II Corinthians 4:6 – Light of the World
Scripture verse: “For it is God Who commanded light to shine out of darkness, Who has shone in our hearts.”
Objectives:
- Know that Jesus is the Light of the World.
- Think of some ways they can show His light to others.
- Know how to light a candle in Church.
Possible Lesson Plan:
- Open with Prayer.
- First begin to appreciate darkness: Close your eyes. How does it feel? Turn out the lights. Sit quietly in the dark for a minute.
- Light a candle in the center of the circle. Remind the children that Jesus is the light of the world. Then have each child light a candle. See the light it gives. As each child sits quietly holding his candle, reflect on how Jesus is the light of the world and His light “reflects” in our faces. Remind them that, in their Chrismation, Jesus gave us His light. Repeat with the children, “The light of Jesus is in me.” Now, blow out the candles and remember the darkness. Then turn on the lights.
- Decorate a candle to be used next Sunday at Liturgy. Have one candle for each child and various tiny Christian stickers, dried flowers, flowers cut from wrapping paper, etc. Use a glue stick (not Elmer’s) to attach the decorations to the candle. Give each child his candle the next Sunday just as he enters the sanctuary. He can then light it and place it in front of the icon of the Lord, remembering that Jesus is the light of the world. Or make from clay a votive candle holder, again to use in church the next week. Another idea is to take the icon of Jesus, the Light of the World on the next page, color and cut out, glue to a piece of posterboard, and fold so the icon stands up. Then, cover a small piece of wood with aluminum foil, place a small ball of clay in the center, press in a candle, and place in front of the icon on the “stand”.
- Sing: “This Little Light of Mine”
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m gonna let it shine. (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Won’t let Satan (blow) it out, I’m gonna let it shine. (3x)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
- Close with prayer.
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Place tin-foil-covered piece of wood with candle stuck in clay here for icon stand