This lesson teaches children that God is light, that there is no darkness in him at all, and that when we tell God our wrongs, he forgives us and makes us clean. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is good and full of light, and when we say sorry for the wrong things we do, he forgives us and makes us clean inside.
Memory Verse
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(WEB)
Hold both hands flat in front of your chest, then slowly cup them together as if catching water, and then open them wide to the sky. Say the verse together as you move, so children connect “forgive” with the open, clean feeling of their hands.
The Story: 1 John 1 for Kids
A man named John wrote a letter to his friends who loved Jesus. He wanted them to know something very important about who Jesus is. John had walked with Jesus for a long time. He had seen Jesus with his own eyes and had touched him with his own hands.
John said that Jesus is the Word of life. Jesus is the eternal life that was with God the Father from the very beginning. John wanted his friends to share this joy with him and with God. He wrote, “We are telling you these things so that our joy may be full.”
Then John shared a message he had heard from Jesus. The message was simple: God is light. In God there is no darkness at all. Light makes things clear and bright, and God is like that. Nothing hidden or wrong can live in his light.
John explained that people sometimes say they are close to God while they still choose to walk in the dark. That is not the truth. But when we walk in the light, we walk with God and with each other. The blood of Jesus makes us clean from every sin.
John also said that no one is perfect. If we say we have never done anything wrong, we fool only ourselves. But God is faithful and fair. When we tell him our sins, he forgives us and cleans us from everything that is wrong. Everyone can come to God and be made new.
Read It Together
1 John 1:5
This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
(WEB)
Point out that God is light and that there is no darkness in him at all. Ask children what a light does in a dark room. Help them see that God’s light makes everything clear and good.
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
(WEB)
Show how walking in the light means living in a way that pleases God. Point out that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin. Explain that this cleaning is a gift, not something we earn.
1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
(WEB)
Explain that everybody does wrong things sometimes, so no one is perfect. Show that God is faithful and ready to forgive when we confess. Help children see that telling God the truth brings them back into his light.
Talk About It
- What did John say God is, and what does light do in a dark room?
- Why is it a good idea to walk in the light instead of hiding in the dark?
- What is one thing you can say sorry to God about today?
- How does God’s forgiveness make you feel inside?
- Who is someone you can walk in the light with this week?
Activity Ideas
Light Shining Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a flashlight. Draw a dark picture on the paper with black crayon, then let children color over it with bright colors while you shine the flashlight through the window or hold it over the page. Talk about how light brings out what is good and clear, just as God’s light does.
Clean Hands Game
You will need a bowl of water, a bar of soap, and a towel. Let children wash their hands one at a time while the group says the memory verse together. As they dry their hands, remind them that God makes us clean when we tell him our wrongs. Keep the mood calm and happy.
Light Reminder at Home
You will need a small battery tea light or a paper lantern and an index card. Write “God is light” on the card and place it next to the lantern at home. Each evening, have the family light it at dinner and say one thing they are sorry for and one thing they are thankful for. This keeps the lesson alive all week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter presents God as pure light with no darkness in him, and it invites believers to live honestly before him and each other. John also teaches that claiming to be without sin is self-deception, while confession brings forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus. The passage is rooted in the apostle’s personal memory of Jesus and offers assurance to a community that needed to hear it.
Avoid suggesting to children that they can never make mistakes or that forgiveness depends on how sorry they feel. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his gift of cleansing rather than on pressure to be perfect.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that God is light and there is no darkness in him. We are sorry for the wrong things we have done. Please forgive us and make us clean. Help us walk in your light every day and share your love with our friends and family. Amen.
