Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome back to the second lesson of our Superbook adventure called “Baptized!” Raise your hand if you have been baptized or watched someone be baptized. Children respond. 

How important is baptism? Even Jesus was baptized to show the importance of this act of obedience in a believer’s life. Speaking of important things: it is now time to praise and worship the Lord!

Play Video Song: Shout Aloud(2 minutes)

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

You Are the One

SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)

Our SuperTruth today is: “I am brand new in Christ.” Let’s say that together: “I am brand new in Christ.”

How many of you like to buy or receive something brand new? Children respond. 

When we choose to follow Jesus, He gives us a brand-new life and a new beginning. Our sins are forgiven, and we begin an exciting journey following God’s path and His plans for our lives.

Let’s watch a short version of our Bible story. If you have seen the video before, pay close attention to where the children land to begin their Superbook adventure, according to Gizmo’s geo-sensors.

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 (14 minutes)

Superbook takes Chris, Joy, Gizmo—and Ellie—to meet Jesus as He chooses His disciples and tells them He will make them “fishers of men.”  

Condensed Bible Story

Discussion (2 minutes)

Who did Jesus pick from the large crowd that was following Him? His twelve disciples.  

Let’s try to name as many of the twelve disciples as we can. Please raise your hand to answer. Children answer.

According to Luke 6:14–16: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot.

What did Ellie and the children see Jesus do for many people in the crowd? He healed them.

Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)

In today’s Bible Background Video, we’ll learn more about Jesus, His twelve disciples, and fishing in Bible times. 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 (9 minutes)

Bible Background Video

Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic (1.5 minutes)

Graphic loops 1.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

10B SuperVerse 411

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together: Colossians 2:12:

That’s a lot to say, isn’t it? Yet it has a lot of great truths in it! When we choose to follow Christ and are baptized in water, the old person is buried, and we become a new person through the power of God. This symbolizes spiritual death and rebirth that is only possible by the supernatural power of God. 

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. Dear God, we thank You for sending Jesus to die for us, so our sins are forgiven, and we can receive a brand-new life in You. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray, Amen.

Our game in Small Group is all about being buried and raised up. Does that remind you of something we just discussed? Today’s SuperVerse.

Well, it sounds interesting, so 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.

Game

Out With the Old: Play a game to illustrate the SuperVerse.

In Large group you were asked to notice where the children landed, according to Gizmo’s geo-sensors. What’s the answer? Galilee.

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together: Colossians 2:12:

Give two index cards and a pencil to each child. Have children write their names on the top of both cards. On one card, have the children draw a picture with a sad face and write “OLD” below it; then, on the second card, draw a happy face and write “NEW” below it.

Divide the children into two equal teams. A leader may need to play to make the teams even. If so, the leader should make two cards, like each child.

Now, have the players for each team place ONLY their NEW cards in their team’s NEW box. Then mix and “bury” the cards in the box with the packing material completely covering them. Teams will then make two separate lines behind the mark.

Hold your “OLD” cards up in the air. These cards have sad faces because they represent you before you met Jesus. When we follow Jesus and are baptized, our old lives are buried, and we are raised to a new life in Christ.

That is what this game is about. Both teams will play at the same time in a relay race. On your turn, you will hold your OLD card and go to your team box. Do this with a very sad expression on your face, with your head bowed down, and your shoulders slumped over, and shuffle your feet—which means taking small sliding steps without ever lifting your feet off the floor! Then put your OLD card in your team’s OLD box and completely bury it so it can’t be seen. Next, go to your team’s NEW box, find the NEW card with your name and a happy face on it, then quickly skip back to your team, full of joy. Then the next player immediately takes a turn. The first team to have all of the players exchange their cards wins.

Conclusion: Great job exchanging your old life for a brand-new life in Christ! What did you need to do before you could receive your new life? I had to let go and bury my old life.

Exactly! We cannot try to hold on to both; it won’t work. God wants to give us a fresh start and a brand-new life as we follow and serve Him on the exciting path He has for each of us! Let’s learn more about the brand-new life that Jesus freely gives us in today’s teaching!

Teaching

In With the New: Discuss what it means to have a new life in Christ.

In the Superbook Adventure, who did Pastor Aaron tease about being baptized? Gizmo.

When the children were baptized, did they just float on a raft on the surface of the water? No, they went completely underwater.

The word "baptize" comes from the Greek word baptizo, meaning to be submerged or immersed, usually in some type of liquid—in this case, water. There are two main meanings of the word: 1. A covering or sprinkling of liquid. 2. Immersion or submersion, which results in a change.

That reminds me of our SuperVerse. Let’s read it from the board together: Colossians 2:12: 

Baptism is an outward symbol or representation of the change that takes place in a believer’s heart. Do people look different on the outside after they’re baptized? Children answer. 

No, except for being wet! It is an inner supernatural work that only God can do in someone. When people are baptized, they proclaim to the world that they now belong to Christ and have begun a new life in Him! To be baptized is a powerful statement and witness to all.

In the game we just played, did you just put your old card on top of the pile, so it was still visible and easy to pick up again? No, we buried it; it was hidden.

To be buried with Christ means that our old life dies, and He raises us up to begin a new life. You had to let go of the old card before you could pick up the new card. You cannot hold on to both and truly follow Christ!

Open the classroom door and stand sideways in the doorway—half in and half out. Raise your hand if you think I am in the classroom. Children respond. Raise your hand if you think I am out of the classroom. Children respond. There is not a right or wrong answer because I am part way in and part way out.

Raise your hand if you have heard the saying, “Out with the old, in with the new?” Children respond. It means to leave old things, ways, or ideas behind and start fresh. This is what is meant by being made new in Christ. Some people try to hold on to their old selfish ways and at the same time follow Christ—something like me in the doorway, half in and half out.

Step dramatically into the classroom but leave the door open. Jesus wants us to be “all in” with Him. He wants us to completely surrender our old life and let Him make us brand new! When we are “all in,” we no longer live for ourselves—we live for Christ and to serve others. We no longer serve sin because Jesus sets us free to live a life pleasing to God.

Romans 6:7 says:

Our lives won’t completely change in an instant. Yet, the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, gives us the power to make wise choices, change our old habits, ways, and thinking, and resist temptations.

Pick up the suitcases. When Jesus called His disciples, did they pack their bags and rent a trailer to haul their fishing boats behind them? No, they left everything to follow Him. (See Luke 5:11.)

They left everything; they were “all in!” Step all the way into the room and shut the door behind you. They shut the door on their old lives to follow Jesus. 

Colossians 3:1–2 says:

When we choose to follow Jesus, and our new life begins, our minds change. Instead of seeking the things of the earth that we can see with our physical eyes, we begin to seek the things of God that we can only see with our spiritual eyes. We become brand new in Christ. We begin an exciting journey and have nothing to fear. God is working in us and for us, so we can accomplish His plan for our lives.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6:

Now it’s time to go to our Discipleship challenge, where we are fishing for a special kind of catch.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed Lesson 1 a Fishing License craft. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home.

Be prepared to assist any children with special needs.

Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge. The challenge last time was to learn Luke 10:2. Who would like to say it from memory? Children respond. Luke 10:2:

What is God’s harvest, and what does this license give us authority to do? Fish for people!  

Were you able to tell someone about Jesus? If so, would you like to share about that? Children respond.  I hope you were able to spend time in prayer each day. We need to pray for each other and for God to send others to be fishers of people! There can never be too many people fishing in God’s kingdom!

Let’s look at today’s challenge. Have a child read Fish #2 aloud. Be ready at all times—1 Peter 3:15.

Have you ever seen someone fishing, and it looked like they fell asleep while waiting for a fish to tug on the line? Children respond.

It’s easy to fall asleep while waiting. But we don’t want to be napping when we fish for people—Jesus wants us to be ready at all times!

For this challenge, continue to pray for each other and for God to send more workers or fisherman out into the world to share the Gospel. Also, read and memorize 1 Peter 3:15. Then, listen to the Holy Spirit and be alert to opportunities to share about Jesus with others. Tell them what He has done in your life, such as giving you hope, courage, or joy. We will discuss your experience next time we meet!

SuperVerse

Superbook Alive: Memorize the SuperVerse with a group activity.

Think of how much power God has—that He could raise Jesus from the dead after dying on the cross. His power has no limit; He is the creator of life; there is nothing too difficult for Him to do!

Jesus sacrificed His life because He loves us so much. According to this verse, what must we do to be raised to new life? Trust in God; trust in His mighty power.

We learned today that baptism represents death and new life. Our old self dies, and we are raised to a new life in Christ. We no longer live for ourselves; we live for Christ and to please God.

Divide the children into small groups of two to five children. Try to mix older children with younger children. Have groups gather in different sections of the room to plan and practice “dramatizing” the SuperVerse with actions and motions. Since today’s verse is long, they can read the verse from the board as they act out their parts instead of memorizing it. Groups may also choose to assign one child who reads well to say the entire verse while the others act it out.

Give the groups a set amount of time to discuss and practice. Bring them all back together and have each group act out the verse for the class.

Conclusion: Great job, everyone! Remember that the mighty power of God makes you brand new in Christ and continues to work in you as you follow Jesus.

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

Prayer

Trusting Prayers: Communicate with God.

Name a disciple and explain how his life changed after he chose to follow Jesus. Peter, James, and John were fisherman and left everything to become fishers of men.

When you choose to follow Jesus, you probably won’t need to leave your family. You will still have the same interests in things you enjoy, like hobbies, sports, or playing a musical instrument. The brand-new life you experience is a spiritual life that begins inside—in your heart.

When Saul met Jesus on the road to persecute Christians in Damascus, he was completely transformed on the inside. Yet people still recognized Saul’s outward appearance, and they doubted that he had really changed on the inside. But Saul had started a brand-new life and went from opposing Jesus to preaching the Gospel! We know him as the Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament! When we become a believer, we begin again and are changed over time.

In our prayer time, I would like you to commit to trusting in God’s mighty power to change you into the servant that He created you to be—using the unique gifts and abilities He placed inside of you. Choosing to follow Jesus is just the beginning of our wonderful adventure in God’s spiritual kingdom on earth.

In our prayer time, if you would like to place your trust in God’s mighty power in every area of your life, please repeat the words I say as I pray aloud. You can speak aloud, or if you prefer, pray silently. God hears every word we speak and even knows every thought we think!

Have the children lower their heads and close their eyes. Read the prayer and pause after each phrase for the children to repeat the words. Dear God, … Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross … to forgive my sins and give me new life. … Help me to trust You. … And in Your mighty power … that raised Jesus to life again, … I want to serve You now and forever. … I want to follow Your plans for my life. … Help me stay faithful to You, … so others can see my life is changed … and is brand new. … In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Make sure to follow up with any children who prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior. Encourage them to download Gizmo’s Bible Adventures, a free 30-day devotional for children and their families. Visit us-en.Superbook.CBN.com/Pages/Discover/KidsDevo/Gizmos-Bible-Adventures.

Creating Activity

That’s Better! Discuss how we are made new in Christ.

Who can say today’s SuperTruth with their eyes closed? “I am brand new in Christ.”

Have the children roll out their dough and tear it into a few pieces to make a simple stick figure with a head, torso, arms, and legs. Make a figure with your dough at the same time. 

Those are some nice creations you made. You made them in a way that pleased you. In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve. They were without sin and created in God’s image. He said His creation was good. When Adam and Eve chose to disobey God’s instructions, sin entered into the world. Do you remember how they disobeyed God? They ate from the tree that God said not to. 

Because of their disobedience, God’s creation became blemished or imperfect with sin.

As hard as we try to obey God, we will still miss the mark and sin. These pebbles represent the blemishes or imperfections brought about by sin.

Have children place one pebble in the head. Let’s say the pebble in the head represents unkind or disrespectful words and impure thoughts.

Have children place a pebble in an arm. What could the pebble in the arm represent? Disobedient or unkind actions.

Have children place a pebble in a leg of their creations. What could the pebble in the leg represent? Choosing to go your own way instead of following God’s Spirit. Walking toward sin instead of fleeing from it. Walking away from God and His will.

Have children place a pebble in the torso (heart). What could the pebble in the heart represent? An impure heart filled with pride and rebellion, a stubborn or hardened heart toward God’s Word, selfish desires over God’s things.

The heart is especially important. Proverbs 4:23 says:

Have the children examine their creations. Does this look like your original creation? No.

After sin entered the world, God’s created people were different than He created them to be. Push aside your “blemished” figure on the table in front of you as you speak.

God could choose to push us aside and be done with us when we mess up and sin. He could say something like, “That’s it, I‘ve had enough. Three strikes and you’re out; you had your chance.” 

Pick up the new can of modeling dough, open it, and form a new figure. He could choose to just start over again and replace us and say something like, “I am Almighty God, and I will just create others to replace them and move on.”

But that’s not what God chose to do. God is love; He is full of patience, mercy, and forgiveness. Instead of destroying us, He sent His Son into the world to die for us and raise us from being dead in our sins to a brand-new life in Him!

When we come to God and ask for forgiveness, He will remove our sins, blemishes, and imperfections. Have the children remove the pebbles, reshaping the figure to look like it did before. Do the same with your creation and hold it up. Can you see where the pebbles or sins were? No.

As long as our hearts remain soft toward God’s Spirit, He is faithful to remove the imperfections and will continue to shape us according to His good pleasure! Through Christ, we are made brand new!

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

A different Bible version of this verse says it this way: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEV)

God does not give up on us and toss us aside. Through Christ, we are given new life.

Active Game

Standing Invitation: Play a game to illustrate the concept of raising something up.

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together: Colossians 2:12:

Only God has the power to raise to life someone who is dead. He has the power to raise us to new life when we are spiritually dead in our sins, as well as the power to raise someone who is physically dead. Who did God raise from the dead? His Son, Jesus.

How and why did Jesus die? He died on the cross; He was crucified. He died to save us from our sins and to give us new life.

Because Jesus died and was raised to life, we can be, too—when we trust in His power! Now, let’s play a game based on raising things up!

Divide the children into two teams—each team a mix of girls, boys, and different ages. One child may need to play twice if you have an uneven number of children. Have each team stand a few feet away from its designated table.

As you explain the game, stand a few markers and/or glue sticks on their ends, so they are vertical. One player from each team will play at the same time. Players will raise up as many markers as possible in fifteen seconds using only one hand to make them stand up on their ends. One point is scored for each marker standing when time runs out. If you accidentally bump the table or knock down markers that were once standing, you must raise them up again for them to count! 

Once the score is recorded, the markers are laid down again, and the next two players take their turn. The scores are recorded on the board for each player and added to the team total. The game continues this way until all players have taken a turn.

Now, it’s time for Round Two! Demonstrate making fists with both hands and using only your thumbs to make the markers stand up. In the second round, players can only use their thumbs to raise up the markers. Does that sound like a fun challenge? Let’s play! 

Record the scores for this round and then add the scores from round one for a grand total. The team with the most points after two rounds wins!

Conclusion: Which round was more of a challenge for you? Children answer. Which round did you like better—Round One or Two? Children answer.

Round Two was more difficult, but was it impossible? NO!

God created us and gave us the ability to do many things. However, it is impossible for us to remove our sins and raise ourselves to new life. Only God can do that for us! When we trust in His power, we receive a brand-new life here on earth and up in heaven with Him forever! It is only by the mighty power of God in Christ that we can stand!

Connect the Dots Activity

People Only! Connect the dots to reveal a humorous scene from the video.

Why are the children in the water? They were just baptized in the lake.

Who is the boy wearing glasses in the picture? Can you remember His name? Jia Wei.

Jia Wei appeared in a previous Superbook adventure. If you were here for that, what part did he play in Chris and Joy beginning a new life following Jesus? He invited them to a Bible study.

At first, Chris wanted Jia Wei to keep his faith and beliefs to himself. That isn’t what Jesus wants us to do. He wants us to be fishers of people and tell others about Him. Jia Wei was willing to share Jesus with others, even when he was teased and bullied. Because of his boldness, Chris, Joy, and eventually Ellie became brand new through Christ.

How do you think Jia Wei felt seeing Chris, Joy, and Ellie being baptized? Happy, proud, and excited.

Have you ever been to a baptism? What was it like? Children respond.

Do you remember who gave the towels to the children? Gizmo.

Conclusion: Jesus wants us all to experience the joy of being fishers of people! There is no greater joy in our Christian journey than to introduce someone to Jesus! Heaven celebrates when a new believer is added to God’s kingdom!

Bible Activity

A Fresh Start: Race to find verses about our new life in Christ.

God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us and give us new life. In this activity, you are going to look up verses about our old lives dying and our new lives beginning.

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, the players 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 from the New Testament and then write it on the board. 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 or answers on a sticky note and 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. So speaking of new beginnings, 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. 2 Corinthians 5:17: When we become a new person in Christ, the _____life is gone, and a _____ life has begun. (Old, new)

2. Romans 6:4: We died and are _____ with Christ by baptism. We may now live new lives by the _____ power of the Father. (Buried, glorious)

3. Romans 6:7: When our old lives die with Christ, we are set free from the power of _____. (Sin)

4. John 3:3: You must be _____ _____ to see the kingdom of God. (Born again)

5. John 5:26: God has given His Son, Jesus, life-giving _____. (Power)

6. Colossians 3:1: We have been _____ to new life with Christ. (Raised)

7. Galatians 3:27: When we unite with Christ in baptism, it is like putting on new _____. (Clothes)

8. John 11:25: Jesus is the _____ and the life. Anyone who ______ in Him will live even after death. (Resurrection, believes)

9. 1 Peter 1:23: We are not born again to a life that will quickly end. Our new life will last _____. (Forever)

10. Ephesians 4:24: We are to put on the new _____, created to be like God—truly righteous and _____. (Nature, holy)

Conclusion: All glory and praise to God, who through Christ gives us new life now and for eternity!