Matthew 5:13-16, Light of the World
A pumpkin is still a pumpkin until we put a light inside. Then they become something bright, shining a light for kids on Halloween. God wants us to let his light shine in our hearts so the world can know about Jesus.
Question
What do you do when you walk into a dark room and can’t see? You turn on the light, don’t you? The light helps you see and find your way.
With sin and sadness, the world is a pretty dark place. Jesus is the light of the world. The good news of the Bible is that Jesus came to save us and that we can follow him. Jesus had a group of friends who loved him and followed him everywhere. One day, Jesus said to his friends: “You are the light of the world.”
When we love and follow Jesus, his light shines inside of us. Everywhere we go, the love of Jesus shines out for others to see.
Jesus said, you wouldn’t hide a light under a bowl. You would put it on a stand, so that the light could be seen by everyone. Jesus wants us to shine our light. He doesn’t want us to hide our light. When we do good for other people and when we tell others about Jesus, we shine our light. Then other people can start to follow Jesus and shine their own light too.
The world is dark. But Jesus is the light of the world. His gives his light to his friends and followers. I can shine for Jesus.
Object Lesson
Craft
Torches
ITEMS NEEDED: Cardboard tubes (from a paper towel roll), glue, marker, and red,
yellow, and orange tissue paper.
ADVANCED PREPARATION: Write onto each cardboard tube “I am the light of the world.”
DIRECTIONS: Give each kid a cardboard tube. Demonstrate how the tissue paper can be ripped into smaller pieces. Glue the torn tissue paper into one end of the tube, so that the paper hangs out, like the flame from a torch.
Torches give light so that we can see in the dark and have warmth in the cold. Jesus has put his light inside every person who follows him. We are the light of the world.
I can shine for Jesus.