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Leader Guide

Teaching


  • 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
  • Table
  • Towel to hide the above materials and to wipe up any spills

Discipleship Challenge materials:

Instructions

About three days in advance, place two drops of blue food coloring and one drop of red food coloring on each plastic spoon, then allowto dry for two or three days. Optional: just before class begins, you may secretly put some powdered drink mix into the empty cup.

It is recommended that you practice this activity at home prior to class.

Put the cup, water and spoons on the table and cover them with the towel.


Discipleship Challenge:

Copy Jesus Feeds the Hungry Water Jar and Cup Craft on cardstock, one per child, plus extras .

Make a model craft to display in the classroom.


A True Miracle: Discuss Jesus’ miracle at the wedding celebration.

What did Gizmo do at the wedding that made Chris and Joy nervous? Hint—it involved music. He started doing a Hawaiian torch dance with fire.

What did Chris do to stop Gizmo? He threw a bowl of water on the torch to put out the flames.

Gizmo has different gadgets for just about any occasion. It is always fun to see what attachment he will reveal in the Superbook adventures. Gizmo wasn’t the only one full of surprises. We also watched some amazing miracles in our video today that no one could have expected. They were just two of the many miracles that Jesus performed during His ministry on the earth.

Before we discuss the lesson, I would like to demonstrate something amazing that I can do.  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 a miracle like we saw in the video? Did I actually change the water into wine? No, it was a trick.

You caught me! 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 can turn water to wine like Jesus did! He made plain water into real wine to meet a real need. Jesus didn’t attempt to fool people with tricks! People would have known immediately if they were 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 for needs that we have, we can trust that He will provide a real answer !

Jesus knew that Mary’s request was important to her. People everywhere have all kinds of important and personal needs. What are some things that people may need today? Children answer.

So, exactly what is a miracle? Children answer.

A true miracle is a supernatural act performed by the power of God!  Jesus was anointed by God, which means He was sent for a particular purpose and empowered by the Spirit to fulfill that purpose. Besides providing for people’s needs, His miracles showed people that His authority came from God because He truly is God’s Son!

Jesus said in John 5:36

“My teachings and My miracles. The Father gave Me these works to accomplish, and they prove that He sent Me.”

Jesus’ miracle at the wedding was actually the first time He revealed His glory to His disciples. The Bible tells us that because of this miracle, they believed in Him.(See John 2:11)

Before Jesus performed the miracle, He asked the servants to fill six stone jars with water. The jars held water to wash guests’ feet and hands as they entered a house after traveling on dirty and dusty roads. The Bible tells us that each jar could hold between 20–30 gallons of water.  So six jars could hold between 120 and 180 gallons!

Wow, that’s a lot! The servants couldn’t just use a sink or a hose to fill the jugs like we could today. They would need to use some kind of smaller jar or bucket and make many trips to an outside well or spring in order to fill the big jars. The servants couldn’t have understood the purpose of their assignment, yet, they obeyed Mary and did all that Jesus asked.

The servants knew what to do because Jesus spoke to them. How does Hespeak to us today? Through God’s Word, the Bible; to our hearts by His Spirit; through our parents, pastors, and other godly people we trust.

Yes, these are the most common ways that Jesus speaks to us—especially through His Word in the Bible.  That’s what our Discipleship Challenge is about—doing what Jesus asks us to do.


Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give each child a Water Jar and Cup Craft and a pencil. Have children write their names on the jar. Display the model craft for children to see. Have children cut out the water jar and three cups, then assemble the jar and place the cups inside. Be prepared to assist children with special needs.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud the heading at the top of the water jar.  “All who love Me will do what I say.”

This is part of a SuperVerse from another lesson in this course. Let’s read the entire verse to see the blessing that follows our obedience.

Jesus replied, “All who love Me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with each of them.”

When we love and obey Jesus, God makes His home in our hearts. That’s amazing, isn’t it! What did Mary tell the servants to do at the wedding celebration? To do whatever Jesus asked.

Our Discipleship Challenge for this lesson is to do what Jesus asks us to do. In the Bible, Jesus asks us to do many things. Some are more difficult than others. For this and the next two lessons, you will look up and learn a Scripture. If possible, discuss it with your family. Then, try to do what Jesus asks. Are you ready for the first challenge?

Choose a volunteer to read Cup #1: Love your enemies: Luke 6:27–28.

Optional: Read Luke 6:27–28 (CEV) and discuss it now.

27“This is what I say to all who will listen to Me: Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you.28Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you.”

I warned you that some of these things might be difficult! Is it easy to love our enemies? No.

Yet, Jesus set the example by forgiving His enemies—even the people who put Him to death on the cross! Now, He is asking us to forgive our enemies, too. We can’t do this on our own; we need help! Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit living in us. He makes this possible by producing God’s love in our hearts. Our challenge is to choose to show His love instead of reacting out of anger to pay someone back for mistreating us. You will have an opportunity to discuss this challenge when we meet again.