 years before · 📜 Isaiah 9:6: 700 years before · 📜 Helaman 14:2–5: 5 years before

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each team (their own, a classroom set from the library, or Gospel Library on a parent-approved device)

Prophecy Countdown: Teacher Reads

  1. SAY“Three predictions were made before Jesus was born. Two teams! Listen, then guess what each one predicts.”
  2. Tap drumroll on the Sound Board. Read Micah 5:2, Isaiah 9:6 and Helaman 14:2–5 from your own scriptures.
  3. The first team to name it scores. Answers: Bethlehem, a child who is the mighty God, and a new star.
  4. SAY“Micah wrote seven hundred years early. Samuel the Lamanite spoke just five years early. Today we meet the people who recognized Jesus when they saw Him.”

Class screen: 📜 Three predictions made before Jesus was born. What do they predict?

2. Story

Story: Witnesses of the Child

7 min

Kids notice how differently people came to Jesus. Some hurried, some waited, some traveled far. And a boy stayed in His Father’s house.

  1. SAY“Some people hurried to Jesus. Some waited their whole lives. Listen for the word ‘temple.’ Make a roof with your hands when you hear it.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. Read each scene, and watch for the roofs. Nod to the Scripture Reader at scenes 2, 4, 5 and 7.
  3. After scene 5, ask: “Simeon and Anna recognized a tiny baby as the Savior. Why did they know, when others walked right past?” The Holy Ghost told them.
  4. After scene 7, ask: “How old was Jesus here?” Then: “Why do you think He wanted to be in the temple?”
🌪️ If the room drifts, whisper “temple” and watch the roofs go up.

Class screen: 🌟 Witnesses of the Child · 👂 Listen for “temple” · 🏛️ Make a roof!

3. Scripture

Key Verse: Luke 2:49

4 min

Kids memorize the earliest words of Jesus the Bible records and think about what His Father’s business is.

  1. SAY“These are the earliest words of Jesus that the Bible records. He was twelve.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. Teach the motions and say it together twice.
  3. Ask: “What does wist mean?” Know. Then ask: “What is Heavenly Father’s business?” A kid reads Moses 1:39 from their seat. Helping all of us come back to Him.
  4. SAY“The year you turn twelve, you can go to the temple. You can be baptized for people who died. That’s His business, and you get to help.”

Class screen: 🏛️ “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” · Luke 2:49 · wist = know

4. Game

Grow Four Ways

7 min

A team race turns Luke 2:52 into real Children and Youth goals each kid can start this week.

  1. SAY“Jesus grew four ways. Which team can find the most ways a kid your age can grow?”
  2. A kid reads Luke 2:52 from their seat. Name each area on the screen. Teams get 60 seconds per area to call out ideas: 1 point each, no repeats.
  3. Hand out cards and point out: “The Children and Youth program uses these same four areas.” Each kid writes one small goal for this month in any area.
  4. Pairs share their goals. Ask: “Why do you think Jesus needed to grow, too?” Crown the champion team.
🌪️ Only the team whose turn it is calls out ideas. Show the Big Timer so everyone can see the seconds tick.

Class screen: 📈 Wisdom · Stature · Favor with God · Favor with man · 🧠 learn · 💪 grow strong · 🙏 draw near to God · 🤝 serve others

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One small card or slip of paper and a pencil per kid (Growth Goal cards)

  1. SAY“Jesus grew four ways. Which team can find the most ways a kid your age can grow?”
  2. A kid reads Luke 2:52 from their seat. Name each area on the screen. Teams get 60 seconds per area to call out ideas: 1 point each, no repeats.
  3. Point out: “The Children and Youth program uses these same four areas.” Each kid tells a partner one small goal for this month in any area.
  4. Go around quickly: each kid says their goal in one sentence. Say: “Tell your parents tonight so they can help.” Crown the champion team.
5. Testimony

Mine Eyes Have Seen

3 min

End quietly, like Simeon, with a witness of the Savior.

  1. SAY“Simeon waited his whole life. And the Holy Ghost told him who this baby was.”
  2. Lower your voice and read Luke 2:30.
  3. Share a short testimony of how you came to know that Jesus is the Savior.
  4. Share the Father’s Business challenge on the screen, then ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🕊️ “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” · Luke 2:30 · This week: work on your goal

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Witness Edition

4 minBONUS

A Heads Up–style round with harder words reviews every witness, place and prophecy from Matthew 2 and Luke 2.

  1. SAY“Challenge words like Frankincense and Caesar Augustus need story clues. Not rhymes!”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. The guesser holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing their team. Tilt down for got it, up to pass.
  3. Teams alternate guessers, 45 seconds each. Most words wins.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay seated with hands up. The guesser picks who goes next.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: Can you get Frankincense? · No saying the word! · Story clues only

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A tough team quiz reviews every witness and prophecy.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Shepherds against Team Wise Men!”
  2. Tap Scripture Showdown. Read each question aloud. Teams huddle 10 seconds, then a captain answers. Rotate captains every question.
  3. Bonus point for naming the verse.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

Witnesses of the Child

Luke 2:1–52; Matthew 2:1–14 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Scripture ReaderFrom their seat, reads Luke 2:10–11, 2:26, 2:38 and 2:49 aloud when you nod.
  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 🫏🏠 No room in the inn

    Caesar Augustus ordered everyone counted in their family’s hometown. So Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David. There was no room in the inn. Mary’s baby was born. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

    🙌

  2. 🐑👼✨ Good tidings of great joy

    Shepherds were watching their flocks at night. Suddenly an angel stood by them. The glory of the Lord shone all around. They were terrified! The angel said, “Fear not.” And the sky filled with angels praising God.

    🙌 Shade your eyes from the bright glory!

  3. 🏃‍♂️🌟 They came with haste

    The shepherds hurried. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. It was exactly as the angel said. Then they told everyone what they’d seen. And Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

    🙌 Pat your knees fast: “Hurry to Jesus!”

  4. 🏛️👴 Simeon had been promised

    Forty days later, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple. The Holy Ghost had made old Simeon a promise. He’d see the Lord’s Christ before he died. Simeon took the baby in his arms. He said, “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”

    🙌

  5. 👵🙏 Anna spoke of Him to everyone

    Anna was a prophetess, about eighty-four years old. She served in the temple night and day, with fasting and prayer. She came in at that very moment. She gave thanks. And she told everyone waiting for the Redeemer about this child.

    🙌

  6. ⭐🎁 Wise men follow the star

    Wise men followed a star to Jerusalem. King Herod was nervous. His scribes read Micah’s words. Bethlehem! The wise men found the young child in a house. They knelt and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh. Warned in a dream, they went home another way.

    🙌

  7. 🏛️🧒 Twelve years old, in His Father’s house

    At twelve, Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Heading home, Mary and Joseph couldn’t find Him! After three days, they found Him in the temple. He was asking the teachers questions. He said, “I must be about my Father’s business.”

    🙌 Roll up your sleeves: “Father’s business!”

Key verse

Luke 2:49 ↗
“wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
In kid words: Didn’t you know I need to be doing the work of My Father in Heaven?
🙌 “wist ye not” = tap your temple, eyebrows up · “that I must be” = hand on your heart · “about my Father’s business” = point up, then roll up your sleeves like you’re getting to work.

More verses

Luke 2:52 ↗
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
In kid words: Jesus grew in His mind, His body, with Heavenly Father, and with other people.
Micah 5:2 ↗
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel”
In kid words: Hundreds of years early, Micah said the Savior would come from little Bethlehem.
Luke 2:26 ↗
“And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”
In kid words: The Holy Ghost promised Simeon he would see the Savior before he died.
Matthew 2:11 ↗
“they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him”
In kid words: The wise men found Jesus with Mary, knelt down, and worshipped Him.

Forehead Guess words20 words

  • 🏘️ Bethlehem
  • 🏛️ Caesar Augustus
  • 🌾 Manger
  • 👶 Swaddling clothes
  • 🐑 Shepherds
  • 👼 Heavenly host
  • 👴 Simeon
  • 👵 Anna
  • 🐪 Wise men
  • ⭐ Star
  • 🤴 King Herod
  • 🪙 Gold
  • 💨 Frankincense
  • 🫙 Myrrh
  • 🏜️ Egypt
  • 🐑 Passover
  • 📜 Temple teachers
  • 📏 Stature
  • 🧔 Micah
  • 💭 Ponder
Clues for each word
  • Bethlehem: City of David; Micah said the ruler would come from here
  • Caesar Augustus: Roman emperor whose decree sent Joseph and Mary traveling
  • Manger: Animal feeding trough used as a baby bed
  • Swaddling clothes: Cloth wrapped snugly around the newborn
  • Shepherds: Watched flocks by night, then came with haste
  • Heavenly host: A multitude of angels praising God
  • Simeon: Promised by the Holy Ghost he’d see Christ before dying
  • Anna: Prophetess of about 84 who served in the temple
  • Wise men: Followed a star from the east
  • Star: Samuel the Lamanite said a new one would appear
  • King Herod: Jealous ruler who was troubled by the news
  • Gold: A gift fit for a king
  • Frankincense: Sweet-smelling incense given as a gift
  • Myrrh: Spice used for burial, given to young Jesus
  • Egypt: Where Joseph took his family to escape Herod
  • Passover: Yearly feast when Jesus went to Jerusalem at twelve
  • Temple teachers: The “doctors” amazed at twelve-year-old Jesus’s answers
  • Stature: Height and physical growth in Luke 2:52
  • Micah: Old Testament prophet who named Bethlehem
  • Ponder: What Mary did with these things in her heart
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown10 questions

  1. Why did Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem?
    • A. To visit Elisabeth
    • B. Caesar Augustus ordered everyone to be taxed
    • C. To hide from King Herod
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Caesar Augustus ordered everyone to be taxed Luke 2:1–4. Joseph was of the house of David, so he went to the city of David.

  2. Which Old Testament prophet named Bethlehem as the Savior’s birthplace?
    • A. Micah
    • B. Jonah
    • C. Elijah
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Micah Micah 5:2, quoted by the chief priests in Matthew 2:5–6.

  3. What sign did the angel give the shepherds?
    • A. A bright rainbow
    • B. A new star over a tree
    • C. A babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger
    Show answer

    ✅ C. A babe in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger Luke 2:12. They found Him exactly as the angel said.

  4. What had the Holy Ghost promised Simeon?
    • A. He would see the Lord’s Christ before he died
    • B. He would become high priest
    • C. He would travel to Egypt
    Show answer

    ✅ A. He would see the Lord’s Christ before he died Luke 2:26. The Spirit even led him to the temple at the right moment.

  5. How did Anna serve God in the temple?
    • A. By selling doves
    • B. By guarding the doors
    • C. With fastings and prayers night and day
    Show answer

    ✅ C. With fastings and prayers night and day Luke 2:37. At about 84, she still never left the temple.

  6. Where did the wise men find the young child?
    • A. In a manger
    • B. In a house
    • C. In the temple
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In a house Matthew 2:11. They likely came some time after the shepherds.

  7. Why did the wise men go home another way?
    • A. The road was flooded
    • B. God warned them in a dream
    • C. They got lost following the star
    Show answer

    ✅ B. God warned them in a dream Matthew 2:12. God protected the child from Herod.

  8. Which Book of Mormon prophet foretold a new star at Jesus’s birth?
    • A. Samuel the Lamanite
    • B. Alma
    • C. Moroni
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Samuel the Lamanite Helaman 14:5. It came true in 3 Nephi 1:21.

  9. How long did Mary and Joseph search before finding twelve-year-old Jesus?
    • A. One hour
    • B. Three days
    • C. Two weeks
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Three days Luke 2:46. He was in the temple, listening and asking questions.

  10. Which is NOT one of the ways Jesus grew in Luke 2:52?
    • A. Wisdom
    • B. Stature
    • C. Riches
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Riches He grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 36

    Samuel the Lamanite’s prophecy of the new star came true in these chapters. Find it ↗

  • Jesus Once Was a Little Child Children’s Songbook, p. 55

    Jesus grew up just as they are growing (Luke 2:40, 52). Find it ↗

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

    Simeon, Anna and twelve-year-old Jesus all found the Savior’s work in the temple. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Father’s Business Goal

Take the goal you picked from Luke 2:52. It might be wisdom, stature, favor with God or favor with others. Do something for it every day this week. Tell a parent your goal tonight so they can cheer you on. It can be your first Children and Youth goal of 2027.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we studied Luke 2 and Matthew 2 as a set of witnesses. Shepherds hurried. Simeon and Anna waited in the temple. Wise men traveled far to worship Jesus. We read prophecies from Micah, Isaiah and Samuel the Lamanite that came true. We talked about twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple: “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” That’s Luke 2:49. Your child set a small goal from Luke 2:52. Ask them what it is and how you can help.

📝 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?

🌅 Night with No Darkness · 4 min

  1. Read Helaman 14:2–5, then 3 Nephi 1:15–21.
  2. Teams list every detail Samuel predicted and check off each one that came true.
  3. Ask: “Why do you think Heavenly Father gave the Nephites such a big sign?”

❓ Question Masters · 4 min

  1. Read Luke 2:46–47. Point out that Jesus was “both hearing them, and asking them questions.”
  2. Each kid writes or says one real question they have about the gospel.
  3. Choose two to answer together from the scriptures, and invite kids to ask a parent or leader the rest. Say: “Good questions are part of how we grow in wisdom.”

🧭 Another Way Home · 3 min

  1. Read Matthew 2:12. The wise men changed their plans because God warned them.
  2. Ask: “When has a prompting, a parent or a prophet warned you to take ‘another way’?”
  3. Share examples: leaving a game with bad language, turning off a show, walking away from a fight.

🎁 Three Gifts, Three Clues · 4 min

  1. SAY“Many people believe each gift pointed to who Jesus is.” Gold: a gift for a king. Frankincense: incense burned in worship. Myrrh: a burial spice, a hint of His sacrifice (John 19:39).
  2. Teams get 60 seconds to match a gift to each clue you read. “King of the Jews” ➜ gold. “worship him” ➜ frankincense. “Lamb of God” ➜ myrrh.
  3. Ask: “What gift can you give Jesus that costs no money?” Obedience, kindness, time in the scriptures, a changed heart.

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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