Be a Light

I have done two different projects for this lesson, and depending on the ages of the students, and how much prep time you are willing to put into projects, you can pick which will be best for you. The light bulbs are thought questions and I just cut them out and put on a ring. The stoplight is the favorite and requires more work, but it still makes the kids think about what God wants from us.
 

In red is the word and then the definition. Next is a Bible person. There is a SHORT paragraph about each Bible person and then the scripture. Some of these were really hard to condense into a paragraph! But, depending on your class, time and Bible knowledge, you might require more background for some of the people. 

Today our Bible lesson is from Paul’s letter: Ephesians 5:8-14. Paul was in prison in Rome when he wrote this. Today, we are talking about how to be a light. We are going to discuss different people in the Bible that let their light shine. And we are going to discuss how we can let our light shine also.

(1. Compassion) Means you show kindness to others. Jesus

Let's begin with Jesus! Jesus showed us compassion by leaving heaven and coming to earth. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross for us. Jesus showed people compassion while He was on the earth. He did miracles and healed people that were sick. Jesus showed how much He loved them and us.

  

(2. Responsibility) Means you are careful and do what you are supposed to. By showing responsibility, you make good choices. Moses

When God told Moses that he was to go back to Egypt and talk to Pharaoh about letting the people go, Moses wasn't sure he could do it. But, he showed responsibility by going and talking to Pharaoh. Through God, there were the 10 plagues to help Pharaoh recognize God's power. And, Moses showed responsibility leading the people through the wilderness. God gave Moses the 10 commandments, which were the old rules that He wanted the people to follow. (Book of Exodus)

  

(3. Fairness) Means you make decisions that are good for everyone.  Solomon

Solomon was the son of David and he was a great king. There were 2 women and they each had a baby. But, one night, one of the babies died and that mother switched babies.  They went to King Solomon and Solomon said cut the baby in half and the mothers can each have half! The real mother cried out "NO!" to save the baby and Solomon knew who the real mother was! (1Kings 3:16-28)

  

(4. Perseverance) Means you keep on doing what God wants, no matter what. Job

Job was a very rich man and God let Satan take everything away from him. Job lost his children, his animals, his wealth. His friends wanted Job to speak against God, but Job refused to do that! God gave him double of everything back for staying true to Him! (Book of Job)

 

(5.Respect) Means to be considerate or caring to others. Joseph

Jacob gave his son Joseph a coat of many colors. His brothers were jealous, so they threw Joseph into a pit, then sold him. Joseph went to Egypt and after a time, there was a famine (not enough food) and Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for food. Joseph saw his brothers and forgave them. He also made sure they had enough food. (Genesis 37-50)

  

(6. Integrity) Integrity means being reliable. Esther

Esther was made queen, but one of the kings men wanted to kill the Jews, which were her people. Queen Esther went before the king, even though she didn't know if he would hold out the scepter for her. If he didn't, she could be killed! She had a banquet for the king and Haman, and asked the king for help to spare her people! (Book of Esther)

(7. Trustworthiness) Means being honest. Noah

God told Noah to build an ark because it was going to rain. God said to build it, so Noah built it! And, it rained! The only people God saved was Noah and his wife, his 3 sons, and their wives. (Genesis 6-9)

(8. Honesty) Means being sincere or truthful. Jonah

Jonah wasn't honest at the beginning! God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach, but he tried to hide from God...can you hide from God? No, of course not! He went on a boat, there was a storm, the sailors threw him overboard and a giant fish the God created just for this swallowed Jonah! Jonah was in that fish for 3 days and then the fish spit him out onto the beach... Jonah went to Nineveh to preach! (Book of Jonah)

  

(9. Self-Discipline) Means you control yourself. Daniel

Daniel showed incredible self-discipline when the king signed the new law that said he wouldn't be able to pray to God. Even after knowing this law was signed, Daniel went home to his upper room and prayed on his knees to God. He’s done this 3 times a day since he was young, and when the king was told that Daniel disobeyed the new law, Daniel was thrown into the lion's den! That had to be so scary, but Daniel did what was right for God. And Daniel was kept safe from the lions! (Daniel 6)

By having self-discipline, you don’t spend time with friends that do those bad things, stay away from anything that even looks wrong. But explain to your friends that what they are doing is wrong.

  

(10. Citizenship) Means being a responsible person. Paul

The last poster is citizenship. That means obeying the rules. Everyone has rules! God commanded for us to obey them.

I want to finish up with Paul since we have been studying the book  of Acts. Paul was very responsible in his work for Jesus! He preached about Jesus every day, even when he was in prison! Paul was stoned, beat on, ship wrecked, and put in prison for being a Christian! But, he kept on preaching the Word! Paul let his light shine! (Book of Acts)

What other things can you do to let your light shine?

I purchased the tri-fold science board and drew out the clouds and the water line. I used a lighter blue to paint the sky and left the clouds white. Then, I used a darker blue for the water. This was so easy, my 3 year old granddaughter helped paint the water! And she had FUN! Once the paint was dry, I laid out the lighthouses and the boats where I wanted them and painted the white caps on the water.

I cut the title with my Cricut using Simply Sweet at 5". I glued the boats with Aleene's Tacky Glue and put the seagulls through my sticker maker. I attached the lighthouses with sticky Velcro so I can add/remove them during the lesson.

You can print the above visuals here:

Sun, boats & seagulls   Lighthouses    Bible people

I purchase lighthouses at the Dollar Tree, or wherever I find them for $1.00 and let the students pick one to take home. It is to remind them to be a light for Jesus.

 

The kids really like this stoplight! The directions are on the document, but everything is black/white so you can print on colored cardstock. I printed one page of the stoplight, then turned it over and printed again. It prints perfect to cut it out and have the light on both sides! I print mine on a mustard yellow, and I have fluorescent red, yellow and green for the round lights. I use this for discussion, one side is to talk about what God wants: Stop, Yield & Go. And, on the back are blanks for the kids to fill in their thoughts. I used a hole punch at the top and use the plastic string and add a hook on the end for them to hang it. You can print it here.

Click here to print the light bulb question project.

Bible Verse: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light. Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)

You can also use Carson Dellosa character Education BB set # 1788 for visual aid reinforcement, instead of printing the lighthouse visuals. The cards say the same characteristics that are on the lighthouse below. For the lesson, the word are in red in front of each section to go with each poster.  (The above visuals are not available any longer, unless you happen to find them in stock somewhere.)

And, I have used this lighthouse for the bulletin board for this lesson. 

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.

Used by permission.