Teach elementary and preteen kids about the parable of the lamp in Mark 4:21-23 using this scratchboard pictures craft.

Prepare for the Parable of the Lamp Craft

You’ll Need:

• heavy paper
• pastel crayons
• black poster paint
• bent paper clips or nails
• dish soap
• paintbrushes
• dishes

Easy Prep:

Mix a drop of soap into each small dish of black paint.

Lead the Elementary and Preteen Craft

Make Scratchboard Pictures

Set out the supplies.

• Have kids color their entire pieces of paper with crayons. Make sure they’re creating a thick layer of crayon as they color.
• Once the coloring is complete, apply black poster paint all over the layer of crayons.
• Let the paint dry.

Once the paint is dry, have kids scratch a picture into the black painted surfaces with a bent paper clip or nail. The beautiful colors underneath will show through!

Talk About It

Read aloud Mark 4:21-23.

Ask:

• What do you think about Jesus’ question? Do you know anyone who would put a lamp under a basket?
• How were our pictures covered with black paint like a lamp under a basket?
• How are our scratched pictures (with the colors revealed) like a lamp shining bright?
• When it comes to sharing your faith, are you more like the black poster paint pictures or the pictures with colors revealed?
• How can you share about Jesus in your everyday life?

Close in prayer, asking Jesus to help kids in your class shine his light to those around them.

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