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Nets So Full They Broke

Jesus says no to Satan with the scriptures, then fills Peter’s empty boat and says, “Follow me”

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 5
  • 📅 Sunday, January 31, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus used the scriptures to choose the right, and when He says “Follow me,” I can trust Him and follow right away.

I can use the scriptures as a shield when I’m tempted and follow Jesus straightway, even when it’s hard.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 4; Luke 4–5 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 4; Luke 4–5)
Know the chapters

Right after His baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness to be with God and fasted forty days (Matthew 4:1–2; the Joseph Smith Translation says He went “to be with God”). Then Satan came with three temptations: turn stones into bread, jump from the top of the temple, and bow down to Satan in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world. Twice Satan began with “If thou be the Son of God,” trying to make Jesus doubt who He was. Every time, Jesus answered, “It is written,” and quoted scripture (from Deuteronomy). He never gave in. The Joseph Smith Translation also clarifies that it was the Spirit, not the devil, that took Jesus to the temple and the mountain.

For eight-year-olds, the tools are simple and powerful: Jesus knew who He was, He knew the scriptures, and He was close to His Father through prayer and fasting. The kids are children of God, and the scriptures and Primary songs they memorize can come to their minds right when they need them. Next Sunday is fast Sunday, so this is a great week to talk about why we fast.

In Luke 4:16–22, Jesus stood up in the synagogue in Nazareth, His hometown, and read Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah who would heal the brokenhearted and free captives. Then He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” He was telling them He is the promised Savior. The people were filled with anger and tried to throw Him off a cliff, but He passed through the crowd unharmed (Luke 4:28–30).

The Story Drama this week is Luke 5:1–11 (with Matthew 4:18–22). Simon Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told him to try again in deep water. Peter’s answer is the heart of the lesson: “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” The nets filled until they broke and two boats began to sink. Jesus told these fishermen they would now “catch men,” helping people come to Him, and they left everything and followed Him “straightway,” right away.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 5:1–11. Open Teach Mode and let your phone or tablet run the Story Drama; the kids can link arms to be the net. Then play Scripture Shield with crossed arms as shields and finish with Forehead Guess. Tap “I brought nothing” and every step switches to its no-supplies version.

What to bring5 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. Put the rock and the bread in a paper bag and fold it closed.
  2. Write IT IS WRITTEN in big letters on the back of each paper plate.
  3. Crumple the scrap paper into soft balls. On a sticky note or in your head, plan 8–10 temptations an 8-year-old really faces (examples are in the Scripture Shield step).
  4. Fold the blanket so two fishermen can shake it open quickly in scene 1.
  5. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story parts with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • Scripture Shield is a throwing game on purpose. It burns energy early, so the story afterward goes smoothly. Only YOU throw; kids block.
  • Pick your most dramatic kid to be Simon Peter. Falling to his knees in scene 7 is a big, fun moment.
  • Fish kids can “swim” only on their knees or in slow motion. Fast fish get “caught” and sit in the boat.
  • When you need attention, call “Fishers!” and the class answers “Follow me!” while freezing with hands out like holding a net.
  • If you see a kid getting silly during temptations, give them the job of shouting “It is written!” for the whole class.

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

Rock or Bread?

2 min

A rock and a roll make Jesus’s first temptation feel real to hungry kids.

  1. Pull the rock out of the bag. Say: “Imagine you haven’t eaten anything for forty days. Not one bite. How hungry would you be?”
  2. Pull out the bread and hold them side by side. Say: “What if you had the power to turn THIS rock into THIS bread with just one word? Thumbs up if you’d do it!”
  3. Let them vote. Say: “That is exactly what Satan told Jesus to do. Jesus had the power. But He said no. Let’s find out why.”
🌪️ Pass the rock (not the bread) to one kid who is sitting ready. Everyone else has to guess how heavy it is.

Class screen: 🪨🍞 Would you turn a rock into bread? · 40 days with no food… · 👍 or 👎?

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A small rock and a slice of bread or a roll, hidden in a paper bag (just to show, not to eat)

Invisible Rock, Invisible Bread

  1. Pretend to pick up a heavy rock with both hands and drop it: tap the crash sound on the Sound Board. Say: “Imagine you haven’t eaten anything for forty days. Not one bite.”
  2. Sniff the air. Say: “Mmm, do you smell fresh warm bread?” Everyone sniffs and rubs their tummies.
  3. SAY“What if you had the power to turn that rock into bread with just one word? Thumbs up if you’d do it!”
  4. Let them vote. Say: “That is exactly what Satan told Jesus to do. Jesus had the power. But He said no. Let’s find out why.”

Class screen: 🪨🍞 Would you turn a rock into bread? · Sniff… fresh bread! · 👍 or 👎?

2. Game

Scripture Shield

5 min

Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written,” so the kids practice using truth as a shield.

  1. SAY“Jesus fasted forty days to be close to Heavenly Father. Then Satan came three times. Each time Jesus said, ‘It is written,’ and used the scriptures like a shield.”
  2. Quickly tell the three temptations (Matthew 4:3, 6, 9). After each one, ask, “What do you think Jesus said?” Then read His answer (verses 4, 7 and 10).
  3. Hand out the IT IS WRITTEN shields. Say: “Now it’s your turn. Satan still tries to tempt us. When a temptation flies at you, block it and shout a true thing you know!”
  4. Gently toss a paper ball while you call out a temptation: “Keep watching the video after Mom says stop.” “Everyone is laughing at the new kid.” “Take a cookie and don’t tell.” “Say a bad word so you look cool.”
  5. The kid blocks it and answers: “It is written!” plus a truth (“Honour thy father and thy mother!” “Love one another!” “Be honest!”). Everyone cheers each block.
  6. SAY“When you know the scriptures, the Holy Ghost can bring them to your mind right when you need them.”
🌪️ Only the teacher throws, and only underhand. Kids who throw paper balls back become the cheering section for one round.

Class screen: 🛡️ Shields up! “It is written!” · Block the temptation · Shout a true thing!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One paper plate per child with IT IS WRITTEN written on the back (the shields), 8–10 sheets of scrap paper crumpled into soft balls (the temptations)

Arm Shields

  1. SAY“Jesus fasted forty days to be close to Heavenly Father. Then Satan came three times. Each time Jesus said, ‘It is written,’ and used the scriptures like a shield.”
  2. Quickly tell the three temptations (Matthew 4:3, 6, 9). After each one, ask, “What do you think Jesus said?” Then read His answer (verses 4, 7 and 10).
  3. Everyone stands and crosses their forearms in front of their face: that’s your shield. Practice: “Shields UP!”
  4. Wind up and “throw” an invisible temptation at one kid while you tap the whoosh sound on the Sound Board: “Take a cookie and don’t tell!” The kid blocks and shouts, “It is written!” plus a truth (“Be honest!”).
  5. Keep going fast so everyone gets a turn: “Keep watching after Mom says stop.” “Laugh at the new kid.” “Say a bad word to look cool.”
  6. SAY“When you know the scriptures, the Holy Ghost can bring them to your mind right when you need them.”
3. Story

Story Drama: Nets So Full They Broke

6 min

Acting out the great catch lets them feel Peter’s choice to trust Jesus when it didn’t make sense.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Say: “Nobody plays Jesus. I’ll read His words.”
  2. Give the blanket net to Peter and Andrew. The Fish start on the far side of the room.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 4, practice the big line together twice: “Nevertheless… at thy word!”
  5. At scene 9, lead the march around the room and end back in seats.
🌪️ The net only closes on scene 5. Any fish who jumps in early swims back to the far wall and waits.

Class screen: 🎭 Story Drama time! · Everyone gets a part

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A blanket, bedsheet or tablecloth (the fishing net)

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Say: “Nobody plays Jesus. I’ll read His words.”
  2. Peter, Andrew, James and John link arms in a curved line. They are the net! The Fish start on the far side of the room.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 4, practice the big line together twice: “Nevertheless… at thy word!”
  5. At scene 5, the Fish swim in and the net wraps around them. At scene 6, the net “breaks” (unlink arms) and everyone sinks: “Glub, glub, glub!”
  6. At scene 9, lead the march around the room and end back in seats.
4. Wiggle break

Cast, Pull, Flop!

2 min

A fishing workout after the story keeps bodies moving before the key verse.

  1. Everyone stands. “Cast the net!” Swing both arms and throw it far out.
  2. “Pull it in!” Hand over hand, slowly, like it’s super heavy. Groan loudly.
  3. “Fish!” Flop like a fish for three seconds, then FREEZE.
  4. “Row the boat!” Row fast, then slow, then “Straightway!” and sit down in one second flat. Do it twice.

Class screen: 🐟 Cast! Pull! Flop! Row! · Then freeze!

5. Scripture

Scripture Spotlight: Matthew 4:19

2 min

Motions help them memorize Jesus’s invitation.

  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: normal voice, pirate fisherman voice, then a whisper.
  4. Ask: “What is a ‘fisher of men’?” (Someone who helps people come to Jesus, by being kind, inviting and sharing.)

Class screen: 🎣 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Sea of Galilee Edition

3 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game that reviews the temptations and the great catch.

  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. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn is 45 seconds.
  4. Try one round of Act It Out: no talking, only acting. (Net, Fish and Boat are hilarious.)
🌪️ The guesser sits in the “boat” (one chair up front). Clue-givers must be sitting to give a clue.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues, don’t say the word!

7. Talk it over

Fishers Talk

2 min

Connect Jesus’s example to their own week.

  1. Ask one or two questions. Toss a rolled-up sock (or a paper ball from the game) to whoever answers next.
  2. Share your own answer too.
💬 Ask the class
  • Peter obeyed Jesus even when it didn’t make sense. When is it hard for you to obey?
  • Satan said, “If thou be the Son of God.” Jesus knew who He was. Who are you? (A child of God!)
  • What’s one way you could be a “fisher of men” this week?
  • Which scripture or Primary song could be your shield when you’re tempted?

Class screen: 💬 Let’s talk!

8. Testimony

Testimony & Shield Up

2 min

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

  1. Lower your voice. Share one or two sentences about a time you chose to follow Jesus even when it was hard, or how the scriptures helped you.
  2. SAY“Next Sunday is fast Sunday. Fasting is one way we get close to Heavenly Father, just like Jesus did.”
  3. Introduce the Shield Up challenge on the screen.
  4. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🛡️ This week: Shield Up! · Memorize Matthew 4:19 · Say it when you’re tempted

9. Game

Slow-Motion Net

4 minBONUS

A fishers-of-men tag game where the net keeps growing, like the Church.

  1. Two kids hold hands. They are the net. Everyone else is a fish swimming around the room.
  2. EVERYONE moves in slow motion only, like underwater. Anyone who goes fast has to “wash their nets” (sit out one round).
  3. When the net tags a fish, the fish names one way to follow Jesus or help a friend come to Him, then joins hands with the net.
  4. Keep going until the net has caught everyone. Say: “That’s what fishers of men do: they bring people to Jesus, and the net keeps growing!”
🌪️ In a small room, play it sitting down: the net “catches” fish by touching toes, and the fish must say their answer to join.

Class screen: 🕸️ Slow-motion net! Catch everyone for Jesus! · Slow motion only · Caught? Name a way to follow Jesus

10. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. Split into two boats (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.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

Story drama

Nets So Full They Broke

Luke 5:1–11; Matthew 4:18–22 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • Simon PeterThe tired fisherman who says, “Nevertheless at thy word!” and lets down the net.
  • AndrewPeter’s brother. Holds one side of the net and helps pull.
  • James and JohnBrothers in the other boat. Row over fast to help when the net starts breaking.
  • ZebedeeJames and John’s dad. Stays in the boat mending nets and waves goodbye to his sons.
  • School of Fish2–4 kids who swim far away all night, then flood into the net all at once.
  • The Crowd and Wave CrewEveryone else: squish close to hear Jesus, make waves with arms, and say the big lines together.

Scenes

  1. 🌙🎣 Fishing all night… nothing!

    Simon Peter and his fishing partners worked all night on the Sea of Galilee. They threw out their nets again and again. By morning they had caught nothing. Not one single fish!

    🎬 Fishermen throw and pull the empty net. Everyone groans, “Nothing!” The Fish giggle and swim far away.

  2. 👥🏖️ A huge crowd squeezes close

    In the morning, a huge crowd pushed close to Jesus by the lake to hear Him teach. Jesus stepped into Peter’s boat and asked him to push out a little from the shore so everyone could hear.

    🎬 The Crowd squishes forward: “Excuse me! I can’t see!” Peter pushes the boat: “Heave!”

  3. 🗣️🌊 “Launch out into the deep”

    When Jesus finished teaching, He told Peter to go out into the deep water and let down his nets. The teacher reads Jesus’s words: “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Peter was so tired. Maybe he wondered: try again, after a whole night of nothing?

    🎬 Peter yawns and scratches his head. The Wave Crew rocks side to side.

  4. 🤔👍 “Nevertheless at thy word”

    Peter said, “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” It didn’t make sense to him, but he trusted Jesus anyway.

    🎬 Everyone together, with a big thumbs-up: “Nevertheless… at thy word!”

  5. 🐟🐟🐟 Fish! Fish! FISH!

    Down went the net, and suddenly it was full of fish, so many that the net started to break!

    🎬 The Fish rush into the net. Peter and Andrew hold on tight. Everyone yells, “PULL!”

  6. 🚣🆘 Help! The boats are sinking!

    Peter waved to James and John in the other boat to come help. They filled both boats so full of fish that the boats began to sink!

    🎬 James and John row over fast. Everyone slowly sinks down in their chairs: “Glub, glub, glub!”

  7. 🙇😲 Peter falls to his knees

    Peter knew this was a miracle. He fell down at Jesus’s knees, amazed, and felt he wasn’t good enough to be near Him. Jesus said kindly, “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”

    🎬 Peter kneels. Everyone goes silent while the teacher reads Jesus’s words softly.

  8. 👣❤️ “Follow me”

    Jesus invited them: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Instead of catching fish, they would help people come to Jesus.

    🎬 The fishermen drop the net right away and shout, “Straightway!”

  9. 👴⛵ They left everything and followed

    James and John left their boat and even their dad, Zebedee, and followed Jesus. They left everything behind to follow Him, right away.

    🎬 Zebedee waves: “Bye, boys!” Everyone marches in a line behind the teacher around the room and back to their seats.

Key verse

Matthew 4:19 ↗
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
In kid words: Jesus said, “Come with Me, and I will teach you to help people come to Me.”
🙌 “Follow me” = wave someone toward you · “and I will make you” = point to a friend · “fishers” = cast a fishing line and reel it in · “of men” = open your arms wide to the whole room

More verses

Matthew 4:4 ↗
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
In kid words: Food keeps our bodies alive, but we need God’s words to really live.
Luke 5:5 ↗
“nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net”
In kid words: Even if it doesn’t make sense to me, I’ll do what You say.
Luke 4:18 ↗
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted”
In kid words: Jesus read that He was sent to teach the gospel and heal people whose hearts are hurting.
Matthew 4:20 ↗
“And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”
In kid words: They dropped their nets right away and followed Jesus.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 🎣 Simon Peter
  • 🧑 Andrew
  • 👴 Zebedee
  • 🕸️ Net
  • 🐟 Fish
  • ⛵ Boat
  • 🌊 Sea of Galilee
  • 🪨 Rock
  • 🍞 Bread
  • 🍽️ Fasting
  • 🏜️ Wilderness
  • 🏛️ Temple
  • ⛰️ Mountain
  • 📖 Scriptures
  • 🛡️ Shield
  • 🏘️ Nazareth
  • 📜 Scroll
  • 👣 Follow
Clues for each word
  • Simon Peter: Fished all night and caught nothing
  • Andrew: Peter’s brother, also a fisherman
  • Zebedee: James and John’s dad, left in the boat
  • Net: So full of fish it broke
  • Fish: Swims in the sea; Peter caught tons
  • Boat: So full of fish it started to sink
  • Sea of Galilee: The big lake where Peter fished
  • Rock: Satan said, “Turn it into bread”
  • Bread: Man shall not live by this alone
  • Fasting: Going without food to feel close to God
  • Wilderness: Where Jesus fasted forty days
  • Temple: Satan said, “Jump off the top of it”
  • Mountain: Very high place where Jesus saw all the kingdoms
  • Scriptures: Jesus said, “It is written”
  • Shield: Blocks arrows, like scriptures block temptation
  • Nazareth: Jesus’s hometown, where He read Isaiah
  • Scroll: A rolled-up book Jesus read from
  • Follow: Jesus said, “____ me”
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. How many days did Jesus fast in the wilderness?
    • A. Seven
    • B. Forty
    • C. One hundred
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Forty Forty days and forty nights! He was close to His Father the whole time.

  2. What did Satan tell Jesus to turn into bread?
    • A. Stones
    • B. Sand
    • C. Leaves
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Stones Jesus answered that we need every word from God, not just bread.

  3. What did Jesus say every time He was tempted?
    • A. “Maybe later.”
    • B. “Okay, fine.”
    • C. “It is written.”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “It is written.” He used the scriptures like a shield, three times in a row.

  4. In Nazareth, whose prophecy did Jesus read about Himself?
    • A. Isaiah’s
    • B. Jonah’s
    • C. Noah’s
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Isaiah’s Then He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

  5. How long had Peter fished without catching anything?
    • A. Five minutes
    • B. One week
    • C. All night
    Show answer

    ✅ C. All night “We have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing.”

  6. What happened when Peter let down the net?
    • A. Nothing at all
    • B. It filled so full it broke
    • C. A whale jumped out
    Show answer

    ✅ B. It filled so full it broke Two boats filled with fish and started to sink!

  7. Jesus said He would make them fishers of…
    • A. Whales
    • B. Men
    • C. Frogs
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Men They would help people come to Jesus. You can too!

  8. How fast did Peter and Andrew follow Jesus?
    • A. Straightway, right away!
    • B. After a long nap
    • C. Next year
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Straightway, right away! Matthew 4:20: “they straightway left their nets, and followed him.”

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • We’ll Bring the World His Truth Children’s Songbook, p. 172

    Fishers of men help bring people to Jesus. Sing it after the Story Drama. Find it ↗

  • Choose the Right Way Children’s Songbook, p. 160

    Jesus chose the right every time Satan tempted Him. Find it ↗

  • Search, Ponder, and Pray Children’s Songbook, p. 109

    Knowing the scriptures gives us a shield like Jesus had. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Shield Up!

Memorize Matthew 4:19 with its motions and teach it to your family. When you feel tempted this week, say a scripture or a Primary song in your head, just like Jesus said, “It is written.”

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned that Jesus used the scriptures as a shield when Satan tempted Him, and we acted out the day Peter’s nets filled with so many fish they broke. Peter trusted Jesus even when it didn’t make sense, and then followed Him right away. Next Sunday is fast Sunday. Ask your child: what did Jesus say every time He was tempted? And what does it mean to be a “fisher of men”?

📝 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?

📜 The Hometown Scroll · 4 min

  1. Roll a sheet of paper into a scroll. Write on it: “He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted.”
  2. Tell Luke 4:16–21: Jesus stood up in His hometown synagogue, unrolled Isaiah’s words, read about the promised Savior, rolled it up, sat down, and said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
  3. Let a kid be the reader who unrolls it and reads it out. Everyone else leans in: “Who is it about?”
  4. Ask: “Isaiah wrote about the Savior hundreds of years earlier. Who was it about?” (Jesus!) “How has Jesus helped someone whose heart was hurting?”

🍽️ Why Do We Fast? · 4 min

  1. SAY“Next Sunday is fast Sunday. Jesus fasted to be close to Heavenly Father.”
  2. Explain simply: On fast Sunday, many families skip two meals, pray about something special, and give the money they would have spent on food as a fast offering to help people in need. Children can fast in a way that’s right for them, with their parents’ help.
  3. Ask: “What could your family fast and pray for this month?”

🐠 Fishing for Friends · 5 min

  1. Cut out paper fish. On each, write a way to help a friend feel Jesus’s love (invite them to Primary, sit by someone alone, share your favorite scripture story).
  2. Scatter them face down. Kids take turns “casting” (tossing a sock) and reading the fish it lands closest to.
  3. Each kid takes one fish home as their fishing assignment for the week.

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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