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Leader Guide

Teaching

Copy the God’s Plan Revealed Craft Pattern for children who missed previous lessons.

Make one copy each of the Signpost Pattern and Fulfillment Slip Pattern.

Cut the slips on both patterns apart, then match each Signpost with its Fulfillment.

Blow up a balloon, roll the first Fulfillment Slip into a pencil shape, slide it into the balloon, and tie closed. Use string, yarn or ribbon to suspend the balloon from the ceiling, window or doorframe in one corner of the room, hanging low enough for a child to cut the string, then tape its matching Signpost slip to a nearby wall. Repeat for the other three balloons, putting each in a different corner with its matching Signpost. 

Let’s dig deeper into the scriptures in our Signposts Video. The balloons in the four corners of the room represent the whole Earth. Near each balloon is a sign that represents the past, present or future. Inside each balloon is a prophecy Jesus will fulfill by returning to Earth. Are you ready to pop some balloons?

I will read the sign near a balloon, then ask a volunteer to cut the string so it falls to the floor. What does the balloon falling from the sky represent? Jesus’ Second Coming.

Next, I will ask someone else to pop it to reveal what is hidden inside. You must pop it by stepping on it or sitting on it, so that won’t be easy—it might even be a battle, although perhaps not as exciting as our video! Then I’ll ask someone else to read the slip aloud so we can all discuss it.

1.  Signpost—Past and Present: The world needs to be rescued.

Fulfillment—God sent His Son to save us.

Ever since Satan tempted Adam and Eve to sin, the world has been full of evil; yet God had a plan to save us from our sin. He sent Jesus to Earth the first time to forgive our sins and defeat sin and death. We will still have trials, suffering and temptation until Jesus returns. However, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us overcome every problem. God’s power is much greater than Satan’s. God will never leave us and will always forgive us—if we will only ask! In Jesus, we have victory over sin and evil now, and the final victory over Satan when Jesus comes again!

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Read John 3:16 and Romans 8:35-37, then discuss how we can have peace and confidence.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

2.  Signpost—The Future Revealed: Satan’s defeat.

    Fulfillment—Jesus defeats the devil in a final battle.

Many prophets in the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about Earth’s final days. God specifically revealed to the Apostle John what would take place at the end of the world in the book of Revelation.

Read Revelation 1:1–2:

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In the final battle, Satan will be defeated, once and for all, by an army of heaven’s angels led by Jesus, the King of kings! Once Satan is defeated, Jesus will bring healing to a corrupt and broken world. The Old Testament Prophet Daniel spoke of the final days when he revealed that God’s chief angel, who stands guard over the nations, will arise and come with Jesus to rescue all those who believe and follow Jesus. When you believe in Jesus, your name is written in God’s Book of Life—never to be forgotten. Isn’t that exciting?

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Read Daniel 12:1-3 and discuss how it feels to know that any work you do for God now will not be forgotten.

“At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.”

Read Zechariah 12:10 and discuss how God shows His love and patience.

“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on Me whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for Him as for a firstborn son who has died.

3.  Signpost—Restoration: The Lord restores all things.

Fulfillment—Jesus brings peace and order.

God did not want us to live in an evil and corrupt world. God will restore peace and order again after the final battle and Satan’s defeat.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Read Isaiah 2:4:

The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowsharesand their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,nor train for war anymore.

Weapons will no longer be needed after Satan’s defeat—that is the final battle the world will ever see. This scripture from Isaiah is on a statue inside the United Nations building in New York City. The United Nations is an organization that tries to work out problems between nations. Though the world tries to maintain peace, it will never really be possible until Jesus returns and Satan is defeated.

Read Isaiah 65:25 and discuss the authority and power of God’s Word.

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat dust.
In those days no one will be hurt or destroyed on My holy mountain.I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Read Zephaniah 3:14-15 and discuss how it would feel to have no troubles or fears. 

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
For the Lord will remove His hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
And the Lord Himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!
At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.

4.  Signpost—Everlasting Joy and Peace.

Fulfillment—Jesus is preparing our heavenly home.

Read John 14:1–3:

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am.” When Jesus comes again, He will take us to be with Him, forever! Right now, He is preparing a place for us and for everyone else in the world who believes and trusts in Him! We must be ready for His Second Coming and prepare others, as well!

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Read Mark 14:61-62, then discuss what it means to have the power of Jesus through the Holy Spirit available to you now.

But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Display the God’s Plan Revealed Craft and hand out patterns to children who missed the previous lessons or those who would like extra copies to show their friends.

How many were able to learn all of the verses?

Did you share God’s Plan with anyone, and what happened?

Our challenge is to continue learning all the verses. Then pray for God to show you how to share His plan with your friends!