Light of the World
Let’s be a light onto the world as we ring in the New Year!
“Light of the World” Unit: Unwrapping Christmas
LESSON PURPOSE: You Are The light!
MATERIALS: Flashlight, light bulb, lantern, tealight, candle, Christmas lights, glow sticks etc
BOOKS: Story about being the “Light of the World”, Christmas lights, twinkle twinkle
SONG IDEAS: This Little Light of Mine / Twinkle Twinkle / Joy to the World / Light of the World / Happy New Year
AS CHILDREN ARRIVE: Choose 1 Sensory Activity:
New Year Party Hat Coloring: Color in party hat templates to make in to hats.
New Year’s Sensory bin: bin filled with confetti, balloons, streamers, ribbon etc.
SCRIPTURE: Display the weekly scripture reading, have an older child read it or use it in the lesson as you like.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” -Matthew 5:14-15
INTRODUCE the Lesson:
WELCOME: SONG, PRAYER, TP Greeting
SONG IDEAS: This Little Light of Mine / Twinkle Twinkle / Joy to the World / Light of the World / Happy New Year
REVIEW & TRANSITION:
How was your Christmas?! It’s been so much fun learning all about the meaning of Christmas and what Jesus taught us. Did you know today is the last Sunday of the year 2018? Next time we see each other it will be a New Year… 2019! To celebrate last year and ring in the New Year- we will learn about being the Light of the World!
ATTENTION GRABBER: choose 1:
Darkness & light! In the beginning, there was darkness and God said “Let there be light!” And there was light. Shine a light: flashlight, lantern, candle or turn on lights! (You can sit in a fort, dark room, tent or at a “campfire”.)
New Year’s Props: Show children new years’ props like a party hat, confetti, balloons, party horn, 2019 sign. Ask them if they know what it could be for.
INTRO:
God created light- He wants us to live in the light, not in the darkness. Jesus said that we “Are the light of the world!” A town built on a hill can’t be hidden. And when people light a lamp- they don’t hide it under a bowl- they put it on a stand so that it can give light to everyone in the house! Right? Why? So everyone can see! That's right.
CHOOSE 1 OR 2: READ A STORY, SING A SONG OR POEM, WATCH A VIDEO:
VIDEOS: click on the link for educational, sing along or dance videos
Light of the World- Bible Story- Educational Animation!
Light of the World- Godspell Dance Song!
This Little Light- Dance Worship Song!
READ ALOUD STORY:
Light is All Around Us- the science of light
SONG OR POEM:
Twinkle, twinkle Christmas lights. lighting up December nights. Red and yellow, orange and blue. Making such a lovely view. Twinkle, twinkle Christmas lights. Lighting up December nights.
*TEACH the Lesson:
TEACHING POINT 1: Light of the world!
TEACHING WITH DISCUSSION: lights show & tell!
Shine several different types of lights and discuss & observe how they make the room brighter, how they light up a surface. How does light make them feel? (safe, warm, cozy, happy…) Show christmas lights, flashlights, tealights, candles, lanterns, glow sticks etc. If the world is darkness and you are the light- What do you think Jesus meant when he said we should be the light?
Not only was Jesus the light of the world that brings us hope but he wants each of us to be the light! God, TP & Jesus’ love lives inside of us. We can be shining lights, examples for others to see! We can bring warmth, joy & love to others!
LEARNING ACTIVITY: Pick 1:
Sunshine: Tape up a orange circle that says “Let Your Light Shine!” Take turns having children share how they can let their light shine- What kinds of things can you do to be a good example, shining light, role model for others? Write it on strips of yellow paper & tape it to the orange circle. Ask children what they see now?! That’s right, you formed a sunshine! (ex: always tell the truth, say kind words, give compliments, share, help clean up, bake cookies for a neighbor etc.)
Candlelight: Have children take turns sharing about how they can be a light shooting together in a circle. The child that is talking gets to hold a special lantern, light or candle as they talk.
TEACHING POINT 2: Being an example *OPTIONAL EXTENSION
As we live by example and do good things - we shine bright like the sun or a star! Other people will notice and will be blessed by our example. We should live in the way God, TP, Jesus want us to live! We should show the light & goodness of God’s love to everyone. Then others will be happy and we will be happy! :) Our purpose will be fulfilled! Soon we will be celebrating a New Year! Let’s finish this year & start the new year by being bright lights for our Heavenly parent! (Extension- Sometimes there can be wind, challenges and it's hard to keep our light lit. To keep our lights shining brightly- going to church, reading God’s words, singing songs, being kind, praying & sharing with our parents and others can help us keep our lights going strong!)
DISCUSS:
What does it mean to be a good example? Show others around you how to be a good son or daughter of God! Make good choices that others can learn from. Be someone your younger brothers and sisters look up to and want to be like!
How can we be a light to others? Be an example! Let God’s light and love shine through you in the way you love others, speak kind words and share.
When challenges come, how can we keep our light lit? Going to church, reading hdh, singing worship songs, being kind, praying.
CONCLUSION:
It’s been such a wonderful holiday Season! I’ve enjoyed celebrating with you. Let’s take all that we’ve learned, all of the love we’ve received- and let God, True Parents and Jesus’ light shine through us in the New Year! Let’s be an example on to others and be a light onto this World!
TITHING & PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Parent, thank you for light that drives out darkness! Thank you for your love. Thank you for Jesus and True Parents who are bright shining examples of light. Thank you for Christmas and for another year. Help us to ring in the new year with a lot of love in our hearts. We want to be a light onto the world! Amen. Aju!
APPLY the Lesson:
GROUP ACTIVITIES: choose 1
Mini New Years Eve party! Streamers, balloons, noise makers, party hats, balloon drop, confetti poppers, sparklers, glows in the dark sticks, games, photo booth & “countdown to 12 noon!”
Kid safe Sparklers- Go outside and light sparklers together! Place sparklers through a hole in a cup to shield the sparks.
Happy New Year Bingo- Printable Game
CRAFTS: choose 1
DIY Paper Lanterns: Children color & decorate a pre-cut sheet of colored paper. Teacher cuts the slits & tapes it together to form a lantern. Add a fake tealight inside & a handle!
Plastic Cup Lantern: Decorate a plastic cup with pieces of streamers, tissue paper. Write “Light of the World” with a sharpie. Place a plastic tealight in it!
Paper Roll Candles: Make candles painting toilet paper rolls & adding a yellow paper flame!
DIY Jar: Fill a jar with fairy lights. Decorate the jar with stickers, gem, glitter.
Light of the World Worksheet: Complete a coloring or activity sheet
SNACK IDEAS:
Celebratory party snacks! Cupcakes, cookies, candy. Fruit sunshine!
Enjoy the lesson! Feel free to submit photos to lgavin@unification.org Love seeing lessons come to life and each community