LESSON 8
MADE TO BE LIGHT
Teacher Preparation + Resources
Review each element of this lesson in advance—especially the Scripture readings, discussion questions, and recommended apps/resources. Spend time praying over your group, asking the Holy Spirit to help students evaluate their social media habits with wisdom and grace. Familiarize yourself with the recommended apps so you can guide students effectively.
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Lesson Summary
This lesson challenges students to think about how their social media habits align with their identity as followers of Jesus. By looking at Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount, students will explore what it means to be the light of the world and how they can engage with social media in a way that reflects their faith. The lesson also introduces helpful apps and resources that can strengthen their personal study of Scripture.
Main Point
God created you to be his light in the world, and the way you engage with media can either magnify or dim this light.
Lesson Objectives
- Students will consider how their social media habits impact them and how they reflect God's light in the world.
- Students will identify one practical way they can use technology that strengthens their relationship with Jesus.
Teaching Tips
Review the Digital Engagement and Impact section of the Global Youth Culture report to get a sense of how teens relate to media and how it impacts them.
Keep the conversation balanced. Instead of focusing on the negatives, guide students toward seeing how technology and social media can be tools for good when used wisely.
Materials Needed
Extra papers, pens, or pencils
Getting Started 15 minutes
Slide 2
Welcome Discussion
Have students form small groups. Ask them to reflect on their practice of reading Scripture over the past week.
Ask
What differences have you noticed in how you read Scripture since you started following the Observe-Interpret-Apply steps?
Ask
How has God been speaking to you as you read his Word?
After five minutes, bring everyone back together and ask volunteers to share highlights from their group discussions.
Slide 3
Introduction
Say
Learning to recognize and listen to God's voice is one of the most important parts of following Jesus. But as you may have noticed, this does not happen instantly. It takes time, practice, and a willingness to tune out distractions.
Icebreaker Questions
Ask
Why do you think learning to hear from God can be so difficult?
Answers may include: not knowing what to listen for, distractions, fear of what God might say, etc.
Ask
What are the loudest voices in your life, and how do they influence you?
Answers may include: social media influencers, family, friends, music and media, etc.
Say
There are more voices competing for our attention than we probably realize. But the loudest voice shaping your generation today is social media. Even if you don't use it much, it still impacts the world around you, including everything from trends and memes to the way people interact with each other.
Say
Since social media is not going anywhere, how should we engage with it as followers of Jesus? We know it has negative impacts. It can create pressure to compare, lead to temptation, and even become addictive. But it also has positive impacts. It connects people, spreads messages, and can be a tool for sharing the gospel.
Say
So, today, we are going to discuss the wisdom God gives us to use social media in a way that shines the light of the gospel without distracting us from our relationships with Jesus.
Digging In 30 minutes
Slide 4
Say
Jesus spent much of his time teaching people about a new way of life—one that looks different from the rest of the world. The verses we are reading today come from his most famous teaching: the Sermon on the Mount. It took place on a hillside where hundreds of people gathered to gain wisdom from Jesus.
Say
Before we read, take a moment to close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Imagine sitting among the huddled crowds. Jesus' words were not just for his audience on that ancient hillside. They have wisdom for us today, too.
Slide 9
Observe
Ask
What does Jesus teach about the world and who his disciples are called to be?
Call on a few volunteers to share. Then, point out how we live in a world darkened by sin and its effects (e.g. sickness, poverty, injustice, etc.). But Jesus is the light of the world, and he calls his disciples to shine his light for all to see. This includes how we speak and act, including on social media.
Optional Follow-Up Question:
How can you use your presence online to shine the light of Jesus?
Slide 10
Ask
Where does Jesus say we should store our treasures, and why?
Slide 11
Interpret
Ask
What are some examples of earthly treasures? Think of things you see commonly on social media.
Answers may include: wealth, beauty, popularity, designer clothes and shoes, etc.
Point out that Jesus is not just talking about money here. Many of the things we treasure most—like status, validation, or approval—show up in how we use social media. We do not just want things; we want the feeling that comes with them.
Slide 12
Ask
What does Jesus mean when he says, "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be"?
Call on a few volunteers to share. Then, explain how Jesus is warning his followers that the things we choose to value take over our hearts, shaping our priorities, choices, and the people we become.
Optional Follow-Up Question:
What danger do you see in treasuring things like the attention and approval we can find on social media? How might that affect your relationship with Jesus?
Encourage students to reflect on their motives for using social media. Are they driven by the desire to please themselves, to please people, or to please God?
Slide 13
Ask
In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus uses a metaphor. What does Jesus mean when he says, "When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness."
Explain that the things we view and interact with impact us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Emphasize the importance of guarding ourselves from influences that may dim the light Jesus has placed within us.
Optional Follow-Up Question:
How do you feel after scrolling through social media for a long time?
Negative answers may include: lonely, angry, anxious, insecure, addicted, etc.
Positive answers may include: connected, creative, entertained, inspired, informed, etc.
Say
Social media can be a great space for connection. But we need to be aware of its shadow side. Recent research found that young people who spent more time online report struggling more with their mental health—they experience higher levels of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. (Global Youth Culture)
Say
If your feed is making you feel anxious or insecure, it might be time to rethink who you are following, what you are consuming, and how much time you spend online. It is important to reflect on the voices you allow to speak into your life.
Slide 14
Apply
Have students turn to two or three classmates to discuss the following questions.
Say
Whether social media is good or bad for us depends on the posture of our hearts. If our eyes and hearts are set on God, then we can engage with social media in healthy, fun, creative ways for the good of ourselves, others, and for the glory of God.
Ask
How do you use social media? What are your current habits?
Ask
How are your habits around social media helping or hurting you as you follow Jesus?
Ask
What is one step you can take this week to shine the light of Jesus online?
After a few minutes, bring students' attention back to the large group.
Practicing Life with Jesus 15 minutes
Slide 15
Say
We have been learning about the importance of reading God's Word on our own as we follow Jesus.
Review steps from previous weeks (pray, read, observe, interpret, apply, pray).
Say
Social media and technology, in general, can help us on our journey of reading and understanding God's Word. From apps to help us build better prayer habits to online teachers who can help us unpack Scripture, there are so many online resources that encourage and help us as we follow Jesus.
Ask
Does anyone have any online resources they have found useful on your journey of faith?
Take responses. Recognize that students may need help discerning between good and bad online resources and teachers.
Share your own recommendations: What online teachers, apps, or resources do you recommend to help students grow in their faith?
Recommendations can include: The BibleProject and the Lectio 365 prayer app.
Slide 16
Say
One resource that is especially helpful is called the YouVersion Bible App.
Encourage your students to download and explore it as you talk about it.
Share different ways your students can use YouVersion: read Scripture, access Bible plans that provide devotionals, review the Verse of the Day, etc.
Slide 17
Response
Break the students into groups of two or three. Ask them to explore the resources you have mentioned.
Encourage them to consider how they could start using some of these tools.
End the small group time by inviting a few students to report back what they discovered.
Closing
Encourage teens to keep engaging with God's Word on their own, using the tools they have learned about today. Wrap up the class by praying over your students.
