Let Your Light Shine
In this book, there is a full color picture on every page.
Your personalized data replaces words in red.
But will NOT be in red in the book.
This Book Is About You!
Zachary Richardson
Age 11
With Love From,
Mom
2004
Page 3
Zachary Richardson had just finished reading a Bible story about Jesus. Zachary was thinking, "Jesus told us to let our light shine by telling other about God and His love." Zachary thought, "If I met someone here in Austin who didn't know Jesus, what would I say?"
Page 4
The very next day Zachary was playing at the park. A young boy was swinging next to him. Zachary turned and said, "Hi. My name is Zachary." He told Zachary his name and said that he had just moved to Austin. Zachary said, "I guess you will be going to a new school and church, then." "We don't go to church," he said. Zachary thought, "I'm going to tell him about Jesus, just like Jesus wants us to do."
Page 5
Zachary was letting his light shine as he began to share the story of Jesus with his new friend. "I have a special friend who loves me very much. His name is Jesus, and He loves you, too. Jesus goes with me everywhere. Even though I do not see Him, He is there. He has taught me to trust in God and to trust in Him."
Page 6
Zachary began to tell him everything that he had learned about Jesus. "Jesus lived on earth about 2,000 years ago. He was a wonderful teacher. He was different from the other teachers. He said that He was the Son of God. That really shook things up back then."
Page 7
"He taught us so much! He taught us that we should treat people the same way that we want to be treated, and that we should love each other. He taught us to be kind and to help each other." Sharing the story of Jesus with his new friend gave Zachary a good feeling inside.
Page 8
Zachary went on talking. "Many people believed Jesus and followed Him. He performed great miracles. Jesus could heal a sick person with just the touch of His hand." Zachary's new friend listened with great interest.
Page 9
Zachary went on, "Still, there were some who did not like Jesus. They were angry with Him because of His teachings. They put him on a cross to die. Jesus knew this would happen because it was all a part of God's plan. Jesus took the punishment for all of our sins. By dying on the cross for us, Jesus gave eternal life to all who believe in Him."
Page 10
"A man named Joseph took His body and placed it in a tomb. He rolled a big stone in front of it. Guards were placed in front of the stone to make sure no one took the body. Three days later an angel came down from heaven and rolled back the stone to show that Jesus' body was gone. The tomb was empty! Jesus was alive."
Page 11
"Jesus appeared to many of His friends and told them to tell others about Him. Then God took Him up to Heaven to be with Him. Now, 2,000 years later, Jesus walks with me every day," said Zachary. "He is with me when I play with Bryce and Benjamin, and He is with me when I am alone. I try to live my life like Jesus taught us."
Page 12
"How can He walk with you if He lived 2,000 years ago?" asked the boy, a little confused. "It's easy," said Zachary, "All you have to do is to believe in Him."
Page 13
"How does he help you?" asked the boy. "I pray to Jesus and ask him to take care of me when I'm afraid," Zachary told his new friend. "Do you mean that He will be there even if you have to go to the doctor?" he asked. Zachary laughed and said, "Yes, and He will give you courage if you ask Him to."
Page 14
"When there's a storm outside and I'm afraid," Zachary said, "I'll pray to Jesus to keep me and my family safe. Then I feel safer because I know that He will watch over us. One time Jesus was in a boat with his helpers when a big storm came up. The wind was blowing hard and the waves were getting bigger and bigger. His helpers were afraid for their lives. Jesus simply got up and told the wind and the waves to be quiet, and they stopped."
Page 15
"Sometimes when I'm about to do something that I shouldn't do I can hear Him whispering to me in my mind that it's wrong." Zachary said. "And sometimes when I can't decide what I should do I pray to Jesus for the answer. I know I can always trust Him and that He knows what's best for me.
Page 16
Knowing Jesus makes me happy and I want to share His love with others," Zachary told his friend. "He taught us to love one another." "I have really learned a lot about Jesus today," said the boy. 'Zachary, you are the kindest person that I have met since I moved to Austin."
Page 17
When it was time for Zachary to go home, he told his new friend, "It was fun playing with you and talking about Jesus. I love to come to the park. Maybe we can play again sometime." The boy waved goodbye and said, "I hope to see you again very soon."
Page 18
As it turned out, Zachary did see his new friend soon. Can you guess who was in Zachary's class the next time he went to church? It was the boy from the park. "I'm so glad you're here," Zachary told him with a big smile on his face. Then he introduced him to the class. By sharing Jesus with his new friend, Zachary had let his light shine. It was a wonderful feeling!
