Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Greetings to all of you! We have a new Superbook adventure for you to watch today! It’s called “The Road to Damascus.” Who can tell me why Jesus came into the world? 

He came into the world to save sinners! Is there any sin that is so big that Jesus can’t forgive it?  

No! Our Superbook story will show us that no matter what someone has done, God can save them! Now, let’s get our video started and see what’s happening with Joy, Chris and Gizmo!

Play Video 2: Chris and Joy’s Dilemma (4 minutes)

Chris and Joy's Dilemma

When a delinquent teen breaks into his house, Chris has little hope that the thief can change. 

SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)

Wow, what a dilemma! Jason broke into Chris’ house. Do you think Jason should get a second chance?

Today’s SuperTruth says, “No matter what I’ve done, God can save me.” God loves us unconditionally and will forgive us if we ask Him! Now let’s watch the rest of today’s Superbook video and see what happens to Saul—and Jason!

Play Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution (18 minutes)

Bible Story and Resolution

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Saul of Tarsus, who is on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus. The children witness Saul’s miraculous conversion, healing, and baptism before he must escape persecution himself. The children learn that anyone can change with God’s help.

Play Video 10A: SuperVerse Graphic 1

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

SuperVerse Graphic 1

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

As we saw in our video today, Paul experienced Jesus’ power and love. He was changed from the inside out—totally transformed! He knew he had done extremely bad things to Jesus’ followers and was very sorry for all he had done. Paul knew if God chose to save him, God would save anyone! That’s why he wrote this verse in the Bible, which is our SuperVerse today, 1 Timothy 1:15. Let’s say it together:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

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

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Dear God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus into the world to save us. No matter what we’ve done, You will forgive us if we ask You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Who would like to take a road trip like Saul?

Well, today in Small Group, we are going to play a game about that! Have a great time.

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 our video today, Joy was troubled after Jason was caught stealing in Chris’ house. Why was Joy concerned?

Did Chris feel the same way?

What did Chris see on his Superbook adventure that changed his mind about Jason?

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “No matter what I’ve done, God can save me.” Some people doubted that Saul could really change. They knew that Saul had hated Christians and wanted to put them in prison! Before Saul knew Jesus, he was spiritually blind, even though he could see with his eyes. He couldn’t see that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then God blinded Saul on the road to Damascus. Jesus revealed Himself to Saul and spoke about Saul’s mission to preach the Gospel.

Think about how Saul must have felt on the road to Damascus when he saw that incredibly bright light and fell to the ground!

Read Acts 9:8:

Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.

Can you imagine suddenly going blind and not being able to finish the journey you were taking? The men with Saul had to lead him by the hand the rest of the way! We’re going to act as if we are Saul and his companions walking to Damascus.

Divide the group into two teams. Teams will play at the same time—each on a separate obstacle course. Blindfold the first player from each team and start the game. The second player on each team will lead the first player by the hand. Optional: you may have them lead without saying anything out loud. The “blind” players must weave their way around each obstacle in order, then touch the cross at the end of the path. There, the players “recover their sight,” take the blindfolds off, and walk quickly back to the beginning. The next two players take a turn, until everyone has played. The first team to have all players complete the course wins. Be prepared to help any children with special needs. If time allows, have each player take a turn being led and as the guide.

Teaching

What were some of Saul’s traits or characteristics before he met Jesus? Persecutor, zealous, proud, determined, stubborn, feared, serious, religious, mean, unfriendly, uncaring, driven, deceived, blinded, etc.

Saul was sincere about doing God’s work, but he was sincerely wrong. He did not know the truth about Jesus—until Jesus appeared to him.

For the next question write the traits on the board as children name them and briefly discuss what they mean.

Now, what are some godly characteristics? Courageous, selfless, humble, obedient, faithful, brave, patient, loving, caring, gentle, honest, bold, friendly, generous, trustworthy, diligent, wise, respectful, joyful, kind, etc.

Saul became known as Paul soon after God saved him. In Bible times, names had specific meanings. For instance, Paul’s partner in ministry, Barnabas, played a crucial role in Paul’s ministry. Barnabas means “son of encouragement”—and Barnabas helped get Paul started in ministry!

Read Acts 9:26-27:

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

Saul had such a bad reputation that the believers in Jerusalem were afraid to meet with him. After all, Saul had just been trying to put them in jail! But Barnabas defended Saul to them. He explained how Saul was saved when he met Jesus and had begun boldly preaching the Gospel! After that, the believers in Jerusalem accepted Paul.

Read Acts 9:28:

So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

Barnabas really lived up to his name, didn’t he? He encouraged Paul and helped him begin his ministry.

Saul was Paul’s Hebrew name. After he became a Christian, he became known by the Roman version of his name, Paul. This helped him minister more effectively to those who were not Jewish. His name change may also represent his spiritual transformation from persecuting Jesus’ followers to actually becoming a follower of Jesus! When we introduce Jesus to others, they can be transformed, too! Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “No matter what I have done, Jesus can save me.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Pair up the children, boys with boys and girls with girls. If there is an extra child, he or she may be added to a pair of children. Point to the characteristics you wrote on the board. Tell the children to choose one characteristic each that they would like to have evident or working in their life. Have the partners discuss these characteristics and explain why they chose them.

Hand out a New Name Tag Pattern and optional magnet to each child. Display your own nametag that you made before class. Each child should write his or her real name on the front of the tag, which can be pulled aside to reveal his or her chosen characteristic on the inside, above “Child of God.” Assist children as necessary to follow the directions written on the pattern to complete the nametag.

As they work, have them discuss how they might display this characteristic throughout the week. The pairs can come up with ideas to act out these characteristics or explain a personal practical application in their life. For example, if they chose patience, they could listen to their siblings more and respond to them in love. Or, if they chose generosity, they could choose to share their things with their siblings and friends. Bring the pairs back together as a group. If time allows, ask each pair to share at least one characteristic they chose.

Next week, we’ll share how we displayed or lived out the characteristics we chose for our New Name Tags. For example, if you chose the name “Bold,” you might share how you prayed for your lunch at school in front of your classmates. Display the New Name Tag on a mirror or your refrigerator at home as a reminder to pray about the characteristic you chose!

SuperVerse

Paul became an evangelist, preaching the Gospel everywhere he went. Although Paul died nearly 2,000 years ago, his ministry continues today. That’s because Paul wrote a lot of books of the Bible—including 1 Timothy, where we find today’s SuperVerse, 1 Timothy 1:15!

Have the children look up 1 Timothy 1:15 and lead the children in slowly reading the verse aloud together.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Jesus came to save people, not condemn them! How did Paul know that was true? Jesus saved Paul!

Paul believed that he was one of the worst sinners because he had wanted to hurt Christians and stop the Gospel. Paul knew that since Jesus saved him, the Lord would save anybody!

Say the verse together as a class two times. Hold the sheet of paper over a key word of the SuperVerse and ask children to raise their hands to identify the covered word. After doing this for several words, erase two or three words at a time and ask the children to identify the missing words. Continue to do this until all words have been erased. Try to say the entire SuperVerse together as a group.

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.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Prayer

Saul did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Let’s focus our prayers today on our neighbors and friends who live on our road or street. Let’s pray that they will meet Jesus, and He can turn their lives into something brand new.

Let’s pray together: Father, we thank You for the people on our street and in our neighborhoods. We pray for any needs they may have or any challenges that they are facing. We especially pray that they would come to know You as we know You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tell the children to silently think of some people in their neighborhood and to pray for ways they can show the love of Jesus to them, showing kindness by helping them in some way. Suggest that when the children walk and play on their street or in their neighborhood, they continue to pray for others.

Jesus, we thank You that You came into the world to save sinners like us. Nothing that anyone has ever done is too terrible for You to forgive, if we will only ask You. Thank You for working in the lives of my neighbors and friends. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Clue Game

Saul knew he had a long trip from Jerusalem to Damascus—but he didn’t know that it would change his life forever! Let’s pretend to be detectives looking for objects around the room that represent the important events of Saul’s journey.

For a smaller class, 8 or fewer, children can play as individuals. For a larger class, tell children to find partners they don’t know very well. For a very large class, divide it into 8 groups.

Name the first event on the list, and send the first child, pair or group to find the object that represents the event. Ask the class if they agree that the object found is correct. If the object is not correct, return it to where it was found and allow the pair to search again. Give hints if necessary, and be prepared to help children with special needs.

Below is a list of events from Acts 9 and the representative objects:

• Stoning of Stephen—stone.
• Letter giving Saul permission to persecute Christians in Damascus—envelope.
• Road to Damascus—bag of dirt.
• Jesus’ glorious appearance—sunglasses.
• Saul’s blindness—blindfold.
• Ananias laying hands on Saul—gloves.
• Saul’s baptism—bowl of water.
• Saul becomes known as Paul—name tag.

You are such good detectives to uncover all the clues related to Saul’s journey! Let’s repeat the SuperVerse, 1 Timothy 1:15, together:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Saul was a perfect example of how Jesus came to save sinners—no matter what they had done in the past. Not only did God save Saul, He transformed him into a bold preacher of the Gospel! God loves each and every one of us, and nothing we have done or will do can separate us from His love. Think of your own journey to finding Jesus. What would you place around the room as clues?

Thank God for His love and forgiveness!

Coin Object Lesson

What do you remember from the Superbook video about Saul before he met Jesus?

Saul thought he was serving God by persecuting the Christians. But he was deceived and didn’t know the truth about God’s Son, Jesus. Hold up a penny.

Do you see how this penny is dark and discolored? What was originally a bright, shiny coin is now discolored and tarnished. Saul was tarnished with sin. But his life was changed when he met Jesus, face to face.

Place the coin in the cup and allow it to soak for a minute as you talk.

Jesus revealed Himself to Saul, changed his life, and put Saul on the right path to obey God’s call on his life! Saul had a new life and purpose!

Remove the coin with the spoon and wipe it off with the paper towel to reveal a shiny coin! Allow children to place their coins in the cups, remove them after a minute and wipe them off as you continue to share Paul’s story.

Paul began to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He spent the rest of his life doing this. He suffered hardship—a shipwreck, was beaten, imprisoned, and even died for his faith in Jesus. Before he died, he wrote many books of the New Testament. Can anyone name one of the books he wrote? Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

Saul did some terrible things before he was saved, but God still desired to change him and use him to spread the Gospel! Our SuperTruth says, “No matter what I’ve done, God can save me.”

Encourage the children to take the pennies home as a reminder that God can change anyone and make them new!

Heart Object Lesson

Display the dried ball of mud.

What would you say if I told you that I have a very valuable gift for you and then handed you this ball of dirt? 

On the outside it looks like nothing but a hard piece of dirt—worthless, right? Are you sure?

Break the mud ball apart to reveal the heart inside. Wash the dirt off the heart with water and dry with cloth.

The dirt ball looked useless and worthless on the outside, but it’s a good thing that we didn’t just give up on it and throw it away! The inner beauty wasn’t visible until we took the time to look beyond the dirt, and wash the heart clean.

How did Chris feel about Jason, the boy who broke into their home? Did he just look at the outside appearance?

In what way was Jason like the mud ball?

Do you think God saw Jason the same way that Chris saw him?

Do you see any similarities between Jason and Saul?

Have you ever thought someone was too much of a sinner for Jesus to save, based on how they looked or acted?

Does the story of Saul change your thinking?

We are like that heart, too! God created us to have a wonderful relationship with Him. But we sinned—doing, saying and thinking bad things. We got covered with mud. Sometimes the mud gets very thick and hard. But God knows that underneath all that dirt is a heart worth saving! Listen to what God said to the Israelite people who had rebelled and sinned against God.

Ezekiel 36:26 says:

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”

God still looks inside today and sees a heart that can be changed regardless of what has been done in the past.

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “No matter what I have done, God can save me.”

Bible Study

Hand out a copy of “Amazing Grace” lyrics, one copy per two children to share.

One of the most famous songs in the world is called “Amazing Grace.” How many of you have heard it?

Do you know what grace means?

Grace is God’s favor and kindness to us that we can never earn or deserve. Even though we are sinners, God loves us, He forgives us, He saves us, and He will take us to heaven when we die. He doesn’t do these things because we are nice people, or because we do good things. We are helpless to save ourselves from our own sin, so He sent His Son to take our punishment and die on the cross for us to pay for our sins. This is God’s amazing grace!

Have children look up Ephesians 2:8-9. Select two volunteers to read the two verses aloud.

⁸God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

If you choose to play the song, play the first two verses and have children follow the words on the sheet. If not, slowly read aloud the lyrics from the sheet as children follow along.

As you read or listen to the words, think about how the song applies to Saul.

Allow children to share their thoughts and then use the following bullets to extend the discussion.

Verse 1

• “That saved a wretch like me.” Wretch means miserable and lowly. Paul described himself as the chief—or worst—of sinners.
• “I once was lost, but now am found.” Saul was lost spiritually and going down the wrong path. Jesus sought him out and “found him.”
• “Was blind, but now I see.” Saul was blind spiritually, in darkness, not knowing the truth. He was literally blinded by the light of Jesus until Ananias laid hands on him. After his encounter with Jesus, Paul could see spiritually and physically.

Verse 2

• “‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear.” God chose to come to Saul; it was not by anything Saul did that he deserved the encounter with Jesus. Saul learned the truth about Jesus and was taught to fear, honor and serve Jesus.
• “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” Saul’s revelation was priceless from the moment he realized the truth and accepted it—Saul’s life was transformed and turned upside down. 

I think we now have a greater appreciation and understanding of Paul’s words in today’s SuperVerse, 1 Timothy 1:15! Let’s repeat it again:

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.