Nothing Is Impossible with God

An old priest who couldn’t talk, a baby who leaped for joy, and Mary’s brave “yes”

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 1
  • 📅 Sunday, January 3, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

With God nothing is impossible, so I can trust Him, keep praying while I wait, and say “yes” like Mary did.

I can trust Heavenly Father to answer my prayers in His own time and say “yes” when He asks me to help.

Know the chapters

Happy New Year, and welcome to the New Testament! Luke 1 tells about two babies nobody thought were possible. Zacharias and Elisabeth were righteous and very old, and they had prayed for a child for years. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the angel Gabriel told him Elisabeth would have a son named John. Zacharias asked how he could know this, and Gabriel said he would not be able to speak until it happened. Six months later Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth and told her she would be the mother of the Son of God. Mary visited Elisabeth, the unborn John leaped for joy, and when John was born, Zacharias wrote “His name is John” and could talk again. Matthew 1 adds Joseph’s side: an angel came to him in a dream, and he obeyed right away.

For eight-year-olds, the heart of the week is Luke 1:37: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Kids love the idea of “impossible,” and this story gives them two impossible things that happened anyway. It also teaches patience: Elisabeth and Zacharias kept praying and keeping the commandments for years before their answer came. Children can learn that Heavenly Father always hears them and answers in His own time and way, even when the answer is “wait.”

Mary’s answer in Luke 1:38, “be it unto me according to thy word,” means “I am the Lord’s servant. I will do what He wants.” Most of your class has just been baptized, when they promised to follow Jesus Christ. Mary’s trusting “yes” is exactly what that promise looks like. Joseph shows the same thing: he woke up from his dream and did what the angel said (Matthew 1:24).

Doctrine to keep simple and true: Jesus Christ is the Son of Heavenly Father and of Mary (Luke 1:31–35). From His Father He received power over death, and from His mother He received a mortal body, so He could be our Savior and be resurrected. If kids ask how, you can say, “Heavenly Father made it happen by His power” (Luke 1:35) and leave it there. Joseph was a good, obedient man who raised Jesus. The name Jesus was chosen by God: “he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Baby John grows up to be John the Baptist, who prepares people for Jesus (Luke 1:76).

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Luke 1:5–38 so you know the story. Open Teach Mode and let your phone or tablet carry the story drama, then teach “For with God nothing shall be impossible” with the motions and finish with Forehead Guess. The Chair Challenge needs nothing but chairs. No time to practice the card trick? Tap “I brought nothing” and the class becomes a human doorway instead.

What to bring3 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. Try the Chair Challenge on yourself: sit all the way back with your back against the chair, feet flat on the floor in front of you, arms crossed. Now try to stand up without leaning forward or pulling your feet under the chair. You can’t, because your balance is behind your feet!
  2. Practice the Walk-Through Card at home (about 3 minutes). Fold an index card in half the long way. Starting from the fold, cut toward the open edges, stopping about ¼ inch before the edge. Then cut from the open edges toward the fold, stopping ¼ inch before the fold. Keep alternating, about ½ inch apart, and make your first and last cuts from the folded side. Finally, cut along the fold through every strip EXCEPT the two end strips. Gently pull it open into a giant ring you can step through.
  3. Make one practice card that is fully cut but still folded flat, and bring one uncut card to show the class.
  4. Put the notepad and marker where Zacharias can grab them during scene 7.
  5. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap (January class changes may bring new kids).

If your class is wild

  • Give Zacharias to your chattiest kid. Staying silent from scene 3 to scene 7 is a hilarious challenge, and everyone will be watching to see if they crack.
  • Baby John is the perfect role for your jumpiest kid: they get to leap on cue.
  • Use “Zacharias!” as your attention getter all day. When you say it, everyone zips their lips and freezes.
  • Kids may come in tired or wired after the holidays. If they’re bouncing, do the Angel, Baby, Zacharias! wiggle before the story.
  • Start with names. New kids settle down faster for a teacher who knows who they are.

The 25-minute plan25 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

The Impossible Chair Challenge

3 min

A challenge nobody can win grabs their attention and sets up the word “impossible.”

  1. SAY“Who thinks they’re super strong? I have a challenge that nobody in the whole world can do.”
  2. Everyone sits all the way back in their chair: back against the chair, feet flat on the floor in front, arms crossed. Rules: no leaning forward and no scooting your feet back.
  3. SAY“On three, stand up! One, two, three!” Let them strain and laugh. Nobody can do it.
  4. Pick one kid to stay seated. A helper stands in front, holds their hands and gently pulls. Up they come!
  5. SAY“By yourself it was impossible. With help, easy! Today we’ll meet people who were told things that sounded totally impossible, and an angel who said, ‘With God nothing shall be impossible.’”
🌪️ Wobbly chairs? Push the chair backs against a wall first. Helpers pull slowly: no yanking.

Class screen: 🪑 The Impossible Chair Challenge! · Back on the chair · Feet flat, arms crossed · Now… stand up!

2. Story

Story Drama: Two Impossible Babies

6 min

Acting it out lets wiggly kids move while the story sinks in.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone else is a Neighbor.
  2. Whisper Zacharias’s secret mission: from scene 3 until scene 7, not one word. Only hand signals!
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 4, practice the big line together: “With God nothing shall be impossible!”
  5. At scene 7, hand Zacharias the notepad and marker to write HIS NAME IS JOHN. Hold it up for everyone, then let him shout, “Praise God!”
🌪️ Keep scenes moving fast. If an actor gets silly, make them a Neighbor in charge of the next big gasp.

Class screen: 🎭 Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part · Zacharias: no talking!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A notepad, small whiteboard or sheet of paper, plus a marker (Zacharias’s writing tablet)

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone else is a Neighbor.
  2. Whisper Zacharias’s secret mission: from scene 3 until scene 7, not one word. Only hand signals!
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 4, practice the big line together: “With God nothing shall be impossible!”
  5. At scene 7, Zacharias writes HIS NAME IS JOHN in the air with a giant pointer finger, letter by letter. The Neighbors read each letter out loud as he writes it. Then he shouts, “Praise God!”
3. Wiggle break

Angel, Baby, Zacharias!

2 min

A fast call-and-move game burns energy and reviews every character.

  1. Teach the moves: “Gabriel!” = tiptoes with wings spread · “Baby John!” = leap in place · “Mary!” = bow, then nod “yes” · “Joseph!” = snore standing up · “Zacharias!” = freeze with a finger on your lips.
  2. Call them out in a random order, faster and faster.
  3. Try a trick: call the same one twice in a row.
  4. End on “Zacharias!” so the whole room is frozen and silent. Say: “Perfect. Stay that quiet for the next surprise.”

Class screen: 🤸 Angel! Baby! Zacharias! Do the move! · 👼 wings · 👶 leap · 🙋‍♀️ nod yes · 😴 snore · 🤐 freeze!

4. Object lesson

The Walk-Through Card

3 min

A paper “impossible” shows that God knows ways we never thought of.

  1. Hold up the uncut index card. Say: “Could I fit my whole body through this little card? Thumbs up for possible, thumbs down for impossible.”
  2. Let a kid try to poke an arm through the uncut card. Nope!
  3. SAY“By myself I’d just rip it. But if I follow the right instructions…” Swap in your practice card, make the last snip, and slowly open it into a giant ring.
  4. Step through it, or drop it over a kid’s head all the way to the floor so they can step out.
  5. SAY“Elisabeth was too old for a baby. Mary was told she would be the mother of the Son of God. It sounded impossible! But Heavenly Father knew exactly how. When we trust Him and follow His instructions, He can do things we never could.”
  6. Ask: “What feels impossible to you?” (Being brave at a new school, forgiving a sibling, being reverent through the whole sacrament.) “God can help with every one, in His way and His time.”
🌪️ Only the teacher uses scissors. Kids who are sitting ready get to step through the ring.

Class screen: ✂️ Can a whole person fit through a card? · 👍 possible? · 👎 impossible?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 3 or 4 index cards (or cardstock cut to 3 × 5 inches) and scissors

The Human Doorway

  1. SAY“Could this whole class walk through a hole made by just two people? Thumbs up for possible, thumbs down for impossible.”
  2. Two kids hold hands to make a tiny circle. Let one kid try to step through. Too small! Tap crash on the Sound Board.
  3. SAY“Alone, it’s impossible. But watch what happens when we add help.” Add kids one at a time to the circle, holding hands. Each one says “With God!” as they join.
  4. When the ring is big enough, everyone who’s left steps through it, then joins the ring.
  5. SAY“Elisabeth was too old for a baby. Mary was told she would be the mother of the Son of God. It sounded impossible! But Heavenly Father knew exactly how. He can do things we never could.”
  6. Ask: “What feels impossible to you?” (Being brave at a new school, forgiving a sibling, being reverent through the whole sacrament.) “God can help with every one, in His way and His time.”

Class screen: 🚪 Can the whole class fit through? · Start with two · Add help: “With God!”

🌪️ Hands stay held and feet stay slow. Anyone who pulls the ring apart becomes the Sound Board helper.
5. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Luke 1:37

3 min

Motions and silly voices help active kids memorize the week’s big promise.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it once slowly.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Say it three ways: as Zacharias (lip-sync with NO sound), as Gabriel (big and bright), then as Baby John (bounce on every word).
  4. Ask: “What did Mary say right after the angel said this?” (“Be it unto me according to thy word.” She said yes!)

Class screen: 💪 With God nothing shall be impossible!

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Zacharias Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game that reviews every person and place from today.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. The class gives clues without saying the word. The hint under each word helps if they get stuck.
  3. Guesser tilts your phone or tablet down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn lasts 45 seconds.
  4. Zacharias round: for the last turn, nobody may talk. Clue-givers can only act it out, just like Zacharias!
🌪️ Clue-givers stay in their seats. Anyone who shouts the word loses their next clue turn.

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues, don’t say the word! · Last round: no talking!

7. Talk it over

Talk It Over

2 min

Connect waiting, trusting and saying yes to their own lives.

  1. Sit close. Ask one question at a time and share your own answer too.
  2. Use the Name Spinner if everyone wants to answer at once.
💬 Ask the class
  • Zacharias and Elisabeth prayed for a baby for years. Why do you think they kept praying?
  • Have you ever waited a long time for an answer to a prayer? What happened?
  • Mary said yes to Heavenly Father. What is something He might want you to say yes to this week?

Class screen: 💬 Let’s talk!

8. Testimony

Testimony & the Yes Challenge

2 min

End calm and reverent, with something to do at home.

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about a time Heavenly Father answered your prayer in His own time, or helped you do something that felt impossible.
  2. SAY“When you were baptized, you promised to follow Jesus. That’s your way of saying yes, just like Mary.”
  3. Introduce the Say Yes Like Mary challenge on the screen.
  4. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🙋 This week: say “yes” like Mary! · When someone asks for help: “Yes!” · Keep praying, even when you wait

9. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two teams. Tap Scripture Showdown to start.
  2. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  3. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point.

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

10. Game

Silent Prayer Charades

4 minBONUS

Kids act out things they can pray about and learn that Heavenly Father hears every one.

  1. SAY“Zacharias couldn’t talk, but he could still pray. Let’s act out things kids pray about, with no talking!”
  2. Whisper an idea to a volunteer: a sick pet, a hard test, thanks for snow, a friend who moved away, being scared of the dark, a grandparent far away, thanks for food.
  3. The actor acts it out silently while the class guesses. Tap ding on the Sound Board for each right guess.
  4. After each one, say: “Heavenly Father hears that prayer. Sometimes He answers fast, sometimes it takes a long time, like Elisabeth. He always hears.”

Class screen: 🙏 What are they praying about? No talking!

Story drama

Two Impossible Babies

Luke 1:5–64; Matthew 1:18–25 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • ZachariasBurns pretend incense in the temple, then can’t say one word until he writes “His name is John.”
  • ElisabethPrays for a baby for years, then greets Mary with a happy shout.
  • Angel GabrielStands tall with arms spread like wings and brings the big news (also plays the angel in Joseph’s dream).
  • MaryListens to Gabriel, then bravely says yes to what God asks.
  • JosephWorries, falls asleep, dreams of an angel, and wakes up ready to obey.
  • Baby JohnCurls up small, leaps for joy when Mary arrives, and is “born” with a big stretch.
  • The NeighborsEveryone else: the crowd outside the temple, gasps, guesses, “Call him Zacharias!”, and cheers.

Scenes

  1. 👴👵🙏 Old, faithful, and still praying

    Zacharias and Elisabeth loved God and kept His commandments. They were very, very old, and for years and years they had prayed for a baby. No baby came. But they kept on praying and kept on being faithful.

    🎬 Zacharias and Elisabeth kneel and fold their arms. Neighbors shake their heads and whisper, “Still no baby…”

  2. 🏛️👼 An angel in the temple!

    One day it was Zacharias’s turn to burn sweet-smelling incense in the temple. Suddenly an angel was standing right beside the altar! It was Gabriel. He said, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias. Your prayer is heard. Elisabeth will have a son, and you will name him John.”

    🎬 Zacharias waves pretend smoke, then jumps back in surprise. Gabriel spreads his wings. Neighbors: “Whoa!”

  3. 🤐 Zacharias can’t say a word

    Zacharias asked, “How can I know this? I’m an old man!” Gabriel said that because Zacharias didn’t believe, he would not be able to speak until the baby came. Outside, the people wondered why he was taking so long. When he came out, he could only talk with his hands.

    🎬 Zacharias zips his lips and tries to explain with only hand motions. Neighbors guess out loud: “Did you see something?!”

  4. 🏡👼👩 Gabriel visits Mary in Nazareth

    Six months later, Gabriel visited a young woman named Mary in the little town of Nazareth. He said she would have a baby named Jesus, and He would be the Son of God. Mary asked how that could be. Gabriel told her that her cousin Elisabeth, who everyone thought was too old, was going to have a baby too. Then he said, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

    🎬 Gabriel says the big line and everyone repeats it: “With God nothing shall be impossible!”

  5. 🙋‍♀️ Mary says yes

    Mary didn’t know everything that would happen. But she trusted God. She said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” That means, “I am the Lord’s servant. I will do what He wants.”

    🎬 Mary bows her head, then looks up and nods. Everyone nods with her and whispers, “Yes.”

  6. 🤰👶💃 Baby John leaps for joy!

    Mary hurried to visit Elisabeth. The moment Elisabeth heard Mary say hello, the baby inside Elisabeth leaped for joy, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. She knew right away that Mary’s baby would be the Lord.

    🎬 Baby John jumps up and down. Elisabeth throws her arms up: “Mary, you are blessed!”

  7. ✍️ “His name is John!”

    Elisabeth’s baby was born, and all the neighbors celebrated. They wanted to name him Zacharias, like his dad. Elisabeth said, “No, his name is John.” So they asked Zacharias. He asked for something to write on and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN. Right away he could talk again, and the first thing he did was praise God!

    🎬 Neighbors shout, “Call him Zacharias!” Zacharias writes HIS NAME IS JOHN, then shouts, “Praise God!”

  8. 😴🌙👼 An angel in Joseph’s dream

    Joseph was going to marry Mary, and he was worried and didn’t know what to do. Then an angel came to him in a dream: “Joseph, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. Her baby is the Son of God. Name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

    🎬 Joseph snores. The angel tiptoes over and whispers. Joseph wakes up and gives a big thumbs-up.

  9. 🌟 Every promise came true!

    Joseph obeyed right away. Zacharias and Elisabeth got the baby they had prayed for, and he would grow up to be John the Baptist. And soon, Baby Jesus would be born. Two “impossible” babies, and one amazing God!

    🎬 Everyone stands and shouts one last time: “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!”

Key verse

Luke 1:37 ↗
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
In kid words: There is nothing Heavenly Father can’t do.
🙌 “For with God” = point up · “nothing” = make a big zero with your hands · “shall be” = shake your head no · “impossible” = flex both arms like a superhero and shout it!

More verses

Luke 1:38 ↗
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
In kid words: Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. I will do what He wants.”
Luke 1:13 ↗
“Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard”
In kid words: Don’t be afraid. God heard your prayer.
Luke 1:41 ↗
“the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost”
In kid words: Baby John jumped for joy, and Elisabeth felt the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:21 ↗
“thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
In kid words: His name will be Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 👴 Zacharias
  • 👵 Elisabeth
  • 👼 Angel Gabriel
  • 🙋‍♀️ Mary
  • 🪚 Joseph
  • 👶 John the Baptist
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • 💨 Incense
  • 🏡 Nazareth
  • 😴 Dream
  • ✍️ Writing Tablet
  • 🙏 Prayer
  • 🦘 Leap
  • 🚫 Impossible
  • ✨ Miracle
  • 🍼 Baby
  • 🕊️ Holy Ghost
  • 💛 Savior
Clues for each word
  • Zacharias: Old priest who couldn’t talk for months
  • Elisabeth: Prayed for years, then had baby John
  • Angel Gabriel: Brought the big news to Zacharias and Mary
  • Mary: Said yes to being Jesus’s mother
  • Joseph: A carpenter who dreamed about an angel
  • John the Baptist: Leaped for joy before he was even born
  • Temple: Where Zacharias saw the angel
  • Incense: Sweet-smelling smoke burned in the temple
  • Nazareth: Mary’s little hometown
  • Dream: How the angel talked to Joseph
  • Writing Tablet: Zacharias wrote “His name is John” on it
  • Prayer: Talking to Heavenly Father
  • Leap: What baby John did when Mary said hello
  • Impossible: Nothing is this with God
  • Miracle: Something amazing only God can do
  • Baby: Elisabeth prayed for one for years
  • Holy Ghost: Filled Elisabeth when Mary arrived
  • Savior: Jesus came to save us from our sins
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Why was it amazing that Elisabeth would have a baby?
    • A. She was very old
    • B. She lived in a castle
    • C. She already had ten kids
    Show answer

    ✅ A. She was very old Zacharias and Elisabeth were old and had prayed for a baby for years.

  2. Where was Zacharias when the angel appeared?
    • A. At the beach
    • B. In the temple
    • C. At the market
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In the temple He was burning incense in the temple when Gabriel appeared beside the altar.

  3. What happened to Zacharias because he didn’t believe the angel?
    • A. He got the hiccups
    • B. He fell asleep
    • C. He couldn’t talk
    Show answer

    ✅ C. He couldn’t talk He couldn’t speak until his baby was named. Talk about a long quiet time!

  4. What did Gabriel tell Mary to name her baby?
    • A. John
    • B. Jesus
    • C. Joseph
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Jesus Matthew 1:21: He would save His people from their sins.

  5. Finish Gabriel’s words: “With God nothing shall be…”
    • A. impossible
    • B. too hard
    • C. boring
    Show answer

    ✅ A. impossible Luke 1:37. There is nothing Heavenly Father can’t do!

  6. What did baby John do when Mary came to visit?
    • A. Cried
    • B. Leaped for joy
    • C. Hiccuped
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Leaped for joy He leaped for joy, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.

  7. What did Zacharias write on his writing tablet?
    • A. “Call him Zacharias”
    • B. “I’m hungry”
    • C. “His name is John”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “His name is John” The moment he wrote it, he could talk again, and he praised God!

  8. How did the angel talk to Joseph?
    • A. In a dream
    • B. In a letter
    • C. On a scroll
    Show answer

    ✅ A. In a dream Joseph woke up and obeyed right away (Matthew 1:24).

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • A Child’s Prayer Children’s Songbook, p. 12

    Zacharias and Elisabeth’s prayer was heard. Heavenly Father hears children’s prayers too. Find it ↗

  • He Sent His Son Children’s Songbook, p. 34

    Heavenly Father’s plan to send Jesus begins in these chapters. Find it ↗

  • Faith Children’s Songbook, p. 96

    Mary trusted God before she knew how everything would happen. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Say Yes Like Mary

This week, when a parent asks for help or you feel a quiet prompting to be kind, answer like Mary: “Yes, I’ll do it!” Keep count of your yeses and tell your family which one was the hardest.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we started the New Testament with two “impossible” babies: John, born to old Zacharias and Elisabeth, and Jesus, the Son of God, born to Mary. We learned Luke 1:37: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Your child’s challenge is to say “yes” like Mary when asked to help. Ask your child: what happened to Zacharias’s voice, and when did it come back?

📝 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?

🔎 Names of Jesus Hunt · 5 min

  1. Give pairs one of these to look up: Matthew 1:21, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:35.
  2. Each pair finds a name or title of Jesus (Jesus, Emmanuel, Son of the Highest, Son of God) and shouts it when they find it.
  3. Explain Emmanuel: “God with us.” Ask: “Which name is your favorite? Why?”

🔍 My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord · 4 min

  1. Look at a tiny word through a magnifying glass (or zoom in with a phone camera). It gets BIG!
  2. Read Luke 1:46: Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord.”
  3. Ask: “How can we make Heavenly Father big in our lives, not tiny?” (Pray first, think about Him often, thank Him.)

⏳ The Waiting Game · 3 min

  1. Open the Big Timer for 30 seconds. Everyone sits perfectly still and silent, like Zacharias waiting to talk.
  2. Ask: “Was that easy or hard? Elisabeth and Zacharias waited years for their answer!”
  3. SAY“Waiting doesn’t mean Heavenly Father forgot. It means keep praying and keep being faithful.”

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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