Light
This is a 5-day lesson, designed for the Feast of Tabernacles, but applicable as a VBS. It's great to have a lesson where everybody gets to participate, learn, and have fun. Enjoy the lessons, and don't forget to add the music, This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; and Jesus Bids Us Shine, for emphasis. The songs are relevant to all five lessons and work well as part of the wrap-up celebration for the 5-day set of lessons.
Lesson One: Jesus is the Light
Lesson Two: Seeking the Light
Lesson Three: Be a Light
Lesson Four: Light Your World
Lesson Five: You Are God's Jewel, His Treasured Possession
Overview for Five Light Lessons
Give hand-outs to students, to be done before class on first day.
Give sharpened Feast pencils. Memory verse for SS1 on hand-outs.
First Day - SS1
Memory Verse: John 8:12
Object Lesson/Devotional: Plant; Gen 1:1-19
Activity: Foil Star
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Debrief/Assignment: Light scriptures, give glow-in-dark pen, memory verse for SS2
Second Day - SS2
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:105
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson/devotional: magnifying glass, John 1:9, Ps 119:105, Is 55:6
Activity: Magnifying glasses w/ MV; Treasure hunt; kaleidoscope
Debrief/Assignment: Light scriptures, memory verse for SS3, bouncing ball
Third Day - SS3
Memory Verse: Matt 5:14
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson/ devotional: lamps; Matt 5:14, Isaiah 49:6b
Activity: Draw face, memory verse on collar; glowsticks
Debrief/Assignment: It’s Me Keychain, memory verse for SS4, light scriptures
Fourth Day - SS4
Memory Verse: Matt 5:16
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson: candle/metal can object lesson; Matt 5:15-16
Activity: sun catcher
Debrief/Assignment: light scriptures, jewel eraser, memory verse for SS5.
Put puzzles together for SS5
Fifth Day - SS5
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 2:9
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson: Pinata; Isaiah 60:19, Rev 22:5, 1 Peter 2:9
Activity: Bingo with light scriptures, pinata
Debrief: Wrap-up; explanation of Last Great Day activities
Day One: Jesus is the Light
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12
Scripture/Object: Read Genesis 1:1-19; show two potted plants
Devotional- I like growing plants. I have a few in my home that I have had for years. But what will happen if I keep one plant in the dark (hold up one plant) and give the second plant light (hold up the other plant)? (Allow the children to give you answers.)
God made plants to need light. If they don’t get enough light, they don’t grow very well. So God also made the light. What do we call the lights that God made? (Wait for their answers.)
You know what I think? I think God made the plants to need light so that I could learn a very important lesson. They need light, but so does something else. Does anybody have an idea of what lesson God might be showing me? Do you know what else needs light? (Wait for answers.) Everything and everyone needs light to live. We need a very special light. We need the Light, Jesus Christ, to do well in this world.
He is the Light which gives us direction. Just like the plants grow toward the light. We grow toward Jesus.
He is the Light which lights our ways. Although the plants don’t walk around, we definitely need light to see them if we’re going to water them and keep them healthy. And we need Jesus, the Light, to make wise choices so that we are healthy too.
So the next time you see the sunshine or the moonlight shining brightly, think about the Son of God who shines brightly in our lives, if we let him, and helps us grow healthy and wise.
Activity: Foil Star
Cut out star. Cover with foil, tape - if necessary. Put preprinted memory verse (John 8:12) on star, decorate with star stickers.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Give students light scriptures notebook. Tell them to find light scriptures. Write down the verse and the scripture reference in their notebook.
2) Read John 12:35-36. Jesus is the light, but how do we get that light? The Bible is a good place to start to see the Light and where it shows us to go. Give Glow-in-the-dark pen. Memorize verse for SS2: Psalm 119:105
Materials Needed for SS1:
Second Day: SS2 Seeking the Light
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps 119:105
Scripture/Object: John 1:9, Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 55:6 and a magnifying glass
Devotional: One day when I was first teaching, I walked home, hurried up the stairs to my apartment, unlocked the door, and dropped everything right there on the floor. I really had to go to the bathroom. Later, I picked everything up and put it where it belonged. The next morning, I was getting ready to go to church. I couldn’t find my keys. That meant I couldn’t lock my apartment. I couldn’t unlock my garage to get my car out. I couldn’t start my car!
So I began searching (hold up magnifying glass). I looked for those keys in places where I knew they couldn’t possibly be - but I’d looked everywhere else. I knew they were in my apartment, somewhere, because I was there. I had to have had them to get in the night before. I searched for an hour. I even called my landlord to start the process of getting new keys.
Then, finally, I caught a glimpse of something lying on the carpet, in the shadow of the corner, near the door. My keys! Suddenly, I knew what had happened. I’d dropped those keys along with everything else the evening before - when I was in such a hurry. I hadn’t seen them before because they were in the shadow, in the darkness of where the corner of the wall cut off the light.
I need my keys. They allow me to do so many things. I also need Jesus. Knowing Him helps me do so many things. Why? Because one names for Jesus is Light. He is the Light which gives me light to see what I need to do. His love and guidance clears the shadows out of my life so I can see what needs to be done and how to do it.
But you have to want that Light. You have to seek for that Light - just as much as I was seeking my keys. Don’t give up. Don’t quit seeking for Jesus in your life. You need Him. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Jesus is close to you - just like I knew my keys had to be somewhere in my apartment. But like my keys, you have to want Jesus. My keys weren’t going to get up and jump into my hand. And Jesus won’t jump into your hand either. He waits for you to make room in your life for Him. So seek Jesus, the Light, and invite Him to come into your life and light your way.
Activity: Magnifying Glass Cut-out/Treasure Hunt/Kaleidoscope
Cut out preprinted magnifying glasses, two sets, inside and out. Glue transparency film with memory verse on it between the two pieces. Then go on treasure hunt. At the end of treasure hunt, each child will find a kaleidoscope to decorate. The kaleidoscope should already have Is. 55:6 printed on one side.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Check progress on finding light verses. Continue writing light verses and the scripture references in their notebook. Copy light scripture references onto Bingo sheet.
2) Each of you had your own treasure hunt, just like each person has to seek for Jesus. Others can go on the journey with you, but they can’t carry you. You have to want to find the light. Just like the kaleidoscope works best when it is pointed towards the light, I urge you to seek the light. Then, when you are pointed towards the Light, Jesus Christ, you will reflect His glory. You will be a light to this world. Give bouncing ball. Memorize verse for SS3: Matthew 5:14
Materials Needed:
Third Day - SS3 Be a Light
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matt. 5:14
Scripture/Object Lesson: Matthew 5:14 and Isaiah 49:6b and assorted lamps
Devotional: Look at all these different lamps! WOW! Take a minute to look at them all. Then I’m going to ask you some questions. (Allow a full two minutes - or until the restlessness threatens to take over the lesson.)
What are some differences that you can see? (Let the students give as many responses as they’d like to. Affirm as many answers, by repeating them, as you can. Possible answers: look different, give off different amounts of light, different sizes, different uses, give off different intensities of light, etc.)
O.K. Let’s talk about these answers.
They look different from one another. Hey! You know what? You each look different from the person sitting next to you too!
The lamps are different sizes. Hey! You know what? You are a different size from the person sitting next to you too!!
The lamps have different uses - each lamp is really good at what it was designed for. Hey! This is getting really weird! You each are really good at doing different things!
Wow! Did you ever think how much like a lamp you are?!
You know what? Jesus knew. He knew that you are a light. You can either be a light for good or for evil. If you are a light for good, then you show people that the Lord is your Light. And then you have a good affect on the people around you. You are helping to guide them, because of your light, in God’s ways. Those are the ways which make life work the best.
There are a couple of other ways the lamps were different from each other. Some lamps give off more light than the other ones do. They have a different intensity, don’t they. You’re the same way. Your light for Jesus can be really strong, a good light to people who live in darkness. Or your light can be kind of weak, not very good for seeing much of anything.
If you have a weak light, what can you do to make it stronger? (Hold up the plug at the end of one of the lamp’s cord.) You’ve got to get plugged in. These lamps get their energy so they can shine from the electric company. You get your energy so you can shine from Jesus. You have to be plugged in to Jesus, just like these lamps are plugged into the wall. Connected.
How do you do that? (Let the students give answers, if they want.) Reading your Bible. Praying to God. Talking with other believers about Him. Going to church. Attending Sabbath school or the Feast.
Remember what we talked about yesterday? You’ve got to seek Jesus so you can get plugged in.
Activity: Draw faces; glowsticks
On drawing paper, have students draw their face. Write the memory verse on the collar. Use favorite color tools to add color, if desired. Give glowsticks to children.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Check progress on finding light verses. Continue writing light verses and the scripture references in their notebook. Add scriptures to bingo sheet.
2) Each one of you looks different. Each drawing is different. You did different things with the glow sticks. But your job remains the same. You need to shine for Jesus. Gift: Look, it’s me! Keychain - child’s photo on one side, memory verse for SS4 on the other side. Memorize verse for SS4:Matthew 5:16
Materials Needed:
Fourth Day - SS4 Light Your World
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16
Scripture/Object Lesson -Matthew 5:15-16 and a candle and metal can
Devotional: Have you ever been in a storm when the electricity went out and your mom had to dig out some candles? Candles don’t give much light, do they? Do they give more light if you hold them up higher? What if you put them on a shelf behind a picture frame? What if you put a can over the top of them? Then what happens?
We live in a darkened world. The enemy, Satan, is sending storms across our land. He would like nothing better than to put out all of the lights of the believers in Jesus. And, sometimes Satan wins. Christians hide their light.
How do they do that? Well, they don’t tell others about Jesus. They don’t share the good news about Jesus with others. And they don’t tell people that God has a right way and a wrong way for them to live. And, pretty soon, their actions and behaviors aren’t a good light either! They don’t act like a Christian should. And your actions are often a brighter light than your words are!
So. Can you think of a reason why a Christian would hide his light? (Let the students volunteer answers. Build on what they give, if possible.)
Maybe they are afraid. They could be afraid of a couple of different things. A Christian might be afraid he/she won’t fit in with friends. Maybe they are afraid others will make fun of them. Or maybe they are afraid someone might hurt them for what they believe.
Maybe they don’t care about shining the light. Sometimes people who say they love God are just not interested in letting anyone else know what they believe.
Maybe Christians get too busy with what they are doing. They are getting distracted from doing the job that Jesus gave them.
Maybe they don’t realize how important it is to keep that light shining so others can see.
There may be lots of reasons why someone wouldn’t shine that light in this darkened world. But you know that it’s a job Jesus gave to His people. If you belong to Jesus, it’s part of what He expects you to do every day. This world needs the Light. It’s too easy to stumble and hit your toe in the darkness! Shine your light!
Activity: Suncatchers
Paint suncatchers
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Check progress on finding light verses. Continue writing light verses and the scripture references in their notebook. Add scriptures to bingo sheet.
2) Debrief: Each of you allows Jesus to shine through your lives differently - just as the paint changes how the light looks coming through the suncatcher. As the sun shines on the suncatcher, it makes the suncatcher beautiful. God makes you beautiful too - if you let Him shine in your life. Each of you is a treasure, a jewel. What is your job? To praise God. Gift: Jewel eraser with memory verse for SS5: 1 Peter 2:9
Materials Needed:
Fifth Day - SS5 You are God’s Jewel, His Treasured Possession
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Scripture/Object Lesson: Isaiah 60:19, Rev 22:5, 1 Peter 2:9, pinata
Devotional: Did you know that scientists believe that our sun may someday burn out? You know, life a million years from now. I have news for them - it’s going to be gone long before that. Well, maybe it won’t exactly be gone; it just will no longer be important.
(Read Isaiah 60:19 and Rev 22:5)
Someday, we’ll be back to Genesis 1. Did you ever notice that God created Light on Day One, but created the sun, moon, and stars on Day Four? So all of those people who hate the light and love darkness, how great their darkness will be!! Do you remember why they hate the light? (Wait for answers - because their deeds are evil.) But you who love the Light, you who love God, to you Peter has written this promise: 1 Peter 2:9 (Have students recite - write on dry erase board.) And why is it you are a chosen race (or people - the NIV says), a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession? (Wait for answers.) So you can proclaim the excellencies (the NIV says declare the praises) of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
We’re not called to grumble. We’re not called out of darkness to complain. We’re not called out of darkness to bicker and fuss at our brother - or our sister. We’re called to declare praises to God, to proclaim His excellencies. So the next time you’re tempted to grumble or complain, to bicker or fuss, stop! Stop and think: I am the light of the world. People are noticing what I’m doing. My job is to praise God with my thoughts, and my words, and my actions. I’m not doing that if I’m grumbling.
You are a chosen people, God’s own possession. Act like it!
Activity: Bingo; Pinata
Finish filling in light scriptures on the bingo sheet. Play bingo. The order of the winners determines who gets a shot at hitting the sun pinata first.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Someday we’re not going to need the Sun, because Jesus will be our Light. Why don’t you start living your life that way now!
2)Each child will be given a penlight to shine during the music presentation. Practice with those.
Materials Needed:
Give hand-outs to students, to be done before class on first day.
Give sharpened Feast pencils. Memory verse for SS1 on hand-outs.
First Day - SS1
Memory Verse: John 8:12
Object Lesson/Devotional: Plant; Gen 1:1-19
Activity: Foil Star
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Debrief/Assignment: Light scriptures, give glow-in-dark pen, memory verse for SS2
Second Day - SS2
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:105
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson/devotional: magnifying glass, John 1:9, Ps 119:105, Is 55:6
Activity: Magnifying glasses w/ MV; Treasure hunt; kaleidoscope
Debrief/Assignment: Light scriptures, memory verse for SS3, bouncing ball
Third Day - SS3
Memory Verse: Matt 5:14
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson/ devotional: lamps; Matt 5:14, Isaiah 49:6b
Activity: Draw face, memory verse on collar; glowsticks
Debrief/Assignment: It’s Me Keychain, memory verse for SS4, light scriptures
Fourth Day - SS4
Memory Verse: Matt 5:16
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson: candle/metal can object lesson; Matt 5:15-16
Activity: sun catcher
Debrief/Assignment: light scriptures, jewel eraser, memory verse for SS5.
Put puzzles together for SS5
Fifth Day - SS5
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 2:9
Music: This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Object lesson: Pinata; Isaiah 60:19, Rev 22:5, 1 Peter 2:9
Activity: Bingo with light scriptures, pinata
Debrief: Wrap-up; explanation of Last Great Day activities
Day One: Jesus is the Light
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follow me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~John 8:12
Scripture/Object: Read Genesis 1:1-19; show two potted plants
Devotional- I like growing plants. I have a few in my home that I have had for years. But what will happen if I keep one plant in the dark (hold up one plant) and give the second plant light (hold up the other plant)? (Allow the children to give you answers.)
God made plants to need light. If they don’t get enough light, they don’t grow very well. So God also made the light. What do we call the lights that God made? (Wait for their answers.)
You know what I think? I think God made the plants to need light so that I could learn a very important lesson. They need light, but so does something else. Does anybody have an idea of what lesson God might be showing me? Do you know what else needs light? (Wait for answers.) Everything and everyone needs light to live. We need a very special light. We need the Light, Jesus Christ, to do well in this world.
He is the Light which gives us direction. Just like the plants grow toward the light. We grow toward Jesus.
He is the Light which lights our ways. Although the plants don’t walk around, we definitely need light to see them if we’re going to water them and keep them healthy. And we need Jesus, the Light, to make wise choices so that we are healthy too.
So the next time you see the sunshine or the moonlight shining brightly, think about the Son of God who shines brightly in our lives, if we let him, and helps us grow healthy and wise.
Activity: Foil Star
Cut out star. Cover with foil, tape - if necessary. Put preprinted memory verse (John 8:12) on star, decorate with star stickers.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Give students light scriptures notebook. Tell them to find light scriptures. Write down the verse and the scripture reference in their notebook.
2) Read John 12:35-36. Jesus is the light, but how do we get that light? The Bible is a good place to start to see the Light and where it shows us to go. Give Glow-in-the-dark pen. Memorize verse for SS2: Psalm 119:105
Materials Needed for SS1:
- stars outlined on cardstock
- memory vs. pre-printed on labels
- star stickers
- foil
- scissors
- scotch tape
- two potted plants
- light scriptures notebook
- glow-in-the dark pen
Second Day: SS2 Seeking the Light
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Ps 119:105
Scripture/Object: John 1:9, Psalm 119:105, Isaiah 55:6 and a magnifying glass
Devotional: One day when I was first teaching, I walked home, hurried up the stairs to my apartment, unlocked the door, and dropped everything right there on the floor. I really had to go to the bathroom. Later, I picked everything up and put it where it belonged. The next morning, I was getting ready to go to church. I couldn’t find my keys. That meant I couldn’t lock my apartment. I couldn’t unlock my garage to get my car out. I couldn’t start my car!
So I began searching (hold up magnifying glass). I looked for those keys in places where I knew they couldn’t possibly be - but I’d looked everywhere else. I knew they were in my apartment, somewhere, because I was there. I had to have had them to get in the night before. I searched for an hour. I even called my landlord to start the process of getting new keys.
Then, finally, I caught a glimpse of something lying on the carpet, in the shadow of the corner, near the door. My keys! Suddenly, I knew what had happened. I’d dropped those keys along with everything else the evening before - when I was in such a hurry. I hadn’t seen them before because they were in the shadow, in the darkness of where the corner of the wall cut off the light.
I need my keys. They allow me to do so many things. I also need Jesus. Knowing Him helps me do so many things. Why? Because one names for Jesus is Light. He is the Light which gives me light to see what I need to do. His love and guidance clears the shadows out of my life so I can see what needs to be done and how to do it.
But you have to want that Light. You have to seek for that Light - just as much as I was seeking my keys. Don’t give up. Don’t quit seeking for Jesus in your life. You need Him. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Jesus is close to you - just like I knew my keys had to be somewhere in my apartment. But like my keys, you have to want Jesus. My keys weren’t going to get up and jump into my hand. And Jesus won’t jump into your hand either. He waits for you to make room in your life for Him. So seek Jesus, the Light, and invite Him to come into your life and light your way.
Activity: Magnifying Glass Cut-out/Treasure Hunt/Kaleidoscope
Cut out preprinted magnifying glasses, two sets, inside and out. Glue transparency film with memory verse on it between the two pieces. Then go on treasure hunt. At the end of treasure hunt, each child will find a kaleidoscope to decorate. The kaleidoscope should already have Is. 55:6 printed on one side.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Check progress on finding light verses. Continue writing light verses and the scripture references in their notebook. Copy light scripture references onto Bingo sheet.
2) Each of you had your own treasure hunt, just like each person has to seek for Jesus. Others can go on the journey with you, but they can’t carry you. You have to want to find the light. Just like the kaleidoscope works best when it is pointed towards the light, I urge you to seek the light. Then, when you are pointed towards the Light, Jesus Christ, you will reflect His glory. You will be a light to this world. Give bouncing ball. Memorize verse for SS3: Matthew 5:14
Materials Needed:
- kaleidoscope
- magnify glass sheets
- clear film with verse
- scissors
- glue
- tape
- markers
- treasure hunt
- bingo sheets
- sharpie
Third Day - SS3 Be a Light
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matt. 5:14
Scripture/Object Lesson: Matthew 5:14 and Isaiah 49:6b and assorted lamps
Devotional: Look at all these different lamps! WOW! Take a minute to look at them all. Then I’m going to ask you some questions. (Allow a full two minutes - or until the restlessness threatens to take over the lesson.)
What are some differences that you can see? (Let the students give as many responses as they’d like to. Affirm as many answers, by repeating them, as you can. Possible answers: look different, give off different amounts of light, different sizes, different uses, give off different intensities of light, etc.)
O.K. Let’s talk about these answers.
They look different from one another. Hey! You know what? You each look different from the person sitting next to you too!
The lamps are different sizes. Hey! You know what? You are a different size from the person sitting next to you too!!
The lamps have different uses - each lamp is really good at what it was designed for. Hey! This is getting really weird! You each are really good at doing different things!
Wow! Did you ever think how much like a lamp you are?!
You know what? Jesus knew. He knew that you are a light. You can either be a light for good or for evil. If you are a light for good, then you show people that the Lord is your Light. And then you have a good affect on the people around you. You are helping to guide them, because of your light, in God’s ways. Those are the ways which make life work the best.
There are a couple of other ways the lamps were different from each other. Some lamps give off more light than the other ones do. They have a different intensity, don’t they. You’re the same way. Your light for Jesus can be really strong, a good light to people who live in darkness. Or your light can be kind of weak, not very good for seeing much of anything.
If you have a weak light, what can you do to make it stronger? (Hold up the plug at the end of one of the lamp’s cord.) You’ve got to get plugged in. These lamps get their energy so they can shine from the electric company. You get your energy so you can shine from Jesus. You have to be plugged in to Jesus, just like these lamps are plugged into the wall. Connected.
How do you do that? (Let the students give answers, if they want.) Reading your Bible. Praying to God. Talking with other believers about Him. Going to church. Attending Sabbath school or the Feast.
Remember what we talked about yesterday? You’ve got to seek Jesus so you can get plugged in.
Activity: Draw faces; glowsticks
On drawing paper, have students draw their face. Write the memory verse on the collar. Use favorite color tools to add color, if desired. Give glowsticks to children.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Check progress on finding light verses. Continue writing light verses and the scripture references in their notebook. Add scriptures to bingo sheet.
2) Each one of you looks different. Each drawing is different. You did different things with the glow sticks. But your job remains the same. You need to shine for Jesus. Gift: Look, it’s me! Keychain - child’s photo on one side, memory verse for SS4 on the other side. Memorize verse for SS4:Matthew 5:16
Materials Needed:
- drawing paper
- color tools
- glow sticks
- photo of each child
- It’s Me! Keychain
- lamps
Fourth Day - SS4 Light Your World
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16
Scripture/Object Lesson -Matthew 5:15-16 and a candle and metal can
Devotional: Have you ever been in a storm when the electricity went out and your mom had to dig out some candles? Candles don’t give much light, do they? Do they give more light if you hold them up higher? What if you put them on a shelf behind a picture frame? What if you put a can over the top of them? Then what happens?
We live in a darkened world. The enemy, Satan, is sending storms across our land. He would like nothing better than to put out all of the lights of the believers in Jesus. And, sometimes Satan wins. Christians hide their light.
How do they do that? Well, they don’t tell others about Jesus. They don’t share the good news about Jesus with others. And they don’t tell people that God has a right way and a wrong way for them to live. And, pretty soon, their actions and behaviors aren’t a good light either! They don’t act like a Christian should. And your actions are often a brighter light than your words are!
So. Can you think of a reason why a Christian would hide his light? (Let the students volunteer answers. Build on what they give, if possible.)
Maybe they are afraid. They could be afraid of a couple of different things. A Christian might be afraid he/she won’t fit in with friends. Maybe they are afraid others will make fun of them. Or maybe they are afraid someone might hurt them for what they believe.
Maybe they don’t care about shining the light. Sometimes people who say they love God are just not interested in letting anyone else know what they believe.
Maybe Christians get too busy with what they are doing. They are getting distracted from doing the job that Jesus gave them.
Maybe they don’t realize how important it is to keep that light shining so others can see.
There may be lots of reasons why someone wouldn’t shine that light in this darkened world. But you know that it’s a job Jesus gave to His people. If you belong to Jesus, it’s part of what He expects you to do every day. This world needs the Light. It’s too easy to stumble and hit your toe in the darkness! Shine your light!
Activity: Suncatchers
Paint suncatchers
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Check progress on finding light verses. Continue writing light verses and the scripture references in their notebook. Add scriptures to bingo sheet.
2) Debrief: Each of you allows Jesus to shine through your lives differently - just as the paint changes how the light looks coming through the suncatcher. As the sun shines on the suncatcher, it makes the suncatcher beautiful. God makes you beautiful too - if you let Him shine in your life. Each of you is a treasure, a jewel. What is your job? To praise God. Gift: Jewel eraser with memory verse for SS5: 1 Peter 2:9
Materials Needed:
- candle
- metal can
- matches
- sun catchers
- paint
- paint brushes
- jewel eraser
Fifth Day - SS5 You are God’s Jewel, His Treasured Possession
Music:This Little Light of Mine; Shine, Jesus, Shine; Jesus Bids Us Shine
Memory Verse: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
Scripture/Object Lesson: Isaiah 60:19, Rev 22:5, 1 Peter 2:9, pinata
Devotional: Did you know that scientists believe that our sun may someday burn out? You know, life a million years from now. I have news for them - it’s going to be gone long before that. Well, maybe it won’t exactly be gone; it just will no longer be important.
(Read Isaiah 60:19 and Rev 22:5)
Someday, we’ll be back to Genesis 1. Did you ever notice that God created Light on Day One, but created the sun, moon, and stars on Day Four? So all of those people who hate the light and love darkness, how great their darkness will be!! Do you remember why they hate the light? (Wait for answers - because their deeds are evil.) But you who love the Light, you who love God, to you Peter has written this promise: 1 Peter 2:9 (Have students recite - write on dry erase board.) And why is it you are a chosen race (or people - the NIV says), a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession? (Wait for answers.) So you can proclaim the excellencies (the NIV says declare the praises) of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
We’re not called to grumble. We’re not called out of darkness to complain. We’re not called out of darkness to bicker and fuss at our brother - or our sister. We’re called to declare praises to God, to proclaim His excellencies. So the next time you’re tempted to grumble or complain, to bicker or fuss, stop! Stop and think: I am the light of the world. People are noticing what I’m doing. My job is to praise God with my thoughts, and my words, and my actions. I’m not doing that if I’m grumbling.
You are a chosen people, God’s own possession. Act like it!
Activity: Bingo; Pinata
Finish filling in light scriptures on the bingo sheet. Play bingo. The order of the winners determines who gets a shot at hitting the sun pinata first.
Debrief/Assignment:
1) Someday we’re not going to need the Sun, because Jesus will be our Light. Why don’t you start living your life that way now!
2)Each child will be given a penlight to shine during the music presentation. Practice with those.
Materials Needed:
- Sun pinata
- bingo sheets
- candy
- penlight