PART ONE

Read “Lessons from Jesus: You Are the Light of the World.”

Talk about how when we offer our service to others (e.g., through helpful acts, kind deeds, volunteer work, etc.), we are an example of God’s love, and therefore, we’re being a light in this world.

Discuss with the children services and/or ministries they might know of in their local community, and those who are involved. (E.g., helping an elderly or disabled neighbor, teaching Bible and other instructional classes in person or online, encouraging the sick and those who are hospitalized, running a food bank to provide nutritious food for those who need financial assistance, cleaning up the community, etc.)

Explain to the children, that even if they are not involved in bigger ministries or services like the ones listed above, there are everyday ways to be of service to others. For example, working with adults on the service projects they are involved in, such as visiting people who are sick or hospitalized; talking with elderly people, asking about how they are, asking about their families, telling them about a fun activity; picking up trash (with supervision for safety); singing songs or performing for others; drawing pictures and making cards to encourage people; making cookies and giving them as gifts; helping a neighbor with a cleaning project; helping other parents by playing with their babies or little children; etc.

Read “Acting God.”

Memorize or review the Bible verses: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. So let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14 and 16, paraphrased). (See “Crazily Cool Cards Set: Sharing God’s Love” for a memory card for this verse which can be printed, cut out, and colored.)

Read “Lessons from Jesus: Serve One Another” where Jesus is challenging His disciples to be of service to each other.

Explain that an important part of serving others includes being of service to those we live with or go to school with, and it’s not always demonstrated in big or showy acts, but it is just as important to serve others through everyday acts of kindness, community, and care.

Read “Take the Caring Initiative.”

Explore with the children what they do to serve those they live with or go to school with. Have them discuss ways they can be of further service to their family and classmates.

Listen to “Twelve Men.”

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PART TWO

Read “Lessons from Jesus: Who Is the Greatest” where Jesus teaches that to be great in God’s eyes means to be a servant to each other.

Encourage the children by telling them how proud you and Jesus are of them for the ways they are of service to each other, through their daily helpfulness to others or bigger contributions to ministries or outreaches in their community, school, or church. You can underscore examples from a point in Part One of things they do for their family and classmates.

Listen to “Something Special” and “Just a Little Thing.” Talk about how we each are presented with opportunities, big or small, to be a help to others. Point out the small acts of service in “Something Special.” Dorcas sewed and mended clothes for others (see Acts 9:36–41 for more about Dorcas); Rahab hid the Israelite spies and helped them escape from Jericho. Later Rahab protected her family by hanging a red rope out her window as she had been instructed to do. (See Joshua 2 for the full story.)

Read “Love Memory Joggers, Part 1” and “Love Memory Joggers, Part 2.” If the children like, they can print, color, cut out, and post these around in various places in the home as reminders of how to serve each other in love. Another idea is to color and use them for bookmarks. If teaching a group of children, they could take one or two each.

Read “Life Cycle of a Smile: A Message from Jesus.”

Read “Change Your Part of the World.” Conclude the class with this story, pointing out how this man did something small in his service, but that it was a great thing in helping future generations. It’s a good illustration of how little deeds of kindness and service are worthwhile and do make a difference. We might not be able to see the outcome, but God sees it and He will reward us. “He who sows righteousness will have a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18 NKJV).

Additional reading and activities:

• “Faith-Filled Models from the Old Testament: Israelite servant girl”
• “Off the Charts”
• “Steps to Being a Hero”
• “Little Missionary”
• “Eight Years Old and Making a Difference”
• “Help Change Your World”
• “How Can You Make a Difference?”
• “3D Pictures: Lessons from Jesus: You Are the Light of the World”
• “3D Pictures: Lessons from Jesus: Serve One Another”
• “3D Pictures: Lessons from Jesus: Who Is the Greatest”
• “Coloring Page: Lessons from Jesus: You Are the Light of the World”
• “Coloring Page: Lessons from Jesus: Serve One Another”
• “Coloring Page: Lessons from Jesus: Who Is the Greatest”