Leader Guide

Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost card and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1  Who Is Jesus?     

There was a lot of confusion about who Jesus was while on the earth—and not much has changed today. People have lots of opinions about who Jesus is, yet many of their ideas are not based on truth in the Bible. People in the New Testament believed He did amazing things, yet some weren’t sure where His power came from. Many people today think Jesus was a great teacher, but that is all.  

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?” What did they answer? John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets.

When He asked the disciples, “But who do you say I am?”, what did Peter reply? The Messiah.

The word Messiah means Anointed One. Jesus tells Peter that this truth was revealed to him by God and not by people.  

With His words and actions, Jesus carefully guided His disciples to understand that He is much more than just a prophet or teacher—He is the Son of God!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 16:14–17:

¹⁴ “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” ¹⁵ Then He asked them, “But who do you say I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” 

Matthew 11:2–5:

² John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ³ “Are You the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” ⁴ Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— ⁵ the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 

John the Baptist sent His followers to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah they had been expecting. Jesus told them to tell John about His miracles and that He preached the Good News to the poor. John had prepared the way for right one—Jesus, the Messiah!

Signpost 2  Jesus Prepares His Followers

It was important that the disciples understand that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus wanted them to be ready for the coming events, so He told them what would happen to Him. He said that He would suffer terribly at the hands of the Jewish leaders, and they would kill Him. Even so, He would rise from the dead!

How many days later would Jesus rise from the dead? Three days.

Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be discouraged and lose heart when He suffered and died, so He told them about it beforehand.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Mark 8:31:

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later He would rise from the dead. 

Signpost 3  Jesus—The Perfect Sacrifice  

God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us. Jesus knew from the very beginning what His mission was on earth. He submitted to God’s will even when it meant dying a terribly painful death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. This is what the Messiah was anointed to do; to completely give Himself on our behalf. Now, all we need to do is believe, repent of our sins, and follow Him. Today, who do you say that Jesus is? Are you ready to believe and follow Him?  

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 12:27–28:

²⁷ “Now My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! ²⁸ Father, bring glory to Your name.”

Philippians 2:8 (nkjv):

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Hebrews 10:14 (cev):

By His one sacrifice He has forever set free from sin the people He brings to God.

John 3:16:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Follow Jesus Challenge to any children who missed Lessons 1 and 2.

Hold up the challenge craft. Last time, our challenge was to seek after things above—God’s things—instead of the things of this world. Did you find that easy or hard, and why? Children answer.

Did anyone try to memorize Colossians 3:1? Can you say it for us now? 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.

I would like a volunteer to remove Cross #3 and read it aloud. Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:24–25.

If time allows, have the class read Galatians 5:24–25:

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Our final challenge is to look up and read these verses each day and memorize them as you can. Next, pray for strength to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of your life. Ask the Spirit to take away any selfish desires in your heart. Also, turn the figure so it is hidden behind the base and then remove Cross #3. Remember, the cross is a symbol of death. By picking up your cross, you are dying to yourself. Carry the cross with you as a reminder to follow Jesus.