This lesson teaches children that Jesus is the Light of the World, and that he can open our eyes to see the truth. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus is the light, and he helps us see clearly, even when others don’t understand what he has done for us.
Memory Verse
John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
(WEB)
Cup both hands together in front of your chest, then slowly open them wide like a flower blooming as you say “Jesus is the light.” Ask children to copy the motion, so the words and the action stay together in their minds.
The Story: John 9 for Kids
One day Jesus was walking along a road when he saw a man who had been blind since the day he was born. The man had never seen the sun, a friend’s smile, or the color of a flower. His disciples asked Jesus, “Who did wrong, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered that no one had done wrong, and that God’s power could be shown in this man’s life.
Then Jesus knelt down and made a little mud with his spit and the dirt on the ground. He gently spread the mud on the man’s eyes. “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam,” Jesus told him. The man walked to the pool, washed his face, and came back able to see for the first time in his life.
His neighbors were amazed. Some said, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Others were not sure, and they kept asking him questions. The man told them simply, “A man called Jesus made mud and put it on my eyes. I washed, and now I can see!”
The religious leaders were upset because this healing happened on the Sabbath, the day of rest. They called the man’s parents to ask whether he was really their son and whether he had truly been blind. His parents said, “He is our son, and he was born blind. Ask him how he can see now, because he is old enough to speak for himself.”
The leaders asked the man again, and he kept telling the truth. “I don’t know everything,” he said, “but I know that I was blind and now I see.” Because he spoke up for Jesus, the leaders threw him out. When Jesus heard this, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” The man said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped Jesus.
Read It Together
John 9:1-3
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.
(WEB)
Point out that the disciples thought sickness was always caused by sin, but Jesus taught that God can use every hard thing for his good purposes. Ask children what they think about people who are different from them, and how Jesus wants us to see each person.
John 9:7
And said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
(WEB)
Show children that the man obeyed Jesus even though the instructions seemed unusual. Ask them to name a time when following Jesus’ words required trust, and talk about how the man walked to the pool before he could see anything.
John 9:25
He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
(WEB)
Highlight the man’s simple, honest answer, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” Explain that telling what Jesus has done for us is a way of honoring him, even when it is hard.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would feel like to see for the first time?
- Why did the man keep telling everyone what Jesus had done for him?
- How did the man’s parents feel when the leaders asked them questions, and what did they do?
- What are some ways we can show others that Jesus is the light in our lives?
- What does it mean that Jesus found the man again after he was thrown out?
Activity Ideas
Light Shining Picture
You will need black construction paper, white crayons or chalk, a flashlight, and a dark room. Have children draw a simple picture of a person with white crayon on the black paper, then shine the flashlight across it to show how light brings the picture into view. Explain that Jesus shows us what is true, just as the light shows the drawing.
Blindfold Follow the Leader
Gather a scarf or cloth to use as a blindfold and clear a safe space in a room or yard. One child wears the blindfold while a teacher or another child gives calm directions, such as “Take two steps forward.” Afterward, talk about how it felt to trust a guide, and remind children that Jesus guides us even when we cannot see the whole path.
Light of the World Card
You will need a sheet of paper, markers, and a small flashlight or candle for the family table. Have each child write “Jesus is the light of the world” on the paper and decorate it with yellow and orange sunbursts. Let them take the card home to place by their bed or on the kitchen table as a reminder to tell others about Jesus.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus gives sight to those who could not see, both physically and spiritually. The man who was healed becomes a bold witness, while the religious leaders who claimed to see remain blind to who Jesus is. It reminds us that faith often grows when we speak honestly about what God has done.
Avoid suggesting that every illness or hardship is caused by a specific sin, or that a person who is sick or disabled lacks faith. Jesus himself rejected that idea in this story, so keep the focus on God’s power and love rather than on blame.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for being the light of the world. Help us see you clearly, trust you when we cannot see the way ahead, and tell others about the good things you have done. Thank you for always finding us and loving us. Amen.
