Note to the Teacher

The main idea for this week is exploring how to live in the light of Easter, reflecting on our actions and faith in daily life, based on 1 John 1:1-2:2. In our icebreaker, we play the "Mystery Identity" game, where students guess biblical characters, fostering interaction and fun. The discussion revolves around ten questions that delve into understanding and applying the Bible passage, with a focus on living as children of God and the meaning of walking in the light. For the activity, students engage in creating a "Light in Action Collage," where they make collages representing the concept of walking in the light in today's world, enhancing their creative expression and understanding of the theme.

Icebreaker: ‘Mystery Identity’

Begin by giving each student a slip of paper with the name of a well-known biblical character (e.g., Moses, Esther, David). Make sure you hand it to the student with the name facing down. Then give the students a piece of tape and invite them to tape it to their forehead with the name facing out. Tell them not to look at the name themselves. Students mingle and ask yes/no questions about their identity (e.g., "Am I a woman?", "Did I perform miracles?”).

The goal is to guess their biblical character.

Read: 1 John 1:1-2:2.

Discussion Questions

This was a longer passage to read. How many times did the author write “fellowship”? Why do you think that amount of focus on the idea of fellowship is important? How would you define “fellowship”? (If answers are slow, ask “Are there any spaces in the church that use the word ‘fellowship,’ like Fellowship Hall? What are the kinds of things that happen in there?”)
Take a moment to reread the part of the passage that talked about light and dark (verses 5-7). Can we rephrase those verses to help someone new to Christianity make sense of them? Imagine someone walking into a well-lit room, how their legs move, how quickly they move, and so on. Now imagine that same person walking through a dark room, how he/she moves, and how quickly. What do those differences say about the way we act out our faith if we’re “walking in the light” versus “walking in the dark”?
Are there ways that any of us or our church seems to be 'walking in the light' in our school or community?
How does the statement "We are children of God” make you feel? What does it mean to you? How would you define the “we” in that statement?
How can our faith community better support one another in 'walking in the light'? Does our faith community do anything if we find ourselves or others “walking in darkness”?

Active Learning Activity: ‘Light in Action Collage’

Begin this exercise by getting students newspapers, art supplies, and a large poster board. All together (or if you have a larger group, you can split up), invite them to create a collage that represents what “walking in the light” looks like in today's world. This can include images, words, and symbols that convey themes of fellowship, community, and living a Christ-like life. At the end, ask each group to present their collage and explain the symbolism behind their choices.