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Leader Guide

Teaching

For the Discipleship Challenge, make the Follow Jesus Challenge on cardstock for children who missed Lesson 1. See Lesson 1 for details.

Let’s say our SuperTruth together. “I will follow Jesus.”

We are followers, or disciples, of Jesus. In the video, who did the Pharisees say they were disciples of? Moses.

John, one of Jesus’ disciples, wrote this in John 1:17:

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

We understand and appreciate the importance of God’s laws that He gave through Moses and the Ten Commandments. However, we are human, and we can’t keep every law perfectly every day of our lives. We are thankful that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins. If we break God’s laws, we have grace and forgiveness because Jesus is our Savior!

Bartimaeus had faith. Even though he sat beside the road and begged for money every day, Bartimaeus asked Jesus for something else. When he heard that Jesus was nearby, he shouted for Jesus to show him mercy. Even when others told him to be quiet and not to bother Jesus, he would not give up. What did he do? He shouted even louder.

When Jesus asked what he wanted, Bartimaeus said that he wanted to see. Jesus told him to go; his faith had healed him. Instantly Bartimaeus could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. So what does it really mean to follow Jesus?

Jesus gives us a very clear answer soon after Bartimaeus was healed.

Read Mark 8:34–35:

34 Then, calling the crowd to join His disciples, He said, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”

Bartimaeus did not have a lot to give up—he was a beggar. All he owned was probably just his coat and a mat. He also most likely did not have big plans for the future. He was simply trying to survive each day. So, for Bartimaeus, it was an exciting and welcome change to follow Jesus!

For those who enjoy God’s blessings, live a comfortable lifestyle, and have big plans for the future, it can be more difficult to follow Jesus. In our game, the crosses weren’t laid out so you could quickly them pick up. Picking up your cross is not easy. It is a commitment and a sacrifice. You must be willing to deny yourself and place your life in His hands. In our game, the crosses looked nice. But what about the cross where Jesus died—was it nice? No.

No, it was a painful way to die. The cross is a symbol of death. If we want to follow Him, we must be willing to put to death our own plans and desires and submit our lives to Him each day. Jesus then becomes Lord of our lives!

Hold up a plate. In the game, you played with one arm behind your back; this was so you had to let go of the plate—your life—before you could pick up your cross.

Hold up the plate in one hand and the cross in the other. Too often, people try to do both. They want to follow Jesus and hang on to their own selfish ways and desires. This is not what Jesus teaches. You must make a choice.

Lay a plate on the floor. You must be willing to lay your life down every single day of the week. Let’s start with Sunday. Lay down six more plates, naming the other days of the week.

The reward is worth the sacrifice. Pick up a plate and hold it in the air.

When we let go of our lives, we have them for all of eternity! The SuperVerse calls it our hope and inheritance in Christ.

Peter scolded Jesus for telling people that He would suffer and die. Jesus then strongly rebuked Peter. By suffering and dying on the cross, Jesus showed the world what it means to deny yourself to follow God’s plan and will. Jesus willingly laid down His life for God and for us!

Read Philippians 2:5–11:    

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, 8 He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Conclusion: Following Jesus and laying your life down does not mean giving up your personality or identity. God made you special and unique. Laying down your life means giving Jesus authority over everything and letting go of anything that is negative, selfish or displeasing to Christ. It’s time now to talk more about what it means to lay our lives down as we follow Christ in the Discipleship Challenge.  

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Follow Jesus Challenge page to any children who missed Lesson 1 so they may assemble it at home.

Hold up the challenge craft. Last time, you were to learn the verse on Cross #1, Galatians 2:20. Was anyone able to memorize all or part of it? Children answer.

Would anyone like to share your family discussion about the meaning of the verse?

Was it difficult to trust Jesus and rely on His strength instead of your own?

I would like a volunteer to remove Cross # 2 and read it aloud. Seek Things Above. Colossians 3:1.

This challenge is about seeking the things of God instead of the things of the earth. The things of the earth could be possessions, popularity or money. Can you take any of them to heaven with you when you die? No.

We should desire heavenly things that will last forever—such as love, grace, mercy, compassion, and spiritual gifts. Your challenge is to read Colossians 3:1 aloud every day and try to memorize it. If possible, discuss the meaning of the verse with your family. Also, seek God by praying and reading the Bible. Rotate the second figure on your craft to hide it behind the base, and remove Cross #2 so you can carry it with you. Keep it as a reminder to put God first, above your own desires and plans.      

Next time, I’ll ask who remembered to do this challenge and give you a chance to share your discussions and experience with the class.

If time allows, have the class look up and read Colossians 3:1:

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.