Opening song and prayer
2 minSing Saturday (Children's Songbook 196), then invite a child to offer the opening prayer.
The Garment of Praise
4 minGive one volunteer a heavy backpack filled with books. Ask them to walk across the room. It represents the 'spirit of heaviness' Isaiah wrote about, when life feels sad and weighed down.
Then swap the backpack for a bright scarf draped over their shoulders. Isaiah promised 'the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' Praise means turning toward God with gratitude and joy instead of staying stuck in gloom.
Hold up an empty lunch bag next to a full one. Explain that fasting is choosing to go without food for a time so we can feed our spirit. It is not about being hungry for fun. It is about focusing on Heavenly Father.
- How did the heavy backpack feel?Hard to walk, slow, tiring. That is what a spirit of heaviness feels like.
- What changed when the scarf went on?The weight came off and something bright replaced it. Praise and joy can change how we feel inside.
- Why would someone choose an empty lunch bag on fast Sunday?To skip food for two meals and use that time to pray and think about Heavenly Father.
- What is one thing that makes your heart feel heavy sometimes?Let children answer. Arguing at home, stress at school, missing someone, or feeling bad about a mistake.
True fasting helps others and draws us to God
6 minSome people in Isaiah's day went through the motions of fasting but still fought and ignored the poor. The Lord said that is not the fast He chose.
The fast He wanted was to loose heavy burdens, feed the hungry, and care for people who need help. Fasting plus fast offerings turns hunger into love.
- What is fasting?Going without food and drink for a purpose, usually two meals, while praying and focusing on God.
- What did Isaiah say true fasting includes?Helping the poor, breaking unfair burdens, and turning our hearts to God.
- What is a fast offering?Money we give to the Church to help people who are hungry or in need, at least as much as we saved by not eating.
- Who could your family's fast offering help?People in your ward or across the world who need food, rent, or medical help.
The Sabbath can be a delight
6 minIsaiah 58:13 says to call the Sabbath a delight. That means Sunday is not a boring day we survive. It is a gift where we rest, worship, and feel close to God.
When we turn away from shopping, arguing, and wasting time, the Lord promises we will 'delight' ourselves in Him. The Sabbath prepares us for Zion.
- What does it mean to call the Sabbath a delight?To look forward to it and use it to grow closer to Heavenly Father instead of complaining about rules.
- What are good things to do on the Sabbath?Go to church, read scriptures, visit family, serve, rest, write in a journal, or listen to good music.
- What should we avoid on the Sabbath?Activities that pull us away from the Spirit, like shopping for fun, sports that skip church, or media that makes us forget God.
- What is one way you can make next Sunday a delight?Let children answer. Plan a scripture story, help make Sunday dinner, or invite a family member to play a quiet game.
The Redeemer will come to Zion (optional)
optionalIsaiah looked forward to the day when the Savior would come to Zion. We look forward to the Second Coming, when Jesus Christ will return in glory.
Every time we fast, keep the Sabbath, and choose joy over heaviness, we practice being the kind of people who are ready to meet Him.
- What is the Second Coming?When Jesus Christ returns to the earth as King and Judge, just as the prophets promised.
- What is Zion?God's pure and united people. It can mean a place, like Jerusalem, or a community of faithful Saints.
- How do fasting and Sabbath worship help us prepare?They turn our hearts to God each week so we stay ready and faithful.
- What is one choice you can make today to be ready for Jesus?Let children answer. Repent, forgive, serve, pray, or keep the Sabbath holy.
In the scriptures
5 minRead these together and talk about them.
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
- What are 'heavy burdens' and 'yokes'?Hard problems that weigh people down, like poverty, unfair treatment, or sin.
- How does fasting help break burdens?It softens our hearts, gives us spiritual strength, and fast offerings help people in real need.
- Who around you might need help carrying a burden?Let children answer. A lonely classmate, a tired parent, or someone new at church.
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
- What is 'beauty for ashes'?God turns sadness and loss into something good and beautiful over time.
- What is the garment of praise?A picture of joy and gratitude replacing a heavy, sad heart.
- How can you put on a 'garment of praise' this week?Let children answer. Thank Heavenly Father in prayer, sing a hymn, or notice good things even on a hard day.
Sabbath delight plan
optionalGive each child a small paper divided into two columns: 'Spirit of Heaviness' and 'Garment of Praise.'
In the first column, have them write or draw one thing that weighs them down. In the second, write one Sabbath or prayer choice that could bring joy.
Invite a few to share their plan for making the next Sabbath a delight.
Latter-day Kids lesson bundle and coloring pages for this week