Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome back to the second lesson of our Superbook adventure called “Isaiah.” Raise your hand if you have ever gone in one direction and then turned and headed in a different direction. Children respond.

That is what God told His people to do through the prophet Isaiah. Now, it’s time to praise God for the amazing journey He invites us to take through His Son, Jesus!

Play Video Song: Superbook Theme Song (2.5 minutes)

Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.

Superbook Theme Song

SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)

Our SuperTruth today is: “God wants everyone to turn to Him.” Let’s say that together: “God wants everyone to turn to Him.”

Sadly, God’s people had turned away from worshiping Him and started worshiping idols. Instead of rejecting His people for their disobedience, God sent the prophet Isaiah to call them to turn back to Him.

This is still true today. Many people have turned away from the true God—yet God wants everyone to turn back to Him.

Let’s watch a short version of our Bible story. In it, God’s people in Jerusalem are confronted by a mighty enemy. If you have seen the video before, pay close attention to find out what nation God’s people wanted to join forces with, and whether this pleased God or not.

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

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

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (13 minutes)

Superbook takes Chris, Joy, and Gizmo to meet the prophet Isaiah, who warns God’s people to return to Him. The Assyrians have invaded Judah and now publicly taunt the people of Jerusalem, saying that God cannot save them. King Hezekiah prays, then sends for Isaiah, who correctly predicts that the Assyrians will be vanquished. The children learn to trust God and speak His message to others.

Condensed Bible Story

Discussion (2 minutes)

If you were a soldier defending Jerusalem, and you heard the enemy shout that God couldn’t help you when they attack, how would you feel? Frightened, angry.

How do you think King Hezekiah felt after praying and then hearing God’s answer through Isaiah? Relieved, thankful, safe, joyful.

Can you share a time when you prayed to God and then heard His answer? Children share.

What did you think about the way that God came against the Assyrian army and defeated them? It was unusual. It was a miracle. It showed God’s power and ability to do anything to protect His people.

When we trust in Jesus, we receive His salvation and protection. There is nothing in this world—no enemy, no power, or anything—that can separate us from God!

Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)

In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about Isaiah and Jerusalem during the time of King Hezekiah’s reign. Be ready for Gizmo’s questions! Wait for him to give some answers, then call out the one you think is right!

Play Video 5: Bible Background (8 minutes)

Bible Background Video

Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic

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

10B: SuperVerse Graphic

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

The SuperVerse today is Isaiah 30:15b:

Who is the Holy One of Israel? God.

What do you think it means that God is holy? He is perfect, pure, and without sin. He is set apart and above all others. There is none like Him. He is full of glory, and no one compares.

The only way to be saved is by returning to Him. And the only way anyone can return to Him is through Jesus.

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

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and patience in calling us to return to You when we disobey You or stray away. We praise You for sending Your only Son, Jesus, into the world to provide a way for us to come back home to You. In His name, we pray, Amen.

Our game in Small Group is all about turning and returning. Let’s go play!

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.

Balloon Game

A Good Return: Play a game about receiving salvation.

In Large Group, you were asked to listen for the nation God’s people wanted to join forces with. Which one is it? Egypt.

Was God pleased by this? No, God wanted His people to trust in Him alone.

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together: Isaiah 30:15b:

God sent Isaiah to tell the people to repent and return to Him so they could be saved. It is the same with us: when we repent of our sins and return to God, we will be saved! Jesus is faithful to forgive us—every time! That is what this game is all about!

Divide the children into two equal teams. Have the teams make two single-file lines, with players standing about an arm’s length behind each other and leaving several feet of space between the teams (See illustration). Give a “Sin” balloon to the player at the front of each line.

Give a “Salvation” balloon to the player at the back of each line. Start the game. Without turning around, the first player must toss the “Sin” balloon backward over his/her head to the player directly behind. The balloon continues to move backward in this way until it is caught by the player at the back of the line. That player keeps the “Sin” balloon in one hand while using the other hand to toss the “Salvation” balloon to the player directly ahead. The “Salvation” balloon moves forward until it reaches the player at the front of the line.

At the end of the round, the entire team immediately turns around to face the opposite end of the room, and the second round begins. The player who was at the back of the line is now at the front of the line. He/she tosses the “Sin” balloon overhead and backward to the player directly behind.

Continue with the game as it was played in the first round. The first team to complete both rounds wins.

Note: If a balloon falls to the ground, the player who was to receive the toss must pick it up and continue play from that point.

We never have to worry about what we will receive from God when we return to Him. We serve a loving God who wants to show us mercy and forgiveness—not judgment! He wants all people to be saved. Let’s learn more about this in today’s Teaching.

Teaching

U-Turn to God! Discuss returning to God for salvation.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “God wants everyone to turn to Him.”

In our Superbook adventure today, God’s people had turned away from Him. They chose to go their own way and trust in idols instead of trusting in the Living God. In Isaiah 53:6, the prophet Isaiah compares people to sheep.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

Hold up the STRAIGHT ONLY SIGN. They were like sheep who lowered their heads and did not look up and went their own way. Soon they found themselves far off the path, lost, and in danger. Now, the Assyrian army was threatening to destroy God’s people in Jerusalem.

God needed a faithful messenger to bring a message of repentance, so the people would turn away from sin and turn to Him. In doing this, they would be saved.

Hold up the U-TURN SIGN. You probably have seen this sign along the road; what does it mean? A U-turn.

Illustrate a U-Turn by pretending to drive a car one way, then making a U-turn to head in the opposite way. It means you can make a turn in the shape of the letter U and head in the opposite direction.

Hold up the STRAIGHT ONLY SIGN. God sent Isaiah to call the people to put on the brake, stop going their own way, and turn back to Him, like a U-turn. Cover the STRAIGHT ONLY SIGN with the U-TURN SIGN.

Place the NO U-TURN over the U-TURN SIGN. Who knows what this sign means? No U-turn allowed; U-turns are illegal or forbidden.

Be aware that the devil does not want us to turn to God. He may try to discourage you and say that you can’t turn to God because you’ve done too many bad things and that God won’t forgive you. Is the devil right? NO!

The devil is wrong! It’s never too late to turn back to God. He will forgive us for everything we’ve ever done, no matter how bad. The Bible promises us in 1 John 1:9:

What will He forgive and cleanse us of? All sins and wickedness.

Place the U-TURN SIGN over the NO U-TURN SIGN. When we decide to confess our sins, turn away from them, and turn back to God, He can always be trusted to forgive us!

Uncover NO U-TURN SIGN. In God’s eyes, this sign does not exist because if you’re going the wrong way, you can always turn back to Him! Toss aside the NO U-TURN SIGN.

Ask a volunteer to stand a few steps away from you, then place a chair between you. Let’s say that this person has decided to turn back to God. I will represent God. Have the child start walking toward you and stop at the chair. There is a big problem. No one can come to God on their own. Why? Sin; we can only come to God through Jesus and His forgiveness.

Exactly; the chair represents sin. Our sin is a barrier or wall that keeps us from coming to Him. We are helpless to remove our sin. So what did God do?

Choose another volunteer to be Jesus. Have him move the chair out of the way and walk with the first volunteer toward you as you hold out your arms to welcome them.

He sent His Son, Jesus, to take away our sins. He did this by dying on the cross. Only Jesus can remove the barrier between God and us. When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we can come into God’s presence, assured that we are clean and holy and acceptable to Him!

Hold up the U-TURN SIGN. This sign can be a reminder to stay on God’s path. If you ever stray, U-TURN back to Him and away from sin.

How difficult is it to turn to God? Have children stand up and then turn their bodies around to face the back of the room and the GOD SIGN on the wall.

It’s this easy!

Optional: If time permits, do the Object Lesson, “Erasing Sin,” from the lesson's Additional Activities section.

It’s time now for the Discipleship Challenge, where we will have an opportunity to share God’s message of repentance and salvation with others!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed Lesson 1 the Isaiah Send Me Gizmo Craft with the telescoping neck. Consider taping the four brass roundhead paper fasteners on a page corner to secure them. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home.

Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge. The challenge last time was to learn Isaiah 6:1b. Who can say it from memory? Children respond.

Isaiah 6:1b:

I hope you were able to spend time in prayer and think about our Mighty God, high and lifted up. If so, how did it encourage or help you? Children respond.

Let’s extend Gizmo’s neck another section to see today’s challenge. Slowly pull up Gizmo’s neck and have a child read the challenge aloud. Speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15a.

When the Holy Spirit gives us a word from God to share with someone, it may be difficult to share at times. Whether it is easy or difficult, one thing is always true: we must always speak everything with love. God sends us to help people and build them up, not to tear them down. His goal is to have them turn to Him, not away from Him. The key is to pray and be led by God’s Spirit and allow God’s love to flow from you as you deliver His message.

For this challenge, continue to pray and ask God to show you how He is high and lifted up above everything else! Next, look up and learn Ephesians 4:15. Then, be ready for God to send you to share His love and His Word with someone! We will discuss your experiences next time we meet!

SuperVerse

Superbook Blanks: Memorize the SuperVerse with a group activity.

What do you think it means to rest in God? To relax and have peace in Him; to trust Him and have confidence in Him. To trust in His salvation and what He did for us on the cross.

Resting in God means trusting in Him to save you and protect you. When we trust in Jesus to save us, we can stop trying to earn salvation by our own good deeds. Can you think of another word that means to return to God? Repent.

To repent is to decide to turn away from disobedience and sin and turn toward God and live in obedience to His Word. The only true safety and peace that we can have are in God through our relationship in Christ. There is no other way to be saved!

In this activity, you are going to take away words that don’t belong in the verse. When God cleanses us, He removes things that don’t belong in our lives.

Point to the verse near the top of the board. Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together. Isaiah 30:15b:

For this activity, you will lower your heads and close your eyes as I erase one word from the SuperVerse. Then I will ask you to look at the board, raise your hands, and tell me the missing word. The entire verse is written near the bottom of the board in random order. All of the missing words can be found there.

Choose a word and erase it while children are not looking. As children name the missing word(s), write them in the blank. If you prefer, you can erase the word at the bottom when it is selected. Optional: Erase more than one word at a time after the children get familiar with the activity and verse.

Conclusion: You did a good job filling in the missing words. Remember that only in returning to God through Christ can we find salvation and peace.

If children cannot memorize the SuperVerse, be sure they understand its meaning. Remind them to keep working on the verse at home.

Prayer

Purifying Prayers: Communicate with God.

What do we need to do before we can receive forgiveness? Confess our sins and ask to be forgiven.

We have learned that in Isaiah’s vision, he stood before God’s throne—the Holy One of Israel! Instantly, Isaiah felt unworthy and spiritually unclean from sin. We discussed earlier that God is holy and perfect, without sin, and far above all others. No one compares to Him and His glory!

Did you know that today, we can stand before God’s throne because God made a way to come to Him through Jesus? Hebrews 4:16 says:

And Hebrews 10:20 says:

All we need to do is admit that we have sinned against God and ask for His forgiveness. This is how anyone can return to Him.

In our prayer time, I would like you to silently confess any sin that you know you have committed in disobedience to God and His Word. Confess it silently to God and tell Him you are sorry. Allow children time to pray.

Next, silently ask God to forgive you and wash you clean from the sin and guilt. Allow children time to pray.

In Isaiah’s vision, one of the Seraphim touched the coal to Isaiah’s lips and said, “Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” (See Isaiah 6:7.)

1 John 1:9 says:

If you sincerely asked God to forgive your sins, He does it. You are cleansed, and your guilt is removed!

Have you heard the word Hallelujah? Children respond.

It’s from a Hebrew word from the Bible that can be translated “God be praised” or “Praise the Lord.”

On the count of three, let’s raise our hands toward heaven and shout as loud as we can, “I am clean and forgiven! Hallelujah!” Are you ready? One, two, three: “I am clean and forgiven! Hallelujah!”

Object Lesson

Erasing Sin: Jesus cleanses us.

Is the sin barrier gone? No, it is still there.

Using the red dry-erase marker, color over the thick black line, completely covering it from top to bottom as you speak. Jesus suffered and died for us. This red marker represents His blood that He shed on the cross, paying the full punishment for our sins. Because of Jesus, our sins are forgiven and completely removed.

Now use the eraser or cloth to wipe over the thick line (now covered in red), completely removing it.

Only Jesus can remove our sin so that we can return to God. When we trust Him as our Lord and Savior, we can enter His holy presence. He lives in our hearts today, giving us peace and hope and joy. And someday, He will take us to heaven, where we will live with Him forever!

Pray: Lord Jesus, You are perfect and have never sinned—not even once. We are weak and sinful, and we deserve to be punished for our sins. Yet You willingly chose to pay the price for our sins by dying on the cross. We are so grateful to You, Jesus. You are our Lord and Savior, and we praise You! In Your name, we pray. Amen.

Active Game

Turn and Return: Play a game to illustrate the SuperVerse.

David writes about the weight of guilt because of sin in Psalm 38:4,6: 

Do you think God wants us to go through life like this? No!

God wants to lighten our load and take away the burden or weight of sin and shame so we can be filled with joy again! When we turn back to Him and away from sin, we will find rest and salvation in Him! He longs to strengthen and refresh us! Let’s say the SuperVerse together. Isaiah 30:15:

Walk as you talk and demonstrate how the game is played. Today, we are going to play a game to represent the SuperVerse.

Each player will put on a backpack. This represents the guilt and weight of sin. You will shuffle, heading past the chairs to the opposite line where the other half of your team is standing. You will then turn around, remove the backpack, and happily return to your chair by skipping, then sit down. This represents turning, being forgiven, and resting in God.

You will count aloud: “One rest, two rest, three!” You will then stand and happily skip home with a big smile to the line where you originally began your turn. When a player reaches the line, the next player from the opposite end will put on the backpack and take their turn. The first team to have all of their players do this wins.

Conclusion: How did it feel to take off the backpack and get rid of the weight you were carrying around? Children respond.

Why do you think you had to pass the chairs initially and then return to them? Wouldn’t it have been better to sit down the first time? Children respond.

God’s forgiveness, salvation, and rest are always available to us, yet we can choose to walk away from them. As we read in the verse, this choice has bad consequences that weigh us down with the burden of guilt from sin. God wants everyone to turn to Him, cast aside their sins, and receive His rest and salvation through Jesus. However, He will never force us to return.

Instead, He gently calls to us with His Spirit and His Word. Let’s choose to walk in the fullness of joy that Jesus gives us at the start of each day, instead of walking past and having to turn back to Him! He will always welcome us back, forgive us, and take our sins away!

Action Game

Let’s Meet in the Middle: Play a game about Hezekiah’s tunnel.

King Hezekiah knew he must prepare for the enemy’s threatened attack. He fortified and strengthened some parts of Jerusalem’s walls, added towers, and built some new walls. (See 2 Chronicles 32:1–5.)

When an enemy surrounded or attacked a walled city, they would often try to cut off the water supply. This meant that the water supply in that city would be used up, and the people would have no water to drink. Eventually, this could lead them to surrender.

King Hezekiah ordered that a tunnel be built underground, so water could still flow from the spring outside Jerusalem’s walls into the city. At the same time, he stopped up the spring above ground so the enemy would have no water to drink. Scholars believe that the workers who dug the tunnel worked from opposite ends and met somewhere in the middle. Because the workers could not see one another and didn’t have today’s instruments or technology, the tunnel wasn’t built in a straight line.

Optional: Read 2 Chronicles 32:2–4 (NLT):

Optional: Read 2 Kings 20:20:

Divide the children into two teams, then divide each team in half. The team halves will stand at opposite ends behind the lines and diagonally offset each other. Both teams must have the same number of players. If uneven, have an adult volunteer play.

In this game, you are going to be King Hezekiah’s workers. Hold up a tube. Each tube represents a section of the tunnel. Each team will work together from opposite ends to meet in the middle. Does that sound easy?

If so, remember, King Hezekiah’s men worked underground and could not see or hear the workers at the other end. So, you must make your tunnel with your back toward your teammates on the other side. You will pull the tube container along with you as you lay the tubes down. After three tubes are laid, your teammates can shout directions to help you move to meet the tunnel at the other end.

Once you are next to each other, you can turn and connect the last tubes. It’s okay if you have some tubes left over. Once the tunnels are connected, you must quickly pick up all the tubes and place them in the container again—ten tubes in each. Then you will take the container to the next player on your team. You will continue this way until everyone has played. The first team to do this wins.

There are two important things to remember:

1. You can’t look behind you as you build.

2. Each tube must touch to count as connected. Remember to go as fast as you can because the Assyrian army could attack at any time! Ready? Go!

Conclusion: As king, Hezekiah had to think about keeping his people safe. He was wise in building the tunnel; however, God intervened and defeated the enemy without a fight. It’s wise for us to always be prepared for things we may face; however, God is well able to intervene and protect us!

Screenshot Review

Picture This: Children discuss images from the Bible story.

Raise your hands if you collect or have ever collected trading cards of some type. Children respond. In this activity, we are going to discuss the Bible story about Isaiah in a fun way using the Bible Story Cards in this bag.

Have a child pull a card from the bag and show it to the class. Ask the child if he/she knows who the character is and something about him or what is happening in the scene. Then, have everyone discuss the picture. If a child isn’t comfortable answering aloud, allow the child to come to you and whisper an answer. If the player doesn’t know the answer, thank him/her for selecting the card and open the discussion to the other children.

Card Key

1. Isaiah’s vision outside the Temple.

2. The Seraphim and God’s throne.

3. Isaiah prostrate before God, feeling unclean and guilty in God’s presence. 

4. The burning coal to cleanse Isaiah.

5. Isaiah’s response to God—Send me!

6. King Sennacherib’s messenger (Rabshakeh) threatening God’s people.

7. King Sennacherib, the Assyrian King.

8. King Hezekiah praying for God’s help after receiving Sennacherib’s letter.

9. The Assyrian army camp.

10. God’s “death” angel going through the enemy camp.

Bible Activity

Take a Right Turn: Race to find verses about coming back to God.

God loves us completely and unconditionally. He calls us by His Word and Spirit to return to Him when we stray from His path. He is faithful and can always be trusted to forgive and cleanse us—no matter what! In this activity, you are going to look up verses about turning back to God.

Have the children sit in pairs. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible. Give each pair a Bible. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse while the other player writes the answer on a sticky note. The notes are then stuck to the board. If both players are experienced Bible users, they can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse.

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

I will say a Bible reference, telling you whether it is in the Old or New Testament, then write it on the board with the initials O.T. or N.T. You may start to look it up while I read a fill-in-the-blank question for that verse. One player in each group will write the answer on a sticky note, then walk quickly to stick it on the board. You have thirty seconds to do that.

The first team scores ten points for the correct answer; all other teams score five points for the correct answer stuck to the board within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up! The most important part of the game is to search God’s Word and let it sink into our hearts. After points are awarded, we will take turns reading the entire verse. The team with the most points wins. Let’s get started!

Allow spelling errors because of the fast pace of the game. Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs. After points are scored for each question, read the entire verse and briefly discuss it if time permits.

1. Joel 2:13—O.T.: When we return to the Lord, we find that He is _____ and _____. (Merciful, compassionate.)

2. Isaiah 55:7—O.T.: When we return to God, He will forgive _____. (Generously.)

3. Job 22:23—O.T.: When we return to God, we will be _____. (Restored.)

4. Jeremiah 24:7—O.T.: We are God’s people when we return to Him _____. (Wholeheartedly.)

5. Lamentations 3:40—O.T.: We should _____ and _____ our ways and turn back to God. (Test, examine.) 

6. Hosea 14:2a—O.T.: God wants us to bring our _____ and return to Him. (Confessions.)

7. Jeremiah 15:19a—O.T.: When we return to God, He will _____ us so we can serve Him. (Restore.)

8. Acts 3:19—N.T.: We should repent and turn to God so our sins can be _________. (Wiped away.)

9. Proverbs 28:13—O.T.: When we confess and _____ from our sins, we will receive mercy. (Turn.)

10. Joel 2:13—O.T.: When we return to the Lord, we will find that He is filled with _____ love and is eager to relent and not _____. (Unfailing, punish.)

Conclusion: God does not want us to return to Him so He can punish us, but to show us His unfailing love. He is always waiting to welcome us home, no matter what we have done or how long we have been away from Him!