Opening song and prayer
2 minSing Help Me, Dear Father (Children's Songbook 99), then invite a child to offer the opening prayer.
The Scarlet Stain
4 minBefore class, drip a little red food coloring onto a white cloth or paper towel so it looks badly stained. Keep a clean white cloth hidden nearby.
Show the stained cloth to the class. Ask if anyone knows how to make it perfectly white again. Let a few children try rubbing it with water. The red will spread or stay. It will not become snow white.
Then explain that Isaiah used this very picture. He said our sins can be red like scarlet, but the Lord can make them white as snow. Swap in the clean white cloth. Only God has the power to make us truly clean.
- Could we make the stained cloth perfectly white by rubbing it?No. We tried, but the stain stayed. Some things we cannot fix by ourselves.
- What did Isaiah compare our sins to?Scarlet and crimson, which are deep red colors that are hard to wash out.
- What color did he say they could become?White as snow and white as wool. Completely clean.
- Have you ever wanted a fresh start after making a mistake?Let children answer. Everyone has. Repentance is how we ask God for that fresh start.
Isaiah was a prophet who saw the Savior
6 minIsaiah lived in Jerusalem a long time before Jesus was born. The Lord called him to be a prophet. That means God gave him messages to teach the people.
Isaiah's words were often written like poetry. Some parts are hard to understand, but many of them are about Jesus Christ. He even saw a vision of the Lord in the temple.
- When did Isaiah live compared to Jesus?Hundreds of years before Jesus was born. Isaiah prophesied about things that had not happened yet.
- What is a prophet?A person called by God to teach His word and warn His children.
- Why do we still read Isaiah today?Because his words teach us about Jesus Christ and help us understand God's plan.
- Who is our prophet today?President Russell M. Nelson. Like Isaiah, he teaches us what Heavenly Father wants us to know.
The Lord can make us clean when we repent
6 minIn Isaiah 1, the people had made many mistakes. The Lord did not give up on them. He said, 'Come now, and let us reason together.' That means He wanted to talk with them and help them change.
Then came the famous promise: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. God was not saying the sins never happened. He was saying repentance and the Savior's power can make us clean again.
- What does it mean to repent?To feel sorry for sin, stop doing wrong, fix what we can, and ask Heavenly Father for forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
- Why did Isaiah use the color red?Red stains are hard to remove. He wanted us to know that sin is serious, but God's power is greater.
- Who makes us white as snow?Jesus Christ, when we repent and do our part.
- What is one thing you can repent of this week?Let children answer privately or generally. Being unkind, not listening, breaking a rule, or skipping prayer.
Prophets help us hear God's voice (optional)
optionalIsaiah was one of many prophets who taught about Christ. Prophets do not speak their own ideas. They speak for Heavenly Father.
When Isaiah's words were hard to understand, the people still needed to listen and trust God. We listen to our prophet today the same way.
- How did Isaiah get his messages?From Heavenly Father. Prophets are called by God.
- Why did some people ignore Isaiah?His words were hard to hear. He warned them about consequences if they did not repent.
- How can you follow the prophet this week?Let children answer. Read his words, be kind, serve, pray, or do what he has asked us to do.
In the scriptures
5 minRead these together and talk about them.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- What does 'reason together' mean?The Lord wants to work with us, not just punish us. He invites us to talk with Him through prayer and repentance.
- What is the difference between scarlet and snow white?Scarlet is a deep red stain. Snow white is pure and clean. That is the change repentance makes possible.
- Does this verse mean sin does not matter?No. It means sin is real and serious, but God's power to forgive is even greater.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
- Who is Jehovah in this verse?Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, Jehovah is the premortal Savior.
- Why could Isaiah trust and not be afraid?Because God was his salvation. He knew the Lord would save and strengthen him.
- When do you need to trust God instead of being afraid?Let children answer. Hard tests, new situations, family problems, or when they have made a mistake and need forgiveness.
White as snow cards
optionalGive each child a white piece of paper cut into a snowflake or cloud shape.
Have them write or draw one thing they are grateful Jesus can forgive and make clean.
Invite a few to share, then display the snowflakes together as a reminder of Isaiah's promise.
Latter-day Kids lesson bundle and coloring pages for this week