The world is living in darkness

Suspendisse feugiat mi sed lectus aoreet nec interdum By Trenz Pruca

Year 2 Quarter 4 Lesson 12 1

n o s s e L w e i v r Ove

Power Point: The world is living in darkness Direction: Jesus is the light Memory Verse: “[Jesus is] the light of the world. Whoever follows [Him] will never walk in darkness...” - John 8:12 (NIV)

It  is  no  secret   that  we  truly  live  in  fallen  world,  a  dark  place  governed  by   even  darker  spirits.  But  just  over  2000  years  ago,   for   the  first  ?me,  people  saw  the  One  who  would  bring  light  into  this  dark,  cruel  place.  Jesus  was  born.  He  is  the  light  of   the  world  –  the  only  thing  that  can  overcome  darkness  and  chase  it   away.  That  is  what  Christmas  is  all  about  –  when  the   light  of  Heaven  stepped  down  into  this  dark  world.   Bible  Lesson:  Birth  of  Jesus  (Ma5hew  1:18  –  2:11;  Luke  2:1-­‐14) On  the  evening  that  Jesus  was  to  be  born  there  was  nowhere  for  Mary  and  Joseph  to  stay.  The  only  place  they  could  find   was   a   dark   and  dirty   barn.   Jesus  could   have  been   born  in  a  grand  castle   but   God  chose  a  dark   and  dirty   barn.   Why?   Because  Jesus  wasn’t  sent  to  be  a  light  in  a  beau?ful  and  perfect  world,  he  came  to  bring  light  to  a  world  full  of  darkness. Object  Lesson  1:  Jesus’  light  will  bring  you  love This  is  the  tes?mony   of  a  young  African  girl.  Both  her  parents  died  before  she  turned  two  years  old.  Not  knowing  the  love   of  her  father  or  mother,   she  grew  up  with  her  abusive  aunt   who  then  kicked  her  out  onto  the  streets  at  age  12.  This  girl   never   knew   what  it  was  to   be  loved  un?l  one  day   as  she  was  begging   for  money   on   the  street,  a  pastor   found  her  and   told  her  about  Jesus.  From  the  moment  she  asked  Jesus  into  her  heart,  she  experienced  a  love  that  would  never  end.   Object  Lesson  2:  Jesus’  light  will  bring  you  healing When  we   are  sick  or  wounded,  we  go  to  the  doctor   and  he  will  prescribe  us  medicine  and  treatment  to  bring  healing.   There  are  many  people  who  need  healing  in  their  hearts.   There  is  no  doctor   who  can  solve  the  problem  of  a  wounded   heart  but  that  is  what  Jesus  came  to  do.  His  light  brings  healing.   Object  Lesson  3:  Jesus’  light  will  bring  you  joy This  is  a  personal  tes?mony   of  a  boy   who  grew  up  in  a  world  full  of  darkness.  He  would  witness  gangs,  drug  deals,  and   pros?tutes  on  the  street  where  he  lived.   At  home,  his  alcoholic  father   used  to  beat  his  mother.  This  darkness  squeezed  all   the  joy  out  of  his  life  but  when  he  invited  Jesus  into  his  heart,  Jesus  filled  him  with  joy.     Teacher's  Responsibility This  is  an  emo?onal  lesson  so  make  sure  that  you   maintain  the  appropriate  tone  as  you  teach.   Before  you  teach,   think   about  the  hopeless  and   painful   situa?ons  that   He  has  brought   you  out   of  and  healed  you  from,   and  speak  from   that   place.  Be  sensi?ve  to  the  Holy  Spirit  as  you  teach  and  allow  Him  to  minister  throughout  the  course  of  this  lesson.   As  a  soldier  you  need  to  know  three  important  things... Sub  1:  Don’t  doubt  God Sub  2:  Don’t  get  caught  up  in  sin Sub  3:  Don’t  quit  when  things  get  tough

2

Lesson Intro Props

Music PreparaRon

Slideshow  (black  and  white  images  of  gangs,  violence,  abuse,  hate,  drugs,  crime,  poverty,  hunger,   anger,  disease  etc),  large  paper  globe-­‐shaped  lampshade  (color  or  paint  this  black)  with  light  bulb   hanging  inside  of  it,  extension  cord,  paper,  black  marker.   “Dark”  sounding  music Using  the  paper  and  black  marker,  write  words  that  describe  the  darkness  of  the  world  (eg:   DRUGS,  VIOLENCE,  HATRED,  CRIME,  POVERTY,  SICKNESS)  and  s?ck  them  onto  the  black   lampshade.  Have  the  light  bulb  ready  to  be  plugged  in  and  a  helper  to  hold  it  up.

PresentaRon:  When  you  take  a  look  around  your   neighborhood  or  see  stories  in  the  newspaper   you  begin  to  see  that   the  world  isn’t  a  very  good  place  a  lot  of  the  ?me.    In  fact  everywhere  you  look,  you  see  things  like  this… (Dim  lights  and  show  slideshow  with  the  “dark”  music  playing.  End  slideshow  and  music.)     When  I  see  all  those  bad  things,   there’s  one  word  that  comes  to  my   mind  -­‐   darkness.    I  look  around  and  I  think,  ‘The   world   is  living  in  darkness.’  (Hold   up  globe-­‐shaped  lampshade  and  point  to  different  examples  on   it)  I  look  at  all  of  the   darkness  -­‐  the  drug   addic?ons,  the  hunger,  the  crime,  the  hate,  the  sicknesses.  I  think  it’s  impossible  -­‐  there’s  no   hope   because  the  darkness  seems  so  strong.    But  did  you  know  there’s  something  that’s  even  stronger  than  darkness?     And   that’s  light.    (Plug  the  light  in  and  hold  it  up).   Light   and  darkness   cannot   be  in  the   same  place.   Whenever   light   enters  into   a  place  where   there   is  darkness,   that   darkness  has  to  leave.  God  knew  this,  and  He  also  knew  that  this  world  needed  a  light  that  was  great   enough  to  remove   the  darkness   we  face  everyday.   That   is   why   we  celebrate  Christmas.   On   Christmas  we  celebrate  the  day   when  God   brought  a  light  into  our  dark  world.   God  brought   light  by   sending  His  one  and  only   Son   Jesus  Christ   to   be   the  light   of  the   world.     And   that’s  what   today’s   memory  verse  says  in  John  8:12: “[Jesus  is]  the  light  of  the  world.  Whoever  follows  [Him]  will  never  walk  in  darkness..." Jesus   is  the  light  of   the  world.     He  is  the  Savior  and  the  One  who  gives  you  eternal  life.     He  is  the  one  who  forgives  you   of  your   sins.     He  is  the  one  who  heals  you,  protects  you,  comforts  you  and  encourages  you.     When  you  follow  Jesus  you   will  not  be  walking  in  the  darkness  even  if  you  see  it   all  around  you.    Why?     Because  deep  down  in  your  heart  you  will   always  have  the  light  of  Jesus  with  you.   When  you   feel  as  if  you’re  alone  and  in  darkness   because  people  make  fun  of   you,   you  have  the  light  of  Jesus  to  comfort   you.  When  you  feel  like  your  world  is  full  of  darkness  at  home  because  you   are  surrounded  by   drugs  and  figh?ng,  the  light  of  Jesus  will  be  there  to   help  you  and  let  you  know  that  it’s  going   to  be   ok.  As  long  as  you  have  the  light  of  Jesus  in  you,  you  never  have  to  walk  in   darkness.     The  world  is  living  in  darkness,   but  Jesus  is  the  light.     Jesus’  light  will  bring… 1.  Love 2.  Healing 3.  Joy

Bible Lesson The birth of Jesus Props

Actors PreparaRon

Manger,  2  hay  bales,  baby,  swaddling  cloth,  pillow  for  Mary’s  stomach,  Mary  costume,  Joseph   costume,  walking  s?ck,  2  trees,  cardboard  brick  wall,  a  sign  that  says  ‘No  Rooms  Available’  (old  wood   looking  style  sign),  fat  candle  and  a  candle  holder,  lighter.   Mary,  Joseph Place  the  sign  on  one  side  of  the  stage.  Place  the  brick  wall  with  the  manger  and  bales  of  hay  around   it  in  the  middle.    On  the  other  side  of  the  stage  place  the  trees.    

PresentaRon:  The  world   had  been   living  in   darkness   for  a  very  long  ?me,  but   just  over  two  thousand  years  ago  God   sent  Jesus  to  be   the  light.    But   God  didn’t  send  Jesus  to  the  world  as  a  grown  man;  He  did  something  truly  amazing.    He   sent  his  son  Jesus  in  the  form  of  a  baby   to  a  young  lady  named  Mary.    It  was  a  miracle  because  Mary   wasn’t   married  yet   and  had  never  been  with  a  man,  yet  she  got  pregnant  by  the  Holy  Spirit.     (Mary  and  Joseph  enter  through  the  back  doors  and  walk  to  the  front  of  the  stage)     It   was  nearing   the  end  of   Mary’s   pregnancy   when  Caesar   Augustus,  the  man  in  charge  of  the   whole   Roman  Empire,   decided  that  he  wanted  to  count  all  of  the  people  living  in  the  land.  So  Mary  and  Joseph,  the  man  she  was  engaged  to,   loaded  everything  up  and  headed  to  a  city  called  Bethlehem.     Once  they   reached  Bethlehem  they  searched  for  a  place  to   stay   (Mary   exits  stage  as   if  looking   for  somewhere  to  stay,   removes  pillow  and  gets  baby.  Joseph   looks  around  some  more  on  stage)   but  there  was  nothing.  Not   one  hotel  had  a   room  available  for   them  to  stay  the  night   in.    The  only   place  they  could  find  to  stay  was  in   a  barn  where  the  animals   were.    (Mary  enters  stage  with  the  baby   in   her  arms  –  Joseph  meets  her  and   helps  her  sit  down)    It  was  right  there  that   Jesus  was  born  (Joseph  lights  the  candle).  It  was  right  there  that  God  chose  to  bring  His  light  into  our  dark  world.     (Actors  naturally  freeze) But  look  at  where  this  happened.  God  could  have  chosen  anywhere  in  the  whole  en?re  world  for  Jesus  to  be  born.     He   could  have  been  born  in  a  castle  or   a  beau?ful  palace  because  Jesus  is  the  King   of  kings  and  Lord  of   lords.     But  God   didn’t  choose  these  nice  places  because  Jesus  wasn’t  sent  to  be  the  light   in  a  beau?ful  and  perfect   world.  He  was  sent   to  be  the  light  in  our  dark  world,  our  world   that   is  full  of  pain  and  suffering,  hate  and  violence,  hunger  and  sickness.  It   was  to  our   dark  world   that  Jesus  was  sent  to  help  us  with  our   troubles,  heal  our  broken  hearts,  and  this  is  where  that   light   began.   Right  here  is  where  Christmas  began  -­‐  in  a  dark  and  dirty  barn.  The  world   is  living  in  darkness  but   Jesus  is   the  light.    

Object Lesson 1 Jesus’ light will bring you love Props

Picture  of  Chuki,  picture  of  girl  begging,  picture  of  church  members.

Music

Something  sad

PresentaRon:  (Start  playing  sad  music)  I  know  a  story   of  a  lifle  girl  named  Chuki.  (Show  picture)  Chuki  lives  in  Africa.   When  she  was  6  months  old,  her  mom  died.  When  she  was  a  year  old,   her   father   died.   Chuki  never   knew  what  it   was   like  to  be  loved  by  her  mother  or  her  father.   Aher   her   parents  died,   Chuki’s  aunt   came  and  took  her.  But  Chuki’s  aunt   did  not  love  her.  She  abused  Chuki  for   years   and  even  allowed  men  to  come  and  hurt   her  too.  When  Chuki  was  12  years  old,   her  aunt   didn’t   want  her  anymore  and   kicked  her  out  of  the  house. Chuki  was  leh   alone  to  beg   on  the  streets.   (Show  picture  of  girl   begging)  She  didn’t  have  a  single  person  in   the  en?re   world  that  loved   her.  Nobody  cared  for  her  and  nobody   wanted   her.   Chuki  lived  in   darkness.   But  Chuki  is  not  the  only   one;   there  are  many  people  in  the  world  who  are  living   in  darkness  and  they  are  desperate  for   someone  to  love   them.     (Fade  sad  music) Maybe  your  story  is  not  the  same  as  Chuki’s,  but  you  don’t   feel  loved  either.   Maybe  your  parents  never  have  ?me  to  ask   you   about   your   day   and   listen   to   your   stories  about   school.   Maybe   you   do   not   live   with   your   parents   like  Chuki,   somebody  else  takes  care  of  you  but  they  do  not  tell  you  that  they  love  you.   If  you  don’t   feel  loved   then  your   world  can  be  very   dark  and  lonely   like  Chuki’s.  But  Chuki’s  story  didn’t  end  there.  One   day   when  she  was  begging  for  money   on  the  street  a  pastor  came  and  told  her  about   Jesus.  He  told  her  that   Jesus  loved   her   and  that  he  wanted  to  bring  light  into  her   life.   Chuki   gave  her  life  to  Jesus  and  from  that  day   her   life   completely   changed.  Some  loving  Chris?ans  came  and  paid  for  Chuki  to  go  to  school.  She  started  going   to  church  and  the  people  in   the   church   became   her   new   family   (show   picture   of   church   members).   They   loved   her   and   cared   for   her.   Most   importantly,   Chuki  knew  that  Jesus  loved  her   so  much.  The  Bible  says  that   God  has  never  stopped  loving  you,  and  He   never  will  (Jeremiah  31:3).  Jesus  had  filled  Chuki’s  heart  with  love  and  He  will  do  the  same  for  you.  He  has  always  loved   you  and  He  will  never  stop  loving  you.  The   world  is  living  in  darkness  but  Jesus  is  the  light.  When  you  allow   Jesus  into   your  life,  His  light  will  bring  you  love.  

Object Lesson 2 Jesus’ light will bring you healing Props Actors PreparaRon

Doctor  costume,  fake  blood,  bandage,  ointment,  two  chairs Doctor,  Pa?ent Set  the  two  chairs  up  in  the  middle  of  the  stage.

PresentaRon:  (Pa[ent  enters  screaming  holding  a  knee  with  fake  blood  on  it) PaRent:  I  need  a  doctor!  Please  help  me,  I  hurt  myself! (Doctor  enters)   Doctor:  I’m  here  just  sit  down  and  calmly  tell  me  what  happened. (While  pa[ents  starts  talking  doctor  checks  out  the  knee) PaRent:  I  was  running  and  then  I  fell  really  hard  and  my  knee  started  bleeding. Doctor:  It  doesn’t  look  too  bad   but   I’ll  put   a  bandage  on  and  some  cream  to  help  it   to  heal.  Soon  it  won’t  be  hurRng   anymore  at  all.   (Doctor  bandages  the  knee) PaRent:  Thank  you  so  much. Teacher:   By   giving   people  medicine   and   bandaging   up  their   wounds,   doctors   help   to   heal   people  who   are  sick   or   hurRng.   People   can  have  pain  in  their  body   when  they  have  a  disease   or   a  wound,  but  people   can  also   have   pain  in   their  heart.   Maybe  some  of  you  know  what   I  am  talking  about.   You  don’t  have  a  wound  on  the  outside  but  on  the  inside,  you  heart   is  hurRng.  Somebody  said  something  mean  about  you  and  it  made  your  heart  hurt  on  the  inside.   Or   maybe  somebody   that  you  loved  and  cared  about  has  gone  away   and  your  heart  is  hurRng  so  badly  because  you  miss  them.  You  are  hurt.   Your  heart   hurts  so  much  that   some?mes  you  cry  yourself  to  sleep  -­‐  you  feel  alone  in  the  darkness  and  you  feel  like   there  is  no  light.   When  your  heart  is  hurRng  like  this  you  need  to  know  Jesus  will  bring  you  healing.  The  Bible  says  that  he  binds  up  the   brokenhearted;   and  in  Isaiah   42:3   it  says,   “A  bruised  reed  he  shall  not  break.”   That  means  that  when  people  who  are   hurRng  and  bruised  come  to  Jesus,  He  will  not  break  them.  He  will  bring  healing.  Jesus  wants  to  do  the  same  for  you.   When  you  let   Him  into  your   life  He  will  bring  light   your   darkness   and   start  to   heal  your   heart.   The   world  is  living  in   darkness,  but  Jesus’  is  the  light.  Jesus’  light  will  bring  you  healing.    

Object Lesson 3 Jesus’ light will bring you joy Props

PreparaRon

Table,  large  clear  glass  jar  of  blue  water  (use  food  coloring),  very  large  sponge  (that  fits  into  the  jar),   black  box  containing  a  big  bowl  (to  squeeze  the  water  into),  jug  of  blue  colored  water  with  a  sign   that  says  “JOY”  on  it. Set  up  the  table  at  the  front  of  the  stage.  Put  the  jar  of  blue  water,  the  sponge,  and  the  bowl  in  the   box  on  the  table.  Put  the  jug  of  blue  water  under  the  table.  

PresentaRon:  I  grew  up  right  here  in  Brooklyn.  I  would  walk  around   my   neighborhood  and  everything  around   me  was   dark.  Every  ?me  I  went  across  the  street   I  saw  the  drug  dealers  on  the  corner.  When  I  looked  down  the  block  there  was   a  pros?tute  selling  herself.  I  would  go  home  and  my  Dad,  who  was  always  drinking,  would  beat  my  mom.  My  world  was   filled  with  darkness. I  felt  like  all  of  that  darkness  was  taking  the  joy  out  of  my  heart  and  sucking  the  life  out  of  me.     (Put  sponge  into  jar  and   squeeze  the  water  out  into  the  bowl  with  the  examples)    Just  like  this  sponge  here  is  sucking  the  water  out  of  this  jar.         Maybe  some  of  you   know  exactly  what  I’m  talking  about   because  you   are  in  the  same  kind  of  darkness  that  I  was  in.     Maybe  there  are  things  going  on  at  home  -­‐  figh?ng,   yelling,  cursing,   depression,  drugs,  and  drinking.     That  darkness   around   you   just   sucks  the  joy   from  your   heart,   leaving   you  feeling.     (Put   sponge   in   jar  and   squeeze   water   out)    Or   maybe  there’s  been  a  death   in  your  family   recently   and  your   family   is  struggling   and  you  don’t  know  what’s  going  to   happen.     That  darkness   around  you   just   sucks  the   joy  right   out  of  your   heart  (again,  put   sponge   in  jar   and   squeeze   water  out)  un?l  you  have  nothing  leh.    You’re  empty  with  no  joy  in  your  life.    (Jar  is  empty  of  water) The  Bible  says  that  the  thief  comes  to  steal,  kill  and  destroy,  but  that  Jesus  has  come  so  that  we  can  have  life  to  the  full   (John  10:10).    The  devil  wants  to  use  the  darkness  around  you  to  suck  the  life  out  of  you  -­‐  the  joy  that  was  in  your  heart   (point  to  empty  jar).    But  Jesus  is  the   light   and  He  can  fill   you  with  His  joy.    All  you  have  to  do  is  ask.    Say,  “Jesus,  I  need   you.   I  am   empty  on  the  inside  without  you.     Please  give  me  your  joy  in  my   heart.”     When  you  do  that  Jesus  will  come   and   fill   your  heart  with  joy;   He  will  fill  you  with  His  life.    (Pick   the  jug   up  and  pour  the  blue   water   into   the  jar).  When   Jesus  came  into  my  life  I  knew  I  had  a  friend  who  would  never   leave  me,  I  knew  I  was  never   alone,  and  I  knew   he  had   great  plans  for  my  life  –  those  things  gave  me  joy  and  nothing  that  happened  around  me  could  take  that  joy  away.     When  you  leave  this  place,   many   of  you  will  go  back  into  a  dark  world.    I  know  that  because  the  whole  world  is  living   in  darkness.    But  remember  that  Christmas  is  about  how  Jesus  came  to  be  the  light  and  Jesus’  light  will  bring  you  joy.  

Life Lesson Escape from darkness Props Sound  Effects PreparaRon

Hardhat  with  light  on  the  front,  backpack,  big  plas?c  rocks Earthquake Teacher  will  wear  the  backpack  and  hardhat.  Place  the  big  rocks  in  the  middle  of  the  stage  and   “walk  through  them”  as  you  go  into  the  cave.

Frame   1:   Melinda  mole  and  her   team   of   scien?fic   researchers  were  beginning   their   research   project   in   the  French   caves.   “Everyone  listen  up  and  gather   round,”   said   Melinda  in  a  loud   voice,  “Today  marks  the  day  that  we’ve  all  been   wai?ng  for  -­‐  our  decent  into  the  depths  of  this  great  cave  Criss-­‐Cross  Cavern!”     It  was  cold  and  snowy   but  everyone  let   out  a  great  big   cheer.  Nobody  had  ever  explored  Criss-­‐Cross  Cavern  before.    Melinda  packed  a  few  final  things  into  her   rucksack  and  headed  for  the  mouth  of  the  cave  (put  on  backpack  and  hard  hat).     Frame  2:  Melinda  took  a  few  steps  into  the  cave,   followed  by   her   two  trusty   assistants  Molly   and  Marco.     Aher   just  a   few  feet  Melinda  no?ced   how  dark   it  was  gemng  (dim  the  lights).    “Time  to  turn  on  our  flashlights,”  she  said  as  she   flicked  the  switch  to  the  flashlight  afached  to  her  helmet  (turn  the  light   on  the  hard  hat  on).     “This  is  so  exci?ng!”  said   Molly,  Melinda’s  assistant.     “Who  knows   what  we’ll  find  down   in  the  depths   of   this  dark  cave,”   said  Melinda.     They   ventured  deeper  into  the  cave,  unaware  of  what  lay  ahead  of  them. Frame  3:  “Wow!  I’ve  never  seen  anything  like  this  before!”     Melinda’s  mouth  dropped  open  as  she  looked  around  the   vast  expanse  of  the   cave.     She  shone   her   flashlight   around  to  reveal  a  beau?ful,   crystal  clear   lake.    The  shapes  and   colors   of   the   limestone   and   icicles   were   unlike   anything   they   had   ever   seen.     Molly   took   pictures  while   Marco   documented  their   incredible  findings  into   his  scien?fic   journal.     Aher   an  en?re   day   of   hiking,   they   were   ?red  and   decided  to  camp  for  the  night.           Frame  4:  “Help!   Somebody   help  me!”     Melinda  was  the  first  to  wake  up  from  the  sound.    “Where  is  that  sound  coming   from?”   she  thought  to  herself  as  she  quickly  turned  on  her  flashlight.     Marco  and  Molly   were  both  s?ll  sound  asleep.     “Help!”    She  heard  it  again.  “Wake  up   you  guys!   Somebody’s  in  trouble!”    “What   are  you  talking  about?”  said  Marco,   rubbing   his  eyes.   “Ain’t   nobody   but   the  three  of   us  in   this  cave.”     But   Melinda  put   her   hand   over   his  mouth  and   mo?oned  for  them  both  to  listen.  That  ?me  all  three  of  them  heard  the  cry  for  help.  They  had  to  do  something.   Frame   5:   They   hurried  around  the  edge  of  the  lake   and  through   one  of  the  long  tunnels,   following  the  sound  of  the   voice.     They   were  shocked  when  suddenly   they   saw   who  had   been  crying  for   help.    It   was   a  small  mole,   curled  up   behind  a  rock.    As  they   got  closer   their   flashlights  shone  on   him  and  they  were  able  to  see  that  his  leg  was  hurt   very   badly   and  he  was  unable  to  move.    “My   leg  is  stuck  and  I  can’t   move,”  he  cried.  Molly  ran   up   to  him   and  was  able  to   bandage  his  wound  with  the  help  of  her  flashlight.   Preaching  Point:  Jesus’  light  will  bring  you  healing.   Just   like  Molly   helped  this  lifle  mole  and   bandaged  up  her   wound,   Jesus  wants   to  help   you  and   bring   you  healing.   When  your  life  is  in  darkness  and  your  heart  is  hurRng  because  of  the  way   people  have  treated  you,   Jesus’  light   will   chase  that  darkness  away.  He  will  heal  you  of  the  pain  in  your  heart.   Frame  6:  “Are  you  alone  down  here?”  ques?oned  Melinda.    “What  do  you   mean   down   here?”  said  the  lifle  mole.     “I   mean,  how  did  a  lifle  mole  like  you  get  down  into  this  dark  cave?”  she  asked  again.    “I  don’t  know  what  you’re  talking   about.  All  I  know  is  that   I  got  separated  from  my  family.    They  live  through  that   long  tunnel  over  there,”  he  said  poin?ng   down  deeper  into  the  cave.    Within  minutes,  they  were  on  their  way  to  find  the  mole’s  family.    Whoosh!     They  slid  down   a  tunnel  toward  the  unknown.  

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Life Lesson escape from darkness Frame   7:   What   Melinda  saw   next   was  an   unforgefable   sight.     It   was  an   en?re  colony   of   moles  living   in   complete   darkness.    The  moles  started  to   surround   Melinda,  fascinated   with  her  brilliant  flashlight.     For  the  first   ?me  ever,  the   moles  were  able  to  see  what  was  around  them.    Melinda  could  hardly   believe  her  ears  when  they  said  that  they  had   never   seen  light   before.     They   didn’t   even  know  that   they   were   living   in  darkness.     All  of   the  moles  looked   sad   a   depressed.    Suddenly,  Melinda  had  an  idea.    “Come  with  us!”  she  blurted  out,   “Where  we  come  from  there  is  a  whole   world  full  of  light!    You  have  been  living  in  darkness  but  you  don’t  have  to  any  longer!”     Preaching  Point:  The  world  is  living  in  darkness;  Jesus  is  the  light The  same  goes  for  you.  Some  of  you  have  been   living   in  darkness  –  the  darkness   of  broken  promises,  the  darkness  of   disappointment  from  people  lemng   you  down,  the  darkness   of  rejec?on  when  your  friends  are  not   there  for  you,  the   darkness   of  loneliness  when  your  parents  don’t  have  ?me  for   you.  The  world   is  living   in   darkness  but  Jesus  came  to   this  world  to  bring  you  light.  Jesus  came  to  give  you  everything  you  need  so  you  don’t  have  to  live  in  darkness.  You  saw   that  light  is  stronger   than  darkness  –  where  there  is  light,   the  darkness  cannot  be.  When  you  invite  Jesus  into  your   life,   His  light  will  chase  away  all  the  darkness  in  your  heart.     Frame  8:  The  moles  jumped  at   the  chance  to  leave  the  darkness.    They   didn’t  know  where  they   were  going,  but  they   followed  behind  Melinda  as  she  led  the  way.    Molly   and  Marco  followed  behind  to  make  sure  that  not  a  single  mole  was   leh  behind.    “Who  would  have  thought  that  these  moles  were  living  down  here  in  the  darkness,”  Marco  whispered  to   Molly.     “I  know,”  said  Molly,  “and  do  you  see  their  faces?     They   are  so  happy.     For  the  first   ?me  in  their  lives  they  have   hope.”       Frame  9:  All  of  the  moles  hiked  over  and  under   large  rocks  on  their  journey   through  the  cave.    “We’re  almost  there!”   said  Melinda.   Suddenly   the  ground  began  to  shake  violently   (play  earthquake   sound).  “What’s  happening?!”   the  moles   asked  one  another  in  a  panic.    “It’s  an  earthquake!     Quickly,  we  have  to  get  out  of  here!”  They   raced  to  the  entrance  of   the  cave  as  rocks  began  to  fall  on  top  of  them.    “Hurry!    Everyone  out!    It’s  about  to  give  way!” Frame  10:  CRASH!     Dust  flew  everywhere  as  the  mouth  of  the  cave  collapsed  and  was  blocked  forever.    When  the  dust   finally  sefled,  the  moles  looked  around  in  awe.    They  had  all  made  it  out  of  the  cave  and  for   the  first  ?me  in  their  lives,   rather  than  finding  themselves  living  in  a  world  full  of  darkness,  they  found  themselves  living  in  a  world  full  of  light.   Point  of  Decision If  you  choose  today  to  accept  Jesus  into  your  life  –  you  will  experience  the  light  of  his  love  and  joy  filling  your  heart.  Not   only  that,  but  you  take  that  light   with  you  for  other  people  to  see.  Do  you  want  the  light  of  Jesus  in  your   life,  or  do  you   want  to  con?nue  to  live  in  darkness?  If  you  want  that  light,  raise  your  hand. Closing  Prayer Dear  God,  thank  you  for  Jesus.  Thank  you  that  he  was  born  and  died  for  me.  Today   I  believe  that  Jesus  is  my   light.  Take   the  darkness  away.  Fill  me  with  love,  heal   my  heart,  and  give  me   Your  joy.  Come  and  make  my  heart  Your  home.  I  love   you  Jesus  and  I  thank  you  that  You  have  set  me  free  from  darkness.  In  Jesus’  Name,  Amen.

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