Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome everyone; today is the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Jesus Heals the Blind.” Have you ever used a flashlight or candle in the dark?

Flashlight batteries can lose their power and candles can be blown out. However, there is a light that can never be put out or extinguished. Can you guess what—or rather WHO—is this light? Jesus.

Let’s stand and praise Jesus, the light of our salvation, by singing 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, “Jesus is the light of the world.” Let’s say it together. “Jesus is the light of the world.”

What can happen if you try to walk in a dark room or outside at night without any light? We can trip and fall down or run into things and possibly get hurt.

It can be dangerous to walk without light. Jesus says that He is the light of the world. (See John 8:12.) That is important because the world is filled with darkness. We need the light of Jesus to guide our path and show us things that can harm us or trap us.

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 titled “Jesus Heals the Blind.” If you’ve already seen it, listen carefully to what the man says when Jesus asks, “Can you see anything now?”        

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (13 Minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy, and Gizmo to meet Jesus as He cures three people who are physically blind, and also opens the eyes of others who are spiritually blind. Chris returns with a desire to go to church with his mom and dad.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic

SuperVerse Graphic 3

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

SuperVerse (2 minutes)

Our SuperVerse today is John 1:4–5:

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Jesus is the light of the world, and He is also called the Word of God. We will discuss that more in Small Group. He brought light to the world and it shines in our hearts today. He gave light to people by healing the blind and by giving spiritual sight to people who did not know the truth. Jesus’ light cannot be extinguished or stopped by any evil power of darkness.     

Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Girls say the first sentence and boys say the second sentence. Let’s begin on the count of three: 1, 2, 3!

(Girls:)

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone.

(Boys:)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

(All:)

John 1:4–5

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

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Jesus wanted His followers to understand who He really is. Many people had different ideas about who He is and why He came into the world. Let’s watch the Signposts video to learn more about how Jesus revealed Himself to His followers.

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (3 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus into the world to be a light in the midst of darkness. Help us shine His light so others can know and follow Him. In the saving name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

In Small Group today, the light is hidden; it’s up to you to uncover it so all can see! Let’s go find out how!

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 listen to what the man said when Jesus asked, “Can you see anything now?” What did the man say? He could see people but not clearly and they looked like trees walking around.         

Read Matthew 5:14–16:

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Who is the light of the world today? We are.

How do we let our lights shine? (To give a hint, read verse 16 again.) Through our good deeds.

Sometimes it may be hard to shine for Jesus when those around us do not know Him, yet we should never hide our light. In this game, the cups represent the basket in the verses we just read. Each cup is hiding a word of the SuperTruth inside. Turn a cup over to show a sticky note.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “Jesus is the light of the world.”

Each player will take a turn tossing a balled-up sock to knock over a cup and reveal what is inside. When you knock one down, pick it up, remove the sticky note, and stick it to the wall. As you play, your team must place the notes in the correct order on the wall. The first team to knock over all seven cups, build the SuperTruth, then shout it together wins.

• Divide children into teams of 4–6 children; try to mix girls, boys, and all ages together.
• Teams do not need to be equal and the number of players on teams can be adjusted according to the class size.   
• Have teams stand in single-file lines behind the mark.
• Give the first player on each team a rolled-up sock.
• Start the game; the first player on each team tosses a sock to knock over a cup.
• For a missed toss, the player retrieves the sock, hands it to the next player on the team, and goes to the end of the line. OPTIONAL: allow two tries per turn.
• When a cup is knocked over, the player removes the sticky note, sticks it to the wall in the proper order, and gives the sock to the next player.
• If two or more cups are knocked over, stand all but one back up.
• Repeat until all teams have placed all seven sticky notes in order on the wall and shouted the SuperTruth. The first team to do this wins.
• Play again as time allows.  

Conclusion: As followers of Christ, let’s pray each morning and ask the Holy Spirit to give us the power and boldness to let His light shine through our words and actions.

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  Who Is Jesus?     

There was a lot of confusion about who Jesus was while on the earth—and not much has changed today. People have lots of opinions about who Jesus is, yet many of their ideas are not based on truth in the Bible. People in the New Testament believed He did amazing things, yet some weren’t sure where His power came from. Many people today think Jesus was a great teacher, but that is all.  

Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?” What did they answer? John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets.

When He asked the disciples, “But who do you say I am?”, what did Peter reply? The Messiah.

The word Messiah means Anointed One. Jesus tells Peter that this truth was revealed to him by God and not by people.  

With His words and actions, Jesus carefully guided His disciples to understand that He is much more than just a prophet or teacher—He is the Son of God!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 16:14–17:

¹⁴ “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” ¹⁵ Then He asked them, “But who do you say I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” 

Matthew 11:2–5:

² John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ³ “Are You the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” ⁴ Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— ⁵ the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 

John the Baptist sent His followers to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah they had been expecting. Jesus told them to tell John about His miracles and that He preached the Good News to the poor. John had prepared the way for right one—Jesus, the Messiah!

Signpost 2  Jesus Prepares His Followers

It was important that the disciples understand that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus wanted them to be ready for the coming events, so He told them what would happen to Him. He said that He would suffer terribly at the hands of the Jewish leaders, and they would kill Him. Even so, He would rise from the dead!

How many days later would Jesus rise from the dead? Three days.

Jesus didn’t want His disciples to be discouraged and lose heart when He suffered and died, so He told them about it beforehand.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Mark 8:31:

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later He would rise from the dead. 

Signpost 3  Jesus—The Perfect Sacrifice  

God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us. Jesus knew from the very beginning what His mission was on earth. He submitted to God’s will even when it meant dying a terribly painful death on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. This is what the Messiah was anointed to do; to completely give Himself on our behalf. Now, all we need to do is believe, repent of our sins, and follow Him. Today, who do you say that Jesus is? Are you ready to believe and follow Him?  

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 12:27–28:

²⁷ “Now My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! ²⁸ Father, bring glory to Your name.”

Philippians 2:8 (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.

Hebrews 10:14 (cev):

By His one sacrifice He has forever set free from sin the people He brings to God.

John 3:16:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Follow Jesus Challenge to any children who missed Lessons 1 and 2.

Hold up the challenge craft. Last time, our challenge was to seek after things above—God’s things—instead of the things of this world. Did you find that easy or hard, and why? Children answer.

Did anyone try to memorize Colossians 3:1? Can you say it for us now? Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.

I would like a volunteer to remove Cross #3 and read it aloud. Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:24–25.

If time allows, have the class read Galatians 5:24–25:

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Our final challenge is to look up and read these verses each day and memorize them as you can. Next, pray for strength to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of your life. Ask the Spirit to take away any selfish desires in your heart. Also, turn the figure so it is hidden behind the base and then remove Cross #3. Remember, the cross is a symbol of death. By picking up your cross, you are dying to yourself. Carry the cross with you as a reminder to follow Jesus. 

SuperVerse

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. John 1: 4–5:

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The Bible says that Jesus is the Word of God. (See John 1:14.) He became human and made His home among us. Just as the Word became human, the Word also gives life and light to us. He created us in His image. His light now shines in us, and nothing in this world can put out His light.

Have the class read the SuperVerse on the board together two times, then erase it. Choose 10 children to stand side by side in front of the room. 

Note: If there are fewer than 10 children, give two pages to each of five children. Or, have the class work together to put the scrambled pages in order on the floor.

Give one sheet of the SuperVerse to each child. Starting on the far left (from the class’s perspective), have the 10 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 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 them 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: Jesus is the source of life and light. Wherever we go, we can shine His light. There is no darkness in this world that can put out the light we have.

Note: If children cannot memorize the entire SuperVerse, have them repeat it several times and be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together. “Jesus is the light of the world.”

Jesus said that whoever followed Him would have the light of life. (See John 8:12.)

Should we keep that light hidden, like a secret? No, we must shine it so others can see.

In the game we played earlier, we read Matthew 5:14–16. This is an important passage for us to know as followers of Christ. Let’s read it again:

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

In our prayer today, I would like everyone to think of a place or situation where you can shine the light of Jesus. On the board is a short sentence you may use to pray and fill in the blank at the end. For example, “Help me to shine Your light—at school, at practice, at home, with my friends, when I am disappointed, etc.” If you can’t think of a place, simply say, “Help me shine Your light.” I’ll go first, then we will each take a turn.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us Your light in our hearts. Help me shine Your light … (name a place).     

Give each child the opportunity to pray aloud and then close in prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus, give each of us the strength and boldness to shine Your light in dark places where people may not know You. Let our good deeds and kind words bring praise and honor to You. In Your name, we pray, Amen.

Review Game

In our lessons about Jesus healing the blind, we learned how Jesus restores people’s physical sight and spiritual sight. Let’s say our SuperTruth together. “Jesus is the light of the world.” 

The name of our true and false review game is the “Open Eye Review.”

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 up to three chances to score points for your team! Here is how the game is played. I will ask the same question to a player for each team. You will answer by standing on either the True or 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 have two chances to toss a sock into the container of the correct answer. The first time you toss a sock, you will turn your back to the container so you cannot see it. This represents spiritual darkness. The second time, you may face the container so you can see where to throw; your sight has been restored! So, if the correct answer is true, you score up to two more two points by tossing both socks into the True container.

There is one more way to score a point. When the correct answer is false, the current players can talk with their teammates to determine the correct answer. Then the current player on both teams will whisper the answer to me. If it is correct, you score one more point! Let’s play!

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

Object Lesson

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. John 1:4–5:

⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Jesus’ light is inside everyone who follows Him. The darkness of this evil and wicked world cannot extinguish His light; however, there is something that can hide it!  

Dim the lights if possible. For safety, do not completely darken the room. Hold up the flashlight. This flashlight represents us, people who follow Jesus. We are called to be children of light.

Attempt to turn on the flashlight. Hmm, this light is not shining. I wonder why not! I just put fresh batteries in it, so I know it has power. Let’s take a look inside. I see the problem; there is something blocking the light that should not be inside.

The darkness can never extinguish Jesus’ light; however, we can hide His light when we have things inside our hearts that block it.

Pull out the card and read it aloud: SIN.

What are some sins that can block God’s light in our hearts? Children answer. They may include anger, lying, gossip, pride, jealousy, and selfishness. 

Should followers of Christ keep these things in their hearts? No.

Why not? They go against God’s Word, God wants us to repent and stay away from things like these; they are darkness, evil, and wicked deeds and words.

Read Ephesians 5:8–14a:

⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. ¹⁰ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible.

You are correct; these kinds of things should not be in our lives. It was good that we removed that sin from our light!

Assemble the light and turn it on again. That is the way it should work every time. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:15:

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Ask children to bow their heads and close their eyes; then close in a prayer of repentance.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the light of Christ that reveals things in our hearts that should not be there. Let’s take a moment to silently confess and ask forgiveness for anything the Holy Spirit reveals that may keep our lights from shining brightly. Allow time for children to pray. Father, thank You for Your love, mercy, and forgiveness today. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Craft Activity

Display the finished craft. Give each child the craft pages and scissors.

Provide crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers so children can color their craft pages.

Show children how to carefully cut the two sections of the pages, the eyes opening from the face page and the slider card with both sets of eyes. Be ready to assist children with this step as necessary. Children can then attach the slider card by sliding the bottom of the slider card through the bottom cut line of the eyes opening and the top of the slider card through the top cut line of the eyes opening to finish the craft.

Use the questions below to lead a discussion while the children work on their craft pages.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together. “Jesus is the light of the world.”      

• Imagine yourselves as you walk to the pool of Siloam to wash the mud from your eyes. What would your thoughts be? Will this really work, maybe scared or nervous, excited.  
• What do you think it would feel like to suddenly be able to see everything around you after being in darkness? Amazing, unbelievable, thankful, overwhelmed, awed, speechless.
• In our Bible story, what were the three ways that Jesus healed the eyes of the men who were blind? He spit on one’s eyes, He made mud to put on another’s eyes, He spoke healing to another without laying hands on him.
• There is no right or wrong answer to this question; why do you think Jesus used different methods to heal the blind men? Children answer.
• What do you think people’s reactions might have been to see Jesus spit on one man’s eyes and then to rub mud on another’s eyes? Shock, anger, surprise, confused, offended, amazed, excited, filled with wonder.   

Conclusion: Encourage children to share the Bible story with their family using their craft.

Bible Activity

Let’s say the SuperTruth together. “Jesus is the light of the world.”

The Bible verses you will look up are about the light of Jesus.  

Have the children sit down 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 users can quickly look up the verse. The other children can be the “messengers.” They will write the answer on a sticky note and stick the note to the board. If both players 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 will 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 person in each group will be a messenger. That person 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 team scores 10 points for the correct answer; all other teams 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.  John 8:12 in the New Testament. Through Jesus, we have the light that leads to ______. (Life)

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

2.  John 12:36 in the New Testament. When we trust Jesus, we will become _____ of the light. (Children)

“Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light.”

3.  John 3:20 in the New Testament. Evil doers refuse to go near the light because it will _____ their sins. (Expose)

4.  Matthew 5:16 in the New Testament. We must let our good deeds _____ out for all to see. (Shine)

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

5.  Philippians 2:14–15 in the New Testament. We are to live clean, innocent lives shining like ______ lights. (Bright)  

¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

6.  Psalm 89:15 in the Old Testament. We can walk in the light of the Lord’s _____. (Presence)

Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.

7.  Ephesians 5:9 in the New Testament. The light in us produces only what is good, right and ______. (True)

For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

8.  1 John 1:7 in the New Testament. When we are _____ in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. (Living)

But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

9.  Job 24:16 in the Old Testament. _____ are not acquainted with the light. (Thieves)

Thieves break into houses at night and sleep in the daytime. They are not acquainted with the light.

10. 2 Corinthians 6:14 in the New Testament. How can light live with _____? (Darkness)

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?