Isaiah lived about 700 years before Jesus was born, yet Isaiah 53 describes the Savior’s suffering so clearly that it reads almost like an eyewitness account. This week is a tender chance to help children feel that Jesus knows them, carries what’s heavy for them, and never stops being kind. Pick your class’s age below. All three plans tell the same story, so brothers and sisters can talk about it together at home.
This week at a glance
Dates
October 5–11, 2026
Reading
Isaiah 50–57
Based on
Come, Follow Me: “He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows”
Big idea
Jesus Christ carries our sorrows and sins, and His kindness never leaves us.
Key verse
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” Isaiah 53:4
Lesson length
About 25–30 minutes
Prep time
About 15 minutes, plus printing
Before you teach
Understand Isaiah 50–57
Isaiah 50–57 holds some of the most tender prophecies of Jesus Christ in all of scripture. Many people in Isaiah’s day hoped for a mighty deliverer who would defeat their enemies. Isaiah saw a different kind of Deliverer: one who would save His people by suffering for them. He would be “despised and rejected,” “wounded for our transgressions,” and led “as a lamb” (Isaiah 53:3, 5, 7). Jesus doesn’t rescue us from a distance. He comes down and carries the load with us.
Notice that Isaiah 53:4 says He carried our griefs and sorrows, not only our sins. Alma taught the same thing: the Savior took upon Him “the pains and the sicknesses of his people” so that He would know “how to succor his people” (Alma 7:11–12). To succor means to run to someone’s aid. The sadness, fear and loneliness of the children you teach matter to Him, and so does the chance to repent and start again.
The Book of Mormon treasures these chapters. Abinadi quoted all of Isaiah 53 to King Noah and his priests (Mosiah 14) and then explained that it describes Jesus Christ (Mosiah 15). When the resurrected Savior visited the Nephites, He quoted Isaiah 54 to them Himself (3 Nephi 22). And Isaiah 54:13 holds a promise for every Primary teacher: “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
These plans follow the four children’s principles in this week’s official lesson. All three ages learn that Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sins and sorrows. The youngest also act out Isaiah’s call to “awake” and “put on thy strength” (Isaiah 52:1) and look for Jesus as they learn to “seek … the Lord” (Isaiah 55:6). The older groups explore how the Lord’s ways are “higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9).
For your own preparation: watch “He Hath Borne Our Griefs, and Carried Our Sorrows” (7½ min), a message from Elder Clark G. Gilbert in this week’s Come, Follow Me lesson; and read “Jesus Christ Is Not Our Burden; He Is Our Relief” by David J. Wunderli, April 2026 general conference. The official lesson suggests sharing his story about his son with children.
Three truths to hold onto
- Jesus Christ carried our griefs and sorrows, not only our sins. (Isaiah 53:4; Alma 7:11–12; Matthew 11:28)
- Because He suffered, we can be healed and forgiven when we repent. (Isaiah 53:5–6; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16; 1 Peter 2:24)
- His kindness and His covenant of peace won’t leave us, even when everything else changes. (Isaiah 54:7–10, 13; 3 Nephi 22:10)
A gentle reminder: With young children, keep the focus on the Savior’s love and help rather than on the details of His suffering. If a child brings up death or a hard experience at home, listen, reassure them that Jesus understands, and follow up privately with their parents if needed.
Ages 3–5 · Sunbeams & CTR 4–5
Jesus Helps Carry My Heavy Feelings
Truth to teach: “Jesus loves me and helps me when I feel sad or hurt.”
Why this matters: Little children have big feelings: scared of the dark, sad when a friend won’t share, hurt when they fall. This lesson gives them a simple anchor they can hold onto for life: Jesus knows how I feel, and He helps me. Say the truth sentence often, let them move a lot, and keep the focus on His love.
By the end of class, children can:
- Say, “Jesus loves me and helps me when I feel sad.”
- Name one thing they can do when they feel sad or scared.
- Feel that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, always looks for them.
About 25–30 minutes. You’ll need a backpack, 2–3 books, the Lost Lamb cut-outs and coloring page, the lamb stick puppets (one per child, glued to craft sticks before class), a picture of Jesus, crayons, and a phone or tablet for the video.
The heavy backpack 4 min
Let each child try on a backpack with a few books inside. Then lift it off and carry it yourself.
Ask:
- Is that heavy? How does it feel?
- How did it feel when I carried it for you?
Listen for: Heavy, hard, tired. Then: better, lighter, happy.
Say: Sometimes our feelings can feel heavy too, like when we are sad or scared. Today we will learn about Someone who helps carry our heavy feelings.
Isaiah tells about Jesus 5 min
Say: A long, long time ago, before Jesus was born, a prophet named Isaiah told people about Him. Isaiah said Jesus would carry our sad feelings.
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” Isaiah 53:4
Explain that griefs and sorrows are sad and hurting feelings. Have the children pretend to carry something heavy, then “give it to Jesus” and stand up tall and light.
Connect it: Jesus invites us: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Awake! Stand up! 2 min
Isaiah called out to God’s people, “Awake, awake; put on thy strength” (Isaiah 52:1) and “Awake, awake, stand up” (Isaiah 51:17). Have everyone pretend to sleep. Call out “Awake!” (everyone pops up), “Stand up!” (stand tall), and “Put on thy strength!” (make strong arms). Repeat a few times, faster each time.
Say: Heavenly Father wants us to wake up and be strong so we can follow Jesus, like putting on a warm, strong coat.
Watch: the lost sheep 3 min
Watch: The First Parable: The Lost Sheep (1 min, Illustrated New Testament Stories video)
Ask:
- How did the shepherd feel when he found his sheep?
- Who is our Good Shepherd?
Listen for: Happy! Jesus.
Connect it: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep” (John 10:14). He knows each child by name.
Find the lost lamb 5 min
Isaiah said we are all like little sheep who sometimes wander away (Isaiah 53:6). Hide a paper lamb while the children cover their eyes, then let them search. When someone finds it, everyone cheers, “Jesus always finds us!” Let children take turns hiding it.
For the last round, hide a picture of Jesus instead. Read Isaiah 55:6: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found.” When it’s found, ask each child to name one way we can look for Jesus: praying, singing about Him, listening to scripture stories, being kind.
Sad face, happy face 3 min
Give each child a lamb puppet with a sad face on one side and a happy face on the other. Name a few everyday moments and let children hold up the sad lamb: “You dropped your ice cream.” “You bumped your knee.” “Your friend moved away.” After each one ask, “Who can help us feel better?” Everyone says “Jesus!” and flips to the happy lamb.
Say: Jesus often helps us through people who love us, like moms, dads, grandparents and teachers.
Color and share 4 min
Hand out the lamb coloring page. While children color, talk with each one:
Ask:
- What can you do when you feel sad?
- Who could you tell about Jesus this week?
Listen for: Pray, ask for a hug, sing about Jesus, tell a grown-up.
Sing and share your testimony 3 min
Sing: “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook)
Sing with simple actions (arms hugging yourself on “love”). Then share one short sentence of testimony, such as: “I know Jesus loves you, and He helps me when I feel sad.”
Scriptures for this lesson
- Isaiah 53:4: He carried our griefs and sorrows.
- Isaiah 53:6: We are like sheep who wander away.
- Isaiah 52:1: Awake, awake; put on thy strength.
- Isaiah 55:6: Seek the Lord while He may be found.
- Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, and I will give you rest.
- John 10:11, 14: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep.
Extra time? Let children color and wear the lamb headbands, then play “Shepherd and sheep”: one child is the shepherd and gently leads the “lost sheep” (everyone else, scattered around the room) back to the fold. Or sing “Seek the Lord Early.”
Teacher tip: Keep the backpack light enough that no one topples over; two or three books is plenty. If your class is wiggly, have everyone “tiptoe like lambs” between steps. Download the video ahead of time in case the building Wi-Fi is slow.
Ages 6–8 · CTR 6–7 & Valiant 8
Jesus Carries Us, and His Kindness Stays
Truth to teach: “Jesus Christ suffered for me so He could comfort me, heal me and forgive me.”
Why this matters: Children this age are learning right from wrong, and many feel real guilt when they make mistakes. They can also understand that Jesus suffered “for me.” Help them see the Atonement as good news for both kinds of hard times: when we’re hurting, He comforts and heals us; when we’ve done wrong, He helps us repent and forgives us. Concrete objects like tent stakes and a block mountain help these big ideas stick.
By the end of class, children can:
- Explain in their own words that Jesus suffered so He could comfort, heal and forgive us.
- Name a real problem and one way Jesus can help with it.
- Remember that Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’s kindness never leaves them (Isaiah 54:10).
About 25–30 minutes. You’ll need the Isaiah Picture Match cards, the “Can Jesus help?” cards, a small blanket, a stack of books or blocks, the Isaiah 54:10 verse cards, and a phone or tablet for the video.
Hold it down 4 min
Drape a small blanket over a table corner and have a child fan it with a paper; it flaps around. Now “stake it down” with a book on each corner and try again.
“Enlarge the place of thy tent … lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” Isaiah 54:2
Say: Stakes hold a tent steady in the wind. A group of wards is called a stake because of this very verse, and the Lord said stakes are “a refuge from the storm” (Doctrine and Covenants 115:6). Keeping our promises to Heavenly Father holds us steady too.
Ask:
- What are some “storms” kids face?
Listen for: Being scared, being teased, making a mistake, someone getting sick.
Isaiah saw Jesus 5 min
Read Isaiah 53:4–5 together. Help children spot the words griefs, sorrows, wounded and healed.
Ask:
- Who is Isaiah talking about?
- What did Jesus carry for us?
Listen for: Jesus Christ. Our sadness, our pain, and our sins.
Say: In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus Christ felt all our pains, sadness and sins. He did it because He loves us, so He would know exactly how to help us.
Connect it: Alma taught that Jesus took on our pains so “he may know … how to succor his people” (Alma 7:12). Succor means to run to help someone.
Watch: Jesus in Gethsemane 3 min
Watch: Chapter 51: Jesus Suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane (2 min, Illustrated New Testament Stories video)
Ask:
- How do you think Jesus felt?
- Why was He willing to do it?
Listen for: Sad, hurting, heavy. Because He loves us and Heavenly Father.
Isaiah Picture Match 7 min
Lay the cards face down. Children take turns flipping two cards to match each picture with its verse:
- Lamb: Isaiah 53:7
- Water: Isaiah 55:1
- Mountains: Isaiah 54:10
- Tent: Isaiah 54:2
- Feet on a mountain: Isaiah 52:7
- Sky over the earth: Isaiah 55:9
When a pair is found, read the verse together and ask, “What does this teach us about Jesus or Heavenly Father?” For the water card, share that Jesus offers “living water” (John 4:10).
For the sky card, let a child stand on a sturdy step stool (you right beside them) and say what looks different from up high. The Lord’s ways are “higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9); He sees everything.
Connect it: One of His higher ways: when others avoided people who had sinned, Jesus ate with them and taught, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).
Can Jesus help with that? 5 min
Give each child a situation card to read aloud, such as “Eli said something unkind and feels bad inside.” The class answers together, “Yes!” Then ask how: He can comfort us, heal us, help us repent and forgive us, or give us strength.
Say: In the Book of Mormon, Alma’s people had heavy burdens they couldn’t escape. The Lord promised to “ease the burdens … that even you cannot feel them upon your backs,” and He made them strong enough to carry them (Mosiah 24:14–15). Jesus doesn’t always take hard things away, but He always helps us carry them.
Mountains move, kindness stays 3 min
Build a “mountain” out of books or blocks, then let a child knock it over.
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee.” Isaiah 54:10
Say: Even mountains can move, but the Lord’s kindness to you will never go away. Jesus loved these words so much that He taught them again to the Nephites (3 Nephi 22:10).
Hand out the verse cards for children to decorate and hang at home.
Share your testimony 2 min
Briefly share a time you felt the Savior comfort you or help you change, and invite anyone who wants to share to do the same.
Scriptures for this lesson
- Isaiah 53:4–5: He carried our griefs and was wounded for our sins.
- Isaiah 54:2, 10: Strengthen thy stakes; His kindness shall not depart.
- Alma 7:11–12: He took on our pains so He would know how to help us.
- Mosiah 24:13–15: The Lord eased the burdens of Alma’s people.
- Doctrine and Covenants 115:6: Stakes are a refuge from the storm.
- John 4:10–14: Jesus offers living water, and whoever drinks it never thirsts.
- Isaiah 55:8–9: The Lord’s ways are higher than our ways.
- Mark 2:15–17: Jesus came to call sinners to repentance.
Extra time? Make the “Strengthen Thy Stakes” tent craft (Isaiah 54:2): children color the tent, fold it so it stands, and tape a stake to each corner, writing one thing that keeps them steady on each (prayer, scriptures, church, keeping promises). Or read 3 Nephi 22:10 and Isaiah 54:10 side by side and discover that Jesus quoted Isaiah to the Nephites.
Teacher tip: Kids this age love to be the reader. Hand each child a card before class so everyone gets a turn. If a child shares something heavy, thank them and remind them Jesus understands.
Ages 9–11 · Valiant 9–11
Prophecy Detectives: Isaiah Saw the Savior
Truth to teach: “Isaiah prophesied of Jesus Christ’s Atonement hundreds of years before it happened, and it all came true.”
Why this matters: Older Primary children are ready for evidence and reasons. Seeing that Isaiah’s detailed prophecies came true builds real faith that Jesus Christ is who He said He is, and that Isaiah’s promises, like “my kindness shall not depart from thee” (Isaiah 54:10), are just as sure. These kids also carry real burdens: friendships, school stress, changes at home. Help them connect the Savior’s power to their own lives, not just to history.
By the end of class, children can:
- Match at least three of Isaiah’s prophecies to where they were fulfilled in the New Testament.
- Explain why fulfilled prophecy strengthens faith in Jesus Christ.
- Write a private, personal response about the Savior’s help.
About 25–30 minutes. You’ll need the Prophecy Detective case cards, case logs, case-file covers and detective badges, scriptures or the Gospel Library app, pencils, tape, and a phone or tablet for the video.
Open the case file 3 min
Say: Imagine someone described your birthday party in detail 700 years before you were born. Isaiah did something like that about Jesus Christ.
Tell the story from Acts 8:26–35: an important Ethiopian official was riding in his chariot, reading Isaiah 53. Philip asked, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” The man asked who Isaiah was talking about, and Philip “began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
Say: Today you’re detectives. Your job is to check Isaiah’s clues and see whether they came true.
Hand out detective badges to tape on and a case-file cover for each case log.
Read the evidence 4 min
Take turns reading Isaiah 53:3–7 aloud. Pause to define tricky words: despised (looked down on), griefs and sorrows (sadness and pain), stripes (wounds from being whipped), iniquity (sin).
If you have them, show pictures of the Savior’s suffering and death from the Church’s Gospel Art Book (nos. 56, 57 and 58) and let children point to words in Isaiah 53:3–6, 9 that describe each picture.
Connect it: The prophet Abinadi quoted this entire chapter to wicked King Noah (Mosiah 14), then explained that it was about Jesus Christ (Mosiah 15).
Prophecy detectives 8 min
In pairs, children take a case card, read the Isaiah clue, then search the chapter on the card to find where it came true:
- Isaiah 53:3 “despised and rejected of men” → John 1:11
- Isaiah 53:7 “he opened not his mouth” → Matthew 27:12–14
- Isaiah 53:9 “with the rich in his death” → Matthew 27:57–60
- Isaiah 53:12 “numbered with the transgressors” → Mark 15:27–28
- Isaiah 53:5 “with his stripes we are healed” → 1 Peter 2:24
Pairs record each solved case in their case log, then report one to the class.
Watch for the clues 6 min
Watch: My Kingdom Is Not of This World (5½ min, Bible Videos (live action))
Shows the Crucifixion. Preview it first and use your judgment for your class.
Before you press play, say: “Raise your hand every time you see one of Isaiah’s clues come true.” Afterward, ask which clues they spotted.
Why it matters 4 min
Ask:
- Why do you think Heavenly Father let prophets know about Jesus so long before He came?
- Isaiah 53:4 says He carried our griefs and sorrows. What heavy things do kids your age carry?
Listen for: So people could believe, prepare and be saved too. Stress about school, friendship problems, family changes, feeling left out.
Connect it: Alma asked the same question and answered it: “Is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming?” (Alma 39:17). God wanted people in every age to know about their Savior.
Say: The same Jesus who fulfilled every one of Isaiah’s clues also made promises to you. If He kept those, He’ll keep these.
Connect it: Many expected a conquering king, but the Savior came to serve and suffer. That’s what Isaiah meant by “my ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9). Jesus taught, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister” (Matthew 20:26).
Quiet journal time 3 min
Invite children to write in the journal section of their case log: “A time I felt Jesus help me was…” or “Something heavy I’d like to give to Him is…” Journals stay private, and no one has to share.
Challenge and testimony 2 min
Invite the class to memorize Isaiah 54:10 this week and to share one of Isaiah’s clues with their family. Close with your testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior Isaiah saw.
Scriptures for this lesson
- Isaiah 53: The whole chapter: the Savior’s suffering foretold.
- Acts 8:26–35: Philip teaches that Isaiah 53 is about Jesus.
- Mosiah 14–15: Abinadi quotes Isaiah 53 and explains it.
- Alma 39:15–19: Why prophets taught of Christ ahead of time.
- Matthew 20:25–28: The Savior’s higher way: the greatest serve.
- Alma 7:11–12: He knows how to help us because He suffered.
- Doctrine and Covenants 19:16: He suffered so we need not suffer if we repent.
Extra time? Show the Abinadi video and ask how Abinadi’s courage connects to Isaiah 53. Or read Isaiah 54:13 together (“great shall be the peace of thy children”) and ask what peace from Jesus feels like.
Teacher tip: Older kids tune out when a lesson feels babyish. Give them jobs: one child is the “lead detective” who reads the clues, and another is the “records keeper” who writes down each solved case.
This week’s printables
Free · Ages 3–5
Lost Lamb coloring page
A simple lamb to color, plus cut-out lambs for the hide-and-seek game.
Free · All ages
Isaiah 54:10 verse cards
Four memory verse cards per page, for every child to take home.
Want everything ready to print?
The full Oct 5–11 packet includes:
- All three lesson plans with scripts, scriptures and video links, plus a “Before you teach” page
- Ages 3–5: coloring page, cut-out lambs, sad/happy lamb stick puppets and a lamb headband
- Ages 6–8: Isaiah Picture Match game, illustrated “Can Jesus help?” cards and a tent-and-stakes craft
- Ages 9–11: Prophecy Detective cases, case log, case-file cover and detective badges
- Memory verse cards and take-home notes for every age
- US Letter and A4 sizes, an ink-saver version, and a separate packet for each age group
Take-home note for parents
This week in Primary we learned from Isaiah 50–57 that Jesus Christ carries our sorrows and sins, and His kindness never leaves us.
Ask at dinner:
- Ages 3–5: “Who helps us when we feel sad?”
- Ages 6–8: “What did the tent stakes teach you?”
- Ages 9–11: “Which of Isaiah’s prophecies about Jesus surprised you most?”
Watch together this week:
- Ages 3–5: The First Parable: The Lost Sheep (1 min)
- Ages 6–8: Chapter 51: Jesus Suffers in the Garden of Gethsemane (2 min)
- Ages 9–11: Abinadi Teaches the Ten Commandments and Testifies of Christ (Mosiah 13–16) (6 min)
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee.” Isaiah 54:10
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. Videos and songs link to ChurchofJesusChrist.org. These plans are meant to go alongside the Church’s official Come, Follow Me resources. Please read those first as you prepare.