Throughout this series, you will need to prepare and use each week an adapted version of Rev. Leanne Hadley’s “Listening Stones.” Click here to learn more about “Listening Stones.”

Supplies needed for the entire series:

Stones (You can either use small stones and give each child one each week or one bigger stone for the entire group to use throughout the series.)
Jar large enough for placing one stone from each week’s lesson. This jar will hold one stone from each week of this series. Keep it in the worship area throughout the series as a reminder to the entire congregation about the lessons discussed each week.
Permanent Markers.
Mod Podge

Steps to Make Listening Stones:

1.) Purchase stones (pre-polished from a craft store in the floral department. These are used to put in vases, etc.).

2.) Using a permanent marker, draw the symbols on the rocks and let them dry well. Click here to view a template (PDF) for the symbols for each week.

Images:

Water droplet
Music note
Cross
“BE”
Lightbulb
Yes, checkbox
Cloud

3.) Place a small dab of “Mod Podge” on each stone and let it dry. (If you skip this step, the symbols will rub off the rocks. It is very important! We have tried finding a spray-on application but have not had any luck.)

4.) Place the stones in a large cloth bag after they have dried for several hours. Placing the stones in a cloth bag or nice box makes the stones seem holier than toys or playthings.

Each week during this series, introduce the stone with the week’s image. Offer a stone to each child to use as a prayer stone. If you have only one larger stone, have children either touch or reach toward the stone as you close in prayer. Collect one stone each week in the jar or box and keep it visible in the worship area for the duration of the series.

DOWNLOAD Steps to Make Listening Stones (PDF)

Children's Message

Matthew 5:14-16, New International Reader's Version

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill can’t be hidden. ¹⁵Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Supplies

Stones with an image of a lightbulb on them; flashlight.

Message

Have you ever been in a thunderstorm at night where the electricity went out in your home? Did you have to use a flashlight? Perhaps you even had to light a candle or two. Do you have a place to keep your emergency lights in case the power goes out again? (Allow children to respond with a story or two.) Having a plan and one or two lights on hand is very important when the entire house or apartment is completely dark.

Have you ever had to walk in the dark? Without light, it could become dangerous. You could stub your toe or even trip over something and fall. Can you share a time when you were in complete darkness? I wonder how you felt. (Allow children to share.)

In today’s scripture passage, Jesus said to his followers, “You are the light of the world. Let your light shine in front of others.” Jesus is teaching us that when you serve God by doing good things for other people, the light of God shines through you. When you do that, you become like the flashlight or the candle to fill the room with light and remove all the darkness. Did you know that your light helps others to get along better?

God wants the light of Jesus to shine so that all the world can see.

Let’s see if we can come up with some ways to use your light to help others discover God’s love, bringing glory to God in heaven.

I have this flashlight, and I will shine it over your head when you raise your hand to share one way to be the light of Jesus. The world is looking to us to show them the love of Jesus. Let’s live in the light.

(Shine the flashlight on one child at a time who raises a hand. Allow each child to share one way he/she can be a light to others. Then shine the light on another child to offer another example. For better effect, you could dim the lights in the room, if you are able.) Those are all excellent ideas of helping others. We can collect food for those who are hungry. We could give money to missionaries to help share the love of God all around the world. We can love the people that we find in our lives who aren’t that easy to love. We can tell others about all the wonderful things that Jesus has done in our lives. I wonder if you and your family might discover others this week as you discuss Jesus’ invitation to be the light of the world.

Today, I have a stone with an image of a lightbulb on it. I wonder why I chose this image. (Allow children to answer.) (If you have one stone for each child, hand the stones out now, or draw the children’s attention to the one stone in your hand.)

As I pray, I want you to close your eyes tight, making your world dark. Touch the stone. Again, feel how hard the stone is. Do you remember when we declared Jesus as number one? Remember, Jesus taught us to “BE.” Remember that Jesus challenged us to be a light for all the world to see. When I say “Amen,” open your eyes to recognize the light that is God’s love in your world.

Pray

God in heaven, make your light shine through me in all that I say and do. Help other people to see the light and to know that the light comes from you. To you, God, be the glory. And all God’s children did say, (Have children open their eyes as they say) Amen.