Take the Light with You
Children's sermon
Light was an important commodity in Jesus’ world. One only got a days’ worth of sun and buying candles to extend the light meant using money that could also be used for food. Light was valuable so we see Jesus use it a lot to talk about our worth. Light also meant protection. Criminals used the cover of darkness to help them steal and hurt people. When Jesus says we are the light of the world we are being called to a specific task. To protect and add value to the world.
You will need a light source for this lesson. Any flashlight, even one on your phone, works well.
Say Something Like:
I need one volunteer to go to the center of the aisle. (to the kid you pick) I want you to go over there and hold up your thumb at arm’s length, close one eye, and cover this light with your thumb. If you can still see the edge of the light move backwards. When the light is covered, and you can’t see any of the light it is shining let me know by saying “gone.”
Okay, now. Keeping your thumb like that and your arm straight I want you to slowly move closer to the light until you can see a little bit of the light around the edges of your thumb. (you may want another student to be their guide since they will be focused on the light and might run into something as they walk closer). When you see the light a little bit, I want you to stop where you are.
Good! You can come back and sit with us again. When you started back there you could not see the light at all because your thumb covered it up. What changed? Did your thumb get smaller? Did the light get bigger? No, you got closer to the light. The light was the same, the think blocking the like was the same, you moved closer and suddenly you could see the light.
In today’s lesson Jesus says we are all the light of the world. Which is interesting because Jesus says he is the light of the world too. I think what Jesus is talking about is that we all have the same light from God to show the world. God’s light is filled with love and forgiveness and great things like that.
God gives it to each of us so that we can bring the light closer to people in this world. Just like with our light and your thumb. The light was easier to see when it was closer. Especially since there was an obstacle, your thumb, blocking your sight. But the problem never got smaller, it was just as big as when you started. It is when the light is closer that the problem, your thumb, doesn’t look so big.
Let’s say a prayer to help us use our light this week.
God, Thank you for your light. We want to shine so the whole world sees your love. Be with us this week and help us shine. Amen.
You will need a light source for this lesson. Any flashlight, even one on your phone, works well.
Say Something Like:
I need one volunteer to go to the center of the aisle. (to the kid you pick) I want you to go over there and hold up your thumb at arm’s length, close one eye, and cover this light with your thumb. If you can still see the edge of the light move backwards. When the light is covered, and you can’t see any of the light it is shining let me know by saying “gone.”
Okay, now. Keeping your thumb like that and your arm straight I want you to slowly move closer to the light until you can see a little bit of the light around the edges of your thumb. (you may want another student to be their guide since they will be focused on the light and might run into something as they walk closer). When you see the light a little bit, I want you to stop where you are.
Good! You can come back and sit with us again. When you started back there you could not see the light at all because your thumb covered it up. What changed? Did your thumb get smaller? Did the light get bigger? No, you got closer to the light. The light was the same, the think blocking the like was the same, you moved closer and suddenly you could see the light.
In today’s lesson Jesus says we are all the light of the world. Which is interesting because Jesus says he is the light of the world too. I think what Jesus is talking about is that we all have the same light from God to show the world. God’s light is filled with love and forgiveness and great things like that.
God gives it to each of us so that we can bring the light closer to people in this world. Just like with our light and your thumb. The light was easier to see when it was closer. Especially since there was an obstacle, your thumb, blocking your sight. But the problem never got smaller, it was just as big as when you started. It is when the light is closer that the problem, your thumb, doesn’t look so big.
Let’s say a prayer to help us use our light this week.
God, Thank you for your light. We want to shine so the whole world sees your love. Be with us this week and help us shine. Amen.
