Bible Explorers Gospels Lesson 3

This is lesson 3 in our journey through the Gospels chronologically. This will likely take 3 years to complete, teaching weekly through the school year. The material is geared for elementary age kids. Each lesson will have a list of Scripture references, materials, introduction, object lessons, and hands on activities. Most lessons can be completed in 1- 1.5 hours. A few may need more than one class time. New lessons will be posted weekly. The posts will not have pictures because I will not be posting pictures of other people’s children. At the end of each school year, a printed version of the curriculum will be made available for purchase. This will include an appendix with printouts, game pieces, and other classroom helps.

Lesson 3: Light and Word

 Scripture references:

John 1:1-14

Materials:

Bible

Whiteboard and markers

Flashlight

Prism

Black Lights and objects that glow under them

Pictures/videos of nature in ultraviolet light

Florescent or glow in the dark art materials

Introduction:

1.    Read John 1:1-3. Discuss the Greek words and their definitions.

2.   Discuss how we know these verses are speaking of Jesus.

3.   Read John 1:4-14. Remember that God spoke everything into being at creation.

Beginning: Arche- “An act or cause” in Greek. In Genesis the word for beginning meant “The first or chief”

Colossians 1:16-18, Revelation 1:8, 3:14, 21:6, and 22:13 (Alpha and Omega. Beginning and end of the Greek alphabet)

 Word: Logos- To speak intelligently. Intelligence, word as the expression of intelligence. The act of speaking and the thing spoken.

This is the only time John uses this description for Jesus. We know it is speaking of God because it is capitalized and because of the context.

 Light: Phos/Photos- to shine

Activities

Object Lesson 1: Scattered Darkness

Purpose- To show what light does to darkness and to introduce spiritual light

1.    Use a flashlight to show what happens to the darkness when you introduce light.

2.   Discuss light in the beginning. Talk about the difference between physical light and spiritual light. (Jesus didn’t glow)

Object Lesson 2: Physical Light

Purpose- learning about physical light

1.     Use a prism to show light in the visible spectrum.

2.     Discuss: What types of light are not in the visible spectrum? What are they used for? 

Object Lesson 3: Ultraviolet Light

Purpose- to show that there things not naturally visible to our eyes

1.     Set up black lights.

2.     Show different things that glow under black light. God created details in creation that are seen in the right light. There are things in us that are made visible when The Light shines on our lives.

3.     Show pictures and videos of details in nature seen only in ultraviolet light.

Note: if you aren’t able to use black lights, just show the pictures and videos to the kids.

 Hands on Activity: Glowing Word Art

Purpose- to reinforce the Greek words for light and word in a fun way.

1.    Use florescent or glow in the dark art materials to illustrate the Greek words for Light and Word.

If you have black lights set up, use florescent materials. If not, use glow in the dark paint.