March 15 - Leader Guide The Light of the World Grades 4-5

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1 March 15 - Leader Guide The Light of the World Grades 4-5 Scripture Reference: John 3:14 21 Lesson Focus: Jesus glows in the dark. Arrival Activity Spark Resources Activity Pages we ll have copies for you Pencils A table filled with random objects you ll need to provide these If some kids arrive earlier than others and you need a lesson-based activity, make copies of the downloadable Activity Page and set them out for kids to try. Before kids arrive, set out a table with an assortment of objects on it. They can be anything, but it would be better if they weren't related. For example, a bucket, an MP3 player, and a banana would work better than a red crayon, a blue crayon, and a pencil. Try to find at least 10 objects for the table. Tell the kids that they have one minute to look at everything on the table. They can't take notes or pictures, but they can move around and pick up items to inspect them. Try not to let them know what's happening next. Here's what's happening next: Have the group sit down and turn the lights off so people can't see. If this doesn't work for your space, have kids close their eyes or turn around so they can't see the table. During this short time, remove one or two items from the collection. Once everyone can see the table again, see who is able to determine what you took away. This game can be repeated if kids are enjoying it. Opening Conversation During our opening activity, what tricks or techniques did you use to remember what was missing? When something in your life goes wrong, even if you weren't around to see it, how do you know? Next, introduce the topic of Internet use with the group. Remember that not all kids use

2 the Internet. Some might not have access in their homes, while others might have restrictions on what they can do online, or how much they can use the Internet in their home. This discussion will still work, but keep these differences in mind. When we're on the Internet, how do other people know who we really are? (They have to trust us.) How do we know who other people really are? How can this be dangerous? Are there times in real life when we see the end-result of something done by someone anonymously (without knowing who they are)? What are the consequences of doing something hurtful or abusive online? Are there any? What can we do to be safe in a world where not everyone is who they claim to be? Ask, What's easier, hiding things online, or in real life? Why do we hide stuff? What are we afraid of? We usually think of the Internet as a place of light and information, but it can easily be a place of misinformation, too. Like in our opening activity today, anything can happen when nobody is watching, and it can often lead to loss or pain. Today, we'll hear Jesus talk about the difference between living in light and living in darkness. We'll also hear about how Jesus is the light that shines in the dark! Take your class to Large Group Opening Prayer Control over lights in the room or a lamp Say this prayer three times, leaving the lights (or a light) off during your part, and then switching them on for the group's response. Leader: Jesus, the darkness is no match for you! Kids: Your truth glows in the dark! Amen. The Light of the World Story Spark Resources Spark Bibles

3 Have the group sit in a circle, cross-legged, on the floor. Ask kids to take out their Spark Bibles and explain that we're going to put our muscles to work. For around 45 seconds, have kids hold their Spark Bibles above their heads to get their arms tired. Next, have everyone look up John 3:14 21 on page 1174 in the Spark Bible. Pick someone at random to start reading today's text. As they read, explain that they have to hold their Spark Bible straight overhead, looking up as they read, and encourage them to last as long as they can. After they stop, the next person takes over where they left off, reading in the same way. If the group makes it all the way through before everyone's had a chance to read, start over again until everyone has had a chance to read. What tricks did you use for keeping your hands up longer? Who considered giving up really quickly so they wouldn't even have to try? Why did you choose to do that? What words or ideas stick out to you? When we find darkness in our lives, where does God want us to look?(to Jesus!) Can we see Jesus in the dark? Why or why not? (Yes. Jesus is the light of the world!) Glow-in-the-Dark Light Switch Covers Kids create glow-in-the-dark light switch convers to remind them that Jesus glows in the dark. Spark Resources: Materials Needed: Paper template for light switch cover, markers, crayons, paints, and scissors, sparkles or stickers (optional) Instructions: In the Bible story today, we read about how Jesus is the light of the world. His love and grace are with us forever, no matter where we go. Jesus shines his light in both the darkness and the light. Let's make some glow-in-the-dark art to help us remember that Jesus glows in the dark! You ll have kits that include: Glow-in-the-Dark 3-D Switch Plate Covers Craft Kit (makes 24) 3-D Switch Plate Covers Lead the Way in the Dark! Mix fluorescent tempera and glow-in-the-dark paint. Includes Precut Black Chipboard Switch Plate Covers. Non-toxic Color Splash! Fluorescent Tempera. Glo-It Paint, Brushes and Instructions Jesus' light shines and glows in all places. Jesus glows in the dark!

4 Raise Him Up This activity will get kids exploring other places in the Bible where Jesus is "lifted up." (You can even have them lift their Bibles up in the air again.) In the Spark Bible, John 19:16 20 is on page 1197; Acts 1:9 11 is on page 1203; Acts 2:22 24 is on page In these verses, how is Jesus being "lifted up?"(on the cross, out of death, up to God) Which kind of lifting up do you think Jesus is talking about in today's story? Why do you think that? We still "lift up" Jesus today, in our work and our worship. How can we raise Jesus up so the rest of the world can see him? If it's pitch black, does lifting something up help us to see it? Lit Up Life Pencils Permanent Markers Lightbulb Lamp Everyone has things that they've done that they aren't proud of. It takes a special kind of trust and courage to be honest about the things in our lives that we would like to change. Take a few minutes to think of one thing in your life that you would like to confess, and then think of one word or simple picture to represent that thing. You don't have to tell anyone else what it is, unless you think it's something you want to confess to them. Give the kids a minute or two to think about this. In a moment we'll be writing our one-word confessions onto this lightbulb. Remember to write small, and not press down too hard! Invite them to think of positive steps they can take in their lives to make them more "light-full." Screw the lightbulb into the lamp, and turn it on. Then ask, Does having the light turned on make these things easier to see, or harder to see? If someone were to see this lamp, would they see our confessions first, or the light first? Remember that, even if we can't think of any ways to shine light into the dark

5 world, Jesus' light is much brighter than our sin. We are loved and forgiven when we live in that light! Closing Conversation Let's say that someone is putting together a time capsule something that won't be discovered for a long time, like, 200 years and they want to make it about you. If you could tell your descendants something really important, what would it be? What sort of things would you want included that represent who you are? What sort of things would you want left out? What stuff would you want your great-great-grandkids to know about you? What stuff would you want to hide? Why would you hide things about yourself if you (probably) won't be around in 200 years? The best thing about God loving the whole world is that it includes us, people who are alive a long time after events we read about in scripture. God knows the little details about us, the good and the bad, but Jesus came to save us and bring us to eternal life, not to condemn us. We don't have to worry about hiding for eternity, because Jesus exposes us to the light of living forever. Closing Prayer Spark Resources Family Pages Ask the kids if they're familiar with the song "This Little Light of Mine." As a group, write an additional verse to this song. For example, where do you want your little light to shine? Sing the song together as a closing ritual.

6 Jesus Light of Love Jesus brought light and hope into the world. He also came to spread God s love. What promise did Jesus bring? Complete the crossword. Once done, use the answers from the crossword to complete the memory verse. Across 1. Living forever means you have 4. Jesus is the of the world 6. Moses the serpent in the wilderness. 8. Synonym of think; similar to your values 9. and earth are full of God s glory 10. Writer of fourth Gospel 12. God s forgiveness is a gift of 13. Another name for Earth Down 1. It is important that is included in our classroom 2. Emotion; I my friends and family 3. Jesus was God s. 5. If something is not false, it is (hint: Facts are ). 7. Jesus healing power cam from God; everything he did was s name. 11. God sent Jesus so the world might be through him :16: For God so d the that He 4A 2D 6A gave his, so that who s in him may 5D 1D 8A not perish but have. 1A Grades 5-6, The Light of the World Activity Page. Spark Sunday School 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

7 Jesus Light of Love SOLUTION 1 E T E R N A L 2 L I F E 3 O V O N E V 4 L I G H 5 T R 6 L I F T E 7 D U P Y R Y O S U O N O 8 B E L I E V E N 9 H E A V E N E I 10 J O H N 11 S 12 G R A C E O V 13 W O R L D E D JOHN 3:16: For God so LOVED the WORLD that He 10A 2D 13A gave his ONLY SON, so that EVERYONE who BELIEVES in him may 3D 1D 8A not perish but have ETERNAL LIFE. 1A Grades 5-6, The Light of the World Activity Page. Spark Sunday School 2011 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.

8 Wild Card Extra The Light of the World Grades 5 6 Scripture Reference: John 3:14 21 Follow the Glow Kids follow a glowing path as they remember that Jesus glows in the dark. Spark Resources: : Duct tape, several colors Glow-in-the-dark duct tape Set Up: Before kids arrive, create a series of shapes on the floor with colorful tape. Include brightly colored circles, squares, arrows, lines, etc. Put some crosses on the floor with glow-in-the-dark duct tape. Do your best to make the crosses create a path across the room, while the other shapes are randomly placed. Set up the CD player. Instructions: Our lesson focus today is "Jesus glows in the dark." No matter where we are in our lives, we can know that Jesus' light will shine within us. Sometimes we feel "in the dark" when we are lost or confused. Our Bible reading for today shows us that Jesus can guide us out of this darkness. Have kids look at the tape on the ground. These shapes create a path that will get you from one end of the room to the other. Your goal is to try and find the correct path. Let's see if you can guess what that path is. 1. Have kids choose one taped-on image on the floor to stand on. 2. Invite kids to take a few minutes to guess where they should be walking to follow the path. 3. Turn off the lights so that kids can see the crosses glow. 4. Invite kids to follow the crosses to the other side of the room, then discuss how kids felt when they knew what path to follow as opposed to when they were unsure. Thanks for finding the path with me today! I hope this will help you remember that Jesus glows in the dark. If you have less time... Shorten the amount of time kids have to explore the shapes in the light. If you have more time... Invite another class to join you and do the activity again! Grades 5 6, The Light of the World Wild Card Extra. Spark Sunday School 2009 Augsburg Fortress. All