Lesson 7

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT

Objective: To help us understand that Jesus is our light, the beacon showing the way.

Visual aid: Light House

Lesson ideas:

* A light house: A tower located at some place important or dangerous to navigation. It has a very bright light at the top and often has foghorns or sirens by which ships are guided or warned. Jesus is our light house because he shows us the correct way to go.  His examples also show us to be kind, to show love and how to live.  He was baptized showing us the importance of keeping the commandments.

* The birth of Christ: When Christ was born a new star was in the sky bringing light to the world.  Very symbolic that Christ is indeed the light of the world.  Telling the story of the birth of Christ would be appropriate.

* Laws: We have been given laws or commandments not to punish us but to help us get back home safely.  Compare laws for driving like driving on the right side of the road, stop signs and warning signs.  When we all follow the rules, we can reach our destination safely.  That is true when we follow Gods laws as well.

* Oil in a lamp:  We might have a lamp that can give light but if the oil is gone the light goes out.  If we keep our faith in Christ strong the oil in the lamp stays full allowing us to keep our light glowing.

* In Moses’ time there was a sickness that came upon the people and a serpent was made for the people to look at and be healed.  Those that looked were healed and others who thought it was foolish and didn’t look died.   If we but look to Christ and follow him we too can be healed of worldly wants and have eternal life and live. (Numbers 21:9)

* Temples: Temples are also a form of a beacon. We can look to the temples and know that we can be eternal families, for they lead to heaven as well.

* Jesus touched stones for the Brother of Jared that the stones could shine in the darkness.  (Ether 3:6)

* Lower lights:  By the light house are lower lights that actually show where the harbor is safe for the boats to come to shore.  We are the lower lights.  Christ will always be our beacon but we, as the lower lights, can be a great help to assist in that safe arrival of others while here on earth.

* Principle-Centered Paradigm Told by Frank Koch in Proceeding, (The magazine of Naval Institute.)

            Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days.  I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. “The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

            Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported. “Light, bearing on the starboard bow,” “Is it steady or moving aster? The captain called out.  Lookout replied, “Steady, captain” which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

            The captain then called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees.” Back came a signal, “Advisable for you to change coarse 20 degrees.”

            The captain said, “Send, I’m a captain, change course 20 degrees.” “I’m a seaman second class, came the reply. “You had better change course 20 degrees.”

            By that time, the captain was furious, He spat out, “Send, I’m a battleship.  Change course 20 degrees.”  Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse” 

            We changed course.

Scriptures: 

Bible                                                                           

Matthew 5:15-16 light candle and put it under          

bushel                                                                         

Isaiah 60:19 Lord shall be everlasting light                

Psalms 27:1 Lord is my light & my salvation                                               

LDS Scriptures 

3 Nephi 15:9 I am the law and the light look unto me and endure to the end

3 Nephi 9:18 I am the light and life of

3 Nephi 19:25 Light of his countenance did shine upon them

Activities:

* Give everyone a small flashlight and assign a number or letter to each person.  Have an object such as a picture of Christ, a book, a statue, etc. with a number attached to it and have each person find with their flashlight their assigned object and talk about how Jesus is our light.

* If you have access to some glow lights, you can wrap them to be a circle and throw bean bags toward the glowing circles. The glow lights can also be made into necklaces or bracelets.

* Light game.  Within 3-5 minutes list as many lights that you can think of like: street light, stop light, car light, light houses, light bulbs, flashlight, moon etc.  The one with the most types of lights at the end of the time wins.  Just as there are many types of light, there are many ways we can help bring people into the light.

* Cut out a cardboard box to make a boat that you wear around your waist and still be able to walk.  Have someone hold a flashlight to be a lighthouse. Take turns leading someone to the light.

* Jesus Name Game  (Found in lesson one)

* Make an obstacle course like laser beams with thin ribbon tied from ceiling to floor and side to side.  The family will have to climb over or under or around the ribbon to get to the prize which will be a flashlight or a picture of Christ.

* Play Red Light, Green Light.   A game to practice following rules.

Red Light, Green Light: One person is the spokesperson on one side of the room with his back toward the people on the other side of the room.  The spokesperson will say, “Green Light” and all the children move at once.  Just after that the spokesperson will say, “Red light” and turns around as fast as he can to see if he can catch someone moving.  If he sees someone moving that person has to go back to the beginning and if nothing is seen he turns back and tries again.  The first person to touch the spokesperson wins and gets to be the spokesperson next.

Songs:

Hymns                                                            

# 89 The Lord Is My Light                             

# 335 Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy    

# 97 Lead Kindly Light                                  

Children’s Songbook

# 163 I Am Like a Star

# 144 Shine On

# 60 Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam

Treat:

Light house cookies or cake