Let Your Light Shine
Children's sermon
Sunflowers, Sparrows, and Salt
52 Sermons and Activities for Children
Object:
Activity sheets and a small lamp with the electric cord and plug visible (it will not have to be plugged in)
This will please our Father in heaven.
Scripture: John 8:12; Matthew 5:14, 16
Visual Aids: A small lamp with the electric cord and plug visible (it will not have to be plugged in)
Handouts: Activity sheets
Advance Preparations: Copy enough activity pages for each child to have one.
The Sermon:
This time of the year, our days start to get shorter and the sun goes down early. Then we turn on lights. *We have here a little lamp. We can use the light of this lamp to read, draw a picture, write a letter, and some other things. All we have to do is turn on this switch to get the light. (do so)
Why didn't we get light from this lamp? Because it isn't plugged in. If we want light, it needs to be connected with the electrical outlet.
Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), but he also wants us to be lights. If we love Jesus, we will want to please him and be lights. But, we won't be lights if we are not connected to Jesus. *This lamp has a cord and plug to connect to electricity. We are connected to Jesus in prayer, in coming to Sunday school and church, and learning what he has said in the Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 and 16, "You are the light of the world ... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
What does it mean to let your light shine? We let the kind of light Jesus is talking about shine when we do the good things he asks of us. We smile, say, "Please" and "Thank you," run errands, make the bed, help do the dishes, set the table, go to Sunday school and church, invite a friend to go with us, hang up clothes, put away toys, share toys, play fair, be a good listener, wait for our turn, be kind, helpful, share, and be honest. All of this helps others see how to live the good, happy life trusting in Jesus and pleasing our Father in heaven.
But, we can't do and be all of this without being connected to Jesus, *just as this lamp won't shine unless it's connected to electricity.
*Use visual aids
Scripture: John 8:12; Matthew 5:14, 16
Visual Aids: A small lamp with the electric cord and plug visible (it will not have to be plugged in)
Handouts: Activity sheets
Advance Preparations: Copy enough activity pages for each child to have one.
The Sermon:
This time of the year, our days start to get shorter and the sun goes down early. Then we turn on lights. *We have here a little lamp. We can use the light of this lamp to read, draw a picture, write a letter, and some other things. All we have to do is turn on this switch to get the light. (do so)
Why didn't we get light from this lamp? Because it isn't plugged in. If we want light, it needs to be connected with the electrical outlet.
Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), but he also wants us to be lights. If we love Jesus, we will want to please him and be lights. But, we won't be lights if we are not connected to Jesus. *This lamp has a cord and plug to connect to electricity. We are connected to Jesus in prayer, in coming to Sunday school and church, and learning what he has said in the Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 and 16, "You are the light of the world ... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."
What does it mean to let your light shine? We let the kind of light Jesus is talking about shine when we do the good things he asks of us. We smile, say, "Please" and "Thank you," run errands, make the bed, help do the dishes, set the table, go to Sunday school and church, invite a friend to go with us, hang up clothes, put away toys, share toys, play fair, be a good listener, wait for our turn, be kind, helpful, share, and be honest. All of this helps others see how to live the good, happy life trusting in Jesus and pleasing our Father in heaven.
But, we can't do and be all of this without being connected to Jesus, *just as this lamp won't shine unless it's connected to electricity.
*Use visual aids
