You may be familiar with the children’s song “This Little Light of Mine.” In this song, children proclaim the light of Jesus in a dark world. The idea of the light of the world in the Bible is so simple, yet also profound as it unveils the true power of the gospel and the purpose of the followers of Christ. 

This blog post shares ideas to explore and teach children about Jesus and the light of the world, so they understand the foundational truth of what it means to live as a follower of Christ. This blog post includes a template for a children’s Bible lesson with Scripture reading, discussion questions, activities, and prayer prompts. It also includes free print and cursive copywork pages to coordinate with the lesson. 

In this blog post:

• What does the Bible say about the light of the world?
• Light of the world children’s Bible lesson
• Light of the world Scripture copywork [Free Printable PDF]
• Develop spiritual virtues with Flourish Family Bible Curriculum 

What does the Bible say about the light of the world?

How Jesus explains the light of the world in the Bible

The concept of the light of the world appears in Matthew 5 as part of the Sermon on the Mount. Early in Jesus’ ministry, Jesus goes up on a mountainside and speaks to the crowds before Him to teach people to think about the law and their life in the context of being a disciple of Jesus. He talks about how the law is not just a list of rules, but is a way of life that goes deep to their heart, and what it is like to be a part of the kingdom of God. 

This Sermon includes other well-known ideas like the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11), which describe the blessings of being in the kingdom of God, how Jesus Christ fulfills the law (Matthew 5:17), and the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says His followers reflect God’s light. God’s light cannot be hidden, but is bright and clearly seen by all. God’s light is displayed through the good works of His followers in the world. The purpose of good works is to share God’s light with others, to glorify God, and to magnify God who is enthroned in heaven. Christ’s followers should not hide their faith, but intentionally let light shine in the darkness. Being the light of the world means to proclaim God’s love to the world, do good towards others, and glorify Him with the small and big things in life.

More Scriptures about the the light of the world

• John 1:1-9 – Jesus came into the world to be light. The darkness in the world cannot overcome the light that Jesus brings into the world.
• John 8:12 – Jesus is the light of the world! When we choose to follow Jesus, we live in the light.
• John 12:46 – Jesus said His purpose was to come into the world and bring people out of darkness.
• 1 John 1:5-10 – Because God is light, there is no darkness in him at all. When we walk in the light that comes through Jesus, we are forgiven of all sins. 
• Ephesians 5:8-21 – Walking in light removes all darkness and exposes the darkness of the world. Once we have received light through Christ, we should no longer walk in darkness.

Light of the world children’s Bible lesson

In this children’s Bible lesson about the light of the world, children will explore Bible passages together, discuss the meanings and implications, express their understanding, and come together in prayer.

Read

Begin by reading Matthew 5:14-16. In these verses within the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says we are called to be reflections of God’s light everywhere we go and in everything we do. We shouldn’t hide our faith, but rather intentionally let our light shine in the darkness. We do this by boldly proclaiming God’s love to the world, doing good deeds, and glorifying Him with the small and big things in our lives.

Discussing the the light of the world with children

Here are some ideas to share with children as you discuss how Christians are the light of the world.

• Picture a city on a hill in your mind. Talk about this image and what Jesus means when He says, “A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
• What does it mean when we shine our lights so that our good works may be seen? What is the purpose of our good works being seen by others?
• Who is called to be the light of the world? How can children be lights in the world?
• What is the opposite of being the light of the world?

Express

• Sing the song “This Little Light of Mine.”
• Draw or watercolor what you imagine when you read these verses, including a city on a hill or a lamp shining brightly in the darkness. Include a portion of all of Matthew 5:14-16 with your drawing.
• Use the Scripture copywork sheets below to write down Matthew 5:16.

Prayer

Close your Bible lesson by coming together in prayer. Thank God for bringing His light into the world, through Jesus, and allowing you to reflect that. Ask God for courage and commitment to shine your light in big and small ways. Ask that God will grow your understanding of what it means to be a light in the world. 

Light of the world Scripture copywork [Free Printable PDF]

Add to your children’s Bible study about the light of the world with these Scripture copywork sheets in both print and cursive. Save and print the free, printable PDF copywork sheets below. 

Develop spiritual virtues with Flourish Family Bible Curriculum 

Engage in a journey of the heart guided by Scripture, beauty, art, hands-on connections, and family discussion with Flourish Family Bible Curriculum. This study is designed to Inspire courage, confidence, and Biblical character in your children by activating their Spiritual gifts and purpose through their faith. It’s about teaching children to bear fruit in the world around them through Biblical virtues, missional purpose and expressing love. 

Flourish is an 18-week family Bible curriculum. Each week centers around one declaration statement related to the themes of Mission, Virtue, and Love. Flourish incorporates beauty subjects with Bible study including daily Scripture readings, discussion and prayer prompts, hymns, poetry, and art study.

Download a free week from Flourish Family Bible Curriculum below to learn more.

How do you explain the light of the world to your children? Share your ideas in the comments below.