This children’s sermon is about being “Salt and Light” for Jesus. This Bible object lesson message is from Matthew 5:13-20. Share it with your church this upcoming Sunday (February 9, 2020). Print the message script and then watch our teaching example video below.
“Shine Your Light” Object Lesson
Children’s Sermon on Matthew 5:13-20
Main Objective: Children today are more than familiar with the idea of plugging in, and most understand how important it is to have power supply for electronic devices. This lesson aims to capitalize on that concept with a related discussion of shining our “Christ light” on others, after first receiving a “power charge” from God, to whom we must stay connected first and foremost.
Law/Gospel Theme: We are called to shine God’s light onto others in the world, but that light does not come from our own power or ability. We do not give out of our own importance. We shed the light of Christ by first being filled with it ourselves. Because of Christ’s love, life, and death, we have the opportunity to serve Him by loving and serving one another.
Props and Optional Materials: A light, lamp, or flashlight; glowsticks (optional)
Bible Passage: Matthew 5:13-20
- Compare our Preschool Bible Lesson on Salt and Light
- Compare our Salt and Light Sunday School Lesson
- Watch our example video of this Bible object lesson on YouTube
- Don’t miss the “Salt and Light” Craft ideas related to this message
- See more Sunday School Lessons and Sunday School Crafts
“Shine Your Light” Children’s Sermon
Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use what best suits you and those you teach.
Greet the children, and introduce your object: either a battery-operated light (without the batteries at first) or a plug-in lamp that is not plugged in.
Hello, children of God!
Do you know what this is? (Hold up light or flashlight). Yes, this is a light! We’ve talked a little about what lights do. They can shine the way for us to see things, or for others to see. Lights show us what is around us. But you know….this light doesn’t seem to be shining right now. Do you know why??
(Hopefully children notice that the light isn’t turned on, and/or is not plugged into the wall).
That’s right! It’s not turned on. Hmm…I clicked it to the “on” position, and it still isn’t turning on. Oh, wait… it’s not plugged into the outlet, is it?? Ah-ha! (Plug in and turn on, if possible).
Now it’s working! It had to be plugged into the power!
Did you know that our Christian lives can be this way sometimes? God calls us to be the light of the world. Do you know what that means? It means that God wants us to tell others about Him, and to demonstrate His love to people. In the gospel passage for today, Jesus tells us to let our light shine so that others can now we have something special.
The good news of Jesus is so amazing that we don’t want to keep it to ourselves. We want to share it with other people. We want to let His light shine for all to see. We want to light up the whole world with God’s love!
Jesus says to the people here, “you are the light of the world.” But Jesus also said that HE was the light of the world. Our “light” does not come from our own power.
This lamp (or flashlight or light) only shines if it is plugged in (or charged, powered, etc.). So our light can only shine if we are connected to the light of Jesus.
We have to be “plugged in” to Him constantly. We have to stay charged by our power source. How do we do that? We can be faithful to read God’s word, the Bible. We can pray, and pray continually. We don’t just pray or read the Bible once in awhile or when we are at church; we can do this all the time!
God always wants to hear from us, and we can ask Him for help in letting the light of Christ shine for all to see. Why don’t we pray for that right now? (Optional: after prayer, hand each child a glowstick for a fun reminder keepsake.)
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the love of Jesus
Help us to understand His words
And to follow them closely
Help us shine YOUR light in our world
Help us to know and serve You and each other
We love you, God!
In Jesus’s name, Amen!
Matthew 5:13-20 New International Version (NIV) Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
What is a Children’s Sermon?
The “Children’s Message” is included in many Christian church services. Each Children’s Sermon is dedicated to communicating an abbreviated Christian Bible teaching that is palatable to small children. It might be thought of as an abbreviated sermon for children.
Love this children devotion wit it’s illustrations and so powerful and awe-inspiring to teach kids. God the source of all things. Amen3
Thanks a lot. The material is so helpful. God richly bless you.