MATERIALS:
Photocopy Sunshine badges, cut into squares. Picture of Torah and Bible. Picture of an old oil lamp as used in the Bible times. Objects that give off light -Flashlight, candles, lamps, mobile phone.

AS KIDS ARRIVE PRIOR TO THE LESSON:
Welcome Teacher/Trainers, Trainers and students. Hide the Sunshine Badges around the room and as the children come in get them hunting for the badges.

1. GUESSING GAME: (10 minutes)
Who found the most badges? Guess how many Sunshine Badges they found? Continue the game with a few more children guessing how many badges they found.

2. TEAM GAMES: (10 minutes)
Blindfold football!
Divide the team into two teams. Select a ‘shooter’ from each team. Place two empty bottles like goalpost at both ends of the room or area like football field.
Blow up two balloons a red and a blue. The red team positioned at one end the blue team at the other. Blindfold the ‘shooter’ and place the balloon in front of them. The team can give verbal instructions to assist their ‘shooter’ to kick the balloon football! The two teams try to score as many goals as possible during a specified time set before hand.
How difficult was it to walk in the dark?
How easy was it to follow directions from the team?

3. ACTIVE PRAISE CHORUS: (10 minutes)

(Use lyrics and music sheet)
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam (repeat)
To shine for Him each day;
In ev’ry way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

Chorus:
A sunbeam, a sunbeam
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
A sunbeam, a sunbeam
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.

Optional: Walking in the Light of God (Use lyrics and music sheet)

4. INTIMATE WORSHIP: (10 minutes)
Thy Word (Use lyrics, music sheet and video)

Prayer: Heavenly Father King David taught us that Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
We thank you that Your Word gives us instructions and shows us where to walk and where not to walk. Your Word guides us in the dark world it helps us not to fall into sin. Thank you for directing our path.

5. TEACHING:
a. “Back Track”
Remember “God is light.” We need light just like we need God. What happens to plants that do not get enough light? (They wilt and die)
Remember the story of the Transfiguration? (Allow the children to relate the story)
Do you think the disciples were surprised? (Yes) They’d never seen Jesus like this; usually he looked ordinary and human just like them. And Jesus was human, but his disciples knew He was also special. They knew that he was God’s own Son, the Saviour of the world.

b. Sword Play (Give each child a Sword Play track to take home)
Ready…Swords up… Psalm 119:105 … CHARGE
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

(Dramatize using the picture of the Bible and the old oil lamp)

c. Teach the Lesson (15 minutes)
Light unto my path:
How many of you like the dark? I don’t especially like it. I live in the country and it is really dark sometimes. If I come home after dark, or when I go to work in the mornings, and there is no light on, I cannot see where I am walking. I am afraid I will either step on something (like a snake or a frog) or trip over something and fall. Animals can see well in the dark, but people don’t see as well in the dark. You can get night vision goggles, or you can do like I do and carry a flashlight.

The flashlight helps me to see where I am walking. It not only shows me where to put my feet, but it also shows me where not to put my feet. (Turn on torch and point it around and walk like you were in the dark)

King David tells us “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

God’s Word gives us instructions and shows us where to walk and where not to walk; just like the flashlight does for me in the dark. His Word guides us in the dark world it helps us not to fall into sin.

Practical demonstration: Hand out as many torches, candles, etc as possible to the children. Turn off the lights and ask these questions.
• Have any of you been afraid of the dark?
• Has there ever been a time when you were lost and you didn’t know which way to go?
• What happens when you turn on the light switch? What happens to the darkness?

Get the children to turn on their torches, light their candles etc. The Bible [hold the Bible up] is our light in darkness. The Bible is God’s word to us. By reading and memorizing the Bible we are able to carry our flashlight with us at all times!

Remember we learnt Jesus is our light. He shines in the darkness. Jesus, God’s only Son, came to give his life for us. He died on a cross to be able to forgive our sins. Sins are things we do, or say, or don’t do that are against God’s laws or plans for our lives (like telling lies, stealing, disobeying our parents or teachers and hurting others).

Jesus gave up His life, which shows His love for us. We must believe in Him, and believe God who sent Jesus. God’s word is light for our dark path, and the Bible also says that Jesus is light for our dark path. Remember Jesus is the Word (John 1:1).

Extracts from www. ministry-to-children.com

Walking in the Light:

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:20-21

It is not unusual for children to be afraid of the dark. Suppose you wake up in the night and need a drink of water. If you get up in the dark to go get a drink, you might stub your toe or bump your shin. Ouch! That hurts. If you go for a walk at night, it is a good idea to carry a flashlight or lantern. Even if you are not afraid of the dark, you might step in a hole and sprain your ankle.

A flashlight or lantern will help you avoid those things that could harm you. If you have the choice of walking in the dark or walking in the light, which would you choose? I know which one I would choose!

In our Bible readings today, Jesus talks about light and darkness. Jesus said, "Light has come into the world." Do you know what the Light is that Jesus was talking about? (He was talking about himself.) We have already learnt that Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. You might be surprised to know that some people actually choose to walk in darkness rather than in the light. Can you imagine that? Why would they do that? Jesus tells us, "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their evil deeds will be exposed."

Every day we make choices. What choice will you make? Will you walk in the light or in the darkness?

If we live by truth, we walk in the light so that it may be plainly seen. As Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Next week we will learn about letting out light shine.

Extracts from www.sermons4kids.com

6. APPLICATION / ENCOUNTERING GOD: Refer to our Encountering God Handbook for ideas for this important section of the session. Experience the Holy Spirit Learning Centers creating an atmosphere for this experience.

Give the opportunity for the children to choose to walk in the light. Give an alter call to any child that wants to give his/her life to Jesus and walk in the light.

CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have provided your Word to be a light unto our path, to give guidance and direction you are my light and my salvation. We pray according to John 12:36 we believe in the Light, Jesus Christ, so that you may become children of light. We choose to follow the Light, make us like Paul, “a light for the Gentiles,” that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. (Acts 13:47) may we bring light for those who are in the dark. Show us the way, teach us the truth and give us abundant life. In Jesus name we pray Amen.

TAKE HOME PAGE:
Optional: ‘Take Home Quiz’ books are available for the children at the end of this session.