"I AM" Program

Editor's Note: The disciple John wrote many Bible verses telling how Jesus described himself. To teach our Sunday School children these lessons, I prepared this script for their performance at last Sunday's worship service during the Children's Sermon. Our congregation was blessed by their ministry. May the text bless you too.

Jesus Declares, "I AM"

Prepared by Wendy
Copyright March 2011
(Please feel free to use this. Just don't publish it.)


Sunday School teacher's introduction: In Sunday School, we are learning about Jesus’ life and teachings as written in the four gospels of the Bible’s New Testament. Currently, we are working on the gospel of John. In this book, John shows us how Jesus is “the Word” sent from heaven by God the Father. Today we have prepared a demonstration of the special lessons Jesus used to teach his followers about who he is. These lessons are known as the “I AM” statements. We’ll need your help! Please have ready your song sheet - “This Little Light of Mine” - and the candle you received. Be ready to help sing.

The Light shines in the darkness. And the darkness has not overcome it.



Narrator: In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God. And the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, not one thing was made. In him was life. The life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen his glory, glory as the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.

From his fullness, we have received grace. The law was given through Moses. Grace and truth was given through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; only through he, who is at the Father’s side, has God been made known. He made himself known by the Father’s works through him and in the words used to describe him. (pause)

Jesus said:

Actor #1: “I AM the bread of life. (Hold up a loaf of bread) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Narrator: Jesus also declared:

Actor #2: “I AM the light of the world. (Hold up a flashlight) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Turn on the light)

Narrator: Later Jesus said,

Actor #3: “I tell you the truth, I AM the gate for the sheep." (Hold up a gate prop) If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. He will go, in and out, and find pasture.”

Narrator: Jesus continued:

Actor#4: "I AM the good shepherd. (Hold up a shepherd crook and sheep.) The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know my sheep and my sheep know me."

Narrator: Another time, Jesus said:

Actor#5: “I AM the resurrection and the life. (Hold up the cross) Whoever believes in me will live, even though he dies."

Narrator: Jesus also said,

Actor#6: “I AM the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I AM the vine; you are the branches. (Lift the vine) If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; (Lift a grape bundle) Apart from me, you can do nothing."

Narrator: Later in Revelations, Jesus said,

Actor #7: "I AM the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, (Hold up the letters A and Z) the beginning and the ending."

Narrator: Finally Jesus said:

Actor# 8: "I AM the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star." (Lift the Christmas star)

Narrator: Just as the bright morning star shines, so too do we shine when we open our hearts to Jesus and let his light shine through us. Please join us in singing “This Little Light of Mine” and have your candle ready to receive the Light!

(Two Sunday Schoolers take their Christmas candles, light them from the altar candles and pass on the light to the other cast members while singing verse one. On verse two, the cast goes into the congregation and offers to light their candles as the light is passed on and the whole church sings verses three and four and Sunday Schoolers return to the front for the finish.)



This Little Light of Mine


This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna pass it on.
Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna pass it on.
Let it shine till Jesus comes. I’m gonna pass it on.
Pass it on, pass it on, pass it on.

Hide it under a bush; Oh NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush; Oh NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bush; Oh NO! I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine.
All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine.
All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.


Narrator: May Jesus’ light continue to shine through you, even as you extinguish your candles! Amen.