Happy Opening
Before children arrive, use masking tape to make a simple winding path on the floor, from one side of the room to the other. Put a picture of Jesus or a bright yellow paper sun at the end.
When children sit down, point to the path and say: "Friends, I made something for us today. What do you see? Where do you think it goes?" Let them answer. Then say: "Today we are going to learn about a very important path -- a path that Jesus helps us walk on. And I need your help walking it."
If you want a second option: Hold up a flashlight. Turn it on and off. Ask: "Which do you like better -- the light or the dark?" Let them shout their answer. Say: "Me too. Today we learn about a path that gets brighter and brighter, like the sun coming up. Jesus is on that path."
Simple Scripture Story
Say: "Sit close to me. I am going to tell you a true story from the scriptures."
"A long, long time ago, a father sat with his child -- maybe just your size -- and said, 'I want to teach you something very important.' Can you be the child? Sit up straight like you are listening to your father."
Children sit up.
"The father said: 'There are two paths. One path follows Jesus. One path does not. The path that follows Jesus gets brighter and brighter -- like the sun coming up in the morning.' Let's make the sun rising with our arms." Arms start low and slowly rise overhead.
"The father said: 'Walk on the bright path. Trust Jesus more than your own ideas. When you do not know what to do -- Jesus knows. He will help your feet go the right way.'" Walk fingers along your arm like little feet on a path.
"Then the father said something else. He said: 'Use kind words. A soft, gentle word -- like a hug with your voice -- makes angry feelings go away.' Can you say something kind to the person next to you right now?" Let them turn and say something kind.
"The child listened. And then the child walked on the bright path -- right toward Jesus." Point to the picture or sun at the end of the taped path.
"That story is in the scriptures, in a book called Proverbs. The scripture says: 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and he shall direct thy paths.' That means Jesus will help us know where to go."
Big Idea
"Here is the one thing I want you to remember today. Say it with me:"
"Jesus helps me walk on the right path."
Say it three times together. Stomp feet gently on "walk." Point forward on "right path."
"Just like the father in our story taught his child, we can walk on the bright path too. Every time we choose a kind word, every time we ask Jesus for help -- we are walking on that bright path."
Wiggle and Learn Activities
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Follow the Path Game
Materials: Tape path already on floor, soft music optional.
Step 1: Line children up at the start of the taped path. Say: "We are going to walk the bright path -- just like in our story."
Step 2: Call out instructions as they walk: "Take two giant steps -- that is a kind word." "Hop three times -- that is a prayer." "Tiptoe -- that is trusting Jesus." "Freeze -- which way does Jesus help us go?" Children point forward.
Step 3: When they reach the sun or Jesus picture, cheer and say together: "Jesus helps me walk on the right path."
What to say: "Every time you choose the right, you take one more step on Jesus's bright path."
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Follow the Path Game
Materials: Tape path already on floor, soft music optional.
Step 1: Line children up at the start of the taped path. Say: "We are going to walk the bright path -- just like in our story."
Step 2: Call out instructions as they walk: "Take two giant steps -- that is a kind word." "Hop three times -- that is a prayer." "Tiptoe -- that is trusting Jesus." "Freeze -- which way does Jesus help us go?" Children point forward.
Step 3: When they reach the sun or Jesus picture, cheer and say together: "Jesus helps me walk on the right path."
What to say: "Every time you choose the right, you take one more step on Jesus's bright path."
Soft Answer Beanbag Toss
Materials: One beanbag or soft ball, two spots marked on the floor (one says SOFT, one says LOUD in pictures).
Step 1: Teacher describes a situation. "Your friend takes your crayon. What do you do -- say something soft and kind, or yell?" Children point to the soft spot or yell spot.
Step 2: Child tosses the beanbag to the SOFT spot when they choose a kind answer.
Step 3: Every time the beanbag lands on SOFT, everyone whispers together: "A soft answer is a kind answer."
What to say: "The scriptures say a soft, gentle word makes angry feelings go away. Proverbs 15:1."
Path of Light Craft (written card -- unused in class, send home)
Materials: One strip of yellow or white paper per child, crayons, stickers (hearts, stars).
Step 1: Give each child a paper strip. Say: "This is your bright path."
Step 2: Children draw or stick hearts and stars along the path -- one for each kind thing they can do.
Step 3: At the end of the path, draw a simple figure walking toward a sun.
What to say: "Every kind choice makes your path a little brighter. Take this home and tell your family one kind thing you will do this week."
Note to teacher: This is a take-home activity. Send strips home with the Take-Home Hug message.
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down Choices
Materials: None.
Step 1: Teacher reads a short situation. "You want the last cookie and so does your sister. You give it to her. Thumbs up or thumbs down?"
Step 2: Children show thumbs up or thumbs down. Teacher says: "That is walking on the bright path."
Step 3: After 4-5 situations, ask: "Who helped us know the right choice?" Children answer: "Jesus."
What to say: "When we choose right, Jesus is happy. We are walking on His bright path."
Picture Time
Show the painting "He Leadeth Me" by Yongsung Kim (available at havenlight.com and referenced in the CFM manual for this week). It shows Jesus walking ahead on a path, hand extended back toward the viewer.
If unavailable, use Gospel Art Book image 65 -- "Christ and Children from around the World" -- or any age-true image of Jesus with small children.
Ask:
- "What do you see in this picture? Who is walking?"
- "Where do you think Jesus is going? Would you follow Him?"
- "How does this picture make your heart feel?"
Say: "This is what our scripture story looked like. Jesus is on the path, and He is asking us to follow."
Do not use images of the cross, Gethsemane, or the crucifixion with this age group.
Song and Actions
Song: "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" (Children's Songbook, 177)
Verse 1:
"Teach me to walk in the light of His love" -- walk in place, arms slightly out
"Teach me to pray to my Father above" -- fold arms
"Teach me to know of the things that are right" -- point to temple (head)
"Teach me, teach me to walk in the light" -- walk in place, hands raised like sunrise
Sing it slowly twice. The second time, let children lead the actions.
Say: "This song is exactly what the father in our story was teaching his child. Walk in the light. That means: follow Jesus on the bright path."
Jesus Loves Me Moment
Gather children close in a circle. Speak quietly.
"Before we say goodbye today, I want you to know something that is true. Jesus loves you. He knows your name. And He made a bright path just for you to walk on."
Invite: "Can you tell me one way you know Jesus loves you? Or one kind word you could say this week?"
Let 2-3 children share. Respond warmly to each one.
Close by saying together one last time: "Jesus helps me walk on the right path."
Take-Home Hug
"This week, find one person at home and say something kind to them -- a soft, gentle word. And when you do, remember: you are walking on the bright path with Jesus."
Send home the path craft strip if you made it, or a small note for parents that reads: "Ask me what the bright path is."
Teacher Survival Tips
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If the room is too wiggly to hear the story, put children on the taped path first. Let them walk it once silently, then gather them at the end for the story. Movement first settles them faster than waiting it out.
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If you are running short on time, the scripture story and the Follow the Path game together carry the full lesson. The Big Idea fits inside the game itself. Picture Time and Song can be dropped without losing the core.
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If a child does not want to participate in movement, let them stand at the end of the path and be "the light" that everyone is walking toward. Every child needs a role, not a consequence.
