Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome everyone; today is the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Paul and Silas.” If you were here for one of the previous lessons, name one man and one woman who believed in Jesus after hearing the Good News from Paul and Silas. Lydia and the jailer.     

Lydia and the jailer were saved—and their entire households, too! Being saved is what the song we will sing is all about. Let’s stand and praise Jesus for saving us from our sin as we sing The Salvation Poem!

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

The Salvation Poem

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

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperTruth today is, “We are saved by believing in Jesus.” Let’s say it together. “We are saved by believing in Jesus.”

That’s what our song is all about! Jesus died upon a cross and rose again to save the lost. He did it all; there is nothing else we can do to be saved—only believe in Him. However, some people think you have to do other things to be saved. What are things that some people say you need to do to be saved? Doing good deeds, being perfect, going to church, acting religious.    

Those people need to hear the Good News—there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Only through Jesus’ death on the cross can our sins be forgiven. As the words of The Salvation Poem say: Forgive me now of all my sin. We just need to believe!    

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.

Let’s watch a short version of the video about Paul and Silas. If you’ve already seen it, watch carefully to find out what the jailer saw when he woke up.                

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 Minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy, and Gizmo to Philippi, where Paul casts a demon from a fortune teller. He and Silas are arrested, beaten, and thrown in prison—yet still they praise God. They don’t try to escape after an earthquake, knowing the jailer would be executed. Moved by their faith, the jailer is saved and baptized, along with his entire family.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

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

SuperVerse (2 minutes)

SuperVerse Graphic 3

Our SuperVerse today is Acts 16:31:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” 

This is what Paul and Silas told the jailer. It means that if everyone in his household believes in Jesus, they will all be saved. Salvation is available to anyone who believes in Jesus.  

We must keep this in mind as we consider others around us. God wants everyone to believe in Jesus and receive salvation. We should never hesitate in sharing the Good News, wondering if God’s invitation applies to them! God has extended His grace and mercy to all people—not just a select group. God’s salvation is available to everyone who believes.  

Let’s say the SuperVerse once more together. Acts 16:31:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

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

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Let’s watch the Signposts video to learn how Paul’s ministry was a signpost to Christ, and how Jesus sets us free and gives us eternal life. 

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (3 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we move to Small Group. 

Dear God, Paul, and Silas brought the Good News to men, women, and children who needed to be saved. Today, You call us to take this same message to people. We praise You that Jesus sets us free from sin, and there is no other way to be saved! Fill us with the power of Your Holy Spirit so we can share this Good News with others. In the saving name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.  

In Small Group today, you will have a chance to catch the Good News and then take it to someone so they can receive it, too. Does that sound interesting? Let’s go see what the game is all about!   

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

In Large Group, you were asked to notice what the jailer saw when he woke up. What did he see? The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. (See Acts 16:27.)              

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “We are saved by believing in Jesus.”

Read Romans 10:13–15: 

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

In this game you will each have a chance to take the Good News about Jesus Christ to others so they can believe.     

Divide the children into two teams. Divide each team in half. The team halves stand at opposite ends behind the lines directly across from each other. If a team is uneven, a child may play twice.

Give a beachball to each of two older players and have them stand at the middle line facing the same direction.   

Start the game. The players with the beach balls shout “Catch the Good News!” and toss the ball to the first player on each team. The throwers in the middle then go to the back of their team line.

The players catch the ball and shout, “I believe in Jesus!”

Then they quickly walk to the middle line, shout “Catch the Good News!” and toss the ball to a teammate behind the other line. Play this way until all children have had the opportunity to catch the Good News and share it. The first team that does this wins.

It is important to continue play until all children have done both actions!

Play additional rounds as time allows.

If a ball is dropped, the player picks it up and then shouts “I believe in Jesus.”

Optional challenge: throw and catch with one arm only!       

Conclusion: That looked really fun! Once we believe, we should pray daily for the Holy Spirit to direct us to others so they can catch the Good News and believe!     

Teaching

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 two remaining Signpost Cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.       

Signpost 1  Freedom From Evil Spirits           

The Bible tells us that Jesus set people free from evil spirits. Jesus gave His authority to His disciples—giving them power over demons and evil spirits. 

This is why Paul could perform extraordinary miracles—by the Spirit of God. He set free the slave girl who was making money for her masters by telling fortunes. She was doubly enslaved by her masters and the evil spirit that controlled her. Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave—not in his own power, but in the name of Jesus Christ. This same authority is given to all believers in Jesus! 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6  

Acts 16:18:

This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. 

Acts 19:11–12:

¹¹ God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. ¹² When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

Luke 10:19: 

“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”

Luke 8:35–36:

³⁵ People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. ³⁶ Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

Signpost 2  Freedom From Fear and Sin 

What was the jailer ordered to do? Not to let Paul and Silas escape.

In Bible times, if a prisoner escaped, the guards in charge of that prisoner could be forced to serve the prisoner’s sentence, or even be put to death! The jailer did not want Paul and Silas to escape. To make sure, he locked their feet into stocks so they couldn’t even stand up. 

When the earthquake opened the prison doors, the jailer thought everyone had escaped, so he was ready to take his own life until Paul stopped him. Paul and Silas shared the Good News about Jesus, who forgives our sins and saves us from them. The jailer and his family were saved, baptized, and set free from the fear and sin that held them captive!   

While on the earth, Jesus also healed those were trapped in sin and fear. He healed a crippled man who always laid on his mat because he could not stand or walk. The man was completely dependent on others to care for him and transport him. Jesus not only healed and set that man free physically, He set the man free from his sins! He told the man to pick up his mat and go home. Jesus set him free emotionally, physically and spiritually! Only Jesus can give us freedom in every part of our lives!   

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Acts 16:30–34:

³⁰ Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” ³² And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. ³³ Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. ³⁴ He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Matthew 9:2,6 (cev):

² Some people soon brought to Him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, He said to the crippled man, “My friend, don’t worry! Your sins are forgiven.” ⁶ But I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.”

 Luke 4:18 (cev):

“The Lord’s Spirit has come to Me, because He has chosen Me to tell the good news
to the poor. The Lord has sent Me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers.”

Romans 8:2:

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.

Signpost 3  Freedom to Rejoice and Be Thankful    

What did Paul and Silas do in jail that was so unusual? They prayed and sang praises to God.

They were content even in their horrible circumstance. Even though physically they were in a jail cell with their feet in stocks, their spirits were free! Paul and Silas had learned to be thankful and content in any circumstance. They knew that they were right where God wanted them to be, and by Christ’s strength they could face anything.      

Life can be difficult, filled with struggles and injustice. Hard things may happen, causing us to feel out of control and helpless. However, as God’s children, these things have no power over us. We can rejoice and be thankful in any circumstance because we are God’s children and His Spirit lives inside us! All we must do is believe, and through Jesus we are set free! Now that is truly good news! 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 

2 Corinthians 3:17:

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Philippians 4:11–13 (cev):

¹¹ I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. ¹² I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. ¹³ Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

John 16:33:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Romans 10:9–10 (nkjv)

⁹ If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Let’s talk about our Discipleship Challenge and learn about how we can share the Good News with others so they can be set free!   

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give an Iron Link Challenge to any children who missed Lessons 1 and 2.   

Hold up the sample craft. Last time, our challenge was to look for things we can thank God for, and ask Him to help us rejoice in His goodness—even in hard times. Did you find new things to thank God for? Were you able to worship God during a difficult time? Allow children to share their challenge experiences.

Our final challenge is to pray for opportunities to share the Good News with others, and to give the link with the cross to a friend and watch The Salvation Poem together. Also, continue to memorize all three SuperVerses for this course. Let’s share the Good News as Paul and Silas did, so Jesus can set people free!

SuperVerse

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. Acts 16:31:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

Who spoke these words? Paul and Silas.  

Was Paul always a strong Christian believer? No.

Before he became a Christian, he persecuted those who believed in Jesus! Do you remember what his name was before it was changed to Paul? Saul.

What happened to change him? Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He became a believer, was baptized, and began to preach the Gospel message.

Saul was completely changed when he met the Lord. Instead of persecuting believers in Christ, he began to preach about Jesus so others could be saved! Paul was persecuted and eventually killed because of his faith in Christ! 

Have the class read the SuperVerse on the board together two times and then erase it from the board. Choose eight children to stand side by side in the front of the room. Give one sheet of the SuperVerse to each child. Starting on the far left (from the class’s perspective), have the eight children create a “wave” by holding up and reading aloud their individual phrases (which will be out of order) and lowering their sheets when done. Ask if that sounded like the correct verse. The answer will be no!  

Ask the rest of the class to tell you which reader should be first, second, third, etc. Rearrange the eight children in that order and have them read their phrases again, creating a “wave” with their papers. Ask the rest of the class if the verse is now correct. If not, have the class rearrange the readers again until they can say the phrases of the verse in the proper order. Finally, have the entire class follow the “wave” to say the verse together two or three times, going faster each time. 

Conclusion: Great job in assembling the verse correctly. Now, please tell me, how are we saved? By believing in Jesus!

Prayer

When Paul and Silas came to Philippi, they preached by a river, where Lydia and her household were saved.

Read Acts 16:14–15:

¹⁴ One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. ¹⁵ She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

Paul confirmed that she was a true believer when he accepted the invitation to stay at her house.

The jailer and his family also believed Paul’s message.

Read Acts 16:34: 

He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Sometimes people complicate the way to salvation. They add religious rules that aren’t in the Bible. God made the way to salvation simple enough for anyone to understand and respond. Let’s say our SuperTruth together. “We are saved by believing in Jesus.” 

In our prayer today, I am going to give each of you a chance to receive Jesus as your Savior. If you already believe in Jesus, praise God! You can still repeat the words with us and rejoice that you are saved and will go to heaven someday! You can also pray in your heart for anyone who may believe in Jesus for the first time today.    

Close in prayer, allowing time after each phrase for the children to pray silently or repeat aloud after you: Dear Lord Jesus, … I believe … You died on the cross for me … to pay the price for my sins, … to forgive me, … and to take me to heaven someday. … Come live in my heart. … Fill me with Your Spirit … so I can live to please You. … Help me share Your Good News … so others can be set free! … In Your Saving name we pray, Amen.               

Make sure to follow up with any children who prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior. Encourage them to download Gizmo’s Bible Adventures, a free 30-day devotional for children and their families. Visit Superbook.CBN.com/Pages/Discover/KidsDevo/Gizmos-Bible-Adventures.

Review Game

Paul and Silas were led by God’s Spirit to share the Good News. Because of their faithfulness, many people were saved and set free from their sins! Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “We are saved by believing in Jesus.”   

We are going to play a true or false game to review the Bible story.

Step back and forth on the floor signs and then toss a sock as you describe the game.

This is a True and False question game where you will have not one, but two chances to score points for your team! You can score a point by answering the question correctly and another point by tossing a balled-up sock into the correct container. 

I will ask the same question to a player for each team. You will answer by standing on either the TRUE sign or the FALSE sign. That’s right; you don’t even have to speak! When both players are standing on their sign choice, I will reveal the answer. You score one point for a correct answer. Then, you will try to toss the sock into the container of the correct answer. So, if the correct answer is true, you score a point by tossing the sock into the True container. Even if you didn’t stand on the correct sign, you still have a chance to score a point! Let’s play!

Divide the children into two teams. If they are unequal, a player may take two turns.

True or False Questions

1. The Spirit prevented Paul and Silas from preaching in Philippi. (False—Asia)

2. Paul had a vision from a man to come to Macedonia and help them. (True)

3. In Philippi, Paul and Silas preached in the Temple and Synagogue. (False—riverbank)

4. Paul and Silas preached on the riverbank to men gathered for prayer. (False—women)

5. One of the women on the riverbank, who worshiped the Lord, was named Lydia. (True)

6. Lydia refused to believe the Good News that Paul preached. (False—she accepted what he said)

7. Lydia and her household believed and were baptized. (True)

8. Paul asked Lydia if Silas and he could stay in her home. (False—Lydia asked them to stay)

9. A fortune teller was possessed by an evil spirit that enabled her to tell the future. (True)

10. Silas cast the evil spirit from the fortune teller in Jesus’ name. (False—Paul did)

11. The masters of the fortune teller were happy the girl was set free. (False—they were angry)

12. Paul and Silas were beaten and then thrown into prison. (True)

13. Paul’s and Silas’s arms were put into stocks so they couldn’t escape. (False—their legs)

14. At around midnight, Paul and Silas began to pray and sing. (True)

15. The other prisoners could hear Paul and Silas praise God. (True)

16. When Paul and Silas sang, a thunderstorm shook the prison. (False—earthquake)

17. The earthquake opened the prison doors and the prisoners’ chains fell off. (True)

18. Paul and Silas ran out of the prison as fast as they could. (False—they stayed)

19. The jailer asked Paul and Silas what he should do to be saved. (True)

20. Paul and Silas told him to believe in Jesus and he would be saved. (True)

21. The jailer and his family were baptized after they believed. (True)

22. The jailer’s entire household was sad because they were saved. (False—they rejoiced) 

Conclusion: God made salvation simple for all to understand—just believe and be saved!   

Craft

Give a Freedom in Christ Page, pencil, and glue stick to each child. Give four 1 inch paper strips (chain links) and two cuffs (2 inch paper towel sections) to each child. Give several crayons, colored pencils, or markers, and scissors to share. Be prepared to assist any child with special needs.

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “We are saved by believing in Jesus.”  

Yes, and what do we need to be saved from? Our sins.

Read Romans 8:2: 

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.

Everyone has sinned. (See Romans 3:23.) When we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we are saved and He forgives our sins. The Holy Spirit then lives inside us and gives us the power to win the victory against sin. He sets us free! 

Who was set free in the prison? Paul, Silas, and the other prisoners.

Yes, we saw the physical chains and leg stocks broken; the prisoners were set free by the power of God. The chains that Jesus sets us free from are invisible spiritual chains that hold us back from living our lives fully to serve God.    

Display the craft model. Have children assemble their crafts using the following steps:

• Color the strips and the cuff.
• Loop and glue two sets of two chain links.
• Loop a broken cuff to one loop of each chain set and glue it to the loop. 
• Place glue in each “glue box” on the Freedom in Christ Page. Place a chain link from each set (end opposite the cuff) on the marks and press down a few seconds to make it adhere.
• Optional: glue each cuff to the pattern.       
• Have children write their names on the bottom of the page.  

Conclusion: Take your craft home as a reminder that Jesus Christ saves you and sets you free!    

Puzzle Activity

Let’s say the SuperVerse. Acts 16:31:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”

Give each child a Lydia Puzzle, scissors, and a sealable bag, or a Lydia Coloring Page. Provide crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers for children to share. If making puzzles, have the children color their patterns first and then carefully cut out the pieces, then put them in the sealable bags. Use the questions below to lead a discussion while the children work on their patterns. Be prepared to assist any child with special needs. 

• In the Bible story, who were two people who were saved with their entire households when they believed in Jesus? Lydia and the jailer.
• What did the two families do immediately after being saved? They were baptized in water.
• What did Lydia ask Paul and Silas to do after she was saved and baptized? To be guests and stay in her home. 
• What did the jailer do for Paul and Silas after his family was saved and baptized? He brought them into his house and they shared a meal as they all rejoiced.

Read Acts 16:32–34:

³² And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. ³³ Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. ³⁴ He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

If the children have made puzzles, have them mix up their puzzle pieces in separate piles and turn them face down. Say “Go” and have children assemble their puzzles; see who are the first three to complete it. Assist any children who are having difficulty so all can finish.     

Conclusion: Nice work everyone! Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “We are saved by believing in Jesus.” 

Bible Activity

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “We are saved by believing in Jesus.”

The Bible verses you will look up are about believing in Jesus for salvation and for everything else!   

Have the children sit in pairs. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible. Give each pair a Bible. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse. The other child can be the “messenger.” The messengers will write the answer on sticky notes and stick them to the board. If both players in a pair are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and being the messenger. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse. 

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers may vary.

I will say a verse reference and write it on the board. You may start to look it up, and I will then read a fill-in-the-blank question for that verse. One student in each group will be a messenger. That student will write the answer on the sticky note, quickly bring it up here, then stick it to the board. You have 30 seconds to do that. The first pair scores 10 points for the correct answer; all other pairs score 5 points for the correct answer stuck to the board in time. The pair with the most points wins.       

Allow spelling errors because of the fast pace of the game. Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs.

1. Romans 10:10 in the New Testament. It is by believing in your _____ that you are made right with God. (Heart)   

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  

2. Mark 9:23 in the New Testament. Anything is _____ if a person believes. (Possible)  

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

3. John 20:31 in the New Testament. But these things are _____ so you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. (Written)   

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.

4. Mark 1:15 in the New Testament. Repent of your sins and believe in the _____    _____.  (Good News) 

“The time promised by God has come at last!” He announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

5. Ephesians 1:19 in the New Testament. Understand the incredible greatness of God’s ______ for us who believe in Him. (Power)     

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. 

6. John 10:38 in the New Testament. Believe in the evidence of the _____ works I have done. (Miraculous)  

“But if I do His work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe Me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I am in the Father.”

7. John 3:18 in the New Testament. When we believe, there is no ______ against us. (Judgment)  

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.”

8. Mark 9:24 in the New Testament. The father believed Jesus could heal his son but needed help overcoming his ______. (Unbelief)  

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

9. John 20:31 in the New Testament. By believing in the Son of God, you will have _____. (Life)  

But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.

10. 1 Timothy 4:10 in the New Testament. Our hope is in the living God who is the _____ of all who believe. (Savior)

This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.      

Conclusion: We are saved by believing in Jesus, and all things are possible when we believe in Him!