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Out of the Mud!

A king burns God’s word, a prophet sinks in a muddy pit, and a brave servant comes with ropes and rags

  • 💧 CTR 8
  • Week 44
  • 📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

When God writes His word in my heart, no one can burn it away, and it gives me courage to stand up for what’s right like Ebed-melech.

I can keep God’s word in my heart and be brave like Ebed-melech when someone needs help.

Study it yourself firstRead Jeremiah 31–33; 36–39; Lamentations 1; 3 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Jeremiah 31–33; 36–39; Lamentations 1; 3)
Know the chapters

These chapters cover the last years of Jerusalem before Babylon destroyed it. Jeremiah had warned the people for decades, and the kings kept ignoring him. Chapter 36 happens under King Jehoiakim. Chapters 37–39 happen years later under King Zedekiah, the same king named in 1 Nephi 1:4 when Lehi’s story begins, while Babylon’s army surrounds the city.

In Jeremiah 36 the Lord tells Jeremiah to write His words in a scroll, hoping the people will turn back so He can forgive them. Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch, writes it all down and reads it at the temple. When it is read to King Jehoiakim beside his winter fire, the king cuts it up piece by piece and burns the whole thing, even while some of his own princes beg him not to. The Lord hides Jeremiah and Baruch, then simply has them write it again, with more words added. A king can burn paper, but he cannot stop the word of God.

In Jeremiah 38 angry princes lower Jeremiah into a cistern, a deep pit for storing water, that holds no water, only mud, and he sinks in it. Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian servant in the king’s palace, has no power or title, yet he goes straight to the king and says it is wrong. He takes thirty men, ropes, and old rags so the ropes won’t cut into Jeremiah’s arms, and pulls him out. He is brave and kind at the same time. Later the Lord promises to protect him “because thou hast put thy trust in me” (39:18). For eight-year-olds, he is the perfect hero: an ordinary person who stands up for what’s right when no one else will.

Jeremiah 31:31–34 promises a new covenant: the Lord will write His law in His people’s hearts, be their God, and forgive their sins. Children who have been baptized have made that kind of covenant (Mosiah 18:8–10). Lamentations is a book of sad poems about Jerusalem’s destruction, but in the middle comes bright hope: the Lord’s compassions “fail not. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23). Because of Jesus Christ, every day can be a fresh start.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Jeremiah 36:20–32 and 38:6–13. Bring a jump rope (or any rope) and an old sock or rag. Let your phone or tablet run the story drama and have the whole class really pull Jeremiah up. Then play Tug of War and Forehead Guess. Skip the Mystery Mud and the Secret Hearts. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing” and the rope, scroll and fire all become invisible.

What to bring8 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. Mix the Mystery Mud: put 1 cup of cornstarch in a bowl and slowly stir in about ½ cup of water (plus a drop or two of food coloring) until it feels hard when you tap it but drips when you lift it. Fix it a spoonful of cornstarch or water at a time. Cover it and keep it on the tray. Throw it in the trash afterward, not down the sink.
  2. Secret hearts: cut one paper heart per child. Press hard with a white crayon to write one promise on each. Promises we make at baptism: Always remember Jesus · Keep His commandments · Take Jesus’s name · Help carry others’ burdens · Comfort people who are sad · Stand up for God. Promises God makes: The Holy Ghost can be with me · I can be forgiven when I repent.
  3. Test one heart at home: paint over it and make sure the words pop out.
  4. Roll two sheets of paper into scrolls and tape them. On the third sheet, write the key verse in big letters: “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)
  5. Make the pretend fire basket and tie the rag or sock to one end of the rope.
  6. Add your kids’ names in the My Class tab so you can hand out story roles with one tap.

If your class is wild

  • Day-after-Halloween sugar is real. Launch Tug of War the moment they start bouncing, even if it’s early.
  • The Mystery Mud is by invitation only: kids sitting criss-cross get a poke. Everyone else watches the toy sink.
  • In the rescue scene nobody drags anybody. Jeremiah holds the rope and walks himself up while the crew pulls hand over hand.
  • King Jehoiakim is the perfect part for your most dramatic kid: he gets to be grumpy and tear paper. Three strips, then he’s done.
  • Paint rule: one brush, one heart, one plate. When the message appears, brush down and hands up.

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

Mystery Mud

2 min

A weird, wonderful goo grabs their attention and sets up Jeremiah’s muddy pit.

  1. Set the covered tray on the table. Say: “I brought something strange today. Is it a liquid, like water, or a solid, like a rock?” Let a few kids guess.
  2. Uncover it. Tap the surface hard with the spoon: it feels solid! Then slowly dip the spoon in: it sinks like mud!
  3. Let two or three kids who are sitting ready give it a quick poke, then a slow finger-sink.
  4. Set a small toy figure on top and watch it slowly sink. Try to yank it out fast. The mud grabs it! Pull it out slowly instead.
  5. SAY“Today a prophet gets thrown into a pit full of mud like this. He can’t climb out by himself. Who do you think will help him?”
🌪️ Only kids sitting criss-cross get a poke. Muddy fingers get wiped on a paper towel before touching anything else.

Class screen: 🟤 Is it a liquid or a solid? · Tap it · Sink it · Guess!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Mystery Mud: about 1 cup cornstarch, about ½ cup water, a bowl, a spoon and a tray

Human Mystery Mud

  1. SAY“I brought something strange today, and it’s YOU. You’re all Mystery Mud. Hit it fast and it turns hard as a rock. Move slowly and it turns soft and gooey.”
  2. Clap fast and sharp: everyone freezes stiff as a rock. Slowly lower your hand like a spoon: everyone melts and wobbles like goo. Mix up fast and slow a few times. Ask: “Is it a liquid or a solid?” Let a few kids guess.
  3. Pick a volunteer to be a little toy person standing in the middle. The mud crouches around them (no touching) going “Squelch, squelch!” while the toy slowly sinks to the floor.
  4. The toy tries to yank out fast: the mud shouts “STUCK!” and goes rock-hard. The toy tries slowly instead: the mud goes soft, and up they come.
  5. SAY“Today a prophet gets thrown into a pit full of mud like this. He can’t climb out by himself. Who do you think will help him?”

Class screen: 🟤 You are the Mystery Mud! · Fast = rock · Slow = goo

2. Story

Story Drama: The Scroll and the Muddy Pit

6 min

Two true stories in one drama show that God’s word can’t be destroyed and that ordinary people can be brave rescuers.

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone left over is the Rescue Crew.
  2. Give the king a paper scroll and set the pretend fire basket beside him.
  3. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue.
  4. At scene 6, lead the cheer: “Can’t stop God’s word!”
  5. For the rescue, Jeremiah sits on the floor holding the rope. The crew pulls hand over hand while Jeremiah walks himself up. Nobody drags anybody.
🌪️ If the king gets carried away with tearing, he’s done after three strips. Then he crosses his arms and says, “Hmph!”

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

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: A jump rope, clothesline or long scarf, plus an old sock, rag or dish towel for the “old rotten rags”, 3 sheets of paper: two rolled into scrolls and taped (one for the story, one for Pass the Scroll), and one with the key verse written on it, A basket or box stuffed with red, orange and yellow paper for a pretend fire (no real flames!)

  1. Hand out the roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode to assign them from your class list). Everyone left over is the Rescue Crew.
  2. Everything is invisible today! Baruch writes on an invisible scroll, and every time the king tears a strip, the whole class goes “RRRIP!”
  3. Four crew members crouch in a circle and wiggle their fingers up high as the king’s fire. Tap the fire sound on the Sound Board each time the king tosses a strip in.
  4. Read each scene aloud and pause for the action cue. At scene 6, lead the cheer: “Can’t stop God’s word!”
  5. For the rescue, Ebed-melech lowers an invisible rope with invisible rags. Jeremiah tucks them under his arms: “Ewww, stinky!” The crew pulls hand over hand in the air, “Heave! Ho!”, while Jeremiah slowly walks himself up as if the rope were really lifting him. Nobody touches anybody.
3. Wiggle break

Pull Him Out! Tug of War

2 min

Ebed-melech’s thirty men pulled hard. Now the class burns off its Halloween sugar pulling too.

  1. Split the class into Team Rope and Team Rags. Tap Tug of War.
  2. Each team taps its side of your phone or tablet as fast as it can. Best two out of three.
  3. Between rounds, everyone stands and does three big hand-over-hand rope pulls in the air: “Heave! Ho!”
  4. SAY“Rescuers pull together. Ebed-melech couldn’t lift Jeremiah alone, but with thirty helpers, up he came!”
🌪️ Your phone or tablet stays flat on the table and fingertips only. Any shoving and that team sits out the next round.
🪢 Tug of War (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🪢 Heave! Ho! Pull Jeremiah out! · Team Rope · Team Rags

4. Object lesson

Secret Heart Messages

4 min

A hidden message appears on each heart, just as God writes His promises on our hearts when we make covenants.

  1. Hand each child a paper heart that looks blank. Say: “The Lord said He would write His law in our hearts. There’s a secret message on yours already.”
  2. Kids paint over their heart with watercolor (or scribble lightly with a washable marker). The white crayon words pop out!
  3. Go around the circle: each child reads their heart out loud.
  4. SAY“These are baptism promises. We promise to remember Jesus, keep His commandments, and help others. Heavenly Father promises the Holy Ghost and forgiveness when we repent. A covenant is a two-way promise with God.”
  5. Ask: “Who here has been baptized, or is getting baptized soon?” Let them share, and celebrate each one.
  6. SAY“When we keep our promises, they’re not just on paper. They’re written in our hearts.”
🌪️ Paint water stays in the middle of the table. When your message shows up, brush down and hands up.

Class screen: ❤️ What secret message is hiding on your heart? · Paint it · Read it · Keep it!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: One paper heart per child and a white crayon, Watercolor paints and brushes (or washable markers) and a cup of water

Secret Heart Whispers

  1. Sit in a circle. Say: “The Lord said He would write His law in our hearts. I’m going to write a secret message on yours, and nobody else can hear it.”
  2. Go around and whisper one promise into each child’s ear: Always remember Jesus · Keep His commandments · Take Jesus’s name · Help carry others’ burdens · Comfort people who are sad · Stand up for God · The Holy Ghost can be with me · I can be forgiven when I repent. Each child presses both hands on their heart to “write it in” and keeps it secret.
  3. Count down: “3, 2, 1… reveal!” Go around the circle: each child opens their hands like a book and says their message out loud.
  4. SAY“These are baptism promises. We promise to remember Jesus, keep His commandments, and help others. Heavenly Father promises the Holy Ghost and forgiveness when we repent. A covenant is a two-way promise with God.”
  5. Ask: “Who here has been baptized, or is getting baptized soon?” Let them share, and celebrate each one.
  6. SAY“When we keep our promises, they’re not just words. They’re written in our hearts.”

Class screen: ❤️ What secret message is written on your heart? · Listen · Keep it secret · Reveal it!

5. Scripture

Burn-Proof Verse: Jeremiah 31:33

3 min

Kids memorize the verse, then prove that paper can burn but a heart can’t.

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. Read it slowly while kids point to their hearts.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it three ways: normal voice, whisper voice, then grumpy-king voice.
  3. Hold up the paper with the verse written on it. Say: “King Jehoiakim thought he could get rid of God’s word. Watch.” Tear it into pieces and drop them in the pretend fire.
  4. Ask: “Is the verse gone?” Have the whole class say it together from memory, with motions.
  5. SAY“You can burn paper, but you can’t burn what’s written in your heart!”

Class screen: 🔥 You can’t burn a verse that’s in your heart!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 3 sheets of paper: two rolled into scrolls and taped (one for the story, one for Pass the Scroll), and one with the key verse written on it, A basket or box stuffed with red, orange and yellow paper for a pretend fire (no real flames!)

  1. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. Read it slowly while kids point to their hearts.
  2. Teach the motions one phrase at a time. Say it three ways: normal voice, whisper voice, then grumpy-king voice.
  3. Pick a grumpy king. Say: “King Jehoiakim thought he could get rid of God’s word. Watch.” The king pretends to rip the words off the screen (“RRRIP!”) and toss them into the fire while you tap the fire sound on the Sound Board. Turn your phone or tablet face down.
  4. Ask: “Is the verse gone?” Have the whole class say it together from memory, with motions.
  5. SAY“You can burn paper, but you can’t burn what’s written in your heart!”
6. Game

Forehead Guess: Rescue Edition

4 min

A Heads Up–style guessing game reviews every person and object from both stories.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class.
  2. Classmates give 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. Give each guesser 45 seconds, then pass your phone or tablet.
  4. Wiggly round: clue-givers can only act it out, no talking. Sinking in mud and tearing scrolls are hilarious.
🌪️ Clue-givers stay in their seats and raise a hand to give a clue. Shouting the word means skipping your next clue turn.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues. Don’t say the word!

7. Talk it over

Pass the Scroll

2 min

A Hot Potato twist turns talking into a game while kids think about being brave.

  1. Sit in a circle. Tap Hot Potato and pass the paper scroll around while the music plays.
  2. Whoever holds the scroll at the buzz answers the question on the screen. They can ask a friend for help. Two or three quick rounds is plenty; pick the questions you like best.
  3. Share your own answer to at least one question.
💬 Ask the class
  • Ebed-melech wasn’t a prince or a prophet. Why do you think he was brave enough to speak up?
  • A kid at recess is being laughed at and left out. What would Ebed-melech do?
  • What’s one way you can stand up for what’s right at school or at home?
  • What promises did you make, or will you make, when you are baptized?
  • When you’ve had a bad day, what does it mean that the Lord’s kindness is “new every morning”?
🌪️ The scroll is passed, never thrown. A thrown scroll goes to the teacher for one round.
🥔 Hot Potato (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 📜 Pass the scroll! Holding it at the buzz? You answer!

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 3 sheets of paper: two rolled into scrolls and taped (one for the story, one for Pass the Scroll), and one with the key verse written on it

Pass the Invisible Scroll

  1. Sit in a circle. Unroll an invisible scroll, read it in a very important voice (“Ahem!”), then roll it back up.
  2. Tap Hot Potato. Pass the invisible scroll around while the music plays. Each kid unrolls it, peeks, and rolls it up before passing.
  3. Whoever holds the scroll at the buzz answers the question on the screen. They can ask a friend for help. Two or three quick rounds is plenty; pick the questions you like best.
  4. Share your own answer to at least one question.
8. Testimony

Testimony: New Every Morning

2 min

End calm with the hope of Lamentations 3: because of Jesus, every morning is a fresh start.

  1. SAY“After Jerusalem was destroyed, people wrote sad poems called Lamentations. But right in the middle is a happy promise.” Read Lamentations 3:22–23.
  2. Kids rest their heads on their arms like it’s nighttime. Dim the lights if you can. Whisper: “Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody has sad days.”
  3. Slowly bring the lights back up: “Good morning! The Lord’s kindness is new every morning. Because of Jesus, when we repent, we get a fresh start.” Kids stretch up slowly like the sunrise.
  4. Share one or two sentences of testimony about Jesus Christ, the greatest Rescuer of all.
  5. Introduce the Morning Fresh Start challenge. Ask a child to say the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🌅 His kindness is new every morning! · Every day is a fresh start

9. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team quiz reviews both stories.

  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.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

Story drama

The Scroll and the Muddy Pit

Jeremiah 36; 38:1–13; 39:15–18 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • JeremiahTells Baruch what to write, hides from the king, then sinks in the mud and gets pulled out.
  • BaruchThe scribe. Writes every word on the scroll, reads it at the temple, then writes it all again!
  • King JehoiakimSits by the fire, tears strips off the scroll and tosses them in. Crosses his arms: “Hmph!”
  • JehudiReads the scroll out loud to the king in a very important voice.
  • Ebed-melechA brave palace servant. Marches to the king, says, “This is wrong!” and leads the rescue.
  • King ZedekiahA later king who listens to Ebed-melech and says, “Take thirty men and pull him out!”
  • Rescue CrewEveryone else: the listening crowd, the princes who beg, the fire’s crackle, and the thirty men who pull.

Scenes

  1. 📜✍️ Write it all down!

    The Lord told Jeremiah to write all His words in a scroll. Maybe if the people heard them, they would stop doing wrong, and He could forgive them. So Jeremiah said the words out loud, and his helper Baruch wrote down every single one.

    🎬 Jeremiah pretends to talk. Baruch scribbles super fast. Everyone writes in the air: “Scritch, scratch!”

  2. 🏛️📢 Baruch reads it at the temple

    Jeremiah wasn’t allowed to go to the temple, so Baruch went for him. On a special fasting day, he stood up and read the Lord’s words to all the people.

    🎬 Baruch holds up the scroll and reads in a big voice. The crowd leans in: “Ooooh.”

  3. 😨🙈 “Quick, go hide!”

    Some of the king’s princes heard the words and got scared. They said, “We have to tell the king. Baruch, you and Jeremiah go hide, and don’t let anyone know where you are!”

    🎬 Jeremiah and Baruch tiptoe and hide behind a chair. The crowd whispers, “Shhh!”

  4. 👑🔥 The king sits by the fire

    It was winter, and King Jehoiakim sat by a warm fire. His servant Jehudi read the scroll to him. After every three or four sections, the king cut them off with a little knife and tossed them into the fire!

    🎬 Jehudi reads. The king tears a strip off the scroll and tosses it in the fire basket. Crew: “Crackle, crackle!”

  5. 🙏❌ “Please don’t burn it!”

    Some princes begged, “Please, king, don’t burn it!” But he wouldn’t listen. He burned the whole scroll. Then he sent men to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch. But the Lord hid them.

    🎬 The crew kneels: “Please don’t burn it!” The king crosses his arms: “Hmph!”

  6. 📜✨ Write it again!

    Did the king win? Nope! The Lord told Jeremiah to take another scroll and write all the words that were in the first one. Baruch wrote it all again, plus even more. You can burn paper, but you can’t burn God’s word.

    🎬 Baruch writes super fast again. Everyone cheers: “Can’t stop God’s word!”

  7. 🕳️🟤 Down into the muddy pit

    Years later, under a new king named Zedekiah, some angry princes grabbed Jeremiah and lowered him with ropes into a deep, dark pit. There was no water at the bottom, only mud. And Jeremiah sank down in the mud.

    🎬 Jeremiah slowly sinks down to the floor. The crew makes squishy mud sounds: “Squelch, squelch!”

  8. 🧑🏾📣 Ebed-melech speaks up

    A servant in the palace named Ebed-melech, from the land of Ethiopia, heard what happened. He wasn’t a prince. He wasn’t a prophet. But he marched right up to the king and said, “These men have done evil! Jeremiah will starve down there!”

    🎬 Ebed-melech marches in place and points: “This is wrong!” The crew gasps: “Whoa, he’s brave!”

  9. 🪢🧦 Ropes and old rags

    The king said, “Take thirty men and pull him out before he dies.” Ebed-melech grabbed some old rags and let them down on the ropes. He called, “Put these rags under your arms so the ropes won’t hurt you.” Brave AND kind!

    🎬 Ebed-melech lowers the rope with the rag. Jeremiah tucks the rag under his arms and holds on tight.

  10. 💪🎉 Pull! Pull! Out of the mud!

    Heave! Ho! Everyone pulled together, and up came Jeremiah, out of the mud! Later the Lord promised to keep Ebed-melech safe, because he trusted the Lord.

    🎬 The whole Rescue Crew pulls the rope hand over hand while Jeremiah walks himself up to standing. Everyone cheers!

Key verse

Jeremiah 31:33 ↗
“I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people”
In kid words: God says, “I will write My words on your heart. I will be your God, and you will be My people.”
🙌 “I will put my law” = hold out a pretend book · “in their inward parts” = both hands on your tummy · “and write it in their hearts” = trace a heart on your chest with one finger · “and will be their God” = point up · “and they shall be my people” = arms out wide to hug the whole class.

More verses

Jeremiah 36:28 ↗
“Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll”
In kid words: Get another scroll and write all the same words again!
Jeremiah 38:13 ↗
“So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon”
In kid words: They pulled Jeremiah up with ropes, right out of the pit.
Jeremiah 39:18 ↗
“because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD”
In kid words: The Lord promised to protect Ebed-melech because he trusted Him.
Lamentations 3:22–23 ↗
“his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness”
In kid words: The Lord’s kindness never runs out. It’s brand-new every single morning.

Forehead Guess words18 words

  • 🧔 Jeremiah
  • ✍️ Baruch
  • 📜 Scroll
  • 👑 King
  • 🔥 Fire
  • 🖋️ Ink
  • 🙈 Hide
  • 🟤 Mud
  • 🕳️ Pit
  • 🪢 Rope
  • 🧦 Rags
  • 🧑🏾 Ebed-melech
  • 🛟 Rescue
  • ❤️ Heart
  • 🤝 Promise
  • 💧 Baptism
  • 🌅 Sunrise
  • 🦁 Brave
Clues for each word
  • Jeremiah: Prophet who sank in the mud
  • Baruch: Wrote down every word Jeremiah said, twice!
  • Scroll: A long paper rolled up like a tube
  • King: He cut up the scroll and threw it in the fire
  • Fire: Crackle, crackle! The scroll got burned in it
  • Ink: Baruch wrote the words with it
  • Hide: The Lord kept Jeremiah and Baruch safe this way
  • Mud: Squishy, sticky, brown and gooey
  • Pit: A deep hole in the ground
  • Rope: Pull, pull, pull! It got Jeremiah out
  • Rags: Old cloths so the ropes wouldn’t hurt
  • Ebed-melech: Brave palace servant who rescued Jeremiah
  • Rescue: Saving someone who is stuck or in trouble
  • Heart: The Lord writes His law here
  • Promise: You make one with God when you’re baptized
  • Baptism: You go all the way under the water
  • Sunrise: The Lord’s kindness is new every time this happens
  • Brave: Not scared to do what’s right
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Who wrote Jeremiah’s words on the scroll?
    • A. Baruch
    • B. Ebed-melech
    • C. The king
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Baruch Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe. He wrote it all down twice!

  2. What did King Jehoiakim do with the scroll?
    • A. Hung it on his wall
    • B. Cut it up and burned it
    • C. Read it every night
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Cut it up and burned it He tossed it in the fire, piece by piece (Jeremiah 36:23).

  3. After the scroll burned, what did the Lord tell Jeremiah?
    • A. “Give up”
    • B. “Move to the desert”
    • C. “Write it all again”
    Show answer

    ✅ C. “Write it all again” Jeremiah 36:28. You can burn paper, but you can’t stop God’s word.

  4. What was at the bottom of the pit?
    • A. Mud
    • B. Lions
    • C. Gold
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Mud No water, just mud, and Jeremiah sank in it (Jeremiah 38:6).

  5. Who bravely asked the king to save Jeremiah?
    • A. Baruch
    • B. Ebed-melech
    • C. Jehudi
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Ebed-melech Ebed-melech was a palace servant, not a prince, and he still spoke up.

  6. Why did Ebed-melech send down old rags?
    • A. To wipe off the mud
    • B. To make a blanket
    • C. So the ropes wouldn’t hurt Jeremiah
    Show answer

    ✅ C. So the ropes wouldn’t hurt Jeremiah He was brave AND kind (Jeremiah 38:12).

  7. Where did the Lord say He would write His law?
    • A. On a wall
    • B. In our hearts
    • C. On the moon
    Show answer

    ✅ B. In our hearts Jeremiah 31:33. When we keep our covenants, God’s word lives in our hearts.

  8. Lamentations 3 says the Lord’s kindness is new every…
    • A. Morning
    • B. Birthday
    • C. Year
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Morning “They are new every morning.” Every day can be a fresh start.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Dare to Do Right Children’s Songbook, p. 158

    Ebed-melech dared to do right when no one else would. Sing it after the story drama. Find it ↗

  • When I Am Baptized Children’s Songbook, p. 103

    Goes with the Secret Heart Messages and the promises we make at baptism. Find it ↗

  • Follow the Prophet Children’s Songbook, p. 110

    Ebed-melech stood up for the Lord’s prophet. We can follow ours. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Morning Fresh Start

Every morning this week, before you get out of bed, say a quick prayer. Thank Heavenly Father for a fresh start, and ask for help to be brave like Ebed-melech. Then watch for one person who needs a rescuer.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned how King Jehoiakim burned Jeremiah’s scroll, but the Lord simply had it written again, and how a brave palace servant named Ebed-melech rescued Jeremiah from a muddy pit with ropes and old rags. We also painted paper hearts to reveal hidden messages about our baptism promises. Ask your child: what did Ebed-melech do, and who could you help rescue this week?

📝 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?

🫧 Forever Bubbles · 3 min

  1. Blow a bunch of bubbles and let the kids pop them. Ask: “How long did those last?”
  2. Read Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”
  3. SAY“Everlasting means it never ends. Bubbles pop, toys break, candy gets eaten. Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s love never pops.”

🦸 Be an Ebed-melech Skits · 5 min

  1. Pair kids up. Give each pair a situation: a kid drops their lunch tray and everyone laughs · a new kid has no one to play with · friends are teasing your little brother · someone makes fun of the prophet · a friend is stuck on a hard math problem.
  2. Each pair has 20 seconds to act out the brave, kind choice.
  3. After each skit, ask: “What was the rope? What were the rags?” (The brave action, and the kind way they did it.)

🧩 Rebuild the Scroll · 4 min

  1. Write Jeremiah 31:33 on a strip of paper, one or two words per piece, and cut it apart. Make two sets.
  2. SAY“The king burned the scroll, but the Lord had it written again. Can your team put God’s word back together?”
  3. Two teams race to put their pieces in order, then read the verse together with motions.

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.

All CTR 8 lessons