Advent Devotional Lesson – Leader Guide
Bible Truth:
God calls us to be lights in the world.
Key verse:
I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
John 12:46 ESV
Notes for the Teacher:
As you prepare for this “Advent Devotional” lesson about Jesus as The Light, here are a few ideas for
adapting the experience to your particular situation.
•
•
•
•
Prior to the lesson, write, “What am I?” on one side of each of the six index cards. On the other
side, write one phrase:
o I am bright
o I am clear
o I come in many colors
o Everyone uses me
o I am breakable
o I come in lots of sizes and shapes
Hide the cards around the room.
Prior to the lesson, cut out 2 sets of 21 Christmas light bulbs from colored paper. (search google
clipart for a pattern) For each set, on each bulb write one word of the verse as well as the
reference. Using a small hole-punch, punch a hole in the top of each light bulb. Have string
available that will go through the hole easily. For each set, on a large piece of paper, draw a
Christmas tree. You will also need tape for each team. This will be used for sharing the key verse.
If your group is large, you may need to make a set for each colored team.
Ahead of time, secure about a dozen or so electric candle lights.
In addition to the core lesson, we also provide optional activities. Feel free to use these as time
allows. They also make fun pre-club activities or can keep kids engage as a wrap-up to the
lesson.
•
•
The PowerPoint slides we have provided (located at awana.org/go-be_light) can help you
introduce the topic in a fun way. This option tool can help enhance the learning experience.
We have provided a downloadable parent handout related to the lesson. Simply make copies of
the handout and distribute them to your parents.
Light Fun Facts
•
•
•
•
•
•
1.
Light travels very, very fast, 186,000 miles per second in a vacuum.
Isaac Newton observed that a thin beam of sunlight hitting a glass prism on an angle creates a
band of visible colors that includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet (ROYGBIV).
Some animals like insects can see parts of light that we cannot, such as ultraviolet light.
We only see visible light not UV or infrared light.
Light takes 1.255 seconds to get from the Earth to the Moon.
Sunlight can reach a depth of around 80 meters (262 feet) in the ocean.
Focus on Jesus – THE LIGHT ( about 5 minutes)
Ask children to share what they know about light. Allow a few to share, then show the
PowerPoint slides with the “Light Fun Facts.” May also want to share that we see Christmas
lights this time of year.
Do you know that God calls us to be lights in the world? Ask them if they know how many times
Jesus calls us to be the light to the world. [Answer: 8 verses http://www.openbible.info/topics/].
Then ask if they know how many times Jesus is called the light in Scripture? [Answer: 20 verses
http://www.openbible.info/topics/]
2. Focus on the Bible: Jesus is the Light of the World
Ask the kids if they know a Bible verse that talks about them being a light to the world. Discuss
their responses.
If it’s not mentioned, share that following the Beatitudes, Jesus told believers that they were the
light of the world. Read Matthew 5:14-16. Jesus shares that people do not light a lamp and put it
under a basket. No, they put it on a stand so it gives light to all in the house. The reason to have
light is to illuminate, to give light or dispel darkness. We are lights if we are believers.
Jesus goes on to say that in the same way, we are to let our light shine before others so that
they may see your good works and give glory to God, the Father. We are to shine that light and
not hide it. We are to be visible, pointing the way to the Lord who said, “I AM the LIGHT.” Jesus
has come and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. Jesus came so people do would not remain in
darkness, blinded in sin. Jesus brought The Light so share this Light with others. What a great
time to share about Jesus, that He came to bring light to darkness. How do you share Jesus with
your friends, family, sports team members, etc.?
Darken the room as much as is feasible. Turn on one of the electric candles. Talk about what
happened to the darkness. Keep turning on one more until they are all turned on, stopping to talk
about the darkness each time. What happened to the darkness each time a candle was lit? What
would happen if each of us shined like the candle in our home, school, and neighborhood? The
more candles lit the brighter the light. Let’s shine together for Jesus!
But it doesn’t end there, Jesus is also coming again. Let your light so shine by telling others that
Jesus is coming again. We all must be prepared. Read Titus 2:11-13. Discuss ways that they can
share the light of Christ with others around them through what they say and do.
God calls us to be lights that shine brightly for Him. When people see you, do they think of Jesus?
Let’s pray that this Christmas season, and always, you will shine brightly for Him in word and
deed.
3. Focus on the Key Verse: John 12:46
Direct children to sit in their colored teams. Give them each their set of colored light bulbs along
with the string. Instruct them to string the words in the correct order then bring them up to their
tree and attach them with the words facing out in the correct order.
Variation: You could have the string attached on one end to each tree. Play like a relay race. The
first child chooses the correct word bulb, runs up and strings it and tapes it to the tree. Then next
child chooses the next word and so on until all words are correctly strung on the tree.
Read over the verse several times. [Could the verse be put to the tune of a Christmas carol?]
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY:
Intro activity: What am I?
Have the index cards made up and hidden around the room. Allow the children to go find the cards but
do not allow them to share their card with anyone else. Have each child read their clue and write their
answer on the card. After a short time, have each child turn in their card to a leader. Have the leader
read each clue and answer. Once all are read, see if they would like to change their answer now that
they heard all the clues. If the correct answer is not shared, tell them they are going to learn about
LIGHT, actually THE LIGHT.
awana.org/advent-devotional
FOCUS ON THE HOME: Dig Deeper
For the Parents
We are so excited to share a great opportunity this Christmas
season. Your child learned tonight that they are called by God to be
lights in the world (John 12:46 and Matthew 5:14-16). This lesson
was adapted from a free advent devotional Awana is offering this
season. The theme of this year's Advent Devotional is "25 Reasons
Why Jesus Was Born." You can download the 2015 Awana Advent
Devotional at awana.org/advent-devotional. These brief
devotionals are great ways to focus your family on why Jesus
came this holiday season.
Talk with your child about ways they can shine for Jesus this
Christmas season as well as throughout the year. What are some
things you could do in word and deed to share Jesus? Below are some ideas to get you started.
Family Activity: Shine Your Light
Maybe you need some ideas to help you get started on shining your light through sharing Jesus this
Christmas season. Be inspired by these three ideas…
•
•
•
One family shared that each Christmas they choose a neighbor they
did not know well. They purchased a small nativity set that came with
separate pieces. They wrapped each piece individually. Once a week
for the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas they left one secretly in a
safe place that the family would surely see. On Christmas Eve they
brought the last piece, baby Jesus, along with a plate of cookies to
the home. They rang the doorbell, sang Christmas carols, and gave
them the last piece. The cookie plate was shared as they read the
Luke 2 Christmas story with their neighbors.
Another family used luminaries as an outreach opportunity to share
the love of Jesus. They had their neighbors over and each family
made their own design on their paper bags and placed an electric
candle in them. Then they each went to their homes and lined their
driveways with them. Upon completion, they came back to the first
home. There they had cookies and hot chocolate while the Christmas
story was read and Christmas carols were sung.
Another family used Chinese sky lanterns as an opportunity to shine
for Jesus. They purchased sky lanterns for the neighbors who
responded to their Christmas invitation. They met in a large open
field in the dark, lit the lanterns, and let them go. It was a marvelous
sight, as each family lit their lantern and watched it go up and light
up the night sky. The adults and children alike were so excited by the
sight. They then went back for hot chocolate and cookies. The
Christmas story was shared and that we are called to be lights in the
world.
Family Question: What can we do today to shine our light through word and deed?