Leader Guide

Our SuperTruth is, “I will trust Jesus and do what He asks.” 

Why was the craft fair so important to Joy? It was to earn money for the food bank. She had pledged $100.   

Why was she concerned? There weren’t many items to sell.   

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “I will trust Jesus and do what He asks.”   

Why is it easier to obey someone you know and trust rather than someone you don’t know? You know they have good reasons for their request, and won’t harm you or get you into trouble.     

We can always trust and obey Jesus because He will never ask us to do something that will harm us or cause us to disobey God’s Word. Jesus loves us and wants the best for us. When He asks us to do something, it is to fulfill God’s purpose and plan.     

Let’s watch the rest of the video and find out if Joy has enough to sell to meet her pledge to the foodbank. We will also see two amazing miracles that Jesus performs and meet an unselfish boy who is willing to share all he has! 

Who said this in the video? Mary—Jesus’ mother.  

Who was she talking to? The servants at the wedding.  

Mary had complete trust in Jesus to provide what was needed, so she instructed the servants to obey—no matter what Jesus told them to do. We must trust Jesus and by faith do what He asks—even when we may not understand why.   

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

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our generous and faithful provider. You give us all we need in every circumstance. Help us to trust You and do whatever You ask—that Your will can be done, and that many others can come to know You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.      

In Small Group today, we are going to play a game very similar to “Simon Says.” In this game, you will have fun doing whatever is asked. Are you ready to play?    

If you’re a guest at a wedding celebration, what are some items you might find at a table where you sit? Forks, knives, spoons, plates, cups, napkins, tablecloth, chairs, candles, party favors, etc.      

Give a plate and cup to each child. There is a good chance that you would have a plate and a cup. Our game today is called “Mary Says.” You will have a chance to move around and have fun—but you need to listen carefully and only do an instruction that begins with the words “Mary says.” If you  obey an instruction that is not from Mary, you must leave the game for one instruction, then come back in to play. Are you ready to listen carefully and do whatever is asked by Mary?     

Have children line up in several rows and leave at least an arm’s length of space between each other. If there is another leader in the room, use them as spotters to send children in and out of the game. Be prepared to help those with special needs or to adjust instructions accordingly. Use the instructions below to see how well the children are listening. Repeat some or add your own instructions as desired.  

Conclusion: Jesus will never ask us to do anything without purpose like we did in this game; yet, He may ask us to do something unusual that may not make sense to us —like asking the servants to fill the jars with water. Whatever Jesus asks us to do, we can trust that He will use it for our good, to help others, and to bring glory to God.  

What did Chris do to stop Gizmo? He threw a bowl of water on the torch to put out the flames.

Gizmo has different gadgets for just about any occasion. It is always fun to see what attachment he will reveal in the Superbook adventures. Gizmo wasn’t the only one full of surprises. We also watched some amazing miracles in our video today that no one could have expected. They were just two of the many miracles that Jesus performed during His ministry on the earth.

Before we discuss the lesson, I would like to demonstrate something amazing that I can do.  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 a miracle like we saw in the video? Did I actually change the water into wine? No, it was a trick.

You caught me! 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 can turn water to wine like Jesus did! He made plain water into real wine to meet a real need. Jesus didn’t attempt to fool people with tricks! People would have known immediately if they were 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 for needs that we have, we can trust that He will provide a real answer !

Jesus knew that Mary’s request was important to her. People everywhere have all kinds of important and personal needs. What are some things that people may need today? Children answer.

So, exactly what is a miracle? Children answer.

A true miracle is a supernatural act performed by the power of God!  Jesus was anointed by God, which means He was sent for a particular purpose and empowered by the Spirit to fulfill that purpose. Besides providing for people’s needs, His miracles showed people that His authority came from God because He truly is God’s Son!

Jesus said in John 5:36

Jesus’ miracle at the wedding was actually the first time He revealed His glory to His disciples. The Bible tells us that because of this miracle, they believed in Him.(See John 2:11)

Before Jesus performed the miracle, He asked the servants to fill six stone jars with water. The jars held water to wash guests’ feet and hands as they entered a house after traveling on dirty and dusty roads. The Bible tells us that each jar could hold between 20–30 gallons of water.  So six jars could hold between 120 and 180 gallons!

Wow, that’s a lot! The servants couldn’t just use a sink or a hose to fill the jugs like we could today. They would need to use some kind of smaller jar or bucket and make many trips to an outside well or spring in order to fill the big jars. The servants couldn’t have understood the purpose of their assignment, yet, they obeyed Mary and did all that Jesus asked.

The servants knew what to do because Jesus spoke to them. How does Hespeak to us today? Through God’s Word, the Bible; to our hearts by His Spirit; through our parents, pastors, and other godly people we trust.

Give each child a Water Jar and Cup Craft and a pencil. Have children write their names on the jar. Display the model craft for children to see. Have children cut out the water jar and three cups, then assemble the jar and place the cups inside. Be prepared to assist children with special needs.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud the heading at the top of the water jar.  “All who love Me will do what I say.”

This is part of a SuperVerse from another lesson in this course. Let’s read the entire verse to see the blessing that follows our obedience.

When we love and obey Jesus, God makes His home in our hearts. That’s amazing, isn’t it! What did Mary tell the servants to do at the wedding celebration? To do whatever Jesus asked.

Our Discipleship Challenge for this lesson is to do what Jesus asks us to do. In the Bible, Jesus asks us to do many things. Some are more difficult than others. For this and the next two lessons, you will look up and learn a Scripture. If possible, discuss it with your family. Then, try to do what Jesus asks. Are you ready for the first challenge?

Choose a volunteer to read Cup #1: Love your enemies: Luke 6:27–28.

I warned you that some of these things might be difficult! Is it easy to love our enemies? No.

Yet, Jesus set the example by forgiving His enemies—even the people who put Him to death on the cross! Now, He is asking us to forgive our enemies, too. We can’t do this on our own; we need help! Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit living in us. He makes this possible by producing God’s love in our hearts. Our challenge is to choose to show His love instead of reacting out of anger to pay someone back for mistreating us. You will have an opportunity to discuss this challenge when we meet again.

As we learned in the video, to run out of food or wine during a wedding feast would be embarrassing and humiliating for the host and family. Back in Bible times, you  could not just make a quick trip to a store to buy more supplies. It took careful planning to make sure there was enough food and drink  for a wedding, because the celebration could last about a week! Mary learned of the shortage of wine and came to Jesus. It is interesting that she did not directly ask Him to do anything; she simply made the need known to Him.  She had complete confidence in Jesus, so she tells the servants to do whatever Jesus says. We should follow the servants’ example and do whatever Jesus tells  us so He can work through us to do amazing things.          

In this activity, you are going to play a game to obediently do whatever you are told.  

Have everyone read the SuperVerse aloud from the board and then then erase it.  

Have the children sit down on the floor or in chairs. Choose ten volunteers. Have them stand and form a line, standing side by side, a few feet away and facing the children sitting down. Make sure the cards are shuffled in a pile in random order. Tape one card to each volunteer’s back, making sure the volunteers do not see the words on the cards. Now, start the time and have the volunteers turn so the children sitting down can see the cards. Choose children to each give one command to the volunteers to try and place the volunteers in the correct order of the SuperVerse. If children don’t know names, they can describe the volunteer such as “The girl with the red skirt move two places to the left” or “The boy with the blue shorts, move left to the beginning of the line.” Record the time and play again using different volunteers and/or switching cards between volunteers.               

For classes with less than twelve children, make one copy of the pattern for each child and have them cut out the individual cards and shuffle them in a pile. Then start the timer and have children try to assemble the verse for the fastest time.        

Conclusion: Was it difficult to do what you were told, especially when you couldn’t see your card? Please explain. Children answer.   

The servants couldn’t have imagined what Jesus would do. It may have seemed hopeless at the time, yet, they followed His instructions and witnessed a miracle!      

Children may not be able to memorize the entire verse, but be sure they understand its meaning. 

The Bible doesn’t say that she panicked with the need; she simply went to Jesus and told Him what the need was. She trusted that He would take care of her request.    

Choose an older child who is a good reader to read Philippians 4:6–7 aloud.  

We have needs every day. God doesn’t want us to be filled with fear and worry; instead, He wants us to tell Him what we need and then trust that He will take care of it. When we place our worries in His hands and trust Him, we can have peace instead of anxiety. Raise your hand if you have ever thought a need you had was too little to bring to God. Children respond.   

Raise your hand if you ever though a need was too big for God. Children respond.   

It doesn’t matter how big or little our need is. If it is important to you, it is important to God. Today in our prayer time, I would like you to think of a need you have, then silently tell Jesus. Allow time for children to pray.  

Now, trust Him to take care of your need and thank Him for it. When we do this, our worries can be replaced by His peace. Then, be prepared to do whatever Jesus may ask you to do. Like the servants in the story, we may have a role to play in the answer! Allow children time to pray then close in prayer.       

Close in prayer: Dear Jesus, You have heard each need today. We praise You that nothing is too small or too big for You! Fill us with Your peace that guards our hearts and minds as we faithfully watch and wait for Your answers. Help us do whatever You ask—even if we don’t understand why. In Your name we pray, Amen. 

What did Micah’s father, the master of ceremonies, ask Chris, Joy, and Gizmo to do at the party?  Wash the stacks of dirty dishes in the kitchen.  

That is what this game is about; however, you can relax, I will not ask you to wash dirty dishes! Your job at this party is to stack the plates, cups and bowls!   

Divide the children into five teams of three or four children each. Try to mix younger and older children together. The teams do not need to be even. Adjust the team size to your class. If possible, don’t have more than four children on a team.   

Give each team a Stacking Game List, plus five plates, five bowls, and seven cups.  

Have each team find a place on the floor. It is recommended not to have children stack on a table since it can easily be bumped and knock over the stacks.  

Start the game. Be sure to help any children with special needs.  

Conclusion: Filling jars with water or sharing a lunch may seem small. However, even the small things that we do for others are important and demonstrate God’s love. When we do what Jesus asks, we can trust it is important in His kingdom.      

Read John 21:25 

John also says this about the wedding in Cana in John 2:11   

We might guess that before Jesus publicly revealed His glory at the wedding at Cana, perhaps He had privately provided for His earthly family in some  miraculous way. But the Bible doesn’t say that, so we don’t know.        

However, the Bible makes it very clear that Mary knew Jesus was  no ordinary person even before she became pregnant and gave birth to Him. Let’s look at some Scriptures to see what God showed her, and how.  Luke 2:51 tells us that Mary remembered all of these things and treasured them in her heart. 

Look up each passage below and discuss what each one shows us about Jesus.      

Divide the children into teams of two. Try to pair any inexperienced Bible users with others who are familiar with the Bible. Give each team a Bible if they need one. Write the Scripture reference on the board and have all of the pairs look it up. Select a pair of children to read it aloud. Have children raise hands to answer the questions.       

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary. 

1. Matthew 17:24–27   

• What was needed? Money to pay taxes.
• What unusual thing did Jesus tell Peter to do to provide for the need? Go fishing in the lake, then take a large silver coin out of the mouth of the first fish he caught to pay the tax.
• Why might this be difficult to obey? Peter had probably never seen a coin in a fish!

• In verse 3, what did Jesus ask Simon (Peter) to do? Push the boats out into the water.
• In verse 4, what did Jesus ask Simon (Peter) to do? To go out to deeper water and let the nets down.
• Why were these requests unusual? The men had just cleaned their nets from fishing the night before and had caught nothing.
• Did Peter obey? Yes, he obeyed Jesus even though he didn’t understand.
• What was the result of doing what Jesus asked? The nets were so full of fish that they began to tear. The boats were so full they were almost sinking.

• How many men had leprosy? Ten. 
• How many returned to thank Jesus? One.
• In verse 14, what is unusual about what Jesus asked the men to do? They were not instantly healed. They had to go first.         
  By law, they could only return to the city if they were clean. Jesus asked them to go by faith and they were healed as they went.
• What was significant about the only man who returned to thank Jesus? He was a Samaritan (foreigner), not a Jewish man.
• Think for a moment, what can we learn from this story? We must believe by faith and continue to obediently do what Jesus asks, even if we do not receive an immediate answer. We must always remember to thank Him for the answer. Walk by faith and not by sight.      

Conclusion:  Whatever Jesus asks—even it is unusual or even unheard of —we must trust Him and by faith, do what He asks.