During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:15–16
When we accept the gift of God’s forgiveness made possible by Jesus Christ, we are filled with His light. This is a light that shines through our actions and the way we live. When we shine our light so others can see it, we bring glory to God!
How amazing it is that you are a light in this world! Think about how you show the love of Jesus to others. Maybe you help others, even if you do not know them by name. Perhaps when things are difficult, you offer encouragement to someone. There are many ways you can reflect Jesus to others. The important thing is for you to allow the light of Jesus to shine through you so others can see it. Who knows, maybe your light will cause someone to want to know Jesus too!
Encourage families to look at 1 member of the family and tell that person 1 way he shows love to them. Ask that families repeat this for each family member. If possible, have them share an idea about 1 way each member reflects Jesus to others.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome the children as they come to class. Ask them to sit in a circle.
It is so nice to have you all here today! We will start our lesson with an activity to help us learn about reflections.
What is a reflection?
Allow 1–2 children to respond.
A reflection is created when light bounces off an object. In a moment, I will pass 2 objects around the circle for everyone to look at. You will look into them and tell me what you see. You may also notice other details about the objects.
Pass the reflective object and antireflective object around the circle. After every child has the opportunity to look at both objects, ask the following question.
What did you see when you looked into the shiny object?
At least 1 child should answer that he saw himself or his reflection.
Raise your hand if you saw your reflection when you looked into the wooden object.
Pause to allow children to decide whether or not to raise their hands. If a child raises her hand, it is okay. Continue with the lesson.
Can anyone tell me why we cannot see ourselves in the piece of wood?
Allow 1–2 children to respond. If children do not respond to this question, that is okay.
Let’s do 1 more thing with our objects to help us understand why we can see ourselves in the shiny object but not in the wood.
Find a dark area of the teaching space where the shiny and wooden objects will fit. This could be the shade outside, or you could turn the lights off inside. Be sure there is a little light coming in to where you place the objects if you are inside.
Look at both of these objects. What do you notice about the shiny object?
As long as there is some light in the space, the children will probably respond that they can see light on the object. They may also say the shiny object is easier to see than the wooden object.
The shiny object is reflecting the light and shining it in the dark area! A reflection is created when light bounces off an object. This is what created an image of you on the shiny surface. The light bounced off the object so you could see yourself. You saw both your reflection and the light being reflected.
Did you know God can fill us with His light? This is not exactly like the light that shines from the sun or from a light bulb. God’s light is a quality we have inside of us that shows His righteousness, goodness, and love in the way we live our lives. In the Bible, Jesus tells us we should reflect our light to other people. Let’s see what the Bible teaches about reflecting Jesus to others.
Have the children find partners for this part of the lesson.
Jesus calls Himself “the light of the world.” Listen to what He said to a group of people gathered to listen to Him.
If possible, read this verse directly from your Bible.
Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.”
John 8:12
What does light do?
Have the children answer this question with their partners.
Light shines on things and allows us to see them even when it is dark around us. Remember, righteousness, goodness, and love are qualities that show God’s light to others. Jesus says those who follow Him will have the same light He carries. Jesus says His followers are also “the light of the world.” Listen to these verses about what Jesus says we should do with our light.
Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:15–16
What do these verses tell us we should do with our light?
We should let it shine so others can see it.
What do these verses tell us shining our light will do for God?
It will bring glory to Him.
When we shine our light for others to see, we bring glory to God! We please God when we show others His love, righteousness, and goodness. This encourages others to know and follow Jesus.
How can you be a light in the world?
Have children share their answers with their partners. Answers may include: I can love others, help them, and act in kind ways toward them.
You can help others to know Jesus in the way you live your life. Jesus lived a life full of serving, healing, and helping others. When you do these things, you reflect Jesus to other people. Listen to what the Bible says about how to show you are a disciple of Jesus.
You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient. Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12–13
We have heard these verses before. What is 1 way you can reflect Jesus to others?
Have the children share their answers with their partners.
You can reflect Jesus in the way you act toward other people. Here are a few ways the Bible tells us to show our love for others.
When you love others, you reflect Jesus to other people. When they see your actions, they may choose to follow Jesus too! When you love others, you act with kindness, you help others, and you think about their emotions and needs.
How can you shine your light so others can see it?
Have the children share their answers with their partners.
When we do these things, we reflect Jesus to other people. This can help them to understand more about who Jesus is. Let’s practice reflecting Jesus to others!
Have the children stand in a circle.
In a moment, I will ask you to show love in different situations. You will stay in your place in the circle and act out what you will do for each situation. For some of the situations it will be easy for you to show love to the other person. For others, it might be very difficult. The important thing is that you try to figure out a way to show love to the other person.
Read the following situations to the children. Pause for about 30 seconds after each situation to give the children time to respond. If the children are not sure what they could do to show love, you may suggest what you might do in the situation.
Great job! Remember, reflecting Jesus to others can be as simple as saying a kind word or helping someone.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, give the children crayons and allow about 2 minutes for them to complete their pages.
Another way to reflect Jesus to others is to tell them the Gospel in Simple Words. We have been learning to share with others what it means to follow Jesus. Let’s practice this together.
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Say the words and do the motions below with the children.
Let’s learn the next part of the gospel. God sent His Son to die for our sins so that we could be forgiven. Listen to this verse about God’s forgiveness.
When you sin, the pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.
Romans 6:23
Jesus died so that we could be forgiven! That brings us to our next motion.
You can share the Gospel in Simple Words with others to help them learn about Jesus and how they can follow Him.
End class by saying this blessing, based on Matthew 5:16, over the children.
Blessing: May you shine your light so others can see it. May your actions and your love for others bring glory to God.
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
