Copy and cut apart the Ephesians verses from below. You will need a large round mirror, a strong flashlight, and a ball or round piece of cardboard. Brace the flashlight on a table or stool so that it is shining on the mirror. Hold the ball while you speak, moving it between the flashlight and the mirror.
Say, "We’ll pretend this flashlight is the sun and this mirror is the moon. This ball will be the earth. See what happens to the moon when the earth comes between it and the sun." Move the ball slowly, stopping a couple of times to make a half-moon, etc. Let several children try it.
"God’s Word (hold up your Bible) tells us that when we receive the Lord Jesus as our Savior, He becomes the light in our life. Jesus is like the sun shining on the moon. Jesus’ light shines on us. When we do kind and helpful things, other people can see the light of Jesus shining in our lives.Those who don’t have the Lord Jesus in their lives are living in darkness."
"God tells us to live as though we have His light in us. Do you have the Lord Jesus in your life? Are you living a life that obeys God and lets His light shine? When God’s light shines, then the kind things you do and say remind people of Jesus."
"The bad things we do and say cause a shadow to hide our light. When we do not obey God, the light of Jesus does not shine through us."
Give each Ephesians verse slip to a student to read in turn. Prompt the children at the appropriate time.
Dark Shadows Hide the Light
(Ephesians 4:25-32; 5:1-2, 4, 6)
God says we should have nothing to do with bad things that are done in darkness. Now we will take turns reading some verses from Ephesians 4 and 5, which are paraphrased (worded so you can better understand them). After each verse is read, I will ask if the things mentioned would shadow, or hide, the light of Jesus. (Explain that wrong actions hide the light of Jesus from shining in our lives. Good, kind, and helpful actions help Jesus’ light shine in our lives.) If the action is not good, the person who answers may move the earth (ball) to make a shadow on the moon. Listen carefully so you will know the correct answer.
Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore each of you must stop lying and speak truthfully to others, for we are all members of one body.”
Does lying hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:26
“If you are angry, do not let it become sin. Get over your anger before the day is finished.”
Does anger hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:27
“Do not let the devil start working in your life.”
When Satan works in your life does he hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:28
“Anyone who steals must steal no longer, but must work, doing something good with his own hands, that he may have something to give to those in need.”
Does stealing hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any bad words come out of your mouth, but only say things that help others grow as Christians.”
Do bad words hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:30
“Do not make the Holy Spirit of God be sad about the way you live. The Holy Spirit has put a special mark on you for the day you will go to heaven.”
Does making God’s Holy Spirit sad hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bad feelings about other people, temper and anger, loud talk, and talk that hurts others.”
Do bad feelings toward others and mean words hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and nice to one another. Forgive other people, just as God forgave you because of Christ’s death on the cross.”
Does forgiving others hide your light? (No.)
Ephesians 5:1
“Do just as God would do, as God’s dearly loved children. Live a life that shows love to others.”
Does doing as God does hide your light? (No.)
Ephesians 5:2
“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a gift on the altar to God.”
Does loving others hide your light? (No.)
Ephesians 5:4
“Do not tell bad stories or talk foolishly. These things are not for you to do. Instead, give thanks for what God has done for you.”
Does telling bad or mean stories hide your light? (Yes.)
Ephesians 5:6
“Do not let anyone lead you in the wrong way with foolish talk. The anger of God comes on such people because they choose to not obey Him.”
Does disobeying God hide your light? (Yes.)
Say, "In order to let our light shine for Jesus, we must not do many of the things we just read about. These are called “worldly” things, because people who do them love the things of the world more than the things of God. Maybe you only do one of those things. Would that hide your light? (Yes.) What can we do to let our light shine?" (Stop doing things that don’t please God. Confess your sins to God — let Him help you get rid of those sins.)
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