I LOVE teaching Follow the Prophet! It’s so light-hearted, energetic and not to mention, the kids sure enjoy it!

Chorus
- For “follow the prophet”: roll arms (like patty cake!) during “follow the proph..” then clap on the second syllable of proph – “ET” repeating that three times.
- For “don’t go astray”: point your finger and wave it back and forth (as if saying “no no.”) and shake your head back and forth for no.
- Then repeat the arm rolling and clap on the second syllable of proph – “ET” three more times.
- For “he knows the way” do: jazz hands (fingers spread and you shake your hands) with elbows bent.
OR (these actions are a little more technical – perfect for Sr. primary!)
Sister Pat Graham taught this song at her workshop a few years ago that I recorded! You can find the video HERE and it’s Video #4 (titled “Part 4”), at 9:30 (it continues on into Part 5) is when she starts to introduce the song using the “Jewish Folksong” theme presented by the author, Duane Hiatt! The actions she teaches for the chorus are super fun!
- “who knows the way?”
- “what ‘way’ is the song talking about?”
- “what should we do so we don’t go astray?”
- “what does ‘astray’ mean?”
Name That Prophet
Susan Fitch




Puppets
Gospel Art Book
You need one for:
- Adam
- Enoch
- Noah
- Abraham
- Moses
- Samuel (great story summary HERE)
- Jonah
- Daniel
- Today
I bought an actual Gospel Art Book at the Distribution Center and have taken it all apart, placed each page in sheet protectors and put in a big 3-ring binder:
Follow the Prophet Activity
**If using the prophet sticks, simply reveal the prophet stick when he is guessed. They’ll hang nicely on the board with a strong magnet. And you only need to print the question mark page once.
Time Permitting
My kids keep asking if Follow the Prophet is the longest song in the songbook – I don’t know for sure, but it’s definitely a top 5!!
More Ideas
I’ve been collecting other ideas on teaching this song which I won’t be using so if you want more, here are a few:
- Create mini groups of kids. Assign them a prophet verse and they will get to present information on him. Make sure they know the scripture references and have a set of scriptures so they can read it. Let them color a picture (on big butcher paper would be fun!) and tell the story in their own words. Sing the chorus in between each presentation using the actions posted above.
- The March 2010 Friend had more teaching ideas HERE.


Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Follow the Prophet.
9 thoughts on “Follow the Prophet”
Thank you!!
Love all these ideas. Thank you for sharing!!
After watching the video about the composer, I've been trying to think of a way to nod to the Jewish elements of the song while teaching it. I'm having a hard time. There are so many good ideas, and I am really excited to teach it, too. Seems like something we can have a lot of fun with. Thanks for all the ideas! I am def. interested in Susan's digital files! Thanks for sharing!
Laura,
I just remembered that Sister Pat Graham taught this song at her workshop a few years ago. I have the workshop recording of her teaching it at this link:
http://camillesprimaryideas.com/2013/01/pat-graham-workshop-recording.html
It's video #4 and at 9:30 into the video. She shows you actions with the "Jewish folksong" theme. It's kind of fun! I hope that helps. I think I'll add the link to this post as well.
~Camille
Would you happen to know which video part of the seminar it's on?
Thanks,
Laura
Laura, it's Part 4 (Video #4) and it begins about 9:30 into the recording and on to Part 5 of Video #5.
~Camille
Thanks for the chorus idea! I'm not personally teaching all 9 verses, but we will be learning a couple as a whole primary. I have assigned and asked the teachers in each class (some classes have 2 verses because of combined ages) to teach their classes the verse I have given them–words and a picture too. Then in the program, each class will sing their verse and then the primary sings the chorus. The teachers even get their own verse which I will do as well with the kids so they know it too. One of the teachers in my primary has done this before and said it turned out awesome! Our 3 and 4 year old classes are small so they are doing one verse together in the program. Hopefully they all sing. 🙂 Thanks again for the chorus idea. Totally going to use it tomorrow!
Thank you so much for your lesson plans! I used most of this one today and it was great! i'm really struggling with feeling motivated and happy in my calling right now. And you are an answer to my prayers. Thank you!
Thanks to your inspired post on Follow The Prophet, our kids LOVED Singing time today! I'm new to this calling and your blog has been super helpful to me. You provide creative, fun & spiritual ideas for so many primary songs. All of the kids were attentive & reverent with the lesson, quiet during the scriptures with the old testament prophets, and sang their hearts out as they did the hand motions to FTP. The Jr. Primary loved Susan Fitch's cute art. Thank you TONS Camille!!! Keep 'em coming…you have a huge fan club.