Parent Discipleship Guide 07 June 2026

PARENT–CHILD DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE
The Day Light Entered the World

Big Idea for the Week:
Jesus is the true Light. He made the world, entered our darkness, died for sinners, rose from the grave, and calls us to follow Him.

Memory Verse:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
 John 1:5

Day 1 — God Made the Light
Scripture: Genesis 1:1–5

Adult Teaching:
The Bible begins with God. Before there was light, land, sky, water, animals, people, or time as we know it, God already was. Nothing exists apart from Him. When God said, “Let there be light,” light came because His word has power. Darkness was real, but darkness was not stronger than God.

Child Truth:
God spoke, and light came.
Explain to the Child:
God made everything. He did not need help. When God spoke, creation obeyed Him. Light came because God is powerful and good.
Ask:

• What did God create?
• What happened when God said, “Let there be light”?
• Is darkness stronger than God?

Family Application:
When life feels scary, confusing, or dark, we remember that God is still Lord. He can bring light where we cannot.

Prayer:
God, thank You for making the world. Thank You that darkness is not stronger than You. Help us trust Your word.

Day 2 — Jesus Is the True Light
Scripture: John 1:1–5

Adult Teaching:
John tells us that Jesus did not begin in Bethlehem. Jesus is the eternal Word who was with God and who is God. Everything was made through Him. The life people need is found in Him. We do not have enough light in ourselves to save ourselves, fix sin, or know God rightly. The true Light comes from Christ.

Child Truth:
Jesus is the true Light.
Explain to the Child:
Jesus is not just a good teacher. Jesus is God the Son. He made everything, and He gives us the life we need with God.
Ask:

• Who is the true Light?
• Did Jesus begin when He was born in Bethlehem?
• Why do we need Jesus?

Family Application:
We do not tell children to “find their own truth.” We teach them to trust Jesus, because He is the truth and the light.

Prayer:
Jesus, You are the true Light. Help our family trust You more than our own ideas, feelings, or fears.

Day 3 — People Needed Rescue from Darkness
Scripture: John 1:9–13

Adult Teaching:
The Creator came into His world, but the world did not recognize Him. That is what sin does. Sin blinds people to God. A person can be near church, Scripture, songs, and religious activity and still not receive Christ. But John gives good news: everyone who receives Christ and believes in His name is given the right to become a child of God.

Child Truth:
Jesus came to save people from darkness.
Explain to the Child:
Sin is when we turn away from God and choose our own way. Sin makes our hearts dark. Jesus came so we can be forgiven and become God’s children.
Ask:

• What does sin do to people?
• What does it mean to receive Jesus?
• Who can become a child of God?

Family Application:
Do not only teach children to behave better. Teach them that they need Jesus Himself. Good behavior cannot make anyone a child of God. Only Christ can give new life.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Help us receive Him, believe in Him, and live as Your children.
 
Day 4 — Jesus Came Near
Scripture: John 1:14–18

Adult Teaching:
The Word became flesh. Jesus truly became human without ceasing to be God. He entered real hunger, weakness, grief, temptation, and pain. John says He came full of grace and truth. That means Jesus tells the truth about our sin, but He comes near in mercy to rescue us.

Child Truth:
Jesus came close to us.
Explain to the Child:
Jesus became a real man. He knows what it is to be tired, hungry, sad, and hurt. He came near so He could save us.
Ask:

• Did Jesus really become human?
• What does grace mean?
• What does truth mean?

Simple Definitions:
Grace means God gives mercy we do not deserve.
Truth means God tells us what is real and right.

Family Application:
Children need both grace and truth. They need loving correction, not harshness. They need mercy, not pretending sin is okay.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for coming near. Help our home be full of grace and truth.

Day 5 — Jesus Brings Us Out of Darkness
Scripture: John 8:12; Colossians 1:13

Adult Teaching:
Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” He is not one spiritual option among many. He is the only Savior who brings people out of darkness. Colossians says God delivers believers from the power of darkness and transfers them into the kingdom of His Son. Christians may still struggle, but darkness no longer owns them.

Child Truth:
Jesus brings His people out of darkness.
Explain to the Child:
When we trust Jesus, we belong to Him. Sin does not get to be our king anymore. Jesus is our King.
Ask:

• What does Jesus call Himself?
• What kingdom does God bring believers into?
• Does darkness still own people who belong to Jesus?

Family Application:
When someone in the family sins, we do not hide it or excuse it. We bring it into the light through confession, forgiveness, and obedience to Jesus.

Prayer:
King Jesus, thank You for bringing Your people out of darkness. Help our family walk in Your light.

Day 6 — The Light Went to the Cross
Scripture: Matthew 27:45

Adult Teaching:
At the cross, darkness covered the land. This was not only about the sky. It showed that judgment was falling as Jesus bore the sin of His people. The true Light entered the deepest darkness. He was not defeated. He willingly gave His life to rescue sinners.

Child Truth:
Jesus died to save sinners.
Explain to the Child:
Jesus never sinned, but He died on the cross for sinners. He took the punishment we deserve so we can be forgiven and brought back to God.
Ask:

• Did Jesus do anything wrong?
• Why did Jesus die on the cross?
• Was the darkness stronger than Jesus?

Family Application:
The cross teaches us that sin is serious and God’s love is great. We should not laugh at sin, hide sin, or make excuses for sin. We confess sin and trust Jesus.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for dying for sinners. Help us understand Your cross and love You more.

Day 7 — The Light Came Out of the Grave
Scripture: John 20:1; John 12:36; Matthew 5:14–16

Adult Teaching:
Mary came to the tomb while it was still dark, but Jesus was already alive. The darkness at the cross was real, but it was not final. Sin did not keep Him. Death did not hold Him. The grave did not win. Now Jesus calls His people to believe in the light and live as children of light.

Child Truth:
Jesus rose from the dead.
Explain to the Child:
Jesus died, but He did not stay dead. He rose from the grave. Everyone who belongs to Jesus has hope because He is alive.
Ask:

• What did Mary find at the tomb?
• Did death win?
• How can our lives point people to Jesus?

Family Application:
Children learn from more than lessons. They watch how adults speak, forgive, serve, tell the truth, confess sin, and trust Jesus. We are not the light. We point to Jesus, the true Light.

Prayer:
Risen Jesus, thank You that You are alive. Help our family shine Your light so others can see You.

Family Review
What did God say in Genesis 1?
 “Let there be light.”

Who is the true Light?
Jesus.

Why did Jesus come into the world?
To rescue sinners from darkness and bring them to God.

What happened at the cross?
Jesus died for sinners and bore the judgment we deserved.

What happened at the tomb?
Jesus rose from the dead.

How should Christians live now?
We should walk in the light and point others to Jesus.

Closing Family Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the true Light. Thank You that darkness could not master Him. Help our family trust Christ, follow His Word, confess sin, forgive one another, and shine His light in our home, our church, and our community. Amen.






© 2026 Dr. G. Ryan Perry, PhD. Published in partnership with Good Hope Baptist Church (GHBC) and Cross+Walk Ministries. All rights reserved. Personal use, family discipleship, classroom teaching, and local church ministry use are permitted unless otherwise stated.