Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (2 minutes)

Hello, everyone! This is the final lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Miracles of Jesus.” Who can name one of Jesus’ miracles that we have learned about?

What is the difference between an illusion like the street magician performed and a true miracle? A true miracle is a supernatural act performed by the power of God.

One of my favorite things to do with all of you is to worship God! Let’s sing The Salvation Poem together. As we sing, let’s think about how Jesus came to Earth to save us. We can turn to Him today with all of our needs! If you have not asked Jesus to come into your heart and be your Savior, this is a great day to ask Him!

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

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

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (3 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is, “Jesus is my healer.” I would like grades 1 through 3 to say that together as loud as you can! Ready, set, go!

Grades 4 through 6, can you top that? Ready, set, go!

Good job to both groups! Have you ever experienced Jesus’ healing power in your life? Allow children to share examples if time permits.

Introduce Condensed Bible Story Video (1 minute)

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

Now for the children who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version of the video. If you’ve already seen it, then this time as you watch, try to count how many miracles Jesus did!

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.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

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

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse Discussion (2 minutes)

Jesus has done so many miracles that we can’t count them—in Bible times and today! Let’s say our SuperVerse, Hebrews 13:8, together:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Have you ever been around someone who seems to change moods all the time and you never know if he or she will be angry or happy?

Well, the good news is that Jesus is the same today as He was in Bible times—and He won’t ever change. Let’s say the SuperVerse together in our lowest, slowest voices. Ready? Children repeat verse slowly in low voices.

Now let’s say it in our highest, fastest voices. Go! Children repeat verse quickly in high voices. 

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

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

More than 700 years before Jesus was born, the Prophet Isaiah predicted that the Messiah—the promised Savior of the world—would come and perform miracles. Let’s watch our Signposts video to learn more about Isaiah’s prophecies and how Jesus fulfilled them.

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (3 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray. Dear God, we thank You that when everything in the world changes, we can count on You to be the same—yesterday, today, and forever! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today in Small Group, we are going to begin with a game about change. Are you ready to learn more about our unchanging God? Go have some fun!

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

Do you have any friends or relatives who moved away for a long time and then came back to visit? Did you have a hard time recognizing them? Did they grow taller or act differently?

This won’t happen with Jesus! Our SuperVerse in Hebrews 13:8 says:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Back in Bible times, Jesus healed many people and performed so many miracles. He hasn’t changed! He still heals people today! Isn’t it wonderful that there is someone you can always count on, no matter what? Jesus is the same now as He was in the Bible, and He will be the same in the future when He comes back again to Earth!

God doesn’t change, but people do! Let’s play a game about that.

Divide the class into groups of about six children each. This can vary according to the size of your class. The first group comes to the front of the room and stands in a line, shoulder to shoulder. The rest of the class then turns around so they cannot see the group. Explain that you will allow about 30 seconds for each child in the group to do one thing to change his or her appearance or position. For example, each child may sit on the floor or in a chair, stand on one foot, untuck a shirt, take one earring off, place a pencil in a shirt pocket, take a shoe off, untie a shoe, stand next to someone different, turn sideways, part hair to the other side, roll a pant leg up a bit, remove eyeglasses, etc. Optional: give the children costume pieces to wear. Be prepared to assist any children with special needs. After about 30 seconds, have the rest of the children turn around and raise their hands to say what changed—one change per child. Call up the second group and repeat the process. Give each group at least one turn to change.

Yes, people change all the time, but God never changes! The people in Bible times could say, “Jesus is my healer,” and we can say it, too. Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “Jesus is my healer.”

Teaching

Jesus has power and authority over all things. Let’s take a look at some signposts from the Prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament that point to Jesus and the miracles He performed.

1. Hand Mat #1 to a child to unroll and read aloud: Jesus forgives and heals us. See Isaiah 53:5.

Our first signpost points to how Jesus heals us physically and spiritually. Read Isaiah 53:5:

But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. We deserved the death penalty for our sins—but Jesus took that punishment for us even though He had never sinned—not even once! He endured unbelievable suffering on the cross so we could be forgiven for our sins and healed of our diseases.

Read Psalm 103:3:

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

In our video, we saw how Jesus healed the man’s spiritual needs first by forgiving his sins. The religious leaders were upset because they understood that only God can forgive sins. So, when Jesus said the man’s sins were forgiven, they knew He was claiming to have God’s power—and this made them very angry! Jesus calmly asked them which was more difficult to do, heal the man’s body or forgive his sins. He then healed the man who had been paralyzed! Jesus has total power over all sickness and sin!

2. Hand Mat #2 to a child to unroll and read aloud: Jesus sets captives free. See Isaiah 61:1.

Jesus is more powerful than Satan and anything that can hold people down—including every kind of sin, and our own fears. Jesus doesn’t want anything to hold us back from freely loving Him, worshiping Him, and serving Him! When Jesus began His ministry, He quoted from Isaiah. Read Isaiah 61:1:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon Me, for the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Jesus will set us free from whatever holds us captive; all we need to do is ask Him and have faith in His Word!

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6:

Isaiah wrote these prophecies more than 700 years before Jesus was born. No ordinary human could do these miracles—only the Son of God! Jesus’ miracles revealed the love and power of God the Father to His people here on Earth.

3. Hand Mat #3 to a child to unroll and read aloud: Jesus opens blind eyes. See Isaiah 35:5–6.

This signpost points to how Jesus heals people. Read Isaiah 35:5-6a:

And when He comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!

Now, as I read it again, let’s count all the things Jesus will heal! He will open the eyes of the blind — 1, and unplug the ears of the deaf — 2. The lame will leap like a deer 3, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy - 4! Briefly discuss each one to make sure children understand the meaning. Are these the only things Jesus will heal? No—Jesus can heal anything!

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4-6:

Read John 9:1-3, 6-7

As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” His disciples asked Him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.” Then He spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

Jesus was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy when He healed this man, who was born blind. The disciples asked if his blindness was a result of sin, but Jesus said no—this was part of God’s plan to bring glory to Him.

Read Mark 7:32-35:

A deaf man with a speech impediment was brought to Him, and the people begged Jesus to lay His hands on the man to heal Him. Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on His own fingers, He touched the man’s tongue. Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, … “Be opened!” Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!

This is another amazing miracle that Jesus did. When people are born deaf, it is very hard for them to learn how to speak plainly because they can’t hear what words sound like. But here the man was healed instantly, so he could both hear and speak clearly! This was two miracles in one!

4. Hand Mat #4 to a child to unroll and read aloud: Jesus raises the dead. See Isaiah 26:19.

This signpost points to Jesus’ power to raise the dead. Read Isaiah 26:19:

But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when He raised a man named Lazarus, a girl named Tabitha, and a widow’s son from the dead. Plus, God raised Jesus from the dead after He died on the cross!

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4-6:

The Bible tells what happened when Jesus visited Lazarus’ tomb. Read John 11:39-44:

“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank You for hearing Me. You always hear Me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe You sent Me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

When Jesus’ friend Lazarus died, Jesus wept. He understands our sadness when someone we love dies. But Jesus is more powerful than anything, even death! He prayed to God, called to Lazarus, then His friend who had been dead four days came out of the grave, alive again!

CONCLUSION FOR ALL AGES:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He was a healer in Bible times, He heals now, and He will continue to heal people until He comes back again.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

It’s time to review our Superbook challenge! Hand out the Gizmo Hand Bookmark patterns to children who missed previous lessons. Tell them to take the pattern home, follow the instructions to make the bookmark, and place it in their Bibles. They should look up the scripture on it, read it, and pray for friends or loved ones who need to be healed or to know Jesus. Has anyone already done this challenge? Did you pray for someone who needs to come to Jesus for salvation or healing, and what happened?

SuperVerse

Have children look up the SuperVerse, Hebrews 13:8, then say it aloud together. Have each child find someone in the class he or she doesn’t know very well, and they will be partners for this game. Give each pair a SuperVerse envelope. At your signal, have them race to see which pair can put the verse in the correct order first. Be prepared to help any children with special needs. When they are through, have the children repeat the verse from memory.

For added fun, have the teams dump all of the verse slips into one pile. Mix them up and then scatter the slips around the room. At your signal, each pair of children must find all the words of the SuperVerse and assemble it in the right order!

Prayer

God is the source of all healing. He can use doctors, medicine and hospitals to heal people, but He is the One who heals us. Raise your hand if you know someone who needs healing. If time allows, have children share specific needs. Our SuperTruth says: “Jesus is my healer.” So let’s pray for these people right now!

Dear Lord, we come together today to pray for ___________. Have children quietly say the names of people who need healing. Jesus, we praise You that You still heal today, just as You did in Bible times when You walked on Earth! We ask You now to touch these people and heal them by Your miraculous power and authority. Please remind us to pray for them, and show us how to talk to them about You or how to invite them to church. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Note: If children ask why people are not healed sometimes, see suggested discussion below.

Why isn’t everybody healed? Sometimes when we pray, it may seem as if our prayers are not being answered the way we would like. This does not mean that God hasn’t heard our prayer or will not heal someone. Sometimes we need to be patient, and “keep on asking,” as the Bible tells us in Luke 11:9. Sometimes healing can be blocked by unbelief or unforgiveness. And sometimes we just don’t know why someone is not healed. Yet we should still trust God with all of our hearts, because He loves us and He loves the people we pray for. The Bible promises that God heals all of our diseases. Read Psalm 103:3:

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

The Bible also tells us to pray in faith for people to be healed. Read James 5:16b:

Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

We need to have faith that He is all-powerful, and He can do absolutely anything. He knows everything about us, and He understands what is truly best for all of us. He can see things in the future that we can’t imagine. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, we know that someday He will take us to live with Him in heaven, where there is no sickness, disease, suffering, or sadness. The Bible tells us that Jesus paid the full price for our healing on the cross. Read 1 Peter 2:24:

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.

Paper Mat Craft

Today, we are making a craft to remind us of the mat that belonged to the man who was paralyzed. You can take it home as a reminder of the SuperTruth: “Jesus is my healer.”

Distribute both pieces of the Super Mat Pattern to each child. Don’t show them your sample craft so they will be surprised by the picture they create on their mats. Give them these step-by-step instructions:

1. First, take the paper titled “Super Mat Pattern Part 1.” Very carefully fold the page in half in the middle, along the line halfway down the page. Keeping the paper folded, carefully cut from the fold outward to the edge of the picture strips, along each of the six black lines. Do NOT cut all the way to the edge of the page; be sure to stop cutting at the black line.

2. Next, take the paper titled “Super Mat Pattern Part 2,” but don’t fold it. Start by cutting off the margins with the words on each side of the paper. Continue cutting the strips in that same direction, from one edge of the paper all the way to the other edge, until you have six strips with sections of the hidden picture.

3. Take the strips you just cut and weave them into Part 1 of the pattern so the blank squares are each covered with a piece of the hidden picture. The strips should alternate, with one going under the margin, then the next one going over the margin, etc. Keep weaving until you can see the whole picture! Put your name at the bottom of your picture.

Optional: When done weaving, children may use tape or staples to secure the edges. Or, they may use the hole punch to add holes on the edge of each strip, then weave raffia, ribbon, string, or yarn through the holes and tie the ends. Be prepared to help younger children or those with special needs.

The friends displayed great faith when they carried the man on the mat to see Jesus. They did not give up when they could not get near Jesus because of the crowds. They carried the man up to the roof and made a hole in the roof so they could lower the man down to Jesus for his healing! Jesus Christ still heals today, He hasn’t changed! Let’s say our SuperTruth: “Jesus is my healer.”

Bag Game

Who remembers our SuperTruth? “Jesus is my healer.” 

Jesus performed real miracles that could only come from God! Today, we are going to play a fun game to review some of Jesus’ amazing miracles.

Divide the children into two teams and have them line up. A player from each team plays in each round. There are ten rounds. Call the first player for each team to the table. Read one of the miracles, and include the scripture reference where the miracle is found. Have each child reach into their team’s bag—without peeking—then try to feel and identify an object they think represents that miracle. Each child can pull only one object out of the bag. The first player who pulls the correct object out of the bag for that miracle wins one point for their team. Have that player explain why the object matches the miracle. If neither player correctly identifies an item, the next two players in line take a turn and try to pull the right object out of the bag for that same miracle. Once an object is correctly matched, have the other player pull the same object out of their team’s bag. Play until all objects are identified and out of play. You may give hints as necessary to the players as they play.

TEACHER’S MASTER MIRACLE LIST

• Jesus healed the blind men. John 9:1–12 Eye glasses or sunglasses
• Jesus turned water into wine. John 2:1–11 Small cup
• Jesus healed many illnesses and diseases throughout Galilee. Matthew 4:23   Bandage
• Jesus healed the man who was paralyzed. Matthew 9:1–8   Sandal or sock
• Jesus cast the demons into the swine/pigs. Matthew 8:28–33   Toy pig
• Jesus healed a man who couldn’t hear or speak. Mark 7:31–37   Headphones, ear buds, or earmuffs
• Jesus healed a man with a withered hand. Matthew 12:9–14   Glove
• Jesus fed a crowd of more than 5000 people with just five loaves and two fish. Matthew 14:13–21   Cracker or piece of bread
• Jesus miraculously filled the disciples’ nets with many fish. Luke 5:1–11   Netting
• Jesus paid taxes with a coin from a fish’s mouth. Matthew 17:24–27   Coin

Parable Skit

Ask the children if they know what a parable is.

A parable is a story that uses common objects to teach a spiritual lesson. Explain that Jesus often taught important lessons using parables. Does anyone remember what parable we learned about in the “Miracles of Jesus” Superbook adventure? Parable of the Sower.

Read the story in Luke 8:4-8

One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When He had said this, He called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”

The seed represents God’s Word and the soil represents the hearts of those who hear it. Now, here is the fun part. We are going to act out the parable.

You may either have six children act out the parts, or the entire class can act out all the roles. You will need:

• Farmer.
• Person walking on the footpath.
• Bird that “eats” the seed.
• A plant that sprouts on rocks, then wilts.
• A plant that sprouts among thorns, then pretends to be choked.
• A plant that grows tall on good soil.

Read the lines slowly and allow the children time to act out their parts:

Ready?

• A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field: Farmer throws some seed out.
• Some seed fell on a footpath, where people stepped on it. Child steps on seed.
• Some seed fell on the hard, dry surface and was eaten by birds. Bird flies in, swoops down, and pretends to peck at the seed.
• The farmer sowed some other seed. Farmer throws out more seed. It fell among rocks and began to grow, but the plants soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. Child crouches down, rises up slowly like a growing plant, then slowly wilts and falls over to the side.
• The farmer threw more seed. Farmer throws out more seed. Some of the seeds sprouted up among thorns and were choked out. Child crouches down, rises up slowly like a growing plant, then pretends to be choked and falls down.
• Still the farmer threw more seed. Farmer throws out more seed. This seed fell on good, fertile soil. It grew tall and strong and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted. Child crouches down, raises slowly up portraying a plant growing, arms go out and up to the sky and smiles and stands strong.

Repeat with the remaining groups. When all groups have finished: 

Read Luke 8:11-15

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

Bible Study

This Bible study is based on our SuperVerse, Hebrews 13:8. Let’s say it together:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The world and all that is in it is constantly changing. Have you ever bought a video game, computer, or phone, only to find that a few weeks later, a newer and better one is released? Computers and electronics change—so do fashions, laws and attitudes, but one thing we can be sure of is that God never changes! That’s comforting news for all followers of Jesus! We can go to bed in peace knowing that God’s ways and promises will be exactly the same when we wake up the next morning! When we ask Jesus into our hearts, He is always our friend, always our Savior, and always our healer. Let’s dig into some more verses about the unchanging God that we serve! Have children look up and read the verses aloud. Lead a discussion using the questions below. Feel free to add any questions that you think will facilitate deeper discussion with your particular group.

1. Numbers 23:19:

God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?

• Have you ever been lied to? How does that feel? Were you counting on something or someone and then were disappointed by them?
• How does it make you feel to know that God, the One who holds eternity in His hands, is not a man and cannot lie, and He will never change His mind?
• What does that mean regarding the promises in God’s Word and something you are holding on to?
• What do the last two sentences mean to you—do they give you hope, especially when you have been let down before by someone?

2. James 1:17:

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

• According to this verse, does God change His mind and give us something that is harmful?
• How does this help you trust God with your prayers and desires?
• What do you think it means to cast a shifting shadow? God does not change, and He is all light, there is no darkness or anything that blocks the light to cast a shadow. He is pure light and truth and all that is good.

3. Isaiah 40:8:

“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

• What does this verse say about everything on Earth? Can we count on them to last forever?
• Have you ever lost something—like a pet or relative—that you thought would last forever?
• What does it mean to you to know that God’s Word is still as valid and true and powerful now as it was when it was spoken and written down?
• How does it make you feel to know that as long as you are on Earth, God’s Word will not change, become outdated, weak, or fade away?

4. Psalm 102:25–27:

Long ago You laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with Your hands. They will perish, but You remain forever; they will wear out like old clothing. You will change them like a garment and discard them. But You are always the same; You will live forever.

• Compare God to His creation; what is the difference?
• What does that say about placing too much value or importance on possessions and treasures on Earth?
• How does God compare to sports heroes, entertainers, and political leaders? Will they last forever, or will they grow old and fade?
• How long will God be around? Can we say that about anyone or anything besides God?