Setup:

Do your best to block out other light in the room other than the overhead lights.
Place a  table in the middle of the teaching area and spread the candles out on it.
Plug in the CD player nearby, with the Lesson Resource: CD in it.

Lesson

1. Using the mind maps created during small group time, briefly discuss all the examples of things that make light that the children came up with. If there were any glaring omissions, briefly discuss those as well. Explain the following, writing the big idea on a chalk/wipe board as you mention it:

    Our big idea for today is "When you follow God, you stand out." Some of us like being different from everyone else. Some of us do our best to blend it with everyone else. But regardless of what you want, when you follow God, you stand out.

2. Turn off the lights, light one large candle, and hold it up. Explain the following:

    In the book of Matthew, Jesus said this:"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can't be hidden. Also, 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. In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven."

    Jesus says that when we do good things, we'll stand out. Just like this one little candle shines out in the darkness, when we follow God, we'll stand out from those we aren't following God.

    But what does it look like to be the light of the world? Well, let's see if you can tell the difference.

3. Set the large candle on the table with the other candles, lighting the others as well. Place the three hats on the table, one on each end and one in the middle. Select a volunteer to come forward and stand near one end of the table. Place the Lesson Resource: Game cards in a pile on the table near the child, starting with card #1 on top and so on. Explain the following:

    It's time for everyone's favorite game show, "One of these things is not like the other!" (Play track 1 from the Lesson Resource: CD). Let's meet our contestant. What's your name, where are you from, and how many kids do you have?" (Allow your volunteer to answer.)

    Here's how our game is played: each round, you'll pick the top card from this pile of cards, and read it to our live studio audience.

    After you read the card, our talented crew of actors will act out three reactions to the card you read. Two reactions will be the same, one will be different.

    When the actors are finished, your job is to take the flashlight and shine it on the actor you thought was different. Guess correctly, and you'll win valuable prizes!

4. Have the child read card #1 out loud. ("You see a kid fall off his bike. What do you do?) Read the following reactions, putting on the first hat as you read the first, the second hat as you read the second, and the third hat as you read the third. Speak in a different voice while you wear each hat.

    #1: "Ha ha ha ha! How does the sidewalk taste? 'Cause you just ate a face full of it!"

    #2: "Hey, buddy! You alright? Oh man, I think that's your tooth on the ground over there! I'm gonna go run and get help!"

     #3: "Hey dude, I don't think you understand how to use that thing right. Here's a tip: if you smash your face into the ground, you're probably doing it wrong."

    Ask the child to indicate which one of the three people stood out from the others by shining the flashlight on the hat that person wore. Explain the following:

    The person who stood out and let his light shine was the one who went and got help, instead of laughing at the kid who fell off his bike.

    If the child guessed correctly, give him/her a piece of candy as his/her first valuable prize. Play track 2 on Lesson Resource CD.

5. Have the child read card #2 out loud. ("2. It's five minutes before school. You suddenly realize that you have a spelling test that you didn't study for. What do you do?) As before, read each of the reactions below, wearing a different hat and speaking in a different voice for each.

    #1: No big deal! I'll just quick write all the words on the inside of my hand and peek at it when the teacher's not looking. Although, I'm not sure if my hand's big enough to fit "hippopotamus."
    #2: I'm not worried because I sit by that nerdy, smart kid. I'll just tell him to let me look at his answers or I'll punch him in the nose after school!
    #3: Oh man, I can't believe I forgot! I guess I'll just have to study the words over recess and hope for the best! Next time I better remember to study!

    Ask the child to indicate which one of the three people stood out from the others by shining the flashlight on the hat that person wore. Explain the following:

    The person who stood out and let his light shine was the one who refused to cheat or beat up a nerd, even if it meant he didn't get a good grade on his spelling test.

    If the child guessed correctly, give him/her a piece of candy as his/her first valuable prize.

6. Have the child read card #3 out loud. ("3. You're at a friend's house. He just a brand new video game and wants you to play it with him, but it's a video game that your mom already told you you're not allowed to play. What do you do?) As before, read each of the reactions below, wearing a different hat and speaking in a different voice for each.

    #1: Oh, man, that looks awesome! But my mom told me that I'm not old enough to play that one yet. How about we play the football one again? I've got to show you my new touchdown dance!
    #2: A game where you get to fight zombie monsters with a boomerang made of fire? That's the coolest thing I've ever seen! Let's play!
     #3: Look, my mom said that I couldn't play this game. So here's what we'll do: we'll play it, and if she asks us what games we played, we'll say "Barbie Horse Adventures" and "Elmo's Super Fun Clean-Your-Room" game.

    Ask the child to indicate which one of the three people stood out from the others by shining the flashlight on the hat that person wore. Explain the following:

    The person who stood out and let his light shine was the one who obeyed his mother, even when he really wanted to play the cool new zombie monster video game with a boomerang made of fire.

    If the child guessed correctly, give him/her a piece of candy as his/her first valuable prize. Play track 3 on the Lesson Resource CD, and invite your volunteer to return to his/her seat.

7. Blow out all but one of the candles. Pick up the candle that is still lit, and explain the following:

    Jesus said that we are the light of the world. We're supposed to let our light shine in front of others, to do good things and obey God. And when they see us obey God, they'll notice that we're different and want to know more about God.

    Think about this candle. It'd be a lot easier for the candle to be dark. It wouldn't have to walk around with it's head on fire! It wouldn't have to be so hot.  And it wouldn't slowly melt away. It could be just like all those other candles over there, sitting in the dark, living an easy life, doing whatever it wanted.

    But look how this little candle stands out in the dark. There are a bunch of candles over there in the dark, but the only candle you can see is this one because it's letting it's light shine. It is standing out, it's different.

    We're a bit like candles. Sometimes it seems easier to do the wrong thing. It's easier to laugh along with everyone else at the kid who fell off his bike. It's easier to find a way to cheat on a spelling test than to spend time studying. And it's easier to play all the cool new games that our friends are playing instead of listening to our mom.

    But, by obeying God and letting our light shine, we'll stand out just like this candle. People will notice something different in us, and will want to learn about God.