Note to the Teacher

The key idea in this scripture for this lesson is “loving the light.” The icebreaker invites youth to “create light.” The discussion encourages students to think about how Jesus has changed their lives. The activity reinforces John 3:16. Times are based on a fifty-five-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Blind speakers teaming (15 minutes)

Divide the group into two teams. Each team needs one blindfolded person, one team spokesperson, and the rest of the team. The blindfolded members from each team are put onto the playing field for a selected task. The spokespersons must have their backs to the blindfolded members and the field. They will be looking at the team. The team stands in front of the spokespersons, but team members are not allowed to talk, only gesture. Through motions, the team tries to get the spokesperson (who cannot see the field) to yell to the blindfolded team member to give instructions for the task. The facilitator will have set up a task that the spokesperson is unaware of. The facilitator will have communicated the task to the team but not to the blindfolded members or the spokesperson. Have both teams compete against each other to see who can complete their task first.

Task Examples:

Wrapping a gift
Grabbing a ball from one corner and putting it in a basket
Hunting for Skittles in a small cup of M&Ms
Making a Play-Doh sculpture of their youth leader

Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Our scripture reading today suggests how we should “love the light.”

Read John 3:14-21.

Discussion (15 minutes)

From the game, what would have been ways to “add light” and make the tasks easier? In the absence of light for the blindfolded person, what replaced the role of light/sight so that the task could be completed? What does that have to do with the scripture we just read?
How has your life been changed by placing your hope in Jesus?
Where, in our community, do you see a need for light to be shone in the darkness?
Can you think of someone for whom you could pray for a spiritual change in their life?

Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

Create the following three slides in PowerPoint or on another platform (or make newsprint/write on a chalkboard, etc.) with the following words:

Slide 1: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

Slide 2: For God so loved (person’s name) that he gave his only Son, so that if (person’s name) believes in him, (person’s name) may not perish but may have eternal life.

Slide 3: For God so loved me that he gave his only Son, so that if I believe in him, I may not perish but may have eternal life.

Show the first slide and have everyone say it together. Have everyone grab a partner. Show slide 2 and have one of the partners say it inserting their partner’s name. Repeat the process with the other partner. Show slide 3 and invite each person to read it out loud and then one more time to themselves.

Points for discussion:

God so loved the world; that means everyone.
How did the feeling you had when reading the words change as we got specific about other people and ourselves? Has anyone ever said those words to you before?
What other ideas come to mind when you consider Jesus’ love?

TOTAL TIME: 55 minutes.

NEEDED RESOURCES:

Please see the instructions for “blind, speakers, teaming” to decide what objects you may want to use.
PowerPoint slides or flipchart pages (3)
If using a flipchart, please have the pages pre-written.