Leader Guide
Teaching
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
- Clear plastic cup
- Pitcher of water
- Two white plastic spoons
- Blue and red food coloring, or you may substitute white powdered drink mix that turns red or purple when water is added
- Gizmo Hand Bookmark Pattern
About three days in advance, place two drops of blue food coloring and one drop of red food coloring on each plastic spoon to dry. Optional: just before class begins, you may secretly put some powdered drink mix into the empty cup.
It is recommended that you try this activity at home prior to class.
Copy the Gizmo Hand Bookmark Pattern for children who missed Lesson 1.
Note: If you don’t wish to do this object lesson, you may use the Alternate Activity, “Turn to Jesus,” followed by the discussion below.
Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.” What did the man who was paralyzed need? He needed to be healed so he could walk.
That man had no hope until his friends took him to Jesus. Jesus performed an amazing miracle and healed him so he was able to pick up his mat and walk home!
What did the disciples need when they were on the stormy sea? They needed the storm to be calmed.
Many of the disciples were experienced fishermen, but they were no match for that big storm! They had no hope except to turn to Jesus! Did the storm worry or surprise Him? No.
Jesus was not concerned—in fact, He was sound asleep! He was not caught off guard or unprepared. Jesus simply used His authority and the supernatural power given to Him by God. Jesus rebuked the storm and peace was instantly restored!
The Bible tells us about many other miracles that Jesus did.
His first one is recorded in John 2:1-11. Jesus and His disciples were at a wedding when the wine ran out. Jesus’ mother told Him about the problem, then she said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Jesus told the servants to fill six large stone jars with water, then to dip some out and bring it to the master of ceremonies. When the master tasted it, he thought the wine was so good that they had saved the best for last!
What was the need at the wedding? They needed more wine.
How did Jesus meet that need? He changed water into wine.
John 2:11 says:
This miraculous sign … was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.
Show the clear cup, and use the pitcher to fill it with water. Take the plastic spoon—making sure to conceal the dried food coloring—and begin stirring the water. The water will turn purple. If you used powdered drink mix, the water will change color without stirring.
Was this really a miracle—did I actually change the water into wine?
No, this was a trick of the eye, or an illusion. Would you like to know the secret?
Reveal the change of color secret by showing them the other spoon you prepared, or explain about the powdered drink mix.
No one is able to turn water to wine like Jesus! He made real wine to meet the real need. Jesus did not do a trick, like I did. People would have known immediately if they were only drinking colored water instead of wine! In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus’ wine tasted much better than the original wine that was served! When we turn to Jesus, we can be confident He will meet our needs.
People everywhere have all kinds of needs. They may need food, money, jobs, healing, friends, or simply some hope. People who don’t know Jesus can feel desperate about their problems and look for answers in the wrong places. They are often disappointed with the results. As we saw in our video, things aren’t always as they appear. But, when we turn to Jesus, we will not be disappointed; He is real, He hears our prayers, and He performs real miracles to meet real needs!
There is a miracle that sometimes gets overlooked when we read about Jesus healing the man who was paralyzed. The miracle actually takes place BEFORE the man is healed physically! Did anyone catch it when we watched the Bible story?
It is actually the greatest miracle that we can experience in our lives! Does anyone know what that miracle is?
It is the forgiveness of our sins! Every person has this need, and no one can do this miracle except Jesus!
Let’s say our SuperTruth again together: “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.”
Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application
It’s time to review our Superbook challenge!
Hand out Gizmo Hand Bookmark patterns to any children who did not receive one previously. Tell them to take the pattern home, follow the instructions to cut and fold them, and put them in their Bibles.
Before our next lesson, look up the scripture on your Gizmo hand, read it, and pray for any friends who need healing or need to know Jesus. And remember to ask God for ways that you can reach out to your friends with His love. Has anyone already done that? Would you like to share what happened? Children share.
Keep praying about this, and the next time we meet, I’ll ask if anyone else would like to share the results of your challenge!