Object Lesson: Is Your Witness Glowing?

Lesson Topic: Christian Witness, Godly Living, and Making Good Choices

Main Point: The choices we make can either strengthen our Christian witness or weaken the example we set for others.

Scripture: Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Lesson Overview

When we receive the Holy Ghost and begin living for God, there should be something different about us that others can see. Our attitudes, actions, words, and choices all contribute to our Christian witness.

This exciting, glow-in-the-dark object lesson uses the contents of glow sticks, dish soap, and oil to illustrate how godly choices can make our witness shine brightly, while sinful choices can diminish the example we set for others.

Children will watch as a glowing solution becomes brighter and more noticeable, then gradually loses its brilliance as another ingredient is introduced. It’s a memorable visual illustration of the importance of protecting our Christian witness.

Supplies Needed

• 8 large glow sticks (available at Dollar Tree or similar stores)
• Clear containers or cups for the demonstration
• Dish soap
• 3-in-1 household oil
• Protective gloves
• Safety glasses
• Paper towels
• A darkened room or an area where the glow can be easily seen

Important Safety Note: The original demonstration involves cutting open glow sticks and breaking the small glass tubes inside them. Although many glow sticks are labeled nontoxic, their chemicals can irritate skin and eyes, and the internal glass presents a cutting hazard. We do not recommend opening ordinary glow sticks for classroom use. Instead, use commercially prepared, sealed glow-effect materials or a safe, teacher-controlled visual substitute. Never allow children to handle opened glow sticks or their contents.

Preparation

For the strongest visual effect, plan to conduct this demonstration in a room where the lights can be dimmed.

The original demonstration uses two components from glow sticks to create a glowing liquid. For a safer classroom adaptation, prepare a glowing visual using a sealed light source or an appropriate classroom-safe fluorescent solution under UV light.

Have your dish soap and oil ready to use as teaching props. If your chosen materials do not reproduce the exact effects shown in the video, use separate prepared containers or lighting changes to illustrate the brighter and dimmer stages.

Practice the demonstration before presenting it to your class so you know exactly how the visual will appear.

Teaching the Lesson

Step 1: Introduce Our Christian Witness

Begin by showing the children the container before the glowing effect is activated.

Explain that before we begin living for God, our lives are not shining with the testimony that God wants us to have.

Ask the children:

“What happens when somebody receives the Holy Ghost and begins living for God?”

Explain that when we repent of our sins, are baptized in Jesus’ name, and receive the Holy Ghost, God begins a wonderful work in our lives.

Activate your prepared glowing demonstration.

Point out how the light is now visible.

“Something is different! People around us should be able to notice a difference in our lives. We don’t talk the same way, act the same way, or make all the same choices we used to make. We want our lives to shine for Jesus!”

Explain that this light represents our Christian witness, the example of Jesus Christ that others see through us.

Step 2: Show How Good Choices Strengthen Our Witness

Now introduce the dish soap.

Explain that the soap represents good, godly choices.

Ask the children to name some choices that would help them be a good Christian example.

Some examples include:

• Praying and reading the Bible
• Attending church and Sunday School
• Choosing godly music and entertainment
• Telling others about Jesus
• Being kind and respectful
• Standing up for what is right
• Choosing friends who encourage us to live for God
• Obeying our parents and teachers

As the children offer suggestions, introduce the soap as a symbol of those positive choices.

In the original demonstration, adding and stirring the soap causes the glowing solution to appear brighter.

Use your prepared visual to illustrate that increased brightness.

“Look how much brighter that light is getting! When we make godly choices, people can see the difference in our lives. They see that we’re serious about living for Jesus!”

Emphasize that good works do not earn salvation or make the Holy Ghost stronger. Rather, our obedience and godly behavior help others see the work God is doing in our lives.

Step 3: Show How Wrong Choices Can Damage Our Witness

Next, introduce the oil.

Explain that the oil represents sinful choices and ungodly influences that we allow into our lives.

Ask the children:

“What are some things that could hurt our Christian witness?”

Discuss examples such as lying, cheating, bullying, disobeying parents, using unkind words, or participating in activities that we know are wrong.

In the original demonstration, the addition of oil causes the glowing mixture to become progressively less brilliant as it is stirred.

Use your dimming visual to illustrate this change.

“Look what’s happening to our light! It isn’t shining as brightly as it was before!”

Explain that when we make wrong choices, we can damage our testimony and make it harder for others to see Jesus in our lives.

Continue illustrating the diminishing light.

“Maybe we tell someone at school that we’re a Christian, but then they hear us using bad language. Maybe we invite someone to church, but they see us being mean to another child. Our actions aren’t matching what we say we believe!”

Remind the children that our choices matter because people are watching how we live.

Step 4: Challenge the Children to Let Their Light Shine

Read Matthew 5:16 aloud.

Explain that Jesus wants our light to shine so that other people will see our good works and glorify God.

Ask the children:

“Is your life helping other people see Jesus?”

Remind them that every day presents opportunities to make choices that either strengthen or hurt their Christian witness.

Also explain that making a wrong choice does not mean God has stopped loving us or that we cannot be forgiven. When we sin, we should repent, ask God to forgive us, and make things right.

Close by encouraging the children to ask God to help them make choices that honor Him.

Additional Teaching Tips

Use a dark room. The original experiment is especially impressive when the lights are dimmed. Make sure the children can clearly see the visual changes.

Get the children involved. Before introducing each ingredient, ask children to identify examples of good or bad choices. This makes the lesson more personal and helps them apply it to everyday life.

Connect the illustration to their world. Discuss situations they may encounter at school, at home, while playing with friends, or when using electronic devices.

Keep the focus on witnessing. The purpose of the lesson isn’t simply to tell children to behave. Help them understand that their lives can point other people toward Jesus.

Finish with encouragement. Remind the children that God can help them live a life that shines brightly for Him, even when they face difficult choices.

Conclusion

Our Christian witness is important because our lives may be one of the ways someone learns about Jesus.

When we make godly choices, we help others see the difference God has made in us. When we make sinful choices, we can hurt our testimony.

Encourage every child to make a commitment to let their light shine brightly for Jesus!

Suggested Closing Question: “What is one choice you can make this week that will help someone else see Jesus in you?”