Activate Your Faith! - Connect To The Source

Ahead of time, unscrew the bulbs from a strand of C7 or C9 Christmas lights. Keep the wire strand at the front of the room. Give each student a light bulb at the start of the lesson and ask them to hold onto it very carefully. 

Challenge the students to try to make the bulb shine in different ways – hold it higher, hold it in your fist and think hard or smile big, turn it upside down, shake it, etc. Demonstrate this for them in exaggerated fashion. 

Ask: Why is the light bulb not doing what is was made to do? (Guide them to the fact that the light bulb must have a source; it cannot shine on its own.)

Read: Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built 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 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.”

Say: God wants us to shine our lights for him in the world. But just like a light bulb is not able to shine light on its own even though it was created for that very purpose, we also cannot shine the Light of Jesus unless we are connected to the source – Him! We have to connect ourselves to the source of power, who is Jesus. 

How can we connect to Jesus? We simply choose to follow him. This means saying we’re sorry for the times we haven’t lived the way he would want us to, accepting his gift of forgiveness, and choosing to follow him with our lives. When we connect to Jesus in this way, we are filled with his light that will shine through us to others. We no longer walk in darkness, but we walk in his light!

Make space for students to respond to this opportunity to choose to follow Jesus, whether for the first time today or as a renewal of their faith decision. Have them bring their light bulb to the front and connect it to the strand (the source of power) as a symbol of connecting to Jesus as their source of power. 

Optional: Substitute the bulbs for glow-in-the-dark stars. Charge them up with light and they’re ready to shine!

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Activate Your Faith! - God Is Light

Start this lesson in the dark (the darker the better). As time allows, ask students to complete certain tasks for you (sort the crayons by colour, count a small stack of bills, find a hidden item, etc.) 

Ask: Was it hard to complete the tasks I gave you? (Yes, because it’s too dark. We can’t see anything!)

Turn on a flashlight. Would it help if I gave you this? 

Repeat the tasks again and discuss how much easier it was with some light. 

Ask one of the students to read 1 John 1:5, using the flashlight to help:“God is Light. In Him there is no darkness at all!”

Say: This verse says that there can be no darkness at all in God. He is pure light! When we have Jesus in our lives, the bible says that darkness disappears. Darkness cannot take over the light that comes from him!

It’s actually more like this! (Turn on the full overhead lights in the room.) Discuss how now there is no sign of darkness at all!

Read John 8:12. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Say: As we choose to follow Jesus, he fills us with his light. And that light always takes over the darkness!

Let me show you what I mean…

Activity: Fill one clear cup with water and use food colouring to colour it dark blue/purple, and fill a second cup with vegetable oil. Add the water to a plastic water bottle or mason jar to represent the darkness. Then add the oil, representing God’s light. Point out that 1) the light takes over the darkness - it comes out on top, and 2) the two (darkness and light) can’t mix. Even shake the bottle gently and watch as the light rises to the surface every time!

Optional: Order “Jesus is the Light of the World” light switch plate covers (HERE) for kids to colour with permanent markers to take home. Encourage them to remember that Jesus is their light every time they turn on the lights!

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Activate Your Faith! - Light Bearers!

Try this sweet experiment with your students to teach them about being a light bearer for Jesus!

Give students a few wintergreen life savers each. Turn off all the lights and cover the windows if necessary to make the room completely dark. In pairs, have students watch each other bite the lifesaver in half. They should see tiny blue sparks of light coming from the candy! For a better look at the sparks inside the candy, have students form small groups and place a cluster of three life savers on the floor or a table, and crush them with the bottom of a glass cup which should act like a lens. 

Say: Wow! Did you see those blue sparks? They were coming from inside the life savers! Who knew there would be lights inside our candy?!

Did you know that God puts a spark of light inside of us, too, when we choose to follow him? Listen to what the bible says about that!

Read 2 Corinthians 4:6:  “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”

He makes his light shine in us, and we become light-bearers for Jesus! We become his lights in the world! 

Ask: What are some ways we can be lights in our neighbourhoods this week? 

Give students a small package of life savers to bring home to help them share this truth with others. 

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Charge Up Your Gifts! - Kid's Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Ahead of time, wrap 11 small boxes as gifts and label them with “serving, faith, wisdom, proclaiming, evangelizing, teaching, mercy, leading, managing, giving, encouraging”, one word per box. Put all the boxes in a gift bag with tissue paper like a present.  

Show the kids the gift bag and make a big deal of how special it is.

Say:  Did you know that God has given everyone who chooses to follow him a special gift? He places it inside our hearts when we become his children. These gifts should be used to honour God and to bless and encourage others!

Using this guide, explain the various types of spiritual gifts. 

Say: Listen to what the Bible says about these gifts:

Read: 2 Timothy 1:6-7 “…Help God’s gift grow, just as a small spark grows into a fire. God put his gift in you when I placed my hands on you. 7 God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves."

1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”

Say: Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what gift we might have that we should use to serve others. Once we figure out what our gifts are, we can figure out how to use it!  In small groups, spend time completing a kids spiritual gifts assessment together. Read each question and have kids fill in the numbers according to the scale given. Discuss the results and brainstorm ways kids can use the gifts they have been given. 

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Charge Up Your Gifts! - Fan The Flame

If your location allows, take students outside for a campfire (using a backyard fire bowl if you’re not at a camp location) for this teaching time. Don’t have the fire already lit when students arrive, but let them watch you start it and fan it into flame. 

As you get the fire started, point out that it all started with a tiny spark from the lighter, that then grew into a flame, and then into a large fire. Share that one key to getting the fire to grow big was to fan the spark into a flame, and then continuing to fan the small flame into a bigger and bigger one, making the fire (and the light!) grow. 

Read: 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV) “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 

Another translation of the Bible says it this way “…Help God’s gift grow, just as a small spark grows into a fire. God put his gift in you when I placed my hands on you. God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.”

Also Read 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”

God puts his light, and his gifts, in us! It’s our job to help that light and those gifts and talents grow as we use them to serve others and point them to Jesus. As we use our gifts and shine our lights, God’s light grows brighter and brighter in us, and our gifts grow, too!

Ask: What are some of the gifts we have and how can grow them bigger and bigger and shine brighter and brighter for Jesus? (Staying close to Jesus, asking for his help, finding out what our gifts are, using our gifts to serve others and honour God - ask for specific ideas based on students’ gifts and talents, etc.)

Invite students to (carefully) light a long sparkler from the fire (or use the lighter if you have shorter sparklers). Point out that the tiny spark grows into a brilliant display of light as it grows, just like the spark God places in our lives!

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Charge Up Your Gifts! - It Only Takes a Spark

Remind (or introduce) students of the fact that they have all been given unique gifts and abilities  by God and that these are to be used to honour him and to help others. 

Read 1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”

Say: Everyone has a gift given to them for sure! But not all the gifts are the same. Some people are good at teaching in front of a crowd, and others at organizing behind the scenes. Some are very outgoing are able to easily talk to others about Jesus, others are quiet but committed to praying every day for their friends. Some are excellent helpers, and others are extra kind and compassionate, showing mercy to their friends. Some are amazing at including other people and welcoming others to their tables, their homes, etc. and others are super wise and can lead a whole team of people! And we also all have different talents, personalities and experiences! 

All these gifts are special, but they are definitely not all the same! But each one is equally important! Sometimes we might find ourselves wishing we had a gift or talent that someone else has, but we need to remember that God has placed us and our gifts exactly where he needs us to be, so we can shine right where we are!

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 27: “There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given to believers by the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. There are different ways the Spirit works. But the same God is working in all these ways and in all people.All the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives gifts to each person, just as he decides. You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.”

The beautiful thing is that we can work together to use our gifts. Each gift might be like a tiny spark of light on its own, but when we put them together they can make a huge difference in sharing God’s light in the world.

Give each student a battery operated tea light. Turn off the lights in the room and have them light up their tea light one at a time, as they list a gift or talent they might have and one way they can use it to serve others. As each person shares and lights their candle, point out how much more light is growing in the room. Encourage students to keep shining their lights and looking for ways to use their gifts for Jesus.

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Shine Your Light! - Bring Out The God Colours

Say: Today we’ve been learning all about God’s light, how he places it inside us as a spark that can grow into a huge flame. When this happens, we become his lights in the world, and he wants to use you and me to shine his light in the world. When we shine his light, we help remove the darkness, and we point the way to Jesus!

Read Matthew 5:14-16 together from the Message translation:  “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

Work together to make bracelets using UV beads (amazon.ca) and gimp, leather or string. Have the kids string the beads onto twine, ribbon or narrow leather. Tie the ends together and place the bracelet on the wrist.  

Ask: How would you describe your bracelet?  Now, take a quick trip outside in the sunlight. Surprisingly, the beads will change colour when they come in contact with the light! Ask kids to describe their bracelet again.  

Say: Jesus tells us that we should let our light shine on others. That means our lives should reflect Him and show others His love through our actions and our words. When we do that, people will see that we are changed by Jesus and will give Him glory. 

Ask: What are some ways we can “bring out the God colours in the world” this week by reflecting Jesus in our actions and our words? How can we shine his light so others can see it and want to know Jesus, too? 

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Shine Your Light! - Shine Like Stars

Read: Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A town built 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 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.”

Read: Philippians 2:15: “…you will shine among them like stars in the sky…”

Work together to complete the “Let Your Light Shine” handout (available here) to help students think about how they can use the specific personality traits, talents, interests, and abilities God has given them to shine like stars and show others the love and light of Christ. 

Challenge them to put their ideas into action this week. 

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Shine Your Light! - Spotlight Word Search

Read: Philippians 2:15 “…you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Say: God doesn’t leave us alone as we try and live for him in the world, shining his light out for others to see. The light of his Word, the Bible, will guide us each and every step of the way. Let’s work together to find some verses from the Bible that can help us every day as we remember some of God’s many promises to us!

Put students in small groups and give a Bible and a flashlight to each group. If you have enough volunteers, it’s helpful if you can have a teen/adult leader with each group. Turn off all the lights and have teams working with flashlights to look up the Bible verses you call out the reference for. Once they’ve found the verse, they should run to the front to turn on a battery operated candle. The team that turns on the candle reads the verse and scores a point for their team!

Be sure and highlight a main point from the verse each time!

Use these suggested verses, or add some of your own to the list:

• Joshua 1:9 (God is always with us wherever we go!)
• Proverbs 3:5 (God can be trusted!)
• James 1:17 (Good things come from God!)
• Psalm 136:1 (God’s love is dependable and lasts forever!)
• Ephesians 4:32 (We should be kind and forgiving, following the example of Jesus!)
• John 3:16 (God loved us so much that He sacrificed His only son to save us from our own sins. This is true love!)
• Jeremiah 29:11 (God has a plan for your life!)
• Luke 6:31 (Let’s be careful how we treat one another!)
• Isaiah 41:10 (God will help us!)
• Galatians 6:9 (Doing the right thing isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it!)
• 1 John 1:9 (If we are sorry for our sins, God forgives us and makes us clean!)

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A Spark Blessing

Pray this blessing from Numbers 6:24-26 over each student, individually if time allows, or as a group before your session ends.  If you are able to do it individually, insert each child’s name the 1st, 3rd and 5th time the word “you” is used, and their pronoun on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th time, or add their name to the beginning of the passage.

[Jason, ] “The Lord bless you    

and keep you;

the Lord make his face SHINE on you    

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”

———

“The Lord bless [Jason]    

and keep [him];

the Lord make his face SHINE on [Jason]

and be gracious to [him];

the Lord turn his face toward [Jason]

and give [him] peace.”

Light Chaser!

Supplies: Flashlight, dark room.

Play this game in a dark space, such as your church gym with the lights turned off. Give one person a flashlight and assign them the role of the “shiner”, and assign a second person to be the “caller”.  On your go, everyone should scatter throughout the room, including both the shiner and the caller. After everyone has scattered, the caller should yell “Shine Your Light!” at which point the shiner turns on the flashlight. Everyone in the room runs to the light as quickly as they can. The last to arrive becomes the shiner for the next round. If your group is large, play rounds in categories (everyone with a birthday in the winter for this round; everyone who ate cereal or toast for breakfast now, everyone wearing blue, etc). Play several rounds.

Read John 8:12 together, pointing out that Jesus is the Light of the World and we should always be running to him and drawing close to him!, OR Matthew 5:14-16, pointing out that when we shine our lights for Jesus, other people are drawn to him and want to know about him too!

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Spark Ring Toss!

Supplies: Six orange plastic safety cones (write the words “let” “your” “light” “shine” “for” “Jesus” on the cones ahead of time), glow in the dark necklaces.

With lights dimmed, line the cones up in three rows (3 cones in the first row, 2 in the second, 1 in the third, so that “Let your light shine for Jesus!” is readable. Place a marker for students to stand behind, and give each student a glow in the dark necklace. 

Divide the students into two teams. Each team takes turns back and forth tossing their rings to see if they can get their ring around the cone. Give two points for a full ring and one for a ring that is leaning against the cone. See which team can get to 21 first. Read the phrase all together every time a team gets to 21 points.

Have students share a way they can shine their light for Jesus this week at home or school or while with their friends.

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Glow Bowl!

Supplies: Five or ten 2-litre bottles, glow sticks and a couple of soccer balls (glow in the dark if possible).

Decide if you want to play 5 or 10 pin bowling and then fill the right number of 2-litre bottles half full with water.  Crack two glow sticks for each bottle. Set the pins (bottles) up and create a space for the students to bowl. Points are earned as they knock down the pins.

Remind students that when we are filled with God’s light, we can G.L.O.W (Go Light Our World)! Discuss ways they can shine God’s light into dark or difficult places this week.

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Spark Tag!

Supplies: A battery-operated tea light for each student, a room that can be darkened with tripping hazards removed.

Give each student a tea light. Choose one student to be “It”. Have an adult volunteer turn on a tea light and be the base. “It” will sneak around in the dark and tag the other students. When a student is tagged, they will turn their light on and stand with the adult in the middle of the room.

When finished, have those who were tagged share a way they can shine their light for Jesus this week at home or school or while with their friends.

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Fireworks Display

Supplies: Fireworks, outdoor space.

If your event is held in the evening, arrange to have a fireworks display finish off the night (remember to check local requirements and laws for fireworks displays and secure the necessary permits). 

If you have a daytime event, invite families back to your church for a Spark Party the following week and have a fireworks display as the grand finale!

 

Spark Art! 

Supplies: Paper plate, toilet paper roll, scissors, paper, paint, google eyes and glue 

Using one end of a toilet paper roll, cut narrow slits up the roll about two inches long all the way around. Once cut, press down so that the slits extend out from the uncut end of the roll. Pour paint onto the centre of a paper plate. Dip the slits of the toilet paper roll onto the paint. Using the slits as a stamp, press them up and down, over and over in the centre of your paper to create a fuzzy spark shape. Continue stamping until the centre of the “Spark” is filled and the edges are fuzzy. Allow to dry and add two google eyes. 

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Pompom Spark! 

Supplies: Pompom template (image below), yarn (chunky yarn creates a larger pompom, finer yarn creates a smaller pompom), scissors, google eyes, glue, hairbrush (optional)  

Cut the pompom template (image below) out of a cardboard box to ensure the stability of the template. Holding the uncut end of the template with one hand, wrap yarn around the middle of the template until you have a bulge of yarn. Feed another piece of yarn into the middle of your template and around both sides of the yarn. Pull tight and tie a tight knot. Slide yarn off the template and then cut the looped ends. Fluff your pompom and trim ends, as necessary. (Optional: brush the ends of your yarn with a hairbrush to fluff the pom pom.) Glue two google eyes onto the pompom to finish your Spark Pompom. 

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Perler Bead Sparks! 

Supplies: Perler (meltable) beads in yellow, black and white, plastic bead boards, spark template (download here), parchment paper, iron, adult helpers 

Give each student a Perler bead plastic board and a Spark charter template. Following the pattern provided, make a multi-pointed spark with two eyes in the middle. When they have finished placing their beads, have them carefully bring them to an adult who will cover them with parchment paper and iron until they melt together. Remove from the plastic template, turn over, cover with paper and iron the second side. 

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Spark Night Light! 

Supplies: Plastic milk bottles (opaque) with lids, glow sticks (white if possible), permanent coloured markers, and water.

Give each student a plastic bottle. Encourage them to write Matthew 5:16 NiRV (“Let your light shine so others can see it!”) on the bottle and draw an image of something they want to remember about being a light for Jesus. Fill the bottles with water. Give each student a white glow stick (or two) and have them crack the sticks, place in bottle, and seal the lid when they are ready to do their evening devotions or when they are getting ready for bed. 

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Shining Stars! 

Supplies: Paper bags, 12-point star pattern on other side of card, hole punches, pencils, coloured markers, and battery-operated tea lights.  

Give each student a paper bag. Have them mark on their bag a 12-point star (see image below for example) on the upper portion of their bag. Use the hole punch to punch evenly spaced holes along the lines of their star. Encourage students to write Philippians 2:15 CEV “Try to shine as lights among the people of this world!” on the bags. Give each student a battery-operated tea light to place in their bag.

Light It Up! (Download Kids Worship)

In the beginning You were here
You are the Light the darkness fears
We are awakened by the Son
And now Your power shines in us

It can’t be overcome
The Light inside of us
We’re bold and brave
And fearless

You are the Light of the world we sing
I am Your child
Light it up through me

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/dkw-light-it-up-114475

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Let Your Light Shine! (Hillsong)

Creep, creep, creep in the dark fear comes
To blow out all your lights.
It doesn't want you telling everybody that
Jesus rules, all right!

Let your light shine Whoa
Let your light shine Whoa
Let Your light shine and let Jesus shine through you!

Giant fears are really small
When all you see is God
Don't be afraid to stand up tall
And give a great big shout!

Let your light shine Whoa
Let your light shine Whoa
Let Your light shine and let Jesus shine through you!

I'm not scared, I'm gonna let my light shine!
You're not scared, you're gonna let your light shine!
We're not scared, we're gonna let our light shine!
‘Cause Jesus is Lord, and He's gonna let His light shine!

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/hil-let-your-light-shine-67065

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Shine Your Light! (Download Kids Worship)

In a world that’s lost its way
We’re gonna lift up Jesus’ name
We’re gonna share the truth we know
That our God saves

So everybody shout it
And everybody lift your hands
We’re gonna spin around
And celebrate what we’ve found

We’re gonna shine your light
In the darkest night
We’re gonna shine the light, the light of Jesus
We’re gonna shine your light
And we will not hide
We’re gonna shine the light, the light of Jesus

Set a fire in us today
May we never be the same
We’re gonna share the truth we know
That our God saves

We won’t hide it now
We will let is show
We shine for You!
So this world can say
Your love can set us free
We shine for You!

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/dkw-shine-your-light-113986

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You're The Light! (Hillsong)

Not marchin' to the beat of my own drum
I listen out for the rhythm of the risen Son

No telling where I'd end up without Thee
So I listen for the heavenly melody

You're the lightGod in my life
Shine through meBoth day and night

For such a time as this may my life burn bright
To the heavens Your love is reaching up Lord
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies

I'm pressin' on to reach the end of the race God
You're calling me to win the heavenly prize

Gonna shine this light
Shine it out for You

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/hil-you-re-the-light-66995

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Light Of Salvation! (Shout Praises Kids)

Who's dancing, who's singing?
Who's living a life for the living?
We are, we are, we're shining the light of salvation!
Who's running, who's loving?
Who's breaking the doors wide open?
We are, we are, we're shining the light of salvation!

All around the world you hear
Now is the time break the chains
And hold them high, hold them high
We were meant for such a time as this
To make a difference in the world we live
Now we live

Old has turned to something new and beautiful
Broken dreams are coming true
They're coming true
We were meant for such a time as this
To make a difference in the world we live
Now we live

Hey hey hey hey
We're shining the light of salvation
Hey hey hey hey
We're shining the light of salvation

We have made our choice, we are
We are a generation with one voice to shout
Of Your salvation

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/spk-light-of-salvation-43153

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This Little Light Of Mine! (Children’s Ministry Deals)

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Hide it from my friends (NO!) I’m gonna let it shine
Hide it from my friends (NO!) I’m gonna let it shine
Hide it from my friends (NO!) I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Whatcha gonna do with your little light?
Gonna let is shine!

Show it to the world (YEAH!) I’m gonna let it shine
Show it to the world (YEAH!) I’m gonna let it shine
Show it to the world (YEAH!) I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/hkr-this-little-light-of-mine-109618

Spark Rice Krispie Treats!

Supplies: Rice Krispie cereal, margarine, marshmallows, vanilla, yellow melting chocolate discs, candy eyes, star shaped cookie cutter, bowls, cookie sheet.

Make Rice Krispie squares according to package instructions. Spread mixture out on a cookie sheet, working quickly before it hardens. Use the cookie cutter to cut star shaped treats. Once treats have hardened, melt yellow chocolate.  Dip one side of the stars into the yellow chocolate, add two candy eyes to the centre of the star and allow chocolate to harden. Once chocolate is firm enjoy your Spark Rice Krispie Treat!

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Firework Rockets!

Supplies: Wooden skewers, strawberries, marshmallows, and cantaloupe

Fireworks are a wonderful way to light up the night sky! Working with your students make fireworks rocket snacks to remind them of being a light in the world for God. Cut strawberries into three from stem to tip, cut cantaloupe into chunks and try to give one end a circular shape. Place on skewer in this order: cantaloupe with circular cut downward on skewer, strawberry (cutting from stem end), marshmallow, strawberry (middle cut piece), marshmallow, then tip of the strawberry. Enjoy!

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Spark S’mores Cups!

Supplies: Honey graham cereal, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and clear plastic cups or Ziplock baggies.

Give each student a plastic cup or baggie, and have them spoon in honey graham cereal, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.  Enjoy around a (real or pretend) campfire. If you can’t have a campfire, you can still have a campfire snack and allow the students to eat “s’mores” as you remind them that God “fans our gifts into flames” (helps them grow brighter and  brighter) as we use the for Him. Discuss ways they can do that this week as they enjoy the s’mores together.

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Spark Cupcakes!

Supplies: Pre-baked cupcakes, icing, bright coloured food colouring, piping bags, “grass” piping tip (Wilton #233 or #234), edible candy eyes

Bake cupcakes and make icing ahead or as a group. Use the grass piping tip to create an all-over pom pom, spiked effect on the cupcakes. Add edible candy eyes to create a fun Spark character and enjoy!

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Spark Star Fruit!

Supplies: Watermelon, cantaloupe and melon, small star shaped cookie cutters, cutting boards, and a sharp knife (for the adult helper).

Slice the watermelon, cantaloupe, and melon into ½ inch slices. Have your students help cut the melons into stars using the cookie cutters. (Optional: add a piece of each star shaped fruit onto a wooden skewer and serve to your students. You could add a blueberry for more colour in between each piece of fruit.)

Read Philippians 2:15-16 (CEV) together (“Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life!”) and chat about how they can shine for Jesus at school this coming week while you enjoy the snack together.

Spark Starburst Balloons!

Fill gold ‘explosion balloons’, add a large set of google eyes or 5-inch white balloons as eyes with pupils drawn with a black Sharpie, and hang them from the ceiling in your meeting space. If SPARK is being sent home as an ‘in-a-box’ resource, include the supplies to make a Spark starburst balloon decoration at home. Order these balloons at Amazon.ca

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Lighting!

Add some colour with spinning disco ball strobe lights, or by renting DJ effect lighting or uplighting.

Run LED strip lighting along your staging space.

Use LED balloons to light your space 

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Make it Spark!

Rent giant light up marquee letters to spell out "SPARK" at the front of your meeting room.

Make giant Spark characters from neon poster board with large google eyes to hang in your room, and use black lighting to light them up.

Change the lighting in the room with hanging fireworks starburst string lights.

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Giveaways!

Provide glow necklaces or glow sticks for each student.

Use light up SPARK character puffer balls as giveaways for each student or as a prize. 

Alternatively, use light up spike balls or google balls as event giveaways. 

Ready To Shine Ideas!

Supplies: Several glow sticks for each student, the same number of blank tags, pens, one plastic solo cup per student, string, pasteboard and markers. 

Spend some time together helping kids brainstorm ideas of how they can shine their lights this week. Give every student several glow sticks and the same number of blank tags. Work together to come up with as many ideas kids can think of as to good ways to share God’s light with others, shining light in their homes and neighbourhoods, and blessing others by using their gifts. These ideas will help us GLOW (Go Light Our World!) this week!

Once you have a good list on the poster board, ask students to choose a few ideas they will personally commit to doing in the next week. Have them write these ideas on the blank tags and help them tie one tag to each glow stick. Put all completed glow sticks in the cup to take home. 

When the student is ready to carry out one of their ideas, they crack the glow stick for that activity before they go and complete it. The idea is to crack all the glow sticks and carry out all of their chosen ideas during the next week. 

Encourage students to make some more tags after these are all finished and keep their light shining bright!

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Spark Community!

Many little sparks together make a bright light! Let your light shine in your neighbourhood by doing one or more of the following activities in the week ahead:

• Write “Jesus Loves You” on your driveway with sidewalk chalk so all your neighbour’s can see it as they drive by your house! 
• Take a prayer walk in your neighbourhood and pray for the families that live on your street! Check out some ideas at our website HERE.  
• Drop off a battery operated candle to your neighbours with a note that tells them you’ll be praying for their family at a specific time (Saturday afternoon at 2:00), encouraging them to light their candle at that time to remember that someone is praying for them!
• Invite your neighbours over for a meet and greet in your driveway or in your home! Serve snacks and drinks and get to know each other!
• Bake cookies with your family and deliver them to your neighbours with a note that says “Hope you’re having a sweet week!”

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Spark Compassion!

When we shine God’s light it helps us see those who might need some extra help, or who might be going through a dark time right now. Shine the light of compassion this week in one or more of these ways!

• Drop off a donation to a local food bank in your area!
• Ask your corps officer/pastor, or the person who runs your community and family services program to help you learn about what The Salvation Army is doing to help others in your community. Ask how you can best help.
• Check out The Salvation Army’s Gifts of Hope campaign. Work with your family to think about a way you can raise enough money to purchase a gift of hope for a family in another country.
• Make cards for the residents at a local nursing home. Ask your family to help you drop the off to the main desk and ask that they give them to the residents!

Set of 5 Family Devotions

Supplies: File for printable cards, binder rings.

Have the cards printed and cut in whatever quantities you need, then attach them together as a set with a binder ring. Send the devotions home with kids after SPARK, encouraging them to be used over the following week. 

Download the printable cards HERE.

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