Series Overview
Think back to a time when someone made time for you. Maybe that looked like caring for you when you were sick, or teaching you how to tie your shoe, making food for you, or teaching you how to read or learn a new skill. No matter what it is, when people make time for us, it can bring us joy. It’s like a light shining on a dark day. Caring for one another isn’t always the easy thing to do, but it certainly is what Jesus asks of us. When Jesus gave the command in Matthew 5 to let our light shine, it wasn’t just to bring joy into each other’s lives, but also to bring glory to God. We are reflections of Who God is, and as we “Live Bright” this month, we’ll discover exactly how we can shine God’s light.
Memory Verse
“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.” – Matthew 5:16, NIRV
Week One (September 1)
You Are The Light Of The World
Bible Story: Matthew 5:14-16
Key Question: How can you be a light?
Virtue: Compassion – Caring enough to do something about someone else’s needs
We start the month in Matthew 5:14-16 with the Sermon on the Mount. In this passage, Jesus announced to the crowd, “You are the light of the world.” Each of us can shine God’s light to the world around us. When we shine our light by living God’s way, we bring glory to God and show people what God is like.
There are so many different types of light—from the sun, to a flashlight, to a candle, and so many more! Each kind of source functions in a different way, but its purpose is the same: to bring light into someone’s world. We hope this question gives preteens a chance to hold great conversations about what it means to shine God’s light—not just at home, but everywhere they go.
Week Two (September 8)
Jesus Feeds 5,000
Bible Story: John 6:1-13
Key Question: What do you have that you can use to help others?
Virtue: Compassion – Caring enough to do something about someone else’s needs
In Week 2, we read about a massive miracle found in John 6:1-13. Jesus had just crossed over the Sea of Galilee
with His disciples when a massive crowd arrived. Jesus knew that the people would be hungry . . . and instead of
sending them on their way, He had compassion on them and fed them. With a little boy’s small meal of only five
loaves and two fish, Jesus turned a small amount of food into a huge blessing.
When you think of light, do you typically think about the brightest light in the sky, or the little light emitting from your phone? When you’re in the dark, either one could come in handy and help get you where you need to go. This question is a great way to engage preteens in moving from seeing light to being a light, making a difference right now with what they have.
Week Three (September 15)
Jesus Heals Bartimaeus
Bible Story: Mark 10:46-52
Key Question: When has someone made time for you?
Virtue: Compassion – Caring enough to do something about someone else’s needs
For Week 3, we head to Mark 10:46-52. Jesus was headed out of the city with His disciples and a crowd in tow. Even though there were several people surrounding Jesus, one voice stood out above the others. A man named
Bartimaeus, who was blind, sat on the side of the road begging for help. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was
passing by, he shouted to ask Jesus for mercy. The crowd tried to shush Bartimaeus, but Jesus brought him forward and made time for him, changing his life forever.
Whether you’re seven or 77, it feels good when people make an effort to spend time with you. It especially means a lot when someone is busy and they go out of their way to make you feel seen or welcomed. The same is true when we take the time to see others. This question allows preteens to think about other people in a different context, and invites them to explore the bigger world around them and how they can make a difference.
Week Four (September 22)
Sharing God’s Comfort
Bible Story: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Key Question: How can you show someone you care?
Virtue: Compassion – Caring enough to do something about someone else’s needs
For Week 4, we head to 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Paul was writing a letter to the church in Corinth in which he shared about the troubles he and Timothy had faced. Yet in the midst of all their difficulties, Paul and Timothy were still able to praise God because of the comfort God offered them. In this passage, Paul encouraged the believers in Corinth to offer comfort to others who were in trouble because of the comfort they had experienced from God.
Sometimes it’s so easy to get lost in our own problems that we forget the needs of those around us. Yet God created us to be in community with one another, showing love and compassion. We can do that through physical actions or words of encouragement. We hope this question gets preteens thinking about ways they can make a difference in someone else’s life by showing God’s love.
Week Five (September 29)
Jesus Is The Light Of The World
Bible Story: John 8:12
Key Question: Where have you seen the light of Jesus?
Virtue: Compassion – Caring enough to do something about someone else’s needs
We wrap up the month in John 8:12, where Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who
follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.” Because of Jesus, we never have to go through life alone. Jesus brings light to guide us and help us grow. And, of course, the light of Jesus meets our greatest need. When we turn away from our sins and choose to follow Jesus, it’s as if He shines a bright light into our hearts and our lives.
Jesus brought light to the world in a way that no one had ever seen before. He showed love and compassion to everyone He met. He came to be our Savior and bring light to a dark world. This question will help preteens think about how God sent Jesus to be light in our darkness . . . and how they’ve seen that in action in the world around them.