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LIGHT
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7
Lakeview Villages Bible Study 2012
Sessions C,D,E,Night Owl
Table of Contents
Daily Overview ………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Monday (Shines) ………………………………………………………………………….. 4
Tuesday (Attracts) .…………………………………………………………………………. 6
Wednesday (Comforts) ………………………………………………………………… 8
Thursday (Guides) …………………………………………………………………………. 10
Friday (Protects) …………………………………………………………………………. 12
Daily Overview
Monday – God’s Light Shines. Jesus is the Light of the World. He was sent into the darkness of sin by the Father. He was to shine and let all men know what glories lie in His Father’s kingdom. We, too, are to be lights to world. Our job is to show the truth of Christ’s resurrection and lead others to the wonder of His light.
Tuesday – God’s Light Attracts. God’s light attracts us to His Word. In His Word we hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From that Gospel we gain hope. We are drawn in to that hope, by God’s attractive light. We should also work to draw others into the Light of God.
Wednesday – God’s Light Comforts. We all want peace and comfort in our lives. God’s light, Jesus Christ, gives us that. Through God’s promise of eternal life through His son’s death and resurrection, we are given peace. We can be comforted in knowing that God is with us, and is waiting for us to be with Him in Heaven.
Thursday – God’s Light Guides. God’s Word is a “lamp unto our feet”. With His Word and the Holy Spirit, God guides us each and every day through our lives. We don’t have to walk in darkness, because God has given us His son, Jesus, as a light and an example.
Friday – God’s Light Protects. God promises to protect us from the Darkness of sin. Although we will encounter the darkness, He gives us His Word, that we might have a defense against sin and the Devil. We must only pray and rely on His Word to keep us safe in His kingdom.
Monday
God’s Light Shines
Campers will be able to describe how God’s light shines in and through them.
Campers will decorate cabin light bulbs to display in the Main Lodge.
Verses to mark: Matthew 5:14-16, John 1:5
You will need: Sharpie
Light bulb
Bibles
Notes: suggested/possible answers will be in parentheses ( ) and italicized.
Open with Prayer
Introduce
Light has many purposes.
What are some main uses of light?
One of the main uses of light is to shine.
Why might you need a light to shine well?
What might happen if the light doesn’t shine well?
This week we are going to be examining the uses of light. We are, more specifically, going to be looking at how God uses light for His purposes. Today we are going to focus on how God shines!
Teach
Let’s read John 1:1-5 together. John is writing about God’s light.
Who is the light shining in the darkness? Who was it that was sent into the darkness to shine before men? (Jesus)
God sent his son, Jesus, into the world to be a light to men in the midst of their darkness.
What does the darkness represent in this passage? (sin)
Darkness is something that surrounds all of us.
What are some things in your life that could be keeping you in the dark?
But God sent Jesus. Why? Why did Jesus have to come to Earth to be “a light to men”? (to give us the light, or salvation from our sins)
Jesus is the word of God, the life and light. And he was especially effective in shining God’s light through that word. But God did not mean for the light to be spread only by the words and actions of Jesus. No. He had other plans.
Let’s read Matthew 5:14-16 together. Jesus is speaking in this passage; focus on whom He is talking to and what he wants those people to do.
Jesus gives two examples of lights…a lamp on a lamp stand and a city on a hill. What is similar between those two? (they are both in very visible places)
Who is Jesus talking to about these lights? Does that seem weird to you? That God’s son is calling US the light of the world? Why do you think he is doing that?
How does God want us to be like the city on the hill and the lamp on a stand?
Let’s look again at verse 16. Jesus tells us why he calls us the light of the world. He tells us the purpose for God shining through us.
So? Why DO we shine? (so that others may see the good God does and praise our Father in Heaven.)
Apply
God gives us tremendous responsibility when Jesus called us the “Light of the world”. He gave us the purpose of spreading the Gospel to all people. He wants us to be a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand. He wants us to be visible!
What are some things we can do to be that light of God? How can we spread the light of Christ’s death and resurrection?
Is it always easy to light up a room? What about a room without electricity?
Will it always be easy to spread God’s light?
It wasn’t for Jesus. Jesus had to give up his life for the sake of being a light to world. It won’t always be easy. We will run into hard times. But we can stay strong by remembering the example we have in Christ, and how much good can be done in the LIGHT.
Activity
We’re going to write our names on this light bulb, and display them in the main lodge. When we see our bulb and everyone else’s bulbs lit up we can remember the light of Christ that shines through us.
Pray
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus as a light in our darkness. His life was given as a sacrifice for our sins. Help us to use your word to shine the light of Christ to all people. Keep us strong in you, and faithful in your blessings. Amen.
Tuesday
God’s Light Attracts
Campers will be able to describe how God’s light is a force that attracts.
Campers will decorate attractive magnets to share that attract people to God’s Word.
Verses to mark: 2 Peter 1:19, John 3:19-21
You will need: Markers
Magnets
Bibles
Notes: suggested/possible answers will be in parentheses ( ) and italicized.
Open with Prayer
Introduce
Think of a light shining at night. What is usually flying around that light? Why do the bugs stay so close to that source of light?
They’re attracted to it, right? They are drawn in to the light.
Other things are drawn to light also. In a forest, trees compete for light. The only way to survive is to get to the light. So that is why you see trees bent in some weird positions.
What types of things are you drawn to? Why?
Teach
We are all attracted to many things throughout our life. Sometimes the things we are drawn to the most are the least reliable.
What is an example of something we are drawn to that won’t last very long? (food, popular trends, etc.)
Although those things fade away, there is one thing we can be attracted to that will last forever. Let’s read 2 Peter 1:19 together.
Peter writes, “and you will do well to pay attention to [the word], as to a light shining in a dark place…” Imagine walking through a dark tunnel and you see a light at the other end. What would the benefit be of paying attention to the light? (it would lead you out of the dark tunnel)
So if the Word of God is like a “light shining in a dark place”, then why does Peter day we should pay attention to it? (God’s word will lead us out of the darkness or out of sin)
Just like the light at the end of the tunnel was attractive to us, God’s Word is a light in the darkness. It, according to Peter, is good to be drawn towards God’s Word, the light.
But not everyone is attracted to the Light. Let’s read John 3:19-21 together.
Who is the Light? The Darkness?
Why might some people hate the light?
Why do Christians love the light? What is the reward for being in the Light?
Apply
God’s Word is like an attractive light shining in the darkness of sin. When we pay attention to it, we are drawn to the fact that God gave us an amazing gift. What was that gift?
What are some ways we can show God that we are drawn to Him?
What are some things we see happen in our lives when we are fully drawn into the Light?
How can we act as lights to attract others to Christ? In which situations can we show the light of God to others?
Activity
We going to design attractive magnets that you can share with others. The point of the magnets is to draw others into the Word of God.
Pray
Dear Jesus, Thank you for coming into this world to be the Light of God. Thank you for drawing us in to you and giving us a way out of the darkness of sin. Help us to share your radiant light with others, that they might know the wonders of your love. In your name we pray, Amen.
Wednesday
God’s Light Comforts
Campers will be able to describe how God’s light is a comfort to His people.
Campers will create a poster showing their faces basking in the comfort of God’s light.
Verses to mark: Psalm 4:6-8, Numbers 6:24-26, Luke 2:13-14
You will need: Markers
Poster Board
Bibles
Notes: suggested/possible answers will be in parentheses ( ) and italicized.
Open with Prayer
Introduce
How many of you have ever been to a beach in the summer time? Or laid in the grass on a nice sunny day?
How was it? What do you remember about that time?
How did the warmth from the sun make you feel? Did it comfort you?
What other things in your life give you comfort? Why?
Today we’re going to take a look at a couple of places where God gives His people comfort.
Teach
What do you know about the Israelites?
Who was their leader while they were in the desert? Let’s read Numbers 6:24-26 together. Pay attention to what Moses asks of God.
Have you heard this before? Where? (the benediction at church) That’s right. The benediction at church. The Pastor at the end of each service is asking the same thing Moses is asking for the Israelites.
What is it that Moses asked for? (for God to bless them and shine His face on them)
Why did Moses want God to turn His face towards the Israelites and shine? (the light of God’s face can give peace and comfort)
God’s face shines like the sun in this blessing. Remember when you laid in the grass on a sunny day? The sun warmed your face and gave you peace and made you comfortable. That is the wish that Moses want for the Israelites. But Moses doesn’t just want peace and comfort for the Israelites so that can nap in the grass. What does he want peace from? Why do the Israelites need comforted? (they are wandering the desert without any idea of when they will be done wandering, they feel alone, they are hungry and thirsty, etc.)
God delivered his comforting light, and worked through Moses and Aaron to keep peace amongst the Israelites.
But the Israelites weren’t the only people to ask for God’s comforting light. David also knew there was something comforting about the light of God. Let’s read Psalm 4:6-8 together.
This was a song written by David to God. What was David asking for?
David wanted the peace and joy that comes from the light of God. He was comforted in knowing that the light of God was shining in him, giving him peace, safety and joy.
Apply
Have there ever been times in your life when you especially needed God’s comforting light? Feel free to share a time.
We all have times now and then when we need God’s peace in extra quantities. That is why it is such a special gift to feel the light of God in our lives. God gave us another amazing gift that brings us peace. Let’s read Luke 2:13-14 to find out about that source of peace.
Who were the angels talking about in this passage? (Jesus)
Jesus Christ is our source of comfort and peace. Why do you think we get so much comfort from Jesus? (he saved us, he loves us, God gave him as a gift, anybody who would die for you, should be pretty comforting, etc.)
Christ was sacrificed so that we might live eternally in the comforting light of God’s face.
Activity
We’re going to each draw a representation of our face on this poster. It will hang in the Main Lodge so that when we see it throughout the week we will be reminded of God’s peace shining down on us like warm sun on our faces.
Pray
Heavenly Father, Thank you for the blessings you give us each and every day. Give us peace and comfort, knowing that through your love and sacrifice we have been given the gift of eternal life with you. Bless us this week as we share the comfort of your Word with others. Amen.
Thursday
God’s Light Guides
Campers will be able to describe how God’s light is a guide for His people.
Campers will write how God guides them on a footprint.
Verses to mark: Psalm 119:105, Exodus 13:21-22, John 8:12
You will need: Markers
Construction Paper
Scissors
Bibles
Notes: suggested/possible answers will be in parentheses ( ) and italicized.
Open with Prayer
Introduce:
How many of you have tried to walk somewhere in the dark?
Was it hard for you? How did it make you feel?
What do you think would have made that walk easier for you?
How many of you brought a flashlight to camp? A flashlight might have made your walk in the dark a little easier.
Today we are going to look at how God’s light helps us to see in the dark.
Teach
Let’s read Psalm 119:105 together.
In this verse, how did God use His light?
Why do you think the author of this psalm thought it was important that his feet and path be lit? Do you think he really meant an actual path made of stone or dirt? What path do you think he was talking about?
Without light we are left in the dark. How is God’s Word a light to our path?
The Gospel is proclaimed in God’s Word. We’re given the good news that Christ died for us. Our feet have light and our path is clear. Whose path do think we are supposed to follow?
God has guided His people along the path of righteousness from the very beginning. Let’s read Exodus 13:21-22 and see how God let the Israelites.
How was God a light to the people? (God guided His people by fire and a cloud)
God led His people by a physical, light-producing fire. God doesn’t always guide us in such physical ways, though. However, He does give us examples of how to follow His path. God gave us an example on Earth to follow. His name is Jesus Christ. Jesus talked many times about how the only way to eternal life with God is by following Him. About letting Him be our guide. We are going to read an instance from John which talks about following Him.
Let’s read John 8:12 together.
What does Jesus say will happen if we follow Him?
Jesus says we will never walk in Darkness. But do you think that means we will never be in darkness or sin?
Sometimes we might sin or stumble along the path, but if we ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, He will right our path and give us the “light of life” that Jesus talks about in John.
What is the light of Life? (the light that leads the way to eternal life, the gospel of Jesus)
Apply
What are some ways that God guides us out of the darkness each day?
Where and when have you seen God’s guiding light in your life?
We don’t HAVE to walk in the darkness of sin. We can walk in the well-lit path of God. The path of life, because of the guiding light that God has given us through Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Activity
We will each write a way in our life that God guides us into His light and life on a footprint cutout
Pray
Dear God, Thank you for the guidance you give us each and every day. And for the well-lit path out of darkness and sin. Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son Jesus, which washed away our sin and showed us the path to eternal life with you. We pray that Holy Spirit guide us in our lives and show us the way to walk in your light. In your name we pray, Amen.
Friday
God’s Light Protects
Campers will be able to describe how God’s light protects His people.
Verses to mark: Romans 13:12, Ephesians 6:10-13
You will need: Book Marks
Bibles
Notes: suggested/possible answers will be in parentheses ( ) and italicized.
Open with Prayer
Introduce
What are some feelings you have when you are completely surrounded by darkness?
What if there was a little light let in? How would you feel? Would you feel safer?
What are some things in your life that make you feel safe? Why?
If you had a choice, would you choose to be vulnerable or protected?
Today we are going to take a look at how God’s light offers us protection from the surrounding darkness, and how we should use that protection in our lives.
Teach
Let’s read Romans 13:12 together.
Paul tells us it is time to put on the armor of light to protect from darkness. According to Paul, what is the light? (God, salvation) What is the darkness? (sin, the devil, the world around us)
So what does Paul mean by “put on” the armor of light?
Why does he call it armor?
All of this talk of armor reminds of something I’ve read about armor. Have you ever heard anything else about armor in the Bible?
Yes! The armor of God. That’s in Ephesians. Let’s read Ephesians 6:10-13 together.
What does God give us? Why does He give it?
How does it make you feel when you read that there is darkness of sin all around you?
How do those feelings change when you remember that you have suited with the armor of God?
If your feelings changed, why do you think that is?
God instills confidence and comfort in us by promising to protect us against sin, death and the Devil. He gives us the armor of His Light or the Word of Christ’s death and resurrection for our salvation. The Greek word used in Romans for “light” is “φωτος” (foe-toss). This word is sometimes used for the word “fire”. Fire itself helps protect, but fire also has another meaning in the Bible.
Do you know what fire usually represents in the New Testament? Think about what happened on Pentecost. What appeared above the disciples’ heads? (tongues of fire)
Those tongues of fire were the Holy Spirit in those men. So if God gives us the armor of fire or light, who does He send to protect us?(the Holy Spirit)
God sends the Holy Spirit to protect us every day by guiding our decisions and actions in the path of God’s protecting Light.
Apply
How can we be sure to keep the protection strong when we leave camp? (read the Bible, sing songs, share with others, etc.)
Even when things get tough or scary, we can turn to God for protection.
Activity
I have bookmarks here that a few Bible verses on them. We can turn to God’s Word when we need protection from the darkness. Here are some places to start, but there are blanks for you to add particularly helpful verses.
Pray
Heavenly Protector, Thank you for your gift of Light each and every day. Thank you for your protection and guidance from the darkness of sin, death, and the Devil. Help us to not be afraid in the face of darkness, but to remember we have your armor. We have the hope of eternal life with you, because of your gift of Christ’s death and resurrection. Help us as we leave camp to remember you are with us and to share the good news of your love and protection to others. Amen.