Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (2 minutes)

Hello, everyone! This is the final lesson of our Superbook adventure, “The Test!” We have been learning about Abraham’s absolute obedience to God even in a very hard test! Who remembers what that test was?

What did God promise to Abraham for passing the test?

I love to worship God anytime, but one of my favorite times is with you! Let’s sing The Salvation Poem together. As we sing, let’s think about how Jesus gave Himself as a perfect sacrifice to take away our sin and give us a wonderful, new relationship with God, our Father in heaven. If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, you can do it today as we sing this song!

Play Video 7: (Song) The Salvation Poem (3 minutes)

*Note: Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along with the children.

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (3 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is, “God loves me and gave Himself for me.” Let’s say it again together! “God loves me and gave Himself for me.”

Good job! God is our provider. What are some things that God provides for us?

Read James 1:17a:

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father.

God provides everything we need—most importantly, the gift of salvation!

Introduce Condensed Bible Story Video (1 minute)

If all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, omit it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.

Now for the children who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version of the video. If you’ve already seen it, then this time as you watch, try to find all the ways that this story points to Jesus!

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story* (7 minutes)

*Note: To be biblically accurate, this video depicts Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on an altar. Be sure to preview the video, as this scene may be too intense for some children. We have endeavored to present the story in the most accurate and sensitive way possible.

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Abraham and his beloved son, Isaac. When Abraham puts God first and is willing to sacrifice his only son, God provides a ram instead.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperVerse, John 3:16 (nkjv), says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

How amazing to think that God loved us so much, He sacrificed His only Son to die for our sins! God provided for our eternal salvation, and everything we will ever need in this life through Jesus. Let’s all say the SuperVerse together one more time! Children repeat the verse.

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 years old and his wife, Sarah, was 90. This was a miracle from God! Let’s watch our Signposts Video to learn how the story of Abraham and Isaac has many similarities to Jesus’ life and death on Earth.

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (4 minutes)

*Note: Be sure to preview this video as some imagery may be too intense for the younger children in your class.

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your unconditional love that You show us through Jesus. We praise You, Lord Jesus, that You were willing to come to Earth while we were still sinners, to die for us to give us eternal life. Now help us trust You and obey You completely and live our lives for You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Today in Small Group, we have a game about how many things God gives us. He is truly our provider! Now, let’s go have some fun!

Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.

Game

Our SuperTruth and SuperVerse today both tell us that God gave. He gave Himself and He gave His Son. Another way to say this is to say that God provided. One of God’s names is Jehovah-Jireh, which means God provides. This is what Abraham named the place on the mountain where God provided the ram for the burnt offering. God provides for all of our needs through Jesus our Savior! Paul wrote a letter to encourage the Philippians about this.  

Read Philippians 4:19:

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

As believers in Christ Jesus, we know God will provide for all of our needs. Let’s play a basketball game to discover more of what God so richly provides for us in Christ!

Divide the class into two teams and have them line up behind the first line or mark. Place a stack of Provision Cards face down at each end of the mark. Give a ball to the first player on each team. Start the game. The first player from each team will select a Provision Card and read it aloud; then they will walk quickly to the second line or mark and try to shoot the ball into the container—simultaneously. If the shot misses, the player must go to the ball and shoot from that spot on the floor. They continue to shoot until they make a basket. When a shot is made, the player retrieves the ball and walks quickly back to the next player who repeats the process. Be prepared to help any children with special needs, and designate an older child for each team to help out children who may have difficulties pronouncing any words. The first team to finish wins.

That was exciting! Can you believe all the ways that God provides for us? We have just named a few of them! As we live our lives for Jesus, we will discover new and amazing ways that God provides like He did for Abraham with the ram in the bushes! Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “God loves me and gave Himself for me.”

Teaching

We saw in our video today how many events in the life of Isaac are signposts pointing to events in Jesus’ life. Let’s look a little deeper. For each set of signs, choose one child to turn over the sign for Isaac, read it aloud, then tape it to the wall with text showing. Have a different child turn over the sign for Jesus, read it aloud, then tape it to the wall with text showing.

1. Isaac—Miracle birth; Jesus—Virgin birth. Isaac’s birth was a miracle. God did the impossible and blessed Abraham and Sarah in their old age with their promised son, Isaac. Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old when Isaac was born. This was not a normal birth! The birth of Isaac points to the birth of Jesus to a virgin named Mary. This was truly an amazing miracle!

Additional Discussion for Grades 4–6:

God appeared to Abraham and promised He would have a son by Sarah. Read Hebrews 11:11:

It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep His promise.

God sent an angel to tell Mary that she would give birth to a son by the Holy Spirit. She was willing to serve the Lord and believed He would keep His Word. Read Luke 1:38:

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

2. Isaac—Only son of Abraham and Sarah; Jesus—Only Son of God. Isaac was the only son of Abraham and Sarah. They had not been able to have children until God did the impossible! This was a signpost to Jesus, God’s only begotten Son being sent to Earth to save us.

Additional Discussion for Grades 4–6:

Read John 1:14:

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

How hard do you think it would be to give up something important that you only had one of, let alone your son?

3. Isaac—Obedient to his father, Abraham; Jesus—Obedient to His Father, God. Isaac obeyed his father, Abraham, as he allowed himself to be put on the altar, looking up at his father in submission. This was a signpost to Jesus. Jesus willingly came down from heaven and laid His own will down to obey the will of His Father. Isaac carried the wood for the offering during his journey to the altar. This pointed to Jesus, who carried His own wooden cross to the hill where He was crucified.

Additional Discussion for Grades 4–6:

Read Philippians2:8 (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.

Jesus gave up all He had in heaven to obey His Father’s plan of salvation for us! Read John 19:17:

Carrying the cross by Himself, He went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).

4. Isaac—Journeyed three days to Mount Moriah; Jesus—Dead three days in Jerusalem. Isaac and Abraham traveled three days to Mount Moriah, where God had instructed the offering to be made. Isaac journeyed in loving obedience to Abraham unaware of the “death sentence” over him. The city of Jerusalem was later built on that same mountain—the place where Jesus died. This is a signpost to Jesus being laid in the tomb for 3 days following His crucifixion. Isaac rose up from the altar and was set free because God provided a substitute for him. Jesus died but rose again from the dead!

Additional Discussion for Grades 4–6:

Read Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:40:

“For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.”

Jesus fulfilled His own prophecy.

5. Isaac—A sacrifice; Jesus—The Perfect and Last Sacrifice. Jesus is our atonement. That means that He reconciled us, or brought us back, into a right relationship with God. He made right what was wrong. In our story, Isaac was troubled; he knew they needed a lamb for the sacrifice, yet he did not see one. Abraham replied that God Himself would provide a lamb! By saying this, Abraham was pointing to Jesus coming as the Lamb of God! It was necessary for Jesus to be sacrificed to fulfill God’s will. Jesus was the only sacrifice that could take away our sins once and for all—there is no substitute for Jesus!

Additional Discussion for Grades 4–6:

Read Genesis 22:5:

“Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back."

Abraham was confident that God would keep Isaac alive or raise him from the dead. Read John 1:29: 

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Read 1 John 2:2:

He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Jesus is our provider. He provided for Abraham and He provides for our needs today through the Holy Spirit!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Explain that this is the last lesson for this Discipleship Challenge to memorize all the books of the Old Testament. Distribute the Small Superbook Device Crafts that the children have already begun, and give patterns from Lessons 1 and 2 to children who were absent. Give each child scissors and a copy of the Minor Prophets Pattern, which includes a Gizmo section.

Fold your patterns in half vertically, then horizontally. Cut very carefully along all solid lines, including the rectangular slot. Gently “pinch-fold” the pieces to attach them to your Superbook device, with the Gizmo section at the very bottom. 

This last group of books is called the Minor Prophets—not because they are less important, but because they are shorter than the books of the Major Prophets. Let’s say the names of these 12 books together. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.

How many books are there altogether in the Old Testament? 39.

Take your crafts home as a reminder to keep on memorizing the books of the Old Testament. This will help you find your way around the Bible for the rest of your life!

Optional: As they work, you may sing “The Old Testament Books” to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” For the sheet music, see “Get Ready.”

SuperVerse

 Our SuperVerse is John 3:16 (nkjv):

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.″

Have the girls read the first part of the verse, then the boys read the second part of the verse. 

John 3:16 is one of the most important and familiar verses in the Bible. God provides for us, and His most loving act of provision was when He provided His only Son as the supreme sacrifice for all sins—from the time of Adam until the end of the world! Now THAT is provision! Our SuperTruth says God gave Himself for us!

I think that some of you may know this verse by heart already, which is awesome! This verse brings hope and life to all who believe it. Who would like to say the SuperVerse without looking at the words on the board? Allow volunteers a chance to recite the verse.

That was wonderful! Now let′s look at the board and say the verse so everyone can learn it, too! Read the verse together.

Prayer

In Genesis 18, the Lord and two angels appeared in the form of men and visited with Abraham. They told Abraham how God was ready to destroy two wicked cities called Sodom and Gomorrah.

Genesis 18:22–33 tells us how Abraham pleaded with the Lord in an attempt to save the cities from God’s judgment. God agreed that if ten righteous people could be found, He would spare the cities. Unfortunately, there were not even ten righteous people in those two cities, so God destroyed them except for Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his family.

The world is filled with righteous and sinful people today, much like in the Bible time of Abraham. The sin of the world must be judged by God. But, our loving God has provided a way of escape from His judgment. Our SuperVerse today,  John 3:16(nkjv) says:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.″

We need to have the heart of Abraham and pray for others.

Let′s sit in a circle, close our eyes, and pray together for people you believe need to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that God desires that none would perish but that all would be saved! You may pray silently; or as we pray, if you would like to pray for someone out loud, you may do that, too. Allow time for children to pray aloud or silently.

Dear Lord, thank You for providing Jesus, Your only Son, to save us from our sin, Your wrath, and Your judgment. You did this because You love us. We will continue to pray for people we know and others we don’t to come to Jesus so they might be saved, too! In Jesus’ saving name we pray, Amen.

Paper Ball Game

We are on the last lesson of our Discipleship Challenge to memorize the Old Testament books—and we are almost finished! We have one last activity to help us learn the last group of twelve books in the Old Testament, from Hosea to Malachi. These are called the Minor Prophets because the books are shorter in length than the Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Divide the children into pairs. Hand each pair a sheet of paper to crumple up into a ball. Have each pair of players stand at least 6 feet apart. The first player of each pair will hold the plate in one hand and the ball in the other hand. They will then call out the first book; “Hosea” and toss the balls underhanded up in the air so the partners can catch them with their plates. The players then repeat the book and toss the balls back to their partners again. Each pair does this until they each have said the twelve books in order. Players may look at the posters or the Large Superbook Device made as a class project as needed. If a ball is dropped—the pair must start over at Hosea. Pairs can play several times and challenge themselves to go longer without looking at the poster. This activity is not designed to be a race but rather to familiarize the children with the books as they appear in their Bible, to help them feel confident navigating it.

Great! That was a different challenge wasn’t it? Was it difficult to catch the ball using the plate? 

Would anyone like to try to say all twelve Minor Prophet Books in order without looking at the poster? Allow volunteers to try this. Now, let’s say all the books of the Old Testament! We can look at our posters if needed!

Optional: Help the class memorize the books of the Old Testament in order by singing them to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.” The sheet music shows how the list of books fits with the tune. The first verse includes the historical books—Genesis to Esther—and the second verse includes the wisdom books, plus the major and minor prophets—Job to Malachi.

Object Lesson

Hand out a pattern to each child. If you chose not to cut out the figures before class, have the children do this now. Have the children use the markers to customize their figures to resemble themselves as much as possible. Explain that when they put two fingers through the holes in the bottom of the pattern, they will look like “legs.” 

Let’s say our SuperTruth together. “God loves me and gave Himself for me.”

That’s amazing isn’t it—such an expression of love God showed to all of us. The Bible says He gave His only Son  while we were yet sinners! Now, that’s the ultimate expression of love! So the question I would like you to consider for a moment is what possibly could we give back to God in thankfulness and appreciation for His costly gift? 

Those were some very thoughtful answers. Let’s see what the Bible tells us. 

Read Romans 12:1:

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.

The answer is—US! Each one of us, including me! God placed such value on us that He sent His Son to die for us. So, the best thing we can give back is ourselves as a sacrifice to Him! Oh no—does that mean we will be tied up on an altar like Isaac was? 

No! Our verse tells us what kind of a sacrifice we’re to be; does anyone remember? 

A LIVING and holy sacrifice! God wants to use our lives in great and powerful ways! Isaac was willing and Jesus was willing—are YOU willing? That is what God calls pleasing worship to Him.

How do you show someone that you give up or surrender? You hold up your hands in surrender.

Let’s hold up our hands to God and surrender our lives to Him right now. Let’s tell Him how much we love Him and want to offer ourselves to Him in thankfulness! Spend a few moments in praise and worship to God with lifted arms!

Priorities Game

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “God loves me and gave Himself for me.” God gave Himself—His only Son to us. That is a very valuable sacrifice. Remember when Abraham was asked to give up something very valuable to him—his son Isaac. 

Tell children about a special item that is very important to you. Talk about how this item would be very hard to give up if you were asked to maybe give it to someone else or not to use it for a season if it interfered with time or service for God. But, with God’s help you could obey. Maybe it is a special thing like Chris had that God would give you a chance to share with someone who isn’t as fortunate as you.

Nothing in our lives should have a higher priority than God or interfere with our relationship with God. Sometimes God tests us to see what is most important to us in our life. For instance, what do you think would be very important to a musician? An instrument, maybe fame.

How about a famous athlete? Their ability, skill and fame, money.

How about a very wealthy business person? Money, work.

Now, we are going to play a game. Think of something you have that is really valuable to you—but don’t say it out loud! Each of you will have a chance to draw your item on the board so that the rest of the class can try to guess it in 30 seconds or less. You cannot speak, but you can draw or act out your item—it is your choice. 

Select the first volunteer and start the time. You can choose to have children shout out their guesses or you can have them raise their hands to answer.

Bible Study

In our Bible story today, Abraham was asked to obey God. If Abraham obeyed God, he would be greatly blessed with countless descendants. When we trust and obey God, our lives will be abundantly blessed. Let’s dig into some more verses where God promises He will act if we trust and obey. Have children look up and read the verses aloud. Lead a discussion using the questions below. Feel free to add any questions that you think will facilitate deeper discussion with your particular group.

Genesis 22:13–14 (nkjv):

¹³ Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Ask:

• What did Abraham need to be provided by God? A sacrifice for the burnt offering.
• Why do you think it was important for Abraham to travel to the exact mountain and place where God instructed him to go? God’s provision is tied to obedience—being where we are to be when He wants us to be there. The ram was in that place.
• What did Abraham call that place?The Lord Will Provide.
• Why is it important to remember times when God miraculously provides exactly what we need in the time we need it?Builds our faith. We can trust God in greater things. Helps us to be fully persuaded and convinced God is our provider. Helps us to not worry in the future.
• What do you think Isaac took away from this adventure? How do you think it affected his faith?

Exodus 16:4–5,11–15,17–18:

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. ⁵ On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual...” ¹¹ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹² “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” ¹³That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. ¹⁴ When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground.¹⁵ The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat...” ¹⁷So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. 18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

The Israelites were in the wilderness and they began to complain about not having food. God heard their complaints and miraculously provided manna and meat for them.

• Did God tell Moses He would have to look around for food because He couldn’t provide enough?No! He told him He would rain down food from heaven to meet the need.
• Did God provide it all at once, so they could store it up and see a big supply so they wouldn’t worry?No, they had specific instructions to go out and collect their portion for each day.
• Why do you think God chose to provide this way?So they would know God was their provider and look to Him each day. To cause them to trust and have faith each day. To not take God’s provision for granted.
• Do you think people tend to do that, to take God’s provision for granted? 
• In verses 17–18, was God’s provision sufficient; did anyone lack anything?No, everyone had exactly what they needed?

Matthew 6:25–33:

²⁵ “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? ²⁷Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁸ And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, ²⁹ yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ³⁰ And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? ³¹ So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ ³² These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”

Ask:

• What do verses 25 and 32 tell us not to worry about; what problem does worry cause us?Everyday life and daily needs like food to eat, water to drink, and clothes to wear. It steals our time and our thoughts away from good things and God.
• What does God provide for in verses 26–30? What do the verses say about us compared to them?Birds and flowers. We are far more valuable to Him, and He has provided for their needs.
• Who knows better than us what we need?God, our Heavenly Father.
• Can worrying help us?No, we don’t gain anything by worrying.
• In verse 33, what is the best thing we can do?Seek God and His work. Think on those things rather than worry. Want what God wants for us and trust Him to provide.
• What happens when we seek Him first?We are blessed and our needs are provided for.

Class Project

If your group did not have time to create or finish this class project in Lesson 1, 2 or today, you may do it here. See directions and patterns in Lesson 1.