Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome, everyone! Today is the second lesson of our Superbook story, “Miracles of Jesus.” Jesus went about doing good and healing people while He walked on Earth. Let’s worship Him as we sing Put Your Faith In Jesus.

Play Video 11: (Song) Put Your Faith in Jesus (3 minutes)

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

Put Your Faith in Jesus

SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)

Our SuperTruth for today says, “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.” What are some needs that you think we have?

Yes, Jesus can meet them all!

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

If all children watched the Bible story video in the previous lesson, you may skip it here and go straight to the Bible Background Video.

In our last lesson, we saw how Chris believed that a street magician performed miracles during his show. Now, for the children who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version to see how Jesus performed true miracles by the power of God. For those of you who have seen the full video, watching this short version will help refresh your memories!

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (6 minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo back in time to Galilee. There, Jesus is performing amazing miracles—such as healing a man who was paralyzed and calming a storm on the sea.

Discussion (1 minute)

The friends of the man who was paralyzed showed great faith. What did they do?

Introduce Bible Background Video* (1 minute)

*Note: Be sure to preview this video. Should you feel that some scenes are too intense for young children, you may dismiss Grades 1–3 to their classrooms to begin their Small Groups while Grades 4–6 remain for the video.

Let’s watch our Bible Background video to learn more about the miracles of Jesus. When Gizmo asks a question, wait for him to suggest some answers, then call out the one you think is right!

Play Video 5: Bible Background (9 minutes)

Bible Background

Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic 2

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

SuperVerse Graphic 2

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Our SuperVerse is found in John 20:31:

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.

Let’s read it together one more time—slowly, as loud as we can. Why? Because Jesus gives us His life and power! Children read the verse together.

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

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Dear Jesus, thank You for being willing and able to meet people’s needs. The Bible tells us of the wonderful and powerful miracles that You performed on Earth for others. We are glad that we can still turn to You today for all of our needs! In Your name, Amen.

Today in Small Group, you’ll play a game about taking our needs on a mat to Jesus—just like the friends of the man who was paralyzed. Let’s go have some fun and learn more about Jesus’ amazing miracles!

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

Game

Our SuperTruth says, “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.” Do you think the paralyzed man’s friends believed this?

Yes, they did! They had so much faith that they carried the man up onto the roof and opened it to get to Jesus! Mark 2:5 says that Jesus saw their faith! These men truly believed that Jesus could take care of their friend’s needs.

We are going to play a fun game where we work together to take each other’s needs to Jesus, just like the men took the paralyzed man on his mat to Jesus!

Hand out the pencils and half-sheets of paper to the children. Instruct them to write any needs that they want to bring to Jesus — their own needs or those of friends and loved ones — then crumple their papers into balls. No one will see these needs! Divide the class into two equal teams, and have the children put their crumpled “need” balls into their team’s box. If a team has one less player, simply add a crumpled ball to their box so both teams have the same number of needs.

Have the teams line up behind the line, and tell the children to find someone they don’t know very well on their team to be their partner. For both teams, the first pair of players should each pick a “need” randomly from their team’s box. Hand each pair a towel to represent a mat. They should hold onto each end of the towel, place their “needs” on the “mat,” and pull it taut between them. They should then quickly but carefully walk together to the “Jesus” box, carrying the mat between them, then gently lower the “needs” down into the box. They then must roll up the mat and hold it between them as they walk quickly back to their team and hand the towel to the next pair of players.

Be prepared to help any children with special needs, and play until everyone has carried all of the needs to Jesus. Play again if time permits.

Good job everyone! You worked together to carry real needs to Jesus! Bring the “Jesus” box to the group and lead the children in a short prayer asking Jesus to take care of each and every need that was brought to Him in faith—just as the men in the story brought their friend to Jesus.

Teaching

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.” What did the man who was paralyzed need? He needed to be healed so he could walk.

That man had no hope until his friends took him to Jesus. Jesus performed an amazing miracle and healed him so he was able to pick up his mat and walk home!

What did the disciples need when they were on the stormy sea? They needed the storm to be calmed.

Many of the disciples were experienced fishermen, but they were no match for that big storm! They had no hope except to turn to Jesus! Did the storm worry or surprise Him? No.

Jesus was not concerned—in fact, He was sound asleep! He was not caught off guard or unprepared. Jesus simply used His authority and the supernatural power given to Him by God. Jesus rebuked the storm and peace was instantly restored!

The Bible tells us about many other miracles that Jesus did.

His first one is recorded in John 2:1-11. Jesus and His disciples were at a wedding when the wine ran out. Jesus’ mother told Him about the problem, then she said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Jesus told the servants to fill six large stone jars with water, then to dip some out and bring it to the master of ceremonies. When the master tasted it, he thought the wine was so good that they had saved the best for last!

What was the need at the wedding? They needed more wine.

How did Jesus meet that need? He changed water into wine.

John 2:11 says:

This miraculous sign … was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.

Show the clear cup, and use the pitcher to fill it with water. Take the plastic spoon—making sure to conceal the dried food coloring—and begin stirring the water. The water will turn purple. If you used powdered drink mix, the water will change color without stirring.

Was this really a miracle—did I actually change the water into wine?

No, this was a trick of the eye, or an illusion. Would you like to know the secret?

Reveal the change of color secret by showing them the other spoon you prepared, or explain about the powdered drink mix.

No one is able to turn water to wine like Jesus! He made real wine to meet the real need. Jesus did not do a trick, like I did. People would have known immediately if they were only drinking colored water instead of wine! In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus’ wine tasted much better than the original wine that was served! When we turn to Jesus, we can be confident He will meet our needs.

People everywhere have all kinds of needs. They may need food, money, jobs, healing, friends, or simply some hope. People who don’t know Jesus can feel desperate about their problems and look for answers in the wrong places. They are often disappointed with the results. As we saw in our video, things aren’t always as they appear. But, when we turn to Jesus, we will not be disappointed; He is real, He hears our prayers, and He performs real miracles to meet real needs!

There is a miracle that sometimes gets overlooked when we read about Jesus healing the man who was paralyzed. The miracle actually takes place BEFORE the man is healed physically! Did anyone catch it when we watched the Bible story?

It is actually the greatest miracle that we can experience in our lives! Does anyone know what that miracle is?

It is the forgiveness of our sins! Every person has this need, and no one can do this miracle except Jesus!

Let’s say our SuperTruth again together: “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

It’s time to review our Superbook challenge!

Hand out Gizmo Hand Bookmark patterns to any children who did not receive one previously. Tell them to take the pattern home, follow the instructions to cut and fold them, and put them in their Bibles.

Before our next lesson, look up the scripture on your Gizmo hand, read it, and pray for any friends who need healing or need to know Jesus. And remember to ask God for ways that you can reach out to your friends with His love. Has anyone already done that? Would you like to share what happened? Children share.

Keep praying about this, and the next time we meet, I’ll ask if anyone else would like to share the results of your challenge!

SuperVerse

Have the children look up John 20:31, and have a child read it aloud.

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.

This verse is referring to the many miracles that Jesus did while He was on Earth. There were so many that not all could be recorded in the Bible! Jesus said that the miracles were signs. The signs point to God’s love and His almighty power. The miracles that Jesus performed also established that God worked through Jesus and that He is truly the Son of God! Let’s read the verse again together and say it with the power and life that Jesus gives us when we believe in Him!

Have the entire class read the verse out loud from the board. Erase or put duct tape over a phrase from below, and have the whole class read the verse aloud again, filling in the missing phase from memory. Continue to erase phrases until the children can recite the entire verse from memory.

Suggested order of phrases to delete:

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

John 20:31

Note: If younger children are not able to memorize the entire SuperVerse, simply have them repeat it several times and be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer

Let’s use our SuperVerse to pray today.

Have the children sit in a large circle on the floor so they can see the board. One by one, ask several children to come up and circle a word in the verse that they think is important, and then ask why they chose the word. You can anticipate that “Jesus,” “believe,” “Messiah,” “God,” “life,” and “power” will be circled. Make sure the children understand what each word means.

Explain that you will say each key word they circled while they close their eyes and pray quietly about what it means. Encourage them to listen for God’s voice in their hearts. If anyone wishes to pray aloud, he or she may do so.

Close with a group prayer:

Father in heaven, we worship and praise only You. We believe that You sent Jesus to Earth. He did amazing miracles by Your authority and took care of people’s needs. Because we believe in You, our own lives are filled with Your power! Help us to be quick to bring our needs to You. Thank You for hearing our prayers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Object Lesson

Remember how when the storm struck the boat, the disciples thought they would drown? They had the Son of God with them but they lost sight of Him—He was fast asleep in the bottom of the boat! They had seen Jesus heal the man who was paralyzed and do other miracles, but this was different. No one could calm a raging storm, right? How can a person control nature? The disciples were helpless to row or control the boat. The waves were crashing over them! Then Jesus woke up, spoke to the storm, and peace was restored in an instant!

Read Mark 4:40-41.

Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

Let’s demonstrate the disciples’ inability to protect themselves from the storm in that boat.

Show the children one of the napkins with the stick figures on it. Crumple it and place it against the tape at the bottom of the cup with the hole in it to hold it in place.

The blue water represents the Sea of Galilee. Turn the cup completely upside down and quickly push the cup straight down to the very bottom of the bowl. Important—do not tip the cup; keep it straight! Pull it up and out. Remove and unfold the paper towel. It will be soaked. How did the disciples do at protecting themselves?

Not very well! They were helpless on their own against a raging storm and sea—just like we would be!

Now let’s see what happens when we turn to Jesus and ask Him to care for our needs!  Show the other napkin with the stick figures. Crumple it and place it against the tape at the bottom of the cup WITHOUT a hole. Repeat the experiment. Remove and unfold the paper towel. It will be dry.Jesus did what the disciples couldn’t do alone: He took care of their needs, and He can take care of our needs, too!

How do you think I kept the paper towel dry—was it a miracle? No, it’s just a trick.

Show them the cup with the hole in it and explain that this experiment uses air pressure and water pressure. Let’s say our SuperTruth one more time: “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.”

Boat Craft

Have the children look up and read Mark 4:35-41

³⁵As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” ³⁶So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). ³⁷But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. ³⁸Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion. The disciples woke Him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t You care that we’re going to drown?” ³⁹When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰Then He asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey Him!”

What was the need here? A storm suddenly came up and the disciples were afraid they would drown.

Could the disciples take care of the need on their own? No.

Where did the disciples go to meet the need? Jesus.

What did Jesus do? He rebuked the storm and calmed the sea.

What is our SuperTruth today? “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.”

Yes, the disciples turned to Jesus for their desperate need—just like we can turn to Jesus for all of our needs!

Pass out the Disciples’ Boat Patterns and pencils. Give children these step-by-step instructions:

1. Place the pattern face-down on the table. Fold both of the long edges back toward the center of the blank side, along the dotted lines marked with the number 1.

2. Fold in all four corners, along the dotted lines marked with the number 2.

3. Fold in all four corners again, along the dotted lines marked with the number 3.

4. Fold in both sides, along the dotted lines marked with the number 4.

5. Carefully start to open the two inside flaps that run along the entire length of the bottom of the boat, gently pulling those flaps slightly outward and upward, while pushing with your fingers on the opposite side, so the entire craft flips inside out.

6. Use the pencil to carefully write your name on your boat.

You did a good job on your boats! Take them home and place them on a nightstand or dresser in your room to remind you that you can turn to Jesus for all of your needs! You can also use the boat to hold marbles, coins, or other special treasures! Or, you can actually float your boat in the water one time—but don’t put anything valuable in it because it will get wet!

Turn to Jesus Game

Have the children stand in a circle in the middle of the room, about an arm’s length apart from each other. Explain that you are playing the role of Jesus in the game. The children should close their eyes as you silently move to various places in the room while reading needs aloud from the “Turn to Jesus” Sheet. As each need ends with a question, suddenly stop and stand in one spot. With their eyes still closed, all the children should turn and point to where they think Jesus is, shouting, “Turn to Jesus!” Count how many children are actually turned to face “Jesus,” then allow them to open their eyes as you tell them the conclusion of each Bible story. Be prepared to assist any children with special needs. Play as long as time allows.

You all did really well. How did you know which way to point? By listening to hear where your voice was coming from. 

We should all try to listen for God’s voice each day of our lives. How can we hear His voice? The Holy Spirit can speak to our hearts through the Bible, prayer, our parents, teachers, and pastors, etc.

Let’s say our SuperTruth again together: “I can turn to Jesus for all my needs.”

Bible Study

Who knows what a fairytale is?

A fairytale is a made-up story about imaginary people and lands. What are some of your favorite fairytales?

Allow children to talk about some fairytales that they know. Ask a few questions:

When you were younger, did you believe fairytales were true?

How do most fairytales begin and end? Once upon a time and happily ever after.

There are some amazing stories in the Bible. Some people think they are just stories and not really true. Has anyone ever said this to you?

What is the difference between a fairytale and the Bible? Fairytales are made up, but the Bible is true.

Do you know any scripture verses that support what you believe?

Have children look up 2 Timothy 3:16 and ask a volunteer to read it aloud.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Have children look up 2 Peter 1:20-21. Select two volunteers to each read a verse aloud.

²⁰Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, ²¹ or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

Ask these questions about the Bible.

Are the stories in the Bible true? Yes.

Who inspired and directed the words to be written in the Bible? God, Holy Spirit.

Do the stories in the Bible teach us anything? Yes, they show us how to live our lives, correct us, show us truth, teach about God and His ways, and teach what is right. They point to Jesus.

Fairytales are fun to read or watch for entertainment. They can even teach us a moral or a lesson. But remember, fairytales are made-up stories written by people. The Bible is written by God, as the Holy Spirit led men to write various parts. God’s Word is real and truth. The miracles and stories of the Bible are true. The Bible is God’s holy and perfect Word to us. Think of Bible verses as seeds, and our hearts as soil. We need to be good soil so that when His Word is planted in our hearts, it can grow deep roots. We want the power of God’s Word to change us from the inside out—and we want to share the truth of the Bible with others.