Leader Guide

Theme
Evangelism; Witnessing

Objective
Students will be encouraged to be witnesses through their words and actions.

Warm Up
Sardines – While you are gathering your students together, send two of your youth leaders (same gender, unless they're married) to go hide somewhere in the church building—or outdoors, if you want to do it that way. Have another youth leader or two turn off most of the lights in your building during this time, but leave some on around staircases and in bathrooms. Don't let the youth know the leaders are hiding, but simply explain the game as follows:

A couple of people are missing and we all have to find them. When you do find them, you need to hide with them. This is a team activity, and you want to be quiet when you find the people so others don't find them with you. Any lights that are off need to stay off and any lights that are on need to stay on. Do not go into any rooms that are locked, and do not lock any rooms that are currently unlocked. They are not hiding in the bathrooms. No using flashlights or phone lights.

After a couple minutes, let the students know who they are looking for and send the group out. Put a limit of 5-10 minutes on the game (unless you need to take up more time) and call them all back to the meeting room when done. Give a prize to the student who found them first.

Transition
Say, "This game required you to be sneaky and quiet as you looked for the two leaders. Finding them would have been easier if you had been able to turn on the lights, or been able to use a flashlight. It may also have been easier if you all worked together and were not trying to do it on your own. We're going to watch a music video having to do with this."

The Video
Show the "Lights Shine Bright" video.

Transition
Ask:
•    Which is more powerful: light or darkness? (Light is more powerful.)
•    What are the lights that are shining bright everywhere they go?

Bible Study
Say, "We read about light and darkness a lot in the Bible. Let's take a look at a few passages of Scripture having to do with this." Read the following passages and discussion questions either as a large group or in smaller groups.

Isaiah 9:2
•    What (who) is this great light to which the passage refers?
•    Is this good news, or bad news?

Matthew 5:14-16
•    Who is it that is the city on a hill?
•    Where do Christians get their "light"?
•    How does one "shine" his or her "light"?

Romans 10:13-15
•    How does someone become saved?
•    From what are they saved?
•    Whose responsibility is it to share the Good News of Christ?

1 Timothy 4:12
•    How can you be an example in your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity?

Wrap Up
Say something like, "Andy Stanley once said, 'Boldness is saying something when it's easier to say nothing.'" Share a personal story of a time when you shared your faith with another person.

Don't guilt students, but encourage them to share.

Say, "Each of us has opportunities each day to share our faith with others. This is how we shine our light. When someone asks what you did this weekend, you could say nothing, or you could say, 'I went to church.' This may open a door for you to say more about your faith. It doesn't always have to be something big, but we do need to say something." Have them gather in groups to pray for one another to be Christ's witnesses. Close in prayer.