Joyful Moments ESL

This Bible study series uses simple English so everyone can understand. It is perfect for ESL students, homeschool children, and anyone who wants to grow in faith. I also have a Sunday School lesson on Luke 8:4-21 that may work better for native English speakers.

Copyright Notice: All lessons and printables on this website are protected by copyright. You are welcome to download and print them for free for personal use, small groups, or Bible classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not sell these materials or copy this content to other websites.

Lesson Icebreaker Question

When you wake up in the middle of the night, what do you use to help you see in the dark?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus talks about light and how people should share God’s message. We will also learn why it is important to listen carefully to God’s words.

Vocabulary Lists for the ERV Bible Translation

Key Vocabulary Words (10 words)

1. become clear: (phrase) To be easy to see or understand.
2. hidden: (adjective) Something that is not easy to see or find.
3. hide: (verb) To put something in a place where it cannot be seen.
4. lamp: (noun) A tool that holds a small fire to give light.
5. lampstand: (noun) A tall object used to hold a lamp.
6. light: 1. (noun) The brightness that lets us see. 2. (verb) To make a fire or turn on a lamp so there is brightness.
7. made known: (phrase) To tell or show something so that everyone can know it.
8. receive: (verb) To get something that is given to you.
9. secret: (noun) Something that is hidden or not told to others.
10. understanding: (noun) The ability to know what something means.

Important Words to Know (20 words)

1. become clear: (phrase) To be easy to see or understand.
2. bowl: (noun) A round dish used for holding food or liquid.
3. carefully: (adverb) Doing something with a lot of attention so you do not make a mistake.
4. cover: (verb) To put something over another thing.
5. enough: (adjective) As much as you need.
6. even: (adverb) Used to show that something is surprising.
7. everything: (pronoun) All things that exist.
8. hidden: (adjective) Something that is not easy to see or find.
9. hide: (verb) To put something in a place where it cannot be seen.
10. instead: (adverb) In place of something else.
11. lamp: (noun) A tool that holds a small fire to give light.
12. lampstand: (noun) A tall object used to hold a lamp.
13. light: 1. (noun) The brightness that lets us see. 2. (verb) To make a fire or turn on a lamp so there is brightness.
14. lose: (verb) To not be able to find something.
15. made known: (phrase) To tell or show something so that everyone can know it.
16. receive: (verb) To get something that is given to you.
17. secret: (noun) Something that is hidden or not told to others.
18. thing: (noun) An object that is not alive.
19. under: (preposition) Below something.
20. understanding: (noun) The ability to know what something means.

Complete Lesson Word Bank

1. about: (preposition) Telling what a thing or person is like.
2. become clear: (phrase) To be easy to see or understand.
3. bed: (noun) A place to sleep.
4. bowl: (noun) A round dish used for holding food or liquid.
5. carefully: (adverb) Doing something with a lot of attention so you do not make a mistake.
6. come: (verb) To move toward a person or a place.
7. cover: (verb) To put something over another thing.
8. enough: (adjective) As much as you need.
9. even: (adverb) Used to show that something is surprising.
10. every: (adjective) All the people or things in a group.
11. everyone: (pronoun) Every person in a group.
12. everything: (pronoun) All things that exist.
13. hear: (verb) To receive sound with your ears.
14. hidden: (adjective) Something that is not easy to see or find.
15. hide: (verb) To put something in a place where it cannot be seen.
16. instead: (adverb) In place of something else.
17. lamp: (noun) A tool that holds a small fire to give light.
18. lampstand: (noun) A tall object used to hold a lamp.
19. light: 1. (noun) The brightness that lets us see. 2. (verb) To make a fire or turn on a lamp so there is brightness.
20. lose: (verb) To not be able to find something.
21. made known: (phrase) To tell or show something so that everyone can know it.
22. more: (adjective) A larger amount of something.
23. people: (noun) More than one person.
24. put: (verb) To move something to a specific place.
25. receive: (verb) To get something that is given to you.
26. secret: (noun) Something that is hidden or not told to others.
27. see: (verb) To look at something with your eyes.
28. some: (adjective) An amount that is not specific.
29. thing: (noun) An object that is not alive.
30. think: (verb) To use your mind to have ideas.
31. under: (preposition) Below something.
32. understanding: (noun) The ability to know what something means.
33. use: (verb) To do something with a tool or an object.
34. will: (verb) A word used to talk about the future.

Summary of the Passage

This passage shows Jesus teaching a lesson to people around him. Jesus often used simple things from daily life to help people understand important truths about God. In this story, he talks about a lamp.

Jesus explains that when people light a lamp, they do not hide it under a bowl or under a bed. Instead, they put it up high on a lampstand so everyone can see the light when they enter the room. Light helps people see, and it makes it easier to walk and stay safe in the dark.

Jesus also says that things people try to hide will one day be shown. Secret things will be found out. He reminds everyone to listen carefully to God’s message. Those who listen well will learn more. But those who do not listen will lose what little understanding they have.

This passage teaches us that God wants us to share his message with others like a bright light. It also reminds us to listen closely to God’s word, because it helps us live wisely and kindly in the world.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Use the Understanding You Have
16 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed.
Instead, they put the lamp on a lampstand so that the people who come in will have enough light to see.
17 Everything that is hidden will become clear.
Every secret thing will be made known, and everyone will see it.
18 So think carefully about what you are hearing.
The people who have some understanding will receive more.
But those who do not have understanding will lose even what they think they have.”

Luke 8:16-18 (ERV)

• Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 8:16-18 (ERV)
• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 8:16-18 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 8:16-18 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 8:16-18 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 8:16-18 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 8:16-18 (ESV)

Comprehension Questions

1. What does a person do with a lamp after they light it?
2. Why do people put a lamp on a lampstand?
3. What does Jesus say will happen to secret things?
4. Why does Jesus tell people to think carefully about what they hear?
5. What happens to those who listen well to God’s message?
6. What happens to those who do not listen well?

Application Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus used a lamp to teach about God’s message?
2. How can you be like a lamp and show God’s love to others?
3. What helps you listen carefully to important messages?
4. What is something good you have learned about God that you could share with a friend?

Theological Insights

1. God’s word is like a light that helps people see truth.
2. Jesus wants his followers to share God’s message and not hide it.
3. God knows everything, even the secret things in people’s hearts.
4. Listening well to God’s word helps people grow in wisdom and faith.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, Thank you for giving us your word like a light to help us. Help us listen carefully and share your love with others. Amen.

A Sunday School Lesson

If you prefer a lesson that is better for English speaking children, see my Sunday School lesson for Luke 8:4-21. This lesson includes:

• Advice for Sunday School Teachers
• Activity Suggestions
• Discussion Questions

Luke Bible Study Series

You can explore my complete collection of 104 free Bible study lessons for ESL learners, homeschool families, and anyone who enjoys easy English. The studies are organized into 6 simple sections to help you grow in faith at your own pace:

• Part 1: The Birth and Early Life of Jesus (Lessons 1–11)
• Part 2: Jesus Begins His Ministry (Lessons 12–23)
• Part 3: Teaching and Miracles (Lessons 24–40)
• Part 4: The Journey to Jerusalem (Lessons 41–60)
• Part 5: Parables and Teachings (Lessons 61–83)
• Part 6: The Final Week and Resurrection (Lessons 84–104)

More Easy English Resources

More Related Resources

Visit the Joyful Moments ESL homepage for all posts, or scroll through more blog posts about light:

Scripture quotations marked (ERV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION ©2006 by Bible League International. Used by permission.