Unit 1:
Jesus, the Light of the World
Let Your Light Shine
Duration: approximately 30 minutes
Bible Truth Being Taught/Learning Objective: The student(s) will learn that Jesus is the Light of the World and those who believe in Him will be with Him always. They will also learn to let their light shine as they follow in Jesus’s teachings. References to Scripture: John 3:16, 17, 18, and 21, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16 Supplemental Materials Needed:
|
Unit 1: Lesson Overview Download | |
File Size: | 226 kb |
File Type: |
Lesson Plan
First let's say a prayer: Jesus, Light of the World and light of my life, be with me every day as I try to follow You. When I feel afraid or alone, please let me feel Your Presence. You are the light of my life and I love You. Amen.
A. Background:
A. Background:
- When you walk into a room with no windows and the lights are turned off can you see anything? Of course not because it is dark!
- What happens if you turn on the light switch? It is all light in the room and the darkness goes away.
- Tip: Depending on the age of your children and the number of windows in your classroom, you may want to actually turn the lights off and then back on so the children can experience this first hand as you discuss it.
- Use the example pictures below to further explain the concept. (The file download for a pdf with these pictures is below.)
Light Up the Room Display Download | |
File Size: | 200 kb |
File Type: |
B. Introduce the Idea
- We are going to read/ listen to a familiar Bible passage together about darkness and light. The passage is John 3:16 17, 18, and 21. You may have heard this passage before, but let’s focus on it again. Read aloud/listen to John 3:16, 17, 18, and 21.
- (Depending on the age and academic level of your child, it can be helpful to have the supplemental visual for this verse with the essence of the scripture). The visual is below along with the printable download for this visual. Also, depending on the needs of your child, you may wish to choose shorten the verse, break into chunks, or simply scroll now and read the summary posted in #2 after the bible verse.
Light of the World Supplemental Visual Download | |
File Size: | 884 kb |
File Type: |
16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them!18 No one who has faith in God’s Son will be condemned…
21 But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do.
John 3:16, 17, 18, 21 (CEV)
- Now let’s think about another way to say this.
- One way would be: God loved us so much that He sent Jesus, His only Son, to pay the price for the unloving choices we sometimes make. If we believe in Jesus and try to make loving choices like He showed us, we will always love like God loves us.
- Now let’s read/ listen to the verses again slowly. (Read these verses out loud)
- Who is the Light in these verses? Jesus. Jesus is the Light, the Truth. (At this point in the lesson, you should make sure that your child understands that Jesus as the Light is a metaphor and is not taking this literally.)
- In John 8:12, Jesus says “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will always have light."
- How does this make you feel?
- When we have the light of Jesus' love in us, we are happy. We can share that light with others and make them happy too.
- Let’s sing along or listen to a song about Jesus the Light of the World! Notice how happy these people are from the light of Jesus in their life. The song is called Let Your Light Shine by the Hillsong Kids.
- (URL for this music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLZgqs6jTPo)
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLZgqs6jTPo
~~BREAK POINT~~
7. Next, let’s do a craft/drawing to remind us always that Jesus is the Light. (Depending on your child and their academic level, you can choose to do one or both of the activities.)
C. Activity:
Craft:
1. Remember when we turned the lights off? What could you see? Nothing because it was dark!
2. What happened when we turned on the light switch? The darkness went away and the room was full of light.
3. This is how it is with Jesus because He is the Light. Following Jesus and living like him takes the dark away. Everyone makes bad choices, but knowing the light of Jesus always helps us. We love the light of Jesus!
4. Let's decorate a light switch cover to tape onto the light switch in your room. Every time you turn on the light in your bedroom the darkness will disappear. You will remember that Jesus is the Light.
Light Switch Cover Craft:
Another option is to check out your local hardware store and have your child decorate an actual light switch cover.
Drawing:
1. Let's color a picture of Jesus, our Light of the World! The image is below along with a link to a printable image.
- The template for this craft can easily be made by the teacher.
- Measure the dimensions of a single switch light switch cover in your home. Draw a rectangle of the same dimensions on a piece of blank white paper.
- Draw a smaller rectangle in the center that will be cut out by the children on their own or with help to fit over the actual switch.
- Trace over the two rectangles with a black marker.
- Following the lesson, the children will decorate their template. They can draw on it or write the reference John 8:12.
- When finished decorating they will cut out the template and cut out the rectangular hole for the switch.
- And then, they can tape their paper cover over the light switch cover they already have in their bedroom.
Another option is to check out your local hardware store and have your child decorate an actual light switch cover.
Drawing:
1. Let's color a picture of Jesus, our Light of the World! The image is below along with a link to a printable image.
Light of the World Coloring Page Download | |
File Size: | 91 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
~~BREAK POINT~~
D. More Reflection
1. Now it’s time for you to let your light shine. As a follower of Jesus, you too share in His light!
2. Let’s read/ listen to Matthew 5:14,16: (CEV Version)
14 You are like light for the whole world. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.
3. Jesus is the Light of the World. When we love Him, we shine His light. Without light there is darkness. Jesus has shined His light in our hearts. We shine His light everywhere we go. When we make unloving choices, we hide the light of Jesus in us.
4. What can we do when we make a bad choice? We can pray & ask Jesus to forgive us. This helps us to shine His light and share His love with others.
5. How can we shine Jesus’ light? Discussion Examples: We can share our snack, help our parents or teachers, etc.
Let the children share how they shine their light.
6. What choices do we sometimes make that can hide the Light of Jesus? Discussion Examples: When we don't listen to their parents or teachers, we say something mean to somebody, etc.
7. As followers of Jesus, it is our job to shine His light on Earth. Let’s listen to another song called This Little Light of Mine (Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k2jidqxEiE or you can type in “This Little Light of Mine from Crocodile Dock VBS” and it will be the first video)
8. Like the song says, you have a Light and you should let it shine!
9. Let's watch another video about Jesus as the Light of the World and our life. (Depending on the age and ability level of your child, you can choose to show both, one or neither of the videos suggested above.)
Let’s say our prayer one more time:
Jesus, Light of the World and light of my life, be with me every day as I try to follow You. When I feel afraid or alone, please let me feel Your presence. You are the Light of my life. Amen.
Thank you for spending time with Jesus and learning about His Light.