Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Exodus 7–13

Happy Opening (2–3 minutes): “Sponge Heart, Rock Heart”
Materials: 1 sponge, 1 small rock, cup of water, towel

1. Show the children the sponge and the rock. Let them touch both.
2. Pour a little water on each. Let them see which one “soaks it in.”
   What to say: “A soft heart is like a sponge—it can take in what Heavenly Father teaches. A hard heart is like a rock—it won’t listen.”
   Connect: “Today we’ll learn about a man named Pharaoh who had a hard heart, and about how the Lord can help us have soft hearts.”

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Simple Scripture Story (5 minutes): Moses, Pharaoh, and the Passover
Materials: simple paper crown (Pharaoh), simple staff (stick) (Moses), small paper heart
Tell it simply with actions:

• “The Lord sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to let God’s people go. But Pharaoh kept saying ‘No.’ The scriptures say Pharaoh did not listen and his heart stayed hard (Exodus 8:28–32; 9:7).”
  Ask: “What do we do when we listen? (Put hand by ear.) What do we do when we don’t want to listen? (Cross arms.)”
• “The Lord showed His power with many plagues. The Lord said these things would help people know Him.” Read: “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 7:5).
• “Then the Lord taught His people something very special called the Passover.”
  Explain simply: “They were to put lamb’s blood on their doorposts. The Lord promised that would keep them safe.” Read: “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).
  Connect to opening: “Pharaoh’s heart was hard. But the Lord teaches us how to be safe and how to follow Him with soft hearts.”

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Big Idea (repeat often): “I can have a soft heart and remember Jesus.”
(Keep it short and repeat it after each activity.)

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Wiggle and Learn Activities (3–4 short activities, all different types)

1) Object Lesson: “Soft Heart Receives” (2–3 minutes)
Materials: sponge, rock, water (already used)
Steps:

1. Repeat the water pour quickly.
2. Say: “Which one is like listening and obeying?”
   What to say: “The Lord can help me have a soft heart” (Exodus 8:28–32; 9:7).
   Connect: “Now let’s move our bodies like we’re choosing a soft heart!”

2) Physical Activity Game: “Soft Heart / Hard Heart Choices” (4 minutes)
Materials: none
Steps:

1. Tell the children: “When I say something that sounds like a soft heart, stand up. If it sounds like a hard heart, sit down.”
2. Use simple prompts: “Sharing,” “Not listening,” “Saying sorry,” “Being mean,” “Praying,” “Yelling.”
   What to say: “Soft hearts listen to Heavenly Father. I can have a soft heart and remember Jesus.”
   Connect: “Because we want soft hearts, we also love remembering what the Lord did for His people.”

3) Hands-On Craft: “Doorpost Token Picture” (6–8 minutes)
Materials: paper, crayons, optional brown/yellow crayon for door, red crayon for “token”
Steps:

1. Help children draw a simple door (rectangle).
2. Have them color a small red mark on the sides/top of the door.
3. Write (or say) the promise: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).
   What to say: “In the Passover, the token helped God’s people be safe. The Passover helps us remember Jesus.” (Exodus 12:1–13)
   Connect: “Now let’s look at a picture that helps us remember Jesus too.”

4) Interactive Discussion: “Remember” (2–3 minutes)
Materials: none
Steps:

1. Ask: “What is something you want to remember about Jesus?”
2. Let each child say one word (kind, help, love, pray).
   What to say: “The lesson says the sacrament helps us remember Jesus.”
   Connect: “Let’s practice remembering with a song!”

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Picture Time (2–3 minutes): Gospel Art Book Picture
Use: “The Passover Supper,” by Brian Call
Questions:

1. “What do you see the people doing?”
2. “How do you think they felt, knowing the Lord would help them?”
3. “How can we remember Jesus at church?”
   Tie to Big Idea: “I can have a soft heart and remember Jesus.”

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Song and Actions (3 minutes): Children’s Songbook
Song: “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook)
Actions (simple):

• “I feel…” (hands on heart)
• “Savior’s love” (hug self)
• “He will…” (point upward)
• “bless…” (hands open like giving)
  What to say: “When we think about Jesus, we can feel peaceful and loved.”

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Jesus Loves Me Moment (1–2 minutes)
Say: “Today we learned the Lord is powerful.” Read again: “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord” (Exodus 7:5).
Say: “And we learned the Lord gave a promise to keep His people safe.” Read again: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).
Invite: “Finish this sentence: ‘I can be like Jesus when I…’” (help, share, listen, pray).
Testimony (simple and direct): “I know Heavenly Father loves you. I know Jesus can help us have soft hearts and remember Him.”

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Take-Home Hug (this week)
“Give someone at home a hug and say, ‘I will listen with a soft heart.’”

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Teacher Survival Tips

1. Keep transitions fast: hold up the next item (rock/sponge, then crayons) before finishing the last activity.
2. Use repeat phrases to refocus: “Soft heart—remember Jesus.” (Have them whisper it, then say it loud.)
3. If attention drops, shorten: do only 3 activities and go to the song early.