“Shine Your Light for Jesus” is a Bible object lesson your kids won’t forget — using a fun “Color Changing Candle in a Frame” effect, it reminds them that God wants them to shine His light for all to see through acts of love.
I originally wrote this for one of my musical Bible programs, “Jesus is the Light,” and love sharing it every October to point kids toward the light of Christ during a season so full of darkness.
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As Christians, we’re never to have anything to do with the darkness of this world. John 8:12 says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus commands us not to hide our lights, but to let them shine brightly so people may see our good deeds and praise our Father in Heaven.
Take a look at this lesson in action:
What you’ll need:
- One “Color Changing Candle in a Frame” — available here
- One basket that will fit over the whole frame
- Optional: an easel to hold the frame. I attached mine to a small platform to keep it from tilting — I found my easel at Daiso, but any craft store should have one too.
Script/Patter — “Don’t Hide Your Light Under a Basket”
Patter by Kathy Vincent. Creation of production by Kathy Vincent, inspired by the “Color Changing Candle in a Frame” magic effect.
Don’t hide your light under a basket
What good is that kind of light
The flame will be gone and it will be dark
You should let your light shine bright
You should shine your light
When you want to show God’s love (Red Silk)
To mom and dad with a kiss and a hug
Showing God’s love that comes from above
You should shine your light
When dad says, “You’re growing like a weed!” (Green Silk)
Day by day grow strong in Jesus
This is what is right. This is what you need!
You should shine your light
Even on days when you’re feeling sad and blue (Blue Silk)
This will show all those around you
That God is loving and cares for you
So, please, don’t hide your light under a basket
All God’s colors of light will be gone
Instead always shine your light for Jesus
Then God’s colors of light will shine bright and strong
Bonus: “Light the Candle” — A Bible Verse Game for Elementary Kids
Want to keep the light theme going? Here’s a Bible verse review game that’s a blast to play with your elementary class.
What you’ll need:
- One Bible
- The 10 Bible verse cards below (2 cards per page — cut down the middle for 2 separate cards)
- Construction paper to build 2 candles, one per team (each candle: 3 base pieces, the candle, and the flame — see picture below)
- Optional: a bag of candy (M&M’s work great!) for extra fun
How to play:
Shuffle the verse cards and lay them face down. Give each team their candle pieces. Team One picks a card and has a set time (try 15 seconds) to find that verse in the Bible. If they succeed, they add a piece to their candle (build from the bottom up!). If they can’t, Team Two gets a shot at the same verse. If neither team finds it in time, shuffle the card back into the pile. First team to fully build their candle wins!
For extra fun, award one piece of candy to a team each time they add a candle piece.
Free Downloads:
Candles Poster • Bible Verse Cards, Page 1 • Page 2 • Page 3 • Page 4 • Page 5
Suggestions for Success:
- Practice the trick a few times before performing it for your class, so the reveal feels smooth.
- Build the candles from the bottom up during “Light the Candle” so the order stays clear for both teams.
- Keep a stopwatch visible during the game so kids feel the friendly time pressure.
Want to Make Bible Time Truly Unforgettable?
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I love watching kids’ faces light up (pun intended!) when they see the candle change color — but what really sticks with them is the reminder that they can be lights for Jesus too, just through simple acts of love.