Leader Guide
Object Lesson
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Flashlight, the brighter the better—a smartphone flashlight app works well
- Thick, dark cloth; book; or any object that will totally block the flashlight beam
Practice the presentation so you can do it smoothly.
Note: if possible and appropriate, the presentation can be enhanced by closing the drapes or blinds.
Our SuperTruth says: “I can point others to Christ.” As we discussed earlier in today’s lesson, there are a number of ways to point to Jesus. John preached about repentance as he prepared the way for the coming of the Lord. In John 5:35, Jesus described John the Baptist as a burning and shining lamp. Jesus was referring to John’s message and witness about Jesus. John’s light shone on Jesus, not himself.
Read Ephesians 5:8–9:
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Before someone knows and follows Jesus, they live in “spiritual darkness.” See Proverbs 4:19. But, once we know Jesus, we have spiritual light. Turn the flashlight on.
We live in the light from the Lord, in other words, Jesus’ light. The light in us produces only what is good, right and true. This is the good fruit produced by the Holy Spirit!
Use the flashlight to illuminate the Bible as you read aloud Matthew 5:14–16:
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Jesus said that if you have a light, you wouldn’t cover it so others couldn’t use it and be helped by it. Cover the top of the flashlight so light cannot be seen. How useful would that be?
Uncover the light. In the same way, what good does it do anyone if we hide our spiritual light? We want everyone to see that our lives are lit up by Jesus’ light so others can rejoice and have a relationship with our heavenly Father, too!
Read John 8:12:
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
We have the light that leads to life—let’s shine our light brightly so we can point others to Jesus so they too can have the light of life and no longer walk in spiritual darkness!