Leader Guide
Teaching
- Promise Cards Sheet #2 (text only) from The Promise of a Child Ordering Game Cards— cut out one set of seven cards
- One sheet of cardstock
- Red yarn cut to a 3-foot length
- Scissors
- Medium size kitchen funnel (#3 or #4)
- Water bottle (full) or pitcher of water
- Large, unbreakable bowl or container
- Duct tape
- Towel or cloth for spills
- A wrapped Christmas present (empty box)
- Whiteboard and markers or chalkboard and chalk
- Bible or device with the Superbook Bible App
- Gizmonote (optional take-home note)
Copy and cut apart the Promise Cards (set #2) from The Promise of a Child Ordering Game Cards.
Place the cups, water, bowl, funnel, marker, and cards on the table.
Use the scissors to cut a three-foot piece of red yarn.
Place the yarn in a pocket or somewhere out of sight.
Place a piece of duct tape across the opening at the bottom of the funnel.
Pour some water into the funnel and test to make sure no water comes out.
Use enough to trap the water but make it easy to remove during the demonstration.
It is recommended to practice the demonstration before class, so it goes smoothly.
Optional: Print the GizmoNote, one per child, to take home after class.
Fulfilled! Discuss God’s faithfulness to keep His Word through Christ.
Have you ever made a promise that you didn’t keep? Has someone ever made a promise to you that they didn’t keep? How did you feel when a promise was broken? Disappointed, sad, surprised, frustrated, angry.
Often, promises are difficult to keep, even when someone really intends to keep it. But sometimes a promise is forgotten soon after it is made!
The chances are that we have all prayed something like this in a difficult time or when we really wanted something badly: “If You do this or if You give me this, I will always _____, or I will never for the rest of my life do ____ again!” Does that sound familiar?
The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NLT):
Promises are important and should not be made too quickly or without thought—especially promises made to God!
God’s promises to us are a very big deal to Him—in fact, nothing can stop Him from keeping them! In Jeremiah 1:12 (CEV), God told His prophet, Jeremiah:
Another version of that Bible verse (HCSB) says God watches over His Word to accomplish it.
God remembers His promises and actively watches over His Word—isn’t that exciting?
As you present the lesson, lay out the Promise Cards in order, left to right or top to bottom on the table or floor—anywhere that children can see them. As an option, they can be taped to a board or wall. (1. Adam/Eve 2. Abraham/Sarah 3. Isaac/Rebekah 4. Jochebed/Moses 5. Ruth 6. David 7. Mary)
God made a promise to Adam and Eve to save them after they had sinned. In doing so, He also made the promise to all generations to come—that means to us and everyone born after us! His promise is true as long as the earth exists!
Now that is something to shout about! Together, let’s stand and shout: “Yes, and Amen!” Children respond.
Only God can keep a promise from the beginning of the world until the end. His promises have NO expiration date; they are forever fresh and alive; they never weaken or fade!
As Chris said in the Superbook adventure, all the Bible stories are connected! Lay (or tape) the red yarn across each card.
Nothing God does is random. Jesus is the common thread that connects them all and fulfills God’s promise to us!
Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of salvation.
Today’s SuperVerse says that we receive ALL of God’s promises through Jesus. This demonstration will help us understand how important and vital Jesus is to us.
Hold the taped funnel over the bowl, leaving several inches between the two. For this demonstration, this funnel represents Jesus, and the bowl represents us. Uncap the bottle of water. This bottle of water represents God and His promises. God wants everyone to receive His promise of salvation.
Pour a small amount of water into the funnel. It should be trapped in the funnel and not flow into the bowl because of the tape. Did you see any water go into the bowl? No!
That’s because the tape prevents the water from flowing into the bowl. The tape represents unbelief or indecision. God’s promise to save us is real and true. It has been in effect since He made it to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, we must do something. We must say, “Yes and Amen,” to His promise and choose to trust in Jesus.
As you hold the funnel over the bowl, carefully remove the tape. The water will pour into the bowl. Where did the water flow? Into the bowl!
Yes! The water is now free to flow into the bowl! In other words, God’s promise is forever present; the only thing that can stop it is us! Now, there’s more!
Begin to slowly pour the entire bottle of water through the funnel into the bowl. When we choose to believe in Jesus, ALL of God’s promises are released to us!
Read Titus 3:4–7 (NLT):
Please repeat this after me: Jesus fulfilled… Jesus fulfilled!
Now, I am filled full… Now, I am filled full!
On the whiteboard, draw eight empty boxes in a column.
Have you heard someone say that something “checks all of the boxes”? It means that every feature or quality desired is fulfilled. If we had a list of things we need in life, Jesus checks all of the boxes. In Jesus, our Savior, we have everything we need.
Every promise God gives us is fulfilled or checked off through Him.
Say each promise, one at a time, and write it next to a box. Then, have the children shout, “CHECK!” as you place a checkmark in the box: Salvation, Peace, Healing, Mercy, Forgiveness, Power, Inheritance, Joy. Add or substitute other promises such as protection, wisdom, direction, righteousness, boldness, etc., as desired.
God made the biggest promise of all time when He promised the world a Savior. In fact, no one else could have made such a bold promise. This amazing promise covered generations of people from Adam to Abraham until now and into the future until the world ends.
Who fulfilled that promise? Jesus.
That bold and powerful promise is a free gift to us.
Hold up the Christmas package and extend the gift toward the children. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like to receive a free gift, do you?
God offers this amazing, free gift to all people. He is still holding this gift out to be taken today. All we need to do is receive it! How do we receive it? By faith, we say, “Yes and Amen,” to His promise and choose to trust in Jesus.
Conclusion: Where can we find God’s promises? In His Word—the Bible!
As we give and receive gifts this holiday season, let us always remember the greatest gift we will ever receive is the promise of a child that God fulfilled in Jesus!
Even if we can’t trust others, we can always trust God and His Word! He won’t let us down or forget His promise of eternal life through Jesus. There is nothing that can stop Him. If God says it, we can believe it and say, “Yes, and Amen!”