Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (2 minutes)

Welcome back for the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Tower of Babel and the Day of Pentecost.” Here is a question for anyone who was here for the first two lessons. The people who built the Tower of Babel and those who waited for God’s promised gift in Jerusalem had something in common. Here is a hint; the answer starts with the letter “U”. Unity.

Yes, the Tower of Babel builders worked together in unity to make bricks and build a tall tower for their own fame and glory. The believers in Jerusalem prayed in unity to receive the Holy Spirit, and when they did, they gave God the glory. Today we are going to learn more about how God’s Spirit brings unity. Now let’s worship God, who keeps all of His promises, as we stand and sing The Salvation Poem.

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

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is: “God brings unity by His Spirit.” Let’s say that together: “God brings unity by His Spirit<.”

The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer. He gives us power, He guides us, and He reveals truth to us. When we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we become like-minded with other believers who are following Him. God can then join us together so we work with a common purpose to fulfill His purpose and plan. Sin divides and separates. God’s Spirit joins and connects together in harmony with one another.

As a sign of unity, let’s all join hands together and say the SuperTruth again: God brings unity by His Spirit."

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

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

If you saw the full Superbook video in Lesson 1, you’ll remember that Joy and Chris had a difficult time understanding their new friend who moved from another country. How did Chris want Gizmo to help them? He wanted Gizmo to translate the different languages so they could communicate and understand one another.

Yes, that’s when Superbook took Chris, Joy and Gizmo to Babylon and then to Jerusalem. For those of you who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version now. After you see the video, I think you can guess how Chris solved the communication problem! And if you’ve already seen it, look for how Jesus’ followers were able to share the Gospel message with people who spoke different languages.

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (10.5 minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to Babel, where God stops people from building a great tower for their own glory. Then they visit Jerusalem, where God sends the Holy Spirit to unite and empower believers for His glory. The children learn that language and customs may divide us, but God’s power and love can overcome all obstacles.

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 (2 minutes)

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. Philippians 2:2.

"Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”

This verse is part of a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the church at Philippi while he was in prison. His desire was for the church to be united together in love for each other, and for God and His work. For people to work in unity, they must share a common bond. This bond is the Holy Spirit, who lives in us and works in the hearts of believers to help us become like our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Let’s say the SuperVerse together in a different way. I would like all of the girls to say the first part: “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other.” Then boys will finish the verse by saying: “loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Does everyone understand? All the girls begin on the count of three; 1, 2, 3! Girls begin the verse and the boys complete it.

The boys and girls worked together for one purpose. What was it? To say the SuperVerse.

Thanks to both groups! You did your part in unity!

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times, while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Let’s watch our Signposts Video to see how the Holy Spirit has been active in the world since the beginning of creation and is still at work today!

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (3.5 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we move to Small Group.

Dear God, thank You for your gift of the Holy Spirit who lives inside us. Help us to follow Your leading so that we can work together in unity with other believers to do Your will on the earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Today in Small Group, we are going to play a fun game called One Purpose. Let’s find out how to play!

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

Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Philippians 2:2:

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Today we are going to play a game to work together with one purpose.

This game is the most fun if played outdoors, in a gym, or in a large space. Options for smaller classes or smaller spaces:

• Play only two teams at a time, then hold playoffs, with the winners of each round playing each other to determine the fastest team.
• Play with only three children per team and eliminate shouting the SuperTruth.
• Teachers and assistants can play if necessary to complete teams.
• Divide the class into teams of four children.

Teams line up in rows—see diagram, with about 6–8 feet between each player.

If space permits, have all teams play at the same time.

Give a ball to the first player on each team.

Use the board to explain each player’s purpose for each position:

Player 1 throws the ball to Player 2.

Player 2 catches the ball and rolls it to Player 3.

Player 3 catches the ball and bounces it to Player 4.

Player 4 catches the ball and shouts the SuperTruth.

Everyone rotates positions, with Player 4 carrying the ball to stand where Player 1 was. Continue playing until every member of the team has been in each position. The first team to finish wins.

Conclusion: Great job working together to accomplish your purpose. Each player had a different part to play at different times. When we listen to the Holy Spirit and do what He tells us, we can all work in unity and accomplish God’s work. Let’s learn more about our Signpost video and how the Holy Spirit works in God’s people.

Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost card from the pile and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up against the wall so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat this for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Let’s discuss the Signposts video about the Tower of Babel and the day of Pentecost.

Signpost 1 Before the World

In the Superbook adventure, we watched as the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ followers as they waited in the upstairs room. Did the Holy Spirit come into existence on the day of Pentecost?

The answer is no. The Holy Spirit was alive and active even before the creation of the world!

At creation, the Bible tells us that the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters and God said, “Let there be light!” And so we know that the Holy Spirit existed with God from the very beginning.

When Jesus was about to be crucified, He prayed that God would return Him to the glory that He shared with the Father in heaven before the world began. God exists in three persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is another example revealing to us that the Holy Spirit and Jesus existed before the world.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 17:5:

“Now, Father, bring Me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

Genesis 1:1–3:

¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. ³ Then God said, Let there be light,” and there was light.

Signpost 2 Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Yes, the Holy Spirit has been with God since the beginning. The Old Testament gives us many examples of how He was with people at special time.

• Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream in Egypt by God’s Spirit, when Pharaoh’s wise men and advisors could not!
• The Holy Spirit was with Moses as he led the people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. After Moses’ death, the Spirit of God came upon Joshua to lead God’s people into battle against the city of Jericho and other enemies.
• The Spirit came upon Gideon to lead only 300 Israelites into battle and win a great victory!
• Samuel anointed the young shepherd boy, David, who grew to be a mighty warrior, poet and king.
• The Spirit moved among the prophets and gave them God’s words to speak.
• Elijah boldly spoke judgement upon wicked King Ahab and moved in the power of God’s Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit filled Daniel and his three friends with wisdom and knowledge. He gave Daniel the gift to interpret dreams. The Spirit also gave Daniel the courage to face the lions’ den!

The Holy Spirit was present and active in Old Testament times. He gave strength, wisdom and power to specific leaders, priests and prophets.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Genesis 41:38 Joseph:

So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”

Numbers 11:25:

And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then He gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.

Numbers 27:18:

The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.”

Judges 6:34:

Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram's horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him.

1 Samuel 16:13:

So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

1 Kings 17:1

Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”

Daniel 5:11:

There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods.

Signpost 3 Holy Spirit in the New Testament and Today

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted that the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon Jesus. This was fulfilled in the New Testament when Jesus was baptized and the Spirit came down upon Him like a dove. Jesus was filled with the Spirit and was anointed to do great and powerful things on Earth. After He died, rose again, then went up to heaven, Jesus sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to His followers. That included the believers in Jerusalem long ago, and also us today!

Jesus said that we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. This power will give us the boldness to share the Good News of Jesus with others! The Holy Spirit lives in us and enables us to pray and do mighty things for the glory of God—just like the believers in the book of Acts!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Isaiah 11:2:

And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

Luke 4:1:

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.

Acts 10:38:

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Acts 1:8:

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2 Timothy 1:7:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Unity Chain Pattern to children who were not present for the previous lessons and tell them to follow the instructions to make it at home. Display the model you made. Hold up the sample of the Unity Chain.

Let’s discuss the Discipleship Challenge from Lesson 2. What was our challenge? To look up Matthew 18:19, then agree with someone in prayer for something.

Who would like to share your experience of agreeing in prayer with someone?

Hold up the model chain. Our third challenge for this course is found on Links 6 and 7. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live in unity with others and to forgive those who have offended you. That’s a good habit to get into, not just for the next few days, but for the rest of our lives!

SuperVerse

In this verse, Paul wrote to the people in Philippi—who were called Philippians—about being united together in mind and purpose. Paul played a big part in starting the church in Philippi. Because of this, he longed to see the believers love one another and work in unity to do God’s work. This type of unity would make Paul truly happy, much like parents are filled with joy when their children love each other and work together. Now we are going to do an activity to help us learn the SuperVerse.

Have the children sit on the floor facing the board. Let’s slowly read the SuperVerse together from the board: Philippians 2:2:

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Have the children turn their heads and cover their eyes so they cannot see the board. Using the list below, change one word of the SuperVerse on the board at a time to alter the meaning of the verse, then have the children look at the board and raise their hands to tell you what word is wrong and how it should be fixed. Write in the correct word, then repeat the process.

• Change “wholeheartedly” to “halfheartedly”
• Change “happy” to “disappointed”
• Change “each other” to “nobody”
• Change “agreeing” to “arguing”
• Change “working” to “fighting”
• Change “loving” to “mistreating”
• Change “together” to “alone”
• Change “mind” to “brain”
• Change “purpose” to “goal”

Note: Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times, while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Prayer

Sit in a circle with the children. Read Psalm 133:1–3:

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting.

Do you think this verse just means boys who are brothers in the same family?

No, it includes both men and women, boys and girls—everyone who loves and serves God. And that means us today.

This passage describes the importance of living in unity with others. It is wonderful, pleasant and refreshing. It is precious like the expensive and perfumed oil poured over Aaron’s head and beard that anointed and set him apart for God’s service. Oil represents the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized or covered in the Spirit, He flows into every part of our lives. Most of the land of Israel is a very dry desert—so you can imagine how important the morning dew is, bringing some water that gives life to the people, animals and plants.

Please close your eyes and bow your heads. Let’s take a few moments and pray silently. First, thank God for giving you the gift of the Holy Spirit who works in your life. Then, ask God to help you to have the same mind as Christ, one of love and humility.

Close in prayer: God, we want to thank You today for the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us. We ask that You would produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit enables us to live and work with others in unity. We also ask You to fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Balloon Game

Ephesians 4:3 says:

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding you together with peace.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces peace inside us. Imagine all that we can do together when we follow the Spirit’s leading and work in peace with others! Paul talks about this in today’s SuperVerse—to agree with one another and to have one mind and purpose. It is not always easy to keep peace when working with others. We must rely on the Spirit to help us and then put forth effort to keep peace alive.

Hold up a section of rope and a balloon. This is what our game is about today. You are going to be united by the Spirit, represented by the rope. You must not let go of the rope! You will all work toward keeping peace alive on each team by bouncing the balloon to the players on your team.

Divide the class into two equal teams. A teacher or an assistant can play to even out teams if necessary.

Teams make two separate lines standing side by side with space between each child.

Give a rope to each team and have them stretch it out.

Players must hold the rope with at least one hand at all times.

Give a balloon to the first player of each team.

The goal is to move the balloon to the other end of the line before the other team does.

Players must bounce or bat the balloon in the air with either hand to the next player beside them. Players may not be skipped. If the balloon touches the floor, it must be picked up and returned to that player—all while each player holds the rope with one hand.

The team that passes the balloon first to the other end wins.

Conclusion: That looked very challenging. What was the most difficult part of the game?

Would it have been easier to let go of the rope?

Sometimes we will be tempted to follow our own path and not listen to the Holy Spirit. It is tempting to just do what we want and not be concerned with others. However, God’s Spirit is the common bond or link between us that keeps us focused and working toward the same goal. We need the Holy Spirit to help us work in peace with others.

Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Philippians 2:2:

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Drawing Game

In this game, a player will draw an image on the board. Everyone else will try to guess what the image is. The images relate to the Tower of Babel and the Day of Pentecost Bible stories. After the image is guessed, we will briefly discuss how the person or object was included in the stories.

The game is played as a group, not as teams, and no points are scored. Have children come forward one at a time. Quietly whisper the item or person the child should draw. Give hints, especially to younger players, as necessary. Allow about 5 seconds for the child to think about the drawing, then start the timer for 30 seconds, adjusting the time as desired. The child must not speak while drawing. Other children should guess as the artist draws. For a fun challenge, especially for older children, blindfold the artist and see if children can guess the image.

Drawing List:

• Bricks
• Worker
• Tower
• Tar, between the bricks
• Upstairs room
• Flames of fire
• Cloud
• Praying
• Gift
• Jesus taken up to heaven—ascension
• Peter preaching
• Windstorm
• Praising God

Additional topics for grades 5–6:

• Confusion
• Language
• Scattered
• Pentecost
• The Lord added to the church
• Unity

Conclusion: You all were very good artists and guessers! Our two exciting Bible stories showed us the importance of unity and the work of the Holy Spirit as He works inside of us to accomplish God’s plan on Earth.

Craft

Give each child a coloring page, plus crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Have them put their names on the back of the page. Children may color their pages while you lead the discussion below:

1. Have you ever worked on a group project, but everyone seemed to be working on their own—not together as a group? How was this solved?
2. How do you think God’s Spirit could help a group work on a project, like a special event or service at church?
3. Tell me some examples in our Bible story of how God’s Spirit brought unity.
4. Do you think the believers praying in the upstairs room were frightened to see flames of fire over everyone’s head? Why or why not?
5. Would you have been frightened, excited, or a little of both? Please explain.
6. Why do you think the Holy Spirit appeared as a flame of fire?

Bible Study

Have children look up Philippians 2:2 and insert a bookmark for later reference.

Let’s read our SuperVerse together. Philippians 2:2:

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

In this verse, Paul says that he will be truly happy if the people love one another, agree, and work together, with one mind and purpose. So, is Paul saying he will be happy if they work together for any purpose—as long as they agree?

Do you remember in the Tower of Babel story when the people were united together and working with one purpose and mind?

The people were definitely united together to do a great work. Yet, was God pleased?

Why or why not?

Their hearts and minds were full of pride. Their desire was not to please God. So, the question is—what kind of attitude, or united thinking is pleasing to God?

What is Paul talking about in the SuperVerse?

Let’s take a look at the verse that follow the SuperVerse to get a better understanding.

Have children look up the Scriptures and lead a discussion with the questions below.

1. Philippians 2:3–4:

³ Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

• Name some characteristics or attitudes that please God and help us work in unity. Humility, don’t show off, share, give, don’t be selfish, don’t be self-focused or centered, care and take notice of others.

2. Philippians 2:5:

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Note: share that the NKJV says:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

• Compare this to the SuperVerse, Philippians 2:2; does this help us understand the mind or attitude we need?
• Whose attitude and thinking do we all need?
• How can this help us work in unity?

3. John 6:38:

For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will.

• Jesus made this statement. If we are to have the same mind and attitude, what should our main focus be? To do the will of God, not to do whatever we want to do.
• How can this help people working together stay in unity? Gives focus, common purpose.

4. Philippians 2:6–8:

⁶ Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, ⁸ He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

• What do these verses tell us about Jesus? He was not selfish, He was willing to sacrifice, He placed God’s will over His own comfort, He was humble and cared about other’s interests and needs, He was obedient to God, He valued God’s plan over His own comfort and even His life.
• Now, look at Philippians 2:2 again. After reading these passages, what does having the same mind and purpose mean to you?