Light of the World

Read John 3:14-21.

One night, in the middle of the night, a religious leader named Nicodemus came to see Jesus.  He wanted to ask Jesus some questions.  Nicodemus had a lot of questions about God.  Nicodemus knew that Jesus was talking about God in a whole new way and he wanted to learn more.  Let’s watch the video and hear what happened in their conversation.

Jesus told Nicodemus that God sent Jesus into the world because God loves the world, including us.  In fact, in telling Nicodemus about God’s love for the world and for all of us, Jesus said this, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that all those who believe in him might not perish but may have eternal life.”  Those words are in John, chapter 3, verse 16.  That’s a pretty famous Bible verse.  Sometimes you’ll see signs that say “John 3:16” at sporting events or in other public places.  Jesus’ words are reminder that God loves the whole world and God sent Jesus so that we might not perish – or die forever – but that we may have eternal life – or live with God forever, both right here and right now and forever in heaven.  Jesus also said that he is all that is good and right and God sent Jesus to light up the world.  When we do what is good and right, when we love others and serve others, God’s light shines in our world.

Discuss

• What makes you feel afraid when it is dark?
• What is one question you’d like to ask Jesus?
• What can you do to help God’s light shine in our world?

Song

Jesus Loves Me.  Go Fish Guys.

Activity

Try making stained glass cookies!  You will need:

• 10 pieces of clear hard candies (Jolly Ranchers or lifesavers)
• 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• ¼ cup of all purpose flour

Line cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper. Place 2 to 3 candies of the same color in small plastic bag; seal bag. With hammer or flat side of meat mallet, gently pound to crush candy. Repeat with remaining candies, using several different colors.

In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Mix in flour with spoon or hands, until well blended. (DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER COMBINING WITH FLOUR.) On lightly floured work surface, roll dough 1/8 inch thick, using additional flour as needed to prevent sticking. Cut out heart shapes out of the dough.  Then cut a small center out of each heart. You can use a cookie cutter or just freehand it.

Place large cutouts 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Place 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed candy in center of each cutout cookie, making sure candy touches edges of cookie. (Do not mound candy in centers of cookies.)

Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until edges of cookies are light golden brown and candy is melted and fills center of cookie. Cool about 10 minutes on cookie sheets or until candy is hardened. Remove cookies from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Here’s a video with the instructions (the video produces more professional looking cookies than mine were!):

The hearts remind us that God loves the whole world.  The stain glass effect in the center remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Activity

Make a candle to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.

Cut two 1 inch strips of paper about 11 inches long.  Glue one end of each strip together creating an “L” shape.

Fold the bottom strip over the top strip alternate to make an accordion candle stick.  Glue the top end down.

Draw a flame shape on yellow or orange paper (even a post it), leaving a base at the bottom.  Cut the base in half and fold in opposite directions.  Glue base of the flame to the top of the candlestick.

Cut a base that is larger than the candlestick (about 2 inches).  Glue candlestick to the circle.

Prayer

God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to this world that you love so much.  Help us love one another and help one another that your light will shine brightly in the world.  Amen.

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.  There will be a new one for each Sunday while we are unable to gather together physically in our congregational buildings.  Contact him at dfugate@iksynod.org.