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Leader Guide

Teaching


Discipleship Challenge materials for children who missed previous lessons:

Copy the two Signpost Cards onto cardstock if possible, in color or black and white.
Give the Discipleship Challenge materials to children who missed previous lessons; see Lesson 1 for details.

Optional: Print the GizmoNote, one per child to take home after class.


Jesus, the Fulfillment of “I AM”: Moses’ life points to Christ.

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 other Signpost Card. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1 A Savior Is Born

In many ways, the life of Moses points us to Jesus. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt and began to think that God had forgotten them. God had not forgotten His people. Moses’ birth was a ray of hope in this dark time.

Did you know that the Bible calls people slaves to sin? Much like the Israelites in Egypt, we need a savior to free us. God sent His only Son, Jesus, to do just that! 

Romans 8:2 says,

And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

When Moses was born, Pharaoh tried to control the Hebrew slaves because he was afraid that they would join with Egypt’s enemies. Pharaoh ordered all the newborn Hebrew boys to be thrown into the Nile River.

Does anyone remember what King Herod did that was similar in Jesus’ time? He ordered all the male children in Bethlehem, 2-years-old and younger, to be killed.

King Herod was jealous of Jesus! He didn’t want another king around! He did not understand that Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly kingdom.

Were you surprised that God saved Moses through Pharaoh’s daughter? The savior for the Israelites grew up in Pharaoh’s own palace! Can anyone tell me how God saved Jesus from Herod’s evil plan after His birth in Bethlehem? God warned Joseph in a dream one night to flee from Bethlehem and go to Egypt.

Moses would grow up to be a savior to his people. Jesus would grow up to be a Savior to all people! That’s Good News!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 2:13:

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and His mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him.”

Luke 2:10–11:

10But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you Good News that will bring great joy to all people. 11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

Signpost 2 I AM Who I AM

When Moses was a shepherd in the wilderness, God appeared to him in a burning bush. God identified Himself as “I AM.” This name of God was later fulfilled by Jesus. He used this name to identify Himself several times.

Let’s see what you remember from the Signpost Video, lessons, and Discipleship Challenge! The game we just played will also help you fill in the blanks as we go along!

In John 6:35, Jesus said,

“I am the _____ of Life.” (Bread) “Whoever comes to Me will never be _____ again.” (Hungry)

Another time, Jesus said that whoever believes in Him will never be thirsty again! Jesus was talking about spiritual hunger and thirst—not physical. Jesus offers us a full and rich spiritual life; He came to fill us with joy!

Jesus also said He is the ____ of the world. (Light) He said in John 8:12b,

“If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” 

The sun provides light and heat to the earth to bring life. Jesus provides life to our spirit! 

In John 10:9, Jesus said,

“Yes, I am the ____. Those who come in through Me will be saved.” (Gate)

Here, Jesus is talking about a door into a sheep pen. A pen was a circle of rocks with an opening for the sheep to enter. The shepherd actually became the gate when he lay across the opening at night to protect the sheep from harm.

Jesus calls Himself the Good _____. (Shepherd)

Sheep get lost easily and must be defended. We are referred to as His sheep. He loves us so much that He sacrificed His life for His sheep—us! He is our defense. He finds us when we are lost and brings us home.

Next, in John 11:25, Jesus identified Himself this way:

“I am the Resurrection and the _____.” (Life)

Jesus spoke these words to Martha when her brother, named Lazarus, died. Do you remember what Jesus did for Lazarus? He raised him from the dead!

Jesus promises eternal life for all who believe in Him!

In John 15:5, Jesus then said,

“I am the vine, you are the _____.” (Branches)

When we stay connected to Jesus, we have life and hope. Without Him, we can do nothing! Jesus gives us His Spirit, and He produces spiritual fruit in us. The fruits are great gifts that display to the world God’s goodness and love. Before Jesus left the earth, He told His disciples how to get to heaven.

In John 14:6, He said,

“I am the _____, the Truth, and the Life.” (Way)

We know the way to heaven. Jesus is the ONLY way! Jesus came to protect us and to give us abundant life here and in heaven! That’s Good News!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 6:35:

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

John 10:10:

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

John 10:11:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.”

Luke 15:4:

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?”

John 11:25:

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying.”

John 15:5:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Galatians 5:22–23:

22But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Now, it’s time for the Discipleship Challenge, where we will continue to learn the “I AM” statements of Jesus we just discussed!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed Lessons 1 and 2 an “I AM” Wheel. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home. Hold up the sample craft.

Last time, your challenge was to learn the #3 and #4 “I AM” statements of Jesus on our Wheels. Who can name them? I am the Gate; I am the Vine.

Did someone accept the bonus challenge of memorizing one or both of the verses? If so, would you like to try to say one or both now?

#3: John 10:9

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.”

#4: John 15:5

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Can someone share what it means for Jesus to be the Gate? Children respond. And how about the Vine? Children respond.

Hold up the model wheel. Our last challenge is to look up the verses for #5, #6, and #7 on the “I AM” wheels and then fill in the blanks. Try to add these statements to the first four statements and say them from memory. If you are up for it, you can also memorize each verse if you can.

Knowing these statements that Jesus made about Himself can lay a strong foundation for us to grow spiritually and also help us share with others about Jesus. Also, these statements can help us when we pray to trust that Jesus can meet every need! Even though this is the last challenge, continue to learn Jesus’ statements and use them to remind yourself of our powerful God and to build faith in your prayer time.