Before You Teach
A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.
This week we meet Jeremiah, a young man God chose to be a prophet. God told Jeremiah something wonderful: He knew and loved him even before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5). The same is true for every child in your class. Heavenly Father knew them, loved them, and had a plan for them before they came to earth.
God spoke to a young man named Jeremiah. God said, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee" (Jeremiah 1:5). Jeremiah was scared. He said, "Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6). But God said, "Be not afraid... for I am with thee" (Jeremiah 1:8). God touched Jeremiah's mouth and helped him. Jeremiah was not a baby anymore, but God had known and loved him since before he was born. Jeremiah trusted God and became a brave prophet.
Little children need to FEEL that they are known and loved before they can understand why. Keep it warm and simple: point to each child and say, "Heavenly Father knew YOU before you were born." Let them feel safe, chosen, and brave. Do not explain premortal life with big words. Just love, knowing, and "I am with thee."
Full Lesson Flow
Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.
Gather the children close. Hold up a picture of a baby (or ask, "Were you ever a tiny baby?").
Say: "You were once a tiny baby! But do you know a secret? Heavenly Father knew you and loved you EVEN BEFORE you were a baby. He has always loved you!"
Let each child point to themselves and say, "Heavenly Father knew ME!"
Opening B (pick-one option): Sing the first line of "I Lived in Heaven" (Children's Songbook, 4) with a hug motion. "I lived in heaven a long time ago." Wrap arms in a hug on the word "loved."
Tell the story with actions the children copy.
Say: "A long time ago, God had a special helper named Jeremiah. Jeremiah was a young man." (Stand tall.)
"One day God said to Jeremiah something very special." (Cup hand to ear to listen.)
Read slowly:
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee" (Jeremiah 1:5).
Say: "That means God knew Jeremiah and loved him before he was even born! Just like He knew YOU!" (Point to the children.)
Say: "But Jeremiah felt scared. He said, " (Make a worried face.)
"Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child" (Jeremiah 1:6).
Ask: "Have you ever felt a little scared? What do you think God said to Jeremiah?" (Let them guess.)
Say: "God said the kindest words, "
"Be not afraid... for I am with thee" (Jeremiah 1:8).
Say: "God helped Jeremiah be brave. And Jeremiah did big, good things! Just like in our opening, God knew Jeremiah and loved him before he was born."
Heavenly Father knew me and loved me before I was born.
Say it together with a motion: hands on heart for "knew me," then arms in a hug for "loved me." Repeat this all through class: "Just like Jeremiah, Heavenly Father knew ME and loved ME before I was born."
Activity options
Default
Movement game. Lay a "path" on the floor with tape, ribbon, or paper footprints.
Default
Movement game. Lay a "path" on the floor with tape, ribbon, or paper footprints.
Materials: a beanbag or soft ball.
Materials: paper hearts, crayons.
Show the Gospel Art Book picture "Jesus Praying with His Mother" or, best, a picture of Jesus loving little children (Gospel Art Book, "Jesus and the Children") or "Jesus Blessing the Children."
Ask:
Sing "I Lived in Heaven" (Children's Songbook, 4) or "I Am a Child of God" (Children's Songbook, 2).
Simple actions for "I Am a Child of God":
Gather close and quiet. Invite each child to finish one sentence:
Keep it short and warm. Let even a smile or a hug count as an answer.
This week, give someone in your family a big hug and say, "Heavenly Father loves you!" Just like God loved Jeremiah before he was born, God loves your whole family.
