LESSON 2: JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, IS BORN
Large Group Leader Guide
Classroom: Sacred Girls
 Luke 2:1-20
09/14/2016
Teachers Dig In
Dig In to the Bible
Read: Luke 2:1-20
In This Passage: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem to take part in a census. In
those days, a census was merely a way of collecting more taxes. Because the law
required it, they went to Bethlehem, and Jesus was born there. This fulfilled
prophecies that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). After
Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds and told them the good news
about the Savior’s birth. The shepherds rushed to find and worship Jesus, and then
they shared the good news with others.
Bible Point: Jesus is the light of the world.
Summary Verse: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with
whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
Dig Deeper
You’ll Be Teaching: Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus came in the midst of a
dark time. Although his birth wasn’t extravagant, God’s glory lit up the night sky
when the angels proclaimed Jesus’ birth. And Jesus can light up the dark places in
kids’ lives today!
Think About: What feels dark in your life right now? Where do you need Jesus’
light? In what ways have you seen glimpses of Jesus’ light in the past?
Dig In to Prayer
Pray by name for kids who are living through dark times right now.
Quick Tip
“Pair shares” (kids answering a question with a partner) ensure everyone gets to
talk and listen. If you want to hear kids’ answers, ask a few kids to report back after
their pair share.
1 of 21
This Lesson at a Glance
OPENING
Kids share about a topic related to the lesson.
Supplies
Bible
LOW-ENERGY GAME
Kids act out ways to share Jesus’ light.
Supplies
Easy Prep
“Share Jesus’ Light Cards” handout (1
per small group) (download here)
paper bags (1 per small group)
Cut apart the “Share Jesus’ Light
Cards” from the handouts.
Put a set of cards in each paper bag,
and mix up the cards.
MUSIC VIDEO
Kids sing songs of praise to God.
Supplies
“You Are the Messiah” (Matthew 16:16)
music video (watch or download here)
“He Loved Us First” music video
(watch or download here)
“Hope in the Lord” (Psalm 33:20)
music video (watch or download here)
CORE BIBLE DISCOVERY
Kids experience the light Jesus brings.
Supplies
Easy Prep
Bible
music player
CD or MP3 of quiet music
small box or basket
thick blanket
1 glow stick per child, plus 2 extras
rubber bands to make a cross from
glow sticks
Darken the room as much as
possible.
Set up a box or basket as a manger.
Crack two glow sticks, use rubber
bands to bind them together in a cross
shape, and set the cross in the
manger. Put uncracked glow sticks
around the cross. Cover the cross
2 of 21
with a thick blanket to obscure the
light. If you have more than 50 kids, set
up multiple baskets.
small bag of potting soil
CRAFT
Kids make a glowing water bottle lantern.
Supplies
Easy Prep
1 empty water bottle per child
1 glow stick per child*
heavy-duty aluminum foil
pencils
Glue Dots
chenille wire
Cut a piece of aluminum foil for each
child so that it fits around the full height
of the water bottle.
Creative Extras
stickers
permanent markers
OBJECT LESSON
Kids look at the difference between reading a message in the dark and in the light.
Supplies
Bible
“Glory to God” handout (I per child)
(download here)
glow sticks* (If you made the lantern
crafts, use these instead of glow
sticks.)
HIGH-ENERGY GAME
Kids play a version of Freeze Tag.
Supplies
Easy Prep
flashlights (1 per small group)
small lamp (optional)
If your room doesn’t have any
windows, consider turning on a small
lamp to one side of the room for
safety.
LIFE APPLICATION WRAP-UP
Kids place their thoughts and prayers near a glowing cross.
3 of 21
Supplies
glow cross*
glow sticks*
markers
sticky notes
*Marked supplies are also used in Core Bible Discovery
Let's keep kids safe! You can help by using supplies as instructed for only ages 3+, purchasing childsafe items, and being aware of allergy concerns.
4 of 21
OPENING
[5 min]
Welcome
Supplies
Bible
Welcome
Thank kids for coming.
Just for fun, have kids high-five three of their friends.
Make announcements.
Introduce new kids.
Celebrate birthdays by whispering the “Happy Birthday” song.
Collect the offering.
Introduce the Lesson
Say: Jesus is the light of the world. Today we’ll learn about the night
Jesus was born.
Share
Tell a story about when you were a baby.
Have kids get in pairs and tell stories about when they were babies or about
babies they know.
Summarize
Open a Bible, and say: Today we’ll explore how Jesus is the light of the
world and what that means to us. We’ll dig in to the Bible to find out. The Bible
isn’t an ordinary book; it’s God’s special book. The Bible is one way God talks
to us. God is here right now, ready to talk to you.
Pray, thanking Jesus for being the light of the world.
5 of 21
LOW-ENERGY GAME
[10 min]
Share Jesus’ Light
Supplies
“Share Jesus’ Light Cards” handout (1 per small group) (download here)
paper bags (1 per small group)
Easy Prep
Cut apart the “Share Jesus’ Light Cards” from the handouts.
Put a set of cards in each paper bag, and mix up the cards.
Mime Sharing the Light
Say: Jesus is the light of the world. He came to show people how much
God loves them. That’s great news that everyone should know! Let’s play a
game to think about ways we can spread Jesus’ light—and share God’s love—
with our friends and family members.
Let each child take one of the “Share Jesus’ Light Cards” from a bag without
looking.
Tell children not to show their cards to anyone else.
Say: Each of your cards has a different way you can share Jesus’ light.
When it’s your turn, act out what’s on your card. The rest of your group will try
to guess what it is.
Have small group leaders choose a child to start the game, and have each child
act out what’s on his or her card while others guess what that child is acting out.
If kids can’t guess after about 30 seconds, have the child reveal the answer, and
let the next child have his or her turn.
If you have more than 10 people in a small group, have them form two or more
groups to play simultaneously.
Continue until everyone has had an opportunity to act out what’s on a card.
Talk About It
In their small groups, have kids discuss the following questions.
Ask: • What makes it hard to do these things in real life?
• How would your world—your school, home, sports teams—be different
if you did share God’s love?
Say: Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus is the light of [name of your
community]. We get the awesome job of sharing Jesus, and showing God’s love,
to the people around us!
6 of 21
MUSIC VIDEO
[10 min]
You Are the Messiah
Supplies
“You Are the Messiah” (Matthew 16:16) music video (watch or download here)
“He Loved Us First” music video (watch or download here)
“Hope in the Lord” (Psalm 33:20) music video (watch or download here)
Sing Songs to God
Sing the three songs in any order.
7 of 21
CORE BIBLE DISCOVERY
[20 min]
The Night Jesus Was Born (Luke 2:1-20)
Supplies
Bible
music player
CD or MP3 of quiet music
small box or basket
thick blanket
1 glow stick per child, plus 2 extras
rubber bands to make a cross from glow sticks
small bag of potting soil
Easy Prep
Darken the room as much as possible.
Set up a box or basket as a manger. Crack two glow sticks, use rubber bands to bind
them together in a cross shape, and set the cross in the manger. Put uncracked glow
sticks around the cross. Cover the cross with a thick blanket to obscure the light. If you
have more than 50 kids, set up multiple baskets.
Tip
For safety reasons, it's better to use thicker glow sticks, as the thinner, bracelet glow sticks
can break.
A Dark Night
Turn off all the lights and darken the room as much as possible.
Say: It’s dark in our room, just like the night Jesus was born. Did you
know there’s another kind of darkness we can have in our lives? When we feel
afraid, sad, confused, lonely, or far from God, it’s like being in the dark.
In their small groups, have kids talk about this question.
Ask: • Tell about a time you experienced darkness by being afraid, lost,
confused, or all alone.
Before kids share, give your own example of a dark time, such as losing a job,
moving away from friends or family, or facing an illness.
Play music quietly while kids talk together. (This fills some of the background
silence and makes it more comfortable for kids to share.)
Say: When we go through dark times like the ones we’ve talked about, we
need Jesus, the light of the world.
Angels Visit Shepherds
8 of 21
Say: The Bible tells us that shepherds were out in a field that night,
protecting their sheep from wild animals. Have kids imagine they are the
shepherds in the dark field as you read aloud Luke 2:8-12, with expression. Turn on the
lights.
Say: Wow! There’s a bright light! I need your help celebrating this good
news of Jesus, the light of the world. The angels did it with style, so let’s do
what they did.
Read aloud Luke 2:13-14.
Have kids pretend to be angels as they crouch and whisper “Glory to God” when
your hand is low. Practice that. Have kids jump and shout “Glory to God” when your
hand is high. Practice that.
Say: There was one angel (hand low)
And then more (hand medium)
And then all the angels in heaven. (hand high)
Do this again.
Heading to the Manger
Say: After the angels returned to heaven (turn off the lights), the shepherds
hurried to find Jesus. And they found Jesus lying in the manger—just as the
angel had said. Listen to this!
Read aloud Luke 2:6-7, and then have kids make baby crying sound effects. Say:
Jesus—God’s Son—had left heaven to come to earth.
Ask: • Call out words that describe what you imagine heaven is like.
Say: Jesus left that perfect place to come to earth. And the first thing he
experienced was a dirty stable.
Pass around the bag of potting soil and have kids smell it.
Ask: • What would it be like to put a newborn baby in a dirty stable?
Shining God’s Light
Have children gather around the manger.
Say: Jesus was no ordinary baby—Jesus is God! Jesus is the light of the
world. Jesus came to show God’s love to a world that was dark and smelly
with sadness, fear, and sin.
Pull back the blanket to show the glow cross. Let kids take turns looking inside
the manger.
Give children each a glow stick, but tell them not to crack it.
Have kids go back to their small groups.
Ask: • What do you want to do with the glow stick?
Say: The shepherds wanted to share the news that Jesus is the light of
the world! That’s the most important news in the world! They ran and told
everyone about Jesus, the light of the world. Let’s do that now!
Let kids crack their glow sticks and hold them up high.
9 of 21
Light Party
Tell kids to be the shepherds. They have 30 seconds to tell as many people as
possible that Jesus is the light of the world.
Ask: • What just happened here?
Say: That was exciting! That’s what happens when we share that Jesus is
the light of the world. We can celebrate and share this amazing gift of God’s
love!
10 of 21
CRAFT
[20 min]
Light of the World Lanterns
Supplies
1 empty water bottle per child
1 glow stick per child*
heavy-duty aluminum foil
pencils
Glue Dots
chenille wire
Creative Extras
stickers
permanent markers
Easy Prep
Cut a piece of aluminum foil for each child so that it fits around the full height of the
water bottle.
Decorate
Give each child a water bottle, a sheet of foil, and a pencil.
Have kids decorate their foil by poking holes in it with a pencil to make the
letters in their names or initials or other creative decorations. Kids can also engrave
shapes into the foil with a pencil, draw on it with permanent marker, or decorate the foil
with stickers.
Assemble the Lantern
Have kids use Glue Dots to secure their foil tightly around their water bottles.
Kids can wrap chenille wire around the neck of the bottle and then twist it at the
top to make a handle.
Direct kids to place their lighted glow sticks in their water bottles.
Talk About It
Darken the room.
Read aloud Luke 2:8-11.
In their small groups, have kids discuss these questions.
Ask: • What do you think it was like for the shepherds to see all that
radiant light in a dark, quiet pasture?
• How is that like the way Jesus brought light to the world?
Say: Jesus came to bring God’s awesomeness to people on earth so we
could know about God’s love and power. That’s why we say that Jesus is the
11 of 21
light of the world. He came to shine God’s love, power, and glory to people.
Encourage kids to take home their Light of the World Lanterns as a reminder
that Jesus is the light of the world.
Say: The light in your lantern will eventually stop glowing, but Jesus is
always the light of the world! When your lantern stops glowing, you can put it
on a windowsill or near a lamp and still watch the light shine through.
12 of 21
OBJECT LESSON
[10 min]
The Word Revealed
Supplies
Bible
“Glory to God” handout (I per child) (download here)
glow sticks* (If you made the lantern crafts, use these instead of glow sticks.)
Reveal a Message
Darken the room.
Set a handout facedown in front of each child.
Say: There’s a message on your paper. Without picking up your paper,
see if you can read the message in the dark.
Have kids crack the glow sticks to make them glow. (You can have groups of two
or three kids share if you don’t have one glow stick per child.) Then have them use their
glow sticks or lanterns to try to read the message while the papers are still facedown on
the floor.
Have kids pick up the papers and hold the glow sticks or lanterns behind the
papers to reveal the message.
Talk About It
Ask: • How did the light make a difference in this experience?
• Jesus is the light of the world. Does Jesus make a difference in your
life? Tell me about that.
Say: Let’s look at what the Bible says about Jesus, the light of the world.
When these verses talk about “the Word,” they’re referring to Jesus.
Read John 1:4-5. Remind kids that Jesus is the light of the world. Read the
passage, substituting the word “Jesus” for the words “the light.”
Ask: • What does this passage tell you about Jesus?
• What would our world be like without Jesus?
Say: Jesus is the light of the world. He came to show people God’s love
and power. The Bible tells us that nothing is more powerful than Jesus! I am so
thankful that Jesus came to shine God’s love to each of you.
13 of 21
HIGH-ENERGY GAME
[10 min]
Light of the World Tag
Supplies
flashlights (1 per small group)
small lamp (optional)
Easy Prep
If your room doesn’t have any windows, consider turning on a small lamp to one side of
the room for safety.
Recommended for 6 or more kids.
Set Up the Game
Choose a child in each small group to be “Darkness.”
Choose another child in each group to be “The Light of the World,” and have him
or her stand to one side of the group, holding a flashlight. Tell him or her to be careful
not to shine the light directly into anyone’s face.
Have the rest of the children in each group spread out around “Darkness.”
Play the Game
Have kids move around the room using only baby steps.
When children are tagged by Darkness, they must freeze and crouch down on
the floor, waiting for The Light of the World to shine the flashlight on them. When the
light shines on them, they’re free to stand and can continue playing.
The Light of the World can’t be tagged by Darkness.
The game starts when the lights go off and ends when the lights come back on.
Stop the game after a few minutes of play.
Repeat the game with different children being Darkness and The Light of the
World.
Talk About It
Have kids sit in a circle with their small groups and discuss the following
questions.
Ask: • What would the game have been like without The Light of the
World?
• What would our world be like without Jesus—the true light of the
world?
14 of 21
Say: Jesus is the light of the world. Without him, we would live in
darkness. But Jesus is more powerful than the darkness. His light can never
be stopped.
Have kids each think about a friend or family member who would be
encouraged by Jesus’ power over darkness. Let kids pray silently for those people,
asking God to shine Jesus’ light into their lives.
15 of 21
LIFE APPLICATION WRAP-UP
[5 min]
Light Prayers
Supplies
glow cross*
glow sticks*
markers
sticky notes
Listen to God
Darken the room, and set the glow cross in the middle of the room.
Say: Jesus is the light of the world. That means he came to show God’s
love to everyone. Now that you’ve heard about Jesus’ light, you can shine it to
people around you. Take a moment to silently ask God about what he might
want you to do to show his love to people around you. Listen to hear what God
might say to you.
Allow about one minute for kids to sit in the dark, quiet room and silently listen to
God.
Light Prayers
Explain that sometimes we hear God’s voice, and sometimes we get a feeling
in our hearts. Sometimes God brings a picture or name or word to our minds. Have
children each write or draw on a sticky note what they just heard from God. Let kids
know that it’s okay if they don’t hear from God. If they didn’t they can write a prayer to
God instead.
After they’re done, have children each stick their notes around the cross so that
the light of the cross shines on their notes. Ask kids to return to their seats, and then
have them silently pray for the courage to show God’s love and share about Jesus, the
light of the world.
Say: Thank you for being here today. This week you can be like the
shepherds who shared about Jesus. Hold your glow stick up high. Pause. You
can share God’s love and light with the people around you.
Thank kids for coming, and tell them you look forward to seeing them next week.
The Life of Jesus, Lesson 2: Jesus, the Light of the World, Is Born. Design and base content copyright ©
Group Publishing, Inc. Licensed for use with 1-20 students. Permission to reproduce granted for local
church use only.
16 of 21
LESSON 2: JESUS, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, IS BORN
Small Group Leader Guide
Classroom: Sacred Girls
 Luke 2:1-20
09/14/2016
Teachers Dig In
Dig In to the Bible
Read: Luke 2:1-20
In This Passage: Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem to take part in a census. In
those days, a census was merely a way of collecting more taxes. Because the law
required it, they went to Bethlehem, and Jesus was born there. This fulfilled
prophecies that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). After
Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds and told them the good news
about the Savior’s birth. The shepherds rushed to find and worship Jesus, and then
they shared the good news with others.
Bible Point: Jesus is the light of the world.
Summary Verse: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with
whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
Dig Deeper
You’ll Be Teaching: Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus came in the midst of a
dark time. Although his birth wasn’t extravagant, God’s glory lit up the night sky
when the angels proclaimed Jesus’ birth. And Jesus can light up the dark places in
kids’ lives today!
Think About: What feels dark in your life right now? Where do you need Jesus’
light? In what ways have you seen glimpses of Jesus’ light in the past?
Dig In to Prayer
Pray by name for kids who are living through dark times right now.
Quick Tip
“Pair shares” (kids answering a question with a partner) ensure everyone gets to
talk and listen. If you want to hear kids’ answers, ask a few kids to report back after
their pair share.
17 of 21
This Lesson at a Glance
TALK-ABOUT VIDEO
Kids watch a video and discuss what it really means to be the light of the world.
Supplies
“Karl, Light of the World” teaching
video (watch or download here)
DEEPER BIBLE
Kids explore if God plays favorites.
Supplies
Bibles
candy or other treat for each child
*Marked supplies are also used in Core Bible Discovery
Let's keep kids safe! You can help by using supplies as instructed for only ages 3+, purchasing childsafe items, and being aware of allergy concerns.
18 of 21
TALK-ABOUT VIDEO
[10 min]
Karl, Light of the World
Supplies
“Karl, Light of the World” teaching video (watch or download here)
Discuss and Watch "Karl, Light of the World"
Have kids get into groups of three. Say: Today we’re going to watch a video
about a guy who got confused about something that was said at church. In
your group, tell about a time you got confused about something someone said
—it can be something you heard at church or someplace else. I’ll go first. Share
your own story about a time you were confused about what someone said. Take about
a minute to share so you model the type of sharing you’d like kids to do. Then invite
children to share their own stories with their groups.
Allow three minutes for sharing, and then have kids return their attention to you.
Say: Let’s watch our video and see what happens.
Watch “Karl, Light of the World.”
Say: Karl was confused about what the pastor at his church said. He
thought the pastor said that Karl should be the light of the world, and Karl
thought that meant wearing a funny sunshine costume.
Ask: • What did Karl get wrong when he thought he was the light of the
world? Allow another three minutes for kids to share in their groups, and then invite a
few kids to share their answers with the larger group.
Ask: • We know that Jesus is the light of the world, not us. But how can
we show Jesus’ light in the world?
Say: Jesus is the light of the world! We have the great opportunity to
reflect the light and love of Jesus to others so they can experience that light
and love, too.
19 of 21
DEEPER BIBLE
[15 min]
Does God Have Favorites?
Supplies
Bibles
candy or other treat for each child
Wonder
Read aloud Luke 2:13-14. Repeat the end where it says “with whom God is
pleased.”
Say: This verse makes it sound like God is going to give peace to only
those people he likes. Does God have favorites? Let’s dig in to that.
Favorite Kids
Choose a few of the kids as your “favorites.” If you have a large group, stop when
you reach 20. Have your “favorites” come to you and get candy or another treat.
Let your “favorites” eat their candy up front, and ask the other kids: • What’s this
activity like for you?
Ask the “favorite” kids: • What was this activity like for you?
Ask everyone: • Do you think this is the way God treats people? Explain.
Have the “favorites” rejoin the rest of the kids. Give everyone candy.
Peace on Earth
Say: Some of you probably didn’t have a very peaceful feeling about that
experience.
Tell the kids about a time you felt God’s peace.
Ask: • Turn to a partner and share about a time you felt peaceful.
Say: That peaceful feeling is like God’s love filling your heart. True peace
can only come from God. Jesus came to show God’s love—and to give us true
peace—because Jesus is the light of the world.
Look at Verse Context
Tell kids to listen to a Bible verse so they can answer this question: According to
this verse, who is God’s good news for?
Have an older child read Luke 2:10.
Ask: • According to this verse, who is God’s good news for?
Look at Other Verses
Tell kids to listen to a Bible verse so they can answer this question: What do
these verses show you about favorites?
Have an older child read Acts 10:34-36.
20 of 21
Ask: • What do these verses show you about favorites?
• Based on these verses, who can receive God’s peace?
Summarize
Say: Everyone is special to God, and peace is available for everyone.
Jesus is the light of the world, not just parts of it! What this verse is really
saying is: “Glory to God in the highest, and peace and good will toward all
people on earth.”
The Life of Jesus, Lesson 2: Jesus, the Light of the World, Is Born. Design and base content copyright ©
Group Publishing, Inc. Licensed for use with 1-20 students. Permission to reproduce granted for local
church use only.
21 of 21