Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome, everyone! Today, we will watch a Superbook adventure called “The Good Samaritan.” Do you like surprises?

I do, as long as it’s a good surprise! Something surprising happened to Jesus and His disciples when they were traveling on their way to Jerusalem.

Raise your right hand if you think it was a good surprise.

Raise your left hand if you think it was a bad surprise.

Let’s watch the video to find out and also to see what is happening with Chris, Joy and Gizmo, today!

Play Video 2: Chris and Joy’s Dilemma (5 minutes)

Chris and Joy's Dilemma

Joy is so hungry that she’s reluctant to share a pizza with some needy children.

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together. “I will treat others equally.”

Have you ever treated or thought about treating someone differently because they weren’t like you in some way?

Probably all of us have at some time. Our SuperTruth reminds us to treat others equally, regardless of any differences that may exist. What was Joy’s excuse for not wanting to share her pizza with Samantha and her little brother? Joy was very hungry. Samantha did not seem very nice, and Joy thought she had problems.

Did Chris feel the same way? No, he was concerned about them and willing to share.

Play Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution (19 minutes)

Bible Story and Resolution

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Jesus, who tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. In the story, a wounded man is ignored by his countrymen as they pass by, but is rescued by a foreigner who stops to help him in his time of need.

Play Video 10A: SuperVerse Graphic 1

Graphic loops 3 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 1

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Job 34:19:

“And God created us all; He has no favorites, whether rich or poor.”

According to the SuperVerse, who is God’s favorite? No one; He has no favorites.

That’s right! God loves all of us dearly, no matter how rich or poor we are.

Our SuperVerse fits nicely with our SuperTruth. What is our SuperTruth again? “I will treat others equally.”

Good! Let’s put them together. Girls, you say the SuperVerse. I will say the word “so,” then boys, you say the SuperTruth. Let’s practice!

(Girls:)

“And God created us all; He has no favorites, whether rich or poor.”

(Leader:) So—

(Boys:) “I will treat others equally.”

Repeat, then have girls and boys switch parts, as time permits.

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If younger children are not able to memorize the entire verse, be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to teach us how to love others. We praise You that You do not have any favorites; it doesn’t matter what we have or don’t have. Help us to treat people as You do, with love and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

In Small Group today, you are going to play a game called “Equal Treatment.” Let’s go see what this is all about.

Teachers takechildren 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

What did the Samaritan give the innkeeper? Two coins.

Why? To pay the innkeeper to care for the Jewish man.

Hold up the coins and point to the signs. In today’s game, you will toss two coins toward your team’s two containers. One container represents your friends, and the second container represents others—people who may be very different from you. Regardless, they are both your neighbors! The goal is for your team’s containers to hold an equal number of coins. This represents treating others equally—as if they are all your neighbors. Your team’s helper will keep track of how many coins go into each container so your players can try to keep the number equal as the game goes along!

Divide the children into equal teams. Try to place a mixture of girls and boys, younger and older students, on each team.

Have the teams line up in single file behind the line, with the container of coins between them.

Have a fifth or sixth grade helper stand behind each team’s containers. They have an important job of keeping their teams updated with the coin counts for each container.

If your class will have difficulty keeping track of the number of coins in their teams’ containers, simply have each player toss one coin toward each container.

This is not a race; accuracy and purpose are more important!

Both teams play at the same time.

The first player on each team takes two coins and steps up to the line—4 feet from the table for Grades 1–3, or 8 feet from the table for Grades 4–6.

Each player tosses the coins, one at a time, toward the containers.

Play until all players have taken a turn.

Scoring:

1. Each coin in a container scores one point for the team.

2. An equal amount of coins in both containers scores 20 bonus points!

Play a second round if time allows.

Conclusion: Why do you think you received a point for each coin in a container? Because we are to show God’s love to all people. .

Why did you get even more points if the containers were equal? Because we are to consider everyone equally as our neighbors.

God created us all and doesn’t have favorites. He wants us to be loving, giving, and to treat everyone equally!

Teaching

In the video, how did the Samaritans treat Jesus and His followers while they were traveling to Jerusalem? The Samaritans refused to let them enter their village.

Did the Samaritans like the Jewish people? No.

Did the Jewish people like the Samaritans? No.

They were bitter enemies! The Jews considered the Samaritans to be foreigners and troublemakers. They thought they were superior to the Samaritans. Neither group believed the other should be treated as their equals!

The Jewish expert in the law asked Jesus who his neighbor was. He probably thought Jesus would say that his neighbors were only people who were like him. Is that what Jesus said? No.

Jesus answered his question by telling a parable. What is a parable?

A parable is a story that uses familiar things or situations to help people understand a spiritual truth.

Let’s say that while we are all sitting here today, a famous movie star walks into our classroom—someone you love watching on TV. She’s very pretty and you’d love to get her autograph and have your picture taken with her. She’s looking around the room for a place to sit down. What would you do?

Okay, now someone else just came into our room. It’s a boy about your age—someone you know from school who is always getting into trouble. He isn’t wearing very nice clothes, and he hasn’t had a bath in a while. He’s looking around the room for somewhere to sit. What would you do?

Why would you be tempted to treat these people differently? Children discuss.

Does God think that a famous movie actress is more important than a troubled schoolboy? No.

Let’s read what the Bible says about this same kind of situation in James 2:1–4:

¹ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? ² For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. ³ If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floorˮ–well, ⁴ doesnʼt this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Here’s what Jesus says about how we should treat people who the world thinks are unimportant. Read Luke 14:12b–14:

“When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,” He said, “donʼt invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward. Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”

God loves all of us, no matter who we are, no matter what possessions we own, and no matter what good or bad things we have done. That’s why today’s SuperVerse, Job 34:19,says:

“And God created us all; He has no favorites, whether rich or poor.”

God wants us to treat others the same way—with love. Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I will treat others equally.”

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give each child a Golden Rule Pattern, pencil, and children’s scissors. Have them carefully cut the cards and rulers out and then put their names on the back of each piece. Assist any children with special needs.

Let’s read the scripture written on your rulers. Matthew 7:12a:

“Treat others as you want them to treat you.”

Do you know what this verse is called?

It’s called the Golden Rule. That is why your craft is called a Golden Ruler! Who do you think said those words? Jesus

In the parable, which person is an example of the Golden Rule? The Samaritan!

Use your ruler as a bookmark in your Bible, or to underline verses if allowed. Let it be a reminder to treat others the way you want to be treated.

Now look at your Golden Rule Card. For each of our three lessons, there are two situations for you to discuss with your family or friends at home. Read one and ask, “How would you like to be treated in that situation?” Then discuss how you would treat the other person and why. Also, pray that God will help you treat others with love and respect. Ask Him to show you if you “play favorites” in any situations. You will have an opportunity to share your answers for the first two situations on the Golden Rule Card the next time we meet.

SuperVerse

Have the children stand in a circle. Let’s look at the board and say our SuperVerse together. Job 34:19:

And God created us all; He has no favorites, whether rich or poor.

God created everyone in His own image; both man and woman. (See Genesis 1:27.) God loves everyone, and He promises everyone the same thing.

Read Romans 10:13:

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

According to this verse, do you need lots of money to be saved? No!

Do your parents have to be rich or famous? No!

Do you need to live in a fancy house? No!

Do you need to speak a certain language? No!

Who can call on the name of the Lord to be saved? Everyone!

That’s right! Everyone is equal in God’s sight. He has no favorites!

Hand the ball to a child, who says the first word of the SuperVerse, then quickly passes the ball to the next child in the circle. Continue this way until the entire verse is completed, including the Scripture reference. Stop the time and record it on the board. Play again, starting with the next child who has not played. Try to beat the previous time. As an option, play for a one minute and see how many times the SuperVerse can be repeated. Record the number on the board and try to beat it.

That was fun! Remember, God has no favorites, He loves us equally!

Prayer

Have the children sit down.

Today, I am going to ask some questions for you to think about, then give you a moment to pray silently.

Do you try to treat others equally, or do you sometimes treat others differently based on what they have or don’t have, how they dress, or where they live? God treats the rich and poor the same. Take a moment to pray, asking God to show you anything that isn’t pleasing to Him. Allow time for children to think and pray.

Do you have any negative attitudes or prejudices against certain kinds of people? The parable of the Good Samaritan wasn’t just for people who lived in Bible times; it’s for us today! Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you think you’re better than others, or if you feel superior to certain people. Ask God to help you love others and see them the way He does. Allow time for silent prayer.

Close in Prayer: Dear God, we praise You that You have no favorites. You love all of us so much that You sent Your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and forgive us. Help us show Your love to others, no matter how different they may seem. For we know that You created us all, and You want to save and bless everyone in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Neighbor Game

Our game today is based on part of Jesus’ parable. Read Luke 10:33–34:

“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.”

The Samaritan cared for the wounded man’s physical needs. What are some needs that our own neighbors may have today? Here’s a hint: their needs may not be just physical. They may be hungry, sick, lonely, afraid, worried, disabled, hurt, sad, mocked, or lost—need to know Jesus.

Give sticky notes and pencils to each child to draw a heart and write his/her name on the front; or, pass out the Heart Patterns that are cut apart with rolled-up tape on the back.

We are going to play a game about caring for our neighbors’ needs. Instead of covering their wounds with bandages, we are going to cover them with the hearts we have drawn. Can you guess why? We want to share God’s love with our neighbors in need.

On your turn, you will take your heart and place it over a need on the neighbor. Each need must be completely covered up.

Divide the children into equal teams of no more than 10 players each. If teams are uneven, one player may play twice.

Have teams line up behind the line or mark. Teams play at the same time.

When you say “Go,” each player hops on one foot to the team’s neighbor figure and places a sticky note over a need.

The player then hops backward on the other foot back to the team, and the next player begins.

Continue until all players have played.

The first team to have all needs covered wins.

If a sticky note is not large enough to cover a need, other children may use their sticky notes to cover it. If time permits, allow children to peel off the sticky notes and repeat the game, but give different directions about how to travel to and from the neighbor figure, such as twirling, doing jumping jacks, etc.

After the game, discuss how to meet each of the needs with compassion.

Craft

Let’s turn to our neighbor and say today’s SuperTruth! “I will treat others equally.”

Yes, we are to treat others equally, with respect and compassion. The Samaritan treated the Jewish man just the way he would have wanted to be treated if he had been beaten and robbed.

Divide the class into groups of 3–5 children, mixing boys and girls, older and younger children, etc.

Lay out the sections of butcher paper or the poster boards across the tables or on the floor, one per group.

Give each group crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers.

Instruct the groups to create the four different scenes listed on the board. Different children in the group can work on different scenes at the same time.

Tape the finished murals on the wall. Have groups share their murals with everyone.

Conclusion: The priest and the Levite wouldn’t help the man who was beaten and robbed, even though he was Jewish, like they were! The robbers may have still been around, so the Samaritan may have risked his own life to care for the Jewish man. We want to be like the Good Samaritan and display God’s love to those in need, no matter how similar or different they may seem.

Role Play

In this activity, some of you will act out Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan. This is called a role play. It is fun and easy because you don’t have to study any lines. You just do whatever the narrator says! Sometimes, I will ask the rest of you in the audience “What happens next?” That way everyone can participate!

Choose children to act out the various roles of the parable. The sixth grade helper or another leader can help them select simple costumes and props, and may give the actors cues during the skit. Make sure the “robbers” only pretend to attack the traveler. The teacher and narrator stand on the side of “the stage.” Feel free to add extra instructions to the actors to make the skit more detailed.

Parable Script

Narrator: A Jewish man is traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. It’s a very steep and dangerous road. The Jewish man slowly walks across stage and stops midway.

Teacher: What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: Suddenly some robbers appear! They take the man’s possessions and leave him injured beside the road. The man falls to the ground, nearly dead. The robbers run away—very fast. The robbers pretend to rob the traveler, who then falls to the ground.

Teacher: What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: A priest comes walking along on the same road and sees the injured man. Surely he will stop to help his fellow citizen! I think I hear the traveler groaning in pain! The priest walks to the man and thenslows near him. Injured man groans in pain.

Teacher: Does the priest help him? What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: Can you believe it; the priest doesn’t stop! He even crosses to the other side of the road, leaving the injured man behind! The priest walks hurriedly away.

Teacher: What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator:Then a Levite, a Temple assistant, comes walking by. Finally, someone will help the injured man! The Levite walks slowly to stand near the injured man and looks at him.

Teacher: Does the Levite help him? What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: Oh no; not again! The Levite walks away and leaves the poor traveler suffering on the side of the road! I think I hear him groaning again. The Levite walks hurriedly away, and the traveler groans.

Teacher: What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: Wait! Here comes another man—on a donkey! But wait, he is a Samaritan! Samaritans and Jews hate each other! Samaritan pretends to ride a donkey, stops, and studies the man.

Teacher: Does the Samaritan help him? What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: Oh my! I can’t believe my eyes! The Samaritan man gets off his donkey and kneels down to help the injured man. He pours oil and wine on his wounds and bandages them. The Samaritan man kneels down and cares for the injured man.

Teacher: Does the Samaritan man leave the man behind? Hasn’t he done more than enough already? What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: The Samaritan isn’t done yet! He helps the injured man onto his donkey and takes him to an inn to rest and heal. The Samaritan helps the man onto the donkey and walks along with him a short distance, helps him down and lays the man gently on the floor, as in a bed.

Teacher: What happens next? Audience answers.

Narrator: The next day, the Samaritan man gives the innkeeper two coins to pay for the man’s expenses. Then he promises to come back and pay for additional costs if needed. The Samaritan man hands the innkeeper money, then rides away.

Narrator:The end!

Teacher: Now, is the story really over for us today? What does Jesus want us to do? Show mercy to others! Love our neighbors.

Bible Study

Choose one or two passages below to explore, as time allows. Divide the verses for children to read, then lead a discussion with the questions below.

1. James 2:1–9:

¹ My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? ² For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. ³ If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, ⁴ doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? ⁵ Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom He promised to those who love Him? ⁶ But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? ⁷ Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, Whose noble name you bear? ⁸ Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ⁹ But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

• In verse 1, if we favor people, what can’t we say we have? Faith in Jesus.
• In the example in verses 2–3, what aren’t we supposed to do? Show favoritism to a rich person over a poor person. Give someone special privileges or honor based on what they have or how they appear.
• Is it easy to make a quick judgment about someone based on their clothing or appearance? Yes.
• What are some things we should do instead? Take time to remember that God made them. Reach out to them with kind words and actions. Try to find something positive about them, even if they act in a negative way. Pray that we can show them God’s love.
• What do you think verse 4 means? You show favoritism and want to get on their good side, and maybe they will do something for you.
• In verse 5, why do you think Jesus often came to the poor and common people?
• Do you think it is harder for wealthy or popular people to come to Jesus and serve Him? Why or why not? They have to learn to be humble.
• Why do you think that people dishonor or look down on the poor? Perhaps they think a poor person can’t really do anything for them, so why bother to be kind to them.
• In verse 9, how important is it to treat everyone the same? It is mandatory, not an option. We sin if we have favorites.

2. Luke 5:27–32:

²⁷ Later, as Jesus left the town, He saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow Me and be My disciple,” Jesus said to him. ²⁸ So Levi got up, left everything, and followed Him. ²⁹ Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do You eat and drink with such scum? ³¹ Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. ³² I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

• In verse 27, why would it be unusual and offensive to others for Jesus to ask a tax collector to follow Him and be a disciple? Tax collectors were despised. They worked for the Romans and often cheated people. They couldn’t be trusted.
• Did Levi, also known asMatthew, have to think about it for a while? No, he left everything and followed Jesus.
• What does this say about judging people based on what they do or their reputation? We cannot judge, only God can see people’s hearts. We never know what the Holy Spirit is doing in someone’s heart; we don’t know their needs and readiness to accept God’s call.
• What does this say about the power of Jesus and the Gospel? The Gospel can change anyone’s heart and make it new. Jesus changes lives.
• In verse 30, why did the Pharisees not only complain but complain bitterly? Did they want Jesus to treat people equally? Please explain.
• Who do you think the Pharisees thought Jesus should be eating with? Them, religious leaders and Jewish people.
• What do verses 31–32 mean in your own words?
• Who did Jesus compare sinners to? People who were sick. They needed to be healed of their sins. They needed to repent.
• In verse 32, did Jesus say the religious leaders were righteous and without sin? No, self-righteous. They thought they didn’t need to repent and were okay.
• So, based on the Passage, should we only hang out with believers and treat others differently? We are to be wise in our relationships. We need to choose our friends wisely and also be kind and try to influence those who don’t know Christ and show them God’s love. We cannot shun or ignore others.

3. Acts 10:34–35; 44–46:

³⁴ Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. ³⁵In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right. ⁴⁴ Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. ⁴⁵The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. ⁴⁶For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

As Peter spoke to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ home, many believed and became followers of Jesus. Seeing this, Peter witnessed God’s love and mercy fall on non-Jews.

• In verses 34–35, what did Peter see? That God has no favorites. The Gospel is for all people. God accepts all nations—anyone who fears Him and obeys Him.
• In verse 44–46, what happened as Peter shared the Gospel and the Gentiles believed his message? They were baptized in the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit fell upon them. The new believers spoke in tongues.
• What was the reaction of the Jewish men with Peter? They were amazed that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles just like on the day of Pentecost!
• How do you think this changed their thinking and ministry?
• Has your attitude changed about how you treat others and share the Gospel; how?

Conclusion: God treats everyone equally and has no favorites. His love, mercy, power, and gifts are available to all of us—every nation and those who serve Him and do what is right! He sees us all the same in Christ!