Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome back for the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “The Good Samaritan.” Today we will learn what it means to be kind and generous to others. We have a wonderful God who is kind and generous to us each day—and He wants us to be kind and generous to others so they may experience His love, too. Now, let’s worship God, who loves us so much, He sent His Son to the earth to save us and bless us! Let’s stand and sing The Salvation Poem!

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

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

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is: “I will be kind and generous to others.” Let’s say it together. “I will be kind and generous to others.”

I think we all know what it means to be kind. Can you tell me what it means to be generous? To freely give or share all or more than is needed or required.

Can you think of someone who was generous in the video today? The Samaritan.

Yes! He freely did more than was required, even when no one asked him to, and no one was watching! He truly loved his neighbor as Jesus wanted to show us by this parable.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together again. “I will be kind and generous to others.”

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.

If you saw the full Superbook video in Lesson 1, why was Chris concerned about the girl and her little brother in the pizza shop? He thought they were hungry and didn’t have food.

Joy, on the other hand, was more concerned with her own needs. She thought Samantha and her brother were just weird and had problems she didn’t want to be involved with. That’s when Superbook takes them back in time to meet Jesus.

For those of you who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version now. And if you’ve already seen it, watch closely to see all the ways that the Samaritan man was generous.

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (8.5 Minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

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 rescued by a foreigner who stops to help him in his time of need.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

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

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse (2 minutes)

Our SuperVerse today is Proverbs 11:25:

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Let’s have the girls say the first part of the verse, stopping after the word “prosper.” Then the boys will complete the verse. Are you ready? Go!

What does it mean to prosper? To grow or increase, to be successful.

Prospering or prosperity is usually associated with money. However, you can prosper in other ways, too. Our health and wellbeing can prosper. We can also prosper spiritually by trusting God, faithfully serving Him, and exercising the gifts and abilities He has given us. We can prosper in wisdom and knowledge by reading His Word!

To refresh someone means to bless them, give them relief, and encourage them. We will talk more about that in Small Group!

Now, let’s say the SuperVerse again. This time the boys will say the first part and the girls will finish. Go!

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Let’s watch our Signposts Video to learn how the parable of the Good Samaritan shows God’s generous love and kindness toward us through Christ!

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (3.5 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we move to Small Group.

Dear God, thank You for showing us kindness and generosity every day. Help us to love others as You do—even our enemies! Help us to be generous with a cheerful heart so that we accurately reflect Your love to the world. By doing this, we will lead others to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Today in Small Group, you are going to play a game called “Refresh Relay.” Let’s go!

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

First, let’s answer the question from Large Group. What are some ways that the Good Samaritan was generous? He was generous with his money, paying for the man to stay in the inn and promising to pay any extra that was needed. He was generous with his possessions: he used his own bandages, oil and wine to help the man, then put him on his donkey. He was generous with his time: he may have been in a hurry but he stopped to help, took the injured man to the inn, and promised to come back later. He was generous with his physical strength, lifting the man onto the donkey. He was generous in his soul, having compassion for the man.

This game illustrates the SuperVerse. When we bless others, we will be blessed in return. Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Proverbs 11:25:

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

The second part of the verse says that when we refresh someone, we will be refreshed in return. Refreshing means to bless someone; to revive or lift their spirit! It could be giving encouragement or comforting someone. It could be helping them with a need in their life. Let’s read a different Bible version of the SuperVerse to help us understand this game.

Read Proverbs 11:25 (cev):

Generosity will be rewarded: Give a cup of water, and you will receive a cup of water in return.

Refreshing is compared to giving a cup of water. When you’re outside working hard on a very hot day, a cup of cold water is refreshing, isn’t it? In this game, you will refresh and be refreshed. To illustrate this, you will give a cup and receive a cup back! Are you ready to play?

Divide the children into two equal teams. Divide each team again into two groups. If groups are uneven, one player may play twice.

One group of each team stands behind the line or mark at one end of the room.

The other group of each team stands behind the other line or mark at the other end of the room.

Give a paper plate and a cup (same type or color) to the first player of each of the two groups at one end the room.

Give a paper plate and a cup (different type or color) to the first player of each group at the other end of the room.

Start the game. The players balance their cups upright on their plates (bottom of cup rests on plate) as they walk toward the center to meet their teammate. If a cup tips over or rolls off the plate, the player must stop to pick it up, and then stand it up on the plate before proceeding.

Teammates then carefully exchange cups at the center line or mark. They will tilt their plates and roll the cups off one plate and onto the other. They must do this without touching the cups with their hands.

When the cups are successfully exchanged, players can use their hands to stand the cup up.

They return to the starting line, then give the plate and cup to the next player on their team.

Continue until all players have exchanged cups and returned to their starting line or mark. The first team to do this wins.

Note: For an added challenge for grades 4–6, if a cup falls to the floor, children cannot touch it with their hands. They must scoop it up with the plate, or use the plate to push the cup against their foot and roll it onto the plate again.

Conclusion: That looked challenging and fun. What part of the game was most challenging to you? You gave a cup and received a cup in return. When we bless someone, God will bless us in return!

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 Should We Love?

Jesus taught us about love—who, how and why we should love. The expert in the law asked Jesus who his neighbor was. He expected Jesus to say that his neighbors were the people who lived near him or were like him. Instead, Jesus answered by telling a parable about a Samaritan, an enemy of the Jewish people. Jesus said that we must love even our enemies, not just our friends and those who are kind to us.

God showed us this kind of love by loving us even when we were disobedient. God sent Jesus to die for us so that we could have peace with God.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 5:44 (nkjv):

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Romans 5:10a (cev):

Even when we were God’s enemies, He made peace with us, because His Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by His Son’s life.

Signpost 2 How Should We Love?

Jesus didn’t stop after showing us who we must love; He told us how we should love them. Love is greater than just a feeling or emotion. Jesus said that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. In other words, with everything we have! Plus, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. That is not always easy. It is a sacrificial love where we give ourselves to each other. He said there was no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend! Jesus demonstrated that kind of love when He sacrificed His own life on the cross and died for our sins. By sending Jesus, God shows us how much He loves us and gave us a way to live with Him in heaven forever. All we need to do is believe in Jesus!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 22:37:

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

John 15:13:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 3:16 (nkjv):

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 5:8:

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Signpost 3 Why Should We Love?

So, we know who and how we should love. Our third Signpost is why. Why do we need to love others as God does? Because when we do, we reflect God’s love, and others will take notice. We point them to God! Jesus said that people will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. God gave us an example of this kind of active, strong love. Love comes from God, and God is love! We love because He loved us first. When we love as God loves, it shows that we have been born again and have new life in Him! We are called to reflect God’s powerful and sacrificial love to our neighbors. Who is our neighbor? Everyone!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 13:35 (cev):

“If you love each other, everyone will know that you are My disciples.”

1 John 4:7 (cev):

My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know Him.

1 John 4:16:

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:19:

We love each other because He loved us first.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the Golden Rule Pattern to children who missed the previous lessons so they may assemble their crafts at home. They can use the pattern to engage in the discussion today.

Did you remember to discuss the Lesson 2 situations on your Golden Rule Card at home?

If time allows, lead a discussion about the two scenarios using the questions below:

2A) Your teammate always gets to start the game instead of you. When getting on the bus for a game, you notice that he has forgotten his game shoes by the locker.

Why would it be tempting not to tell your him that he forgot his shoes?

How would you want to be treated if you were in his place?

2B) A wealthy girl at school is always arrogant and rude to everyone. She falls on the playground, hurts her leg, and is crying. Everyone laughs and walks away.

What would be a tempting response?

How would you like to be treated?

What are some other answers you came up with in your home discussion?

Continue with the Lesson 3 Golden Rule Card questions, and continue looking for opportunities to be kind and generous to others.

SuperVerse

Write the SuperVerse and reference on the board. Proverbs 11:25:

The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Have children sit facing the board and close their eyes.

We are to be kind and generous because God is kind and generous to us! Can you name some things that God generously gives us? Forgiveness, mercy, grace, correction, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, guidance, gifts, abilities, power, authority, salvation, protection, comfort, love, blessings, etc.

Yes, God is generous and kind in so many ways! The second part of the verse talks about refreshing others. What does that mean?

To refresh means to bless someone by encouraging, or providing what is needed to bring strength or relief. The Bible says when we refresh others, we will be refreshed!

Say the SuperVerse with the children, reading it slowly from the board, very slowly. Have children look down at the floor and/or close their eyes as you erase a word. Then, have the children raise their hands to tell you what was erased. Write the word back on the board as the children answer. After doing this a few times, erase two, three, or more words at a time and ask the children to identify the missing words. Continue to do this until all words have been erased. Then try to say the entire SuperVerse together as a group.

Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times, while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Prayer

Have children sit on the floor in a circle. If you asked people if they would like to be prosperous, they would probably say yes. Some people are selfish and only want more things for themselves. Other people desire to be kind and generous to others.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:10–11:

For God is the One who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

This is part of a letter from the apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth. Why did Paul say God would give them even more resources? So they could always be generousto others!

Yes, He wanted to produce a great harvest of generosity in them! So then, what would be the result of their generous gifts? They would thank God!

God would receive the credit or glory! The reason God wants to prosper us is not so we accumulate more and selfishly keep it to ourselves. He blesses us so that we may always be generous; so that we share with others and provide for their needs!

Today in our prayer time, silently sit in God’s presence for a few moments and ask Him to prosper you in some way that you might help someone. Remember, it doesn’t always need to be money. It could be with your time, your talent or ability, or your knowledge, too. Pray for God’s heart and compassion, and the opportunity to generously bless and help someone.

Give the children a minute to pray silently, then close in prayer.

Dear God, help us to be like the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. We want to show what a generous God You are! We pray You would bless us so that we may be a blessing! In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Coin Game

God wants us always to be generous. And, to help us, He is generous with us so we can be generous! He provides us with things we need to help others in order to display His love.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:10–11a:

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.

Just like God provides seed to the farmer to reap a harvest of grain and make bread, He provides different kinds of resources to us so we can produce a harvest of generosity! What are resources?

Resources are things like money, talents, abilities, wisdom, and knowledge; anything we can use to help others! God gives generously to us, and we are to share generously with others.

Do you remember Jesus mentioning any coins in the parable? The Good Samaritan paid the innkeeper with two silver coins to care for the wounded man.

Hold up a paper coin. Today, we will use these coins to represent the resources that God has given us.

Have the children pair up with someone they don’t know very well.

Each pair should choose a name with the theme of giving, generosity or kindness. Write the team names on the board. Example: “Cheerful Givers.”

At least two teams play at the same time, racing each other to complete the SuperVerse first.

Ask a child to help you scatter the coins on the floor.

Select the first two teams to play at the same time. They will race each other to complete the SuperVerse. If you have a large class, more than two teams may compete at the same time.

When you say “Go!” the teams quickly try to find the coins they need to build the SuperVerse, including the scripture reference to be placed at the end of the verse.

When a team finishes building the verse in the proper order on the floor, they shout it together to win the round.

Have those players then scatter the coins for the next round. Continue until all teams have played.

Optional: time each round. The team with the fastest time wins.

Charades Game

The priest and Temple assistant saw that the man was hurt. What did they do to help him? Nothing; they passed by without helping.

Why is it so surprising that they didn’t stop to help? They were fellow Jews; both men worked in the Temple and served God.

Why was the Samaritan’s act of generosity and kindness so unusual or special? The Samaritans and Jews were enemies.

This game is played like charades. One person will act out a need while the rest of the class tries to guess what the need is. The priest and Temple assistant saw the need and kept walking. We want to be like the Samaritan and not only see the need, but then discuss how we can be kind and show God’s love by taking action to help!

Select two children to act out each need. Some children may not be comfortable doing this, so ask for volunteers. Quietly give them a word or phrase from the list below, then allow them a minute to decide how to act it out. You may assign several pairs of children their words at the same time. Select more difficult needs for older children. Give hints or suggest props to use if necessary. They may use the props or not. When the first pair is ready, say “Action!” Start the time and give them 60 seconds to act out the need without using words. You may have the audience guess by raising their hands or simply calling out their ideas. If a need is not guessed before time expires, disclose the need or give another pair of children a turn to act out the need.

After each need is identified, discuss how the children could show kindness and generosity to help the person. There may be more than one correct answer. Remind the children that some needs in real-life may be serious, and they should ask a trusted adult before trying to help.

Acting List

1. Thirsty 2. Hungry 3. Fell down and got hurt 4. Lonely 5. Afraid 6. Carrying a heavy load 7. Lost 8. Need help with homework 9. Bullied 10. Angry

Conclusion: Being generous is not only providing something big, it is the simple things, too—doing whatever is needed! Small things done cheerfully are also pleasing to God!

Craft

The SuperVerse, Proverbs 11:25, says:

The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Jesus taught on this subject in Matthew 10:42:

“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

Today, you can make a craft cup as a reminder to be kind and generous to others, to refresh them, and you in return will be refreshed!

Give a Cup of Blessing Pattern, scissors, and crayons, colored pencils, or markers to each child. Display the model craft you made for children to see as they build their own. Children can color their cups before they assemble them. Have them fold the slip of paper and place it inside the cup.

Bible Study

How would you define generosity? To freely give or share all or more than is needed or required.

Let’s take a deeper look into what it means to be generous and the results it can bring.

Have children look up and read the Bible passages aloud. Then lead a discussion using the questions below.

1. 2 Corinthians 9:6–9:

⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. ⁷You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

• In verse 6, what happens when a farmer plants a generous amount of seeds? He gets a generous crop.
• How is this like the first part of the SuperVerse—Proverbs 11:25? If you generously give to others, you will prosper or increase, grow wealthier. Sowing seeds and giving are similar. You reap what you sow.
• What does verse 7 tell us about the proper attitude and reasons to give? We should give because we want to, not because someone demands or pressures us to give. We must do it out of a giving heart and with a cheerful attitude.
• In verse 8, who will provide what we need to give? God.
• Will He give us just a little? No, He gives generously to us. Our needs are met and we will have plenty to share.
• According to verse 9, when we generously share and give to the poor, what happens? Our good deeds will be remembered forever.

2. Proverbs 19:17:

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and He will repay you!

• If we help the poor, what are we doing? Lending to the Lord.
• What will God do then? Repay us.
• Do you think God will repay us with actual money? Perhaps; but He will definitely bless us spiritually.
• Why do you think giving to the poor is lending to God? Because He loves and cares for them. By returning to God what He gives us, He doesn’t just store it up. He provides to others and multiplies what we give!
• How is this similar to the second part of the SuperVerse—Proverbs 11:25? God blesses us in return when we refresh others. He repays us when we give. So, we receive back from God by giving to others in both verses.

3. Ephesians 4:28:

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

• What is one way God provides so we might give to others? He provides for us through jobs and work that we do.
• Do you think it would be more difficult to give something you worked for versus something you were just given? Explain.
• How can Proverbs 19:17 help you to not be selfish with what you earn? We know that God sees our labor, our giving, and will repay and bless us.

Conclusion: God wants us to be kind and generous. When we are cheerful givers, especially to the poor, He takes notice and rewards us.