Leader Guide
| Site: | Superbook Academy |
| Course: | Jesus—Friend of Sinners |
| Book: | Leader Guide |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Thursday, 4 July 2024, 1:35 AM |
Description
SuperTruth:
I will turn from my sins and follow Jesus.
SuperVerse:
Bible Story:
Luke 19:1–10
Superbook Video:
Zacchaeus
Video Leader Guide
Select a video to have playing as children enter the Large Group room. Videos are under Resources on the top menu bar.
Have Small Group leaders greet the children as they enter the Large Group room and engage them in a game or conversation until time for Large Group to begin.
Welcome (1 minute)
Welcome back to the second lesson of our Superbook adventure called “Jesus—Friend of Sinners.” Raise your hand if you have ever taken a trip somewhere for a specific purpose. Children respond.
Jesus left heaven and came to Earth for a specific purpose. We will find out more about that soon. Now, it’s time to stand and praise God for loving us so much that He sent His Son to the world.
Play Video Song: Superhero (3.5 minutes)
Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.
Free Music Video
SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minutes)
Our SuperTruth today is:
Jesus came for sinners.” Let’s say that together: “Jesus came for sinners.”
This is Jesus’ purpose for coming to Earth. He did not come to be king and to be friends with important people or religious leaders. He came for sinners. Can someone tell me who are sinners? Everyone; we are all sinners.
The Bible tells us that all people have sinned. (See Romans 3:23.) That means Jesus came for everyone who ever lived on the earth; including you and me!
Let’s watch a short version of our Bible story. If you have seen the video before, pay close attention to find out what a sinful woman uses to wipe the perfume on Jesus’ feet.
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 (10 minutes)
Superbook takes Joy, Chris and Gizmo to witness three Bible stories: the parable of the great supper (banquet), the calling of Matthew the tax collector, and the woman caught in sin. Joy is surprised to see Jesus spend time with sinners, tax collectors, the poor, and those with disabilities. She decides to become more like Jesus by following His example.
Condensed Bible Story
Why do you think it is so difficult for someone to come to Jesus when they are full of pride? You don’t think you need anyone’s help. You look at all the good things you do and believe that is enough.
How long did it take for Matthew to decide to follow Jesus? He got up and followed Him immediately.
What did the woman use to wipe the perfume on the feet of Jesus? Her hair.
Was Jesus angry with her? No, He accepted her worship and sincerity. He forgave her and used her as an example to correct the prideful Pharisee.
What did Jesus tell the Pharisee named Simon? He told Simon all of the things he didn’t do compared to how the woman honored and treated Him.
Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)
In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about banquets, hosts and guests in Bible times, as well as how Jesus was a friend to sinners—even when it offended important religious leaders. 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 (7 minutes)
Bible Background
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 Matthew 9:13:
Jesus knew without a doubt exactly why He left heaven to come into the world. He was on a mission. He didn’t come to support and congratulate the religious leaders for their good deeds and for how well they kept the Ten Commandments. Instead, Jesus came to those who were humble and realized they were sinners and that they couldn’t save themselves.
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 all have sinned and need a Savior. We praise You for sending Jesus into the world to save us! Thank You that when we confess our sins and accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, we are forgiven and saved and receive eternal life. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Our game in Small Group is all about seeing our need for Jesus. You might say that this game “builds” our confidence in Him! 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.
Building Game
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Dominoes, building blocks or "Jenga"-style blocks––one per child plus extras
- Table
- Three index cards
- Marker
- Painters tape or masking tape
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
Write the SuperVerse on the board: Matthew 9:13:
Place table near one end of the room.
Mark or tape a line about 10–15 feet from the table.
Write “Jesus” on one index card and “Me” on two cards.
Tape the “Jesus” index card in the center of the table. Tape a “Me” card on both sides of the “Jesus” card, about 18–24 inches from it. Tape the cards so they overhang the front edge of the table.
Place a pile of blocks for each team to the side of the “Me” cards—the side toward each table end.
Note: Coins can be substituted if dominos or blocks are not available. For larger classes, use two tables and add blocks and index cards for four teams.
In our video, we saw a woman using her hair to wipe the perfume on Jesus’ feet. She knew she was a sinner and humbly kneeled at Jesus’ feet. The religious leader who invited Jesus to his house was full of pride and did not see Jesus as God’s Son. He did not treat Jesus with respect and gratitude. In this game, you will be able to see Jesus as greater than yourselves. He must be high and lifted up at all times!
John the Baptist said in John 3:30:
That is what this game represents.
Divide the children into two equal teams. One player may need to play twice on a team. Have each team form a separate line behind the line/mark. Each team will build a tower using a relay-style race. The first player from each team will quickly walk to the table and take a domino/block from the pile and then begin building a single tower over the team’s “Me” card.
The player quickly walks back to the line and the next player takes a turn. Continue until all players have taken a domino/block from the pile and built the “Me” tower as high as possible.
The players immediately begin the process again, taking a second turn. The difference is that each player will now remove a block from the team’s “Me” tower and begin to build a new tower over the “Jesus” card.
If the “Jesus” tower collapses during the game, the two players at the table must work together to rebuild it as quickly as possible. Other team members may assist, if needed.
Once the tower is restored, the game proceeds as before.
At the end, everyone wins!
Conclusion: You are very good builders! Was it difficult to keep your hands steady so you didn’t knock over the tower? Children respond.
The first tower you built was the “Me” tower. This tower represented how the religious leaders saw themselves—righteous. They did not believe they were sinners and so they had no need of Jesus to forgive and save them. They were self-righteous; the more good deeds they did, the more worthy they felt they were in God’s eyes.
To build the “Jesus” tower, you needed to take blocks from the “Me” tower. That tower became smaller and smaller until it disappeared, and Jesus grew and became visibly greater in your eyes. This represents how we must humble ourselves and see ourselves as we truly are—sinners in need of a Savior.
Let’s say our SuperVerse, Matthew 9:13 together:
Let’s learn more about our need for Jesus in our Teaching today.
Teaching
- Padlock and key (matching set)
- Three other keys of any shape and size; must not fit the lock
- Key Page
- Cardstock––one sheet
- Pencil
- Painters tape or masking tape
- Scissors
- Table
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
Discipleship Challenge materials:
- Disciple Card for children who missed Lesson 1
- Sample craft made in Lesson 1
Make one copy of the Key Page on cardstock.
Cut apart the four individual cards.
On the ADMIT card, loosely tape the key (so it comes off easily during the presentation) that matches the lock. Do not cover the word.
Loosely tape a key (any remaining key) next to the word/s on each of the remaining three cards.
Using the pencil, write the number from the front of each card (1-4) on the back of each card.
Lock or close the padlock.
Arrange the four cards face down in order (1-4) on the table.
Make copies of the Discipleship Challenge materials for children who missed Lesson 1; see Lesson 1 for details.
Just Admit it! Discuss everyone's need for Jesus
In the game we just played, the “ME” tower was taller at first than the tower that represented Jesus. This represented the Pharisees and anyone who believes they are righteous on their own. This is referred to as being self-righteous. They did not believe they were sinners and so they saw no need for Jesus to forgive and save them.
Hold up the closed padlock. Let’s say this lock represents righteousness or being in a right relationship with God.
Study the lock for a moment and pull on the curved arm to try open it. Hmmm, now I wonder what I need to open this; any
ideas? You need a key.
Yes; we need a key! Will just any key work? No, you need the right key for that lock.
So, if we want to be righteous or right with God, we need the right key to unlock or receive it. There are many different reasons people believe they are righteous or in other words, right with God. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Note: If you need to save time, don’t use volunteers in the presentation.
Choose a volunteer to read Card #1: GOOD DEEDS.
The
Pharisees believed all the good things they did were the key to righteousness
with God. They kept the Ten Commandments and the rest of Moses’s Law. They tithed
and gave offerings in the Temple. They fasted and prayed. They also prayed
long, loud prayers so everyone would notice and hear. They thought good deeds
made them right with God. Many people today believe they are basically good.
They think that doing good deeds makes them right with God, or righteous. Raise
your hand if you think this is the correct key to pleasing God and being right
in His eyes. Children
respond.
Remove the key from Card #1 and have the child insert it into the lock and try to open it.
No, that didn’t open it. We definitely need to do good deeds, but they aren’t the key to righteousness.
Choose a volunteer to read Card #2: CHURCH.
Some
people believe going to church every Sunday makes them right in God’s eyes. Raise
your hand if you think going to church is the key to pleasing God and being
right with God. Children
respond.
Remove the key from Card #2 and have the child insert it into the lock
and try to open it.
That didn’t work either. Going to church is very important, and it certainly pleases God. However, perfect attendance in church is not the key to being right with God.
Choose a volunteer to read Card #3: BIBLE.
The Bible is God’s Word. In the Bible, we read how God created everything. We learn about Jesus’ birth and how He died for us on the cross so we can receive eternal life. There are books and letters written by men of God that contain instruction and wisdom for us to help us live and serve God. It is important to read and to memorize God’s Word so it penetrates deep in our hearts to help us resist temptation and stay on God’s path. Raise your hand if you think reading your Bible and memorizing verses is the key to being right in God’s His eyes. Children respond.
Remove the key from Card #3 and have the child insert it into the lock and try to open it.
Reading the Bible is essential to growing as a Christian, and it certainly pleases God when we study the Bible. However, it is not the key that unlocks righteousness.
Choose a volunteer to read Card #4: ADMIT.
Admit
means to acknowledge, agree or confess that something is true. Now, think about
the video you watched today and what we have been talking about. What is
something God would like everyone to admit? That
we have sinned. That we are sinners and need Jesus.
Raise your hand if you think admitting or confessing our sin and our need for Jesus to save us is the key to true righteousness in God’s eyes. Children respond.
Remove the key from Card #4 and have the child insert it into the lock and open it.
Look at that! We finally found the right key to unlock being right with God! Jesus came for sinners. He came for all who know they are sinners. Once we admit our sin and trust in Jesus, He forgives us and cleanses us. 1 John 1:9 says:
Knowing we are sinners is the first step and the key to unlocking Jesus’ righteousness in our lives.
It
isn’t always easy to admit when we have sinned. Sometimes we think it would be
better to try and cover it up. Even if we manage to hide it from others, we can
never hide it from God.
Proverbs 28:13 says:
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
God is not waiting to punish us; instead, He longs to show us His mercy and love! When we receive Jesus, we want to spend the rest of our lives saying Thank You to Him by doing good deeds, by going to church and being with other believers, and by spending time with God through prayer and Bible reading.
Jesus came for people like the sinful woman and Matthew the tax collector. They knew they were sinners and needed the forgiveness that only Jesus could give them. The more we understand that we are truly forgiven, the more love we desire to show Him.
It’s now time for the Discipleship Challenge where we will continue to
spend time with God and others so that we can share His mercy and love!
Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application
Give any child who missed Lesson 1 the Disciple Card. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them do the challenges at home.
Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge. The challenge last time was to learn Revelation 3:20. Would anyone like to try to say it from memory? Children respond.
Jesus is always close by. The door represents our hearts. He gently calls out to invite us to spend quality time with Him every day. How did you do with the challenge of spending time with God, with Christians, and with other people each day? Children respond.
Would anyone like to share an experience from the challenge? Children respond.
Was it difficult to make time for everyone, or for anyone in particular? Please explain. Children respond.
Hold up the Disciple Card. We will continue with our challenge by continuing to spend time with God, believers and others, and also by memorizing 1 Thessalonians 5:11. As followers of Jesus, it is important to spend time with other believers who are serving Christ. We can share our successes, struggles and challenges. We can encourage and uplift one another to not give up and to discover new, exciting things about God! We will discuss your experience next time we meet!
SuperVerse
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
- Eraser
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
Write the SuperVerse on the top of the board. Matthew 9:13b:
Write the jumbled version of the verse in three sections near the bottom of the board as shown:
call I to come have
are those think they righteous, who not
know but they those who sinners are
Since Jesus isn’t physically living in the world today, how can He call someone—does He use a cell phone? No; He calls us by His Word in the Bible. He speaks to us by the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Why is it dangerous for someone to believe they are righteous in themselves? Because we all have sinned and no one is good enough on their own to be right with God and enter into heaven. If you feel you are righteous on your own, you don’t feel you need Jesus.
In this activity, you are going to unscramble the three lines to make the verse right again.
Point to the verse near the
top of the board. Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together. Matthew
9:13:
Erase the correct version of the verse from the board. You will unscramble one line at a time from the jumbled words. You will raise your hands to tell me the first, second, third word of that line, etc. until the line is correct. Then we will move to the second line, and so on. I will write the correct words in order next to the jumbled line as you answer.
Once the three lines are correct, say the verse aloud once more with the children.
Conclusion: In this activity, the verse was jumbled and didn’t appear as it should. You corrected that to make it right again. God created us to be like Him; pure and holy. Sin messed that up, but Jesus makes us righteous or right with God again.
If children cannot memorize the SuperVerse, be sure they understand its meaning. Remind them to keep working on the verse at home.
Prayer
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
Did Jesus say that He came for everyone who was good and righteous No, He came for sinners.
As we discussed earlier in the lesson, the first step to being righteous in God’s eyes is to admit we are sinners and need Jesus’ help. This is the key that unlocks the door to forgiveness.
In our prayer time, I would like everyone to please stand. We are going to take that first step to being forgiven. It doesn’t matter if you have been a long-time follower of Jesus or if you are still thinking about that decision. We all sin and need forgiveness every day; not only for the things we may have done, but also for things that we should have done but we didn’t!
Let’s close our eyes for a moment and confess silently to God anything that you believe you have done, or not done, that is displeasing to Him. Allow children time to pray. Now, with all eyes still closed, take a small step forward and then ask God for His forgiveness through His Son Jesus. Children respond.
You may open your eyes. In 1 John 1:9. I am going to read what just happened.
But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
If you sincerely asked God to forgive your sins, you are cleansed, and your sin is removed!
Jesus wants us to come to Him whenever we sin. We don’t have to wait until we are in church! He does not want us to hide and feel guilty; He wants to cleanse us and set us free!
Active Game
- Optional: painters tape or masking tape
- Mark or tape two lines about 15–20 feet apart in the room
In Philippians 2:3 (CEV), the Apostle Paul says:
Don’t be jealous or proud but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves.
Jesus came into the world to serve, not to be served. He told a story about taking the lowest place at the foot of the table instead of the seats of honor at the front of the table. He said in Luke 14:11:
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
When we are humble and place other people in front of us, God honors us and gives us favor.
Optional: Read Luke 14:7–11:
We are going to play a game about being first and last; honored and humbled.
Divide the class into teams of no more than 4–6 children depending on class size. Each team forms a single file line behind the same line at one end of the room. Leave several feet between teams. The object of the game is to move the team from one end of the room to the mark at the other end and then back again. How the teams move is what is unique about this game! Each team’s line advances forward when the last player in line “peels off” and walks quickly to the front of the line, then the next player, and so on. The player who was first in line will eventually be the last and then move to the front again! Once the team reaches the end mark, they will turn around and start over with the end player walking to the front again. The first team to reach the starting line wins.
Note: You could have players on the second phase of the game turn around and walk backward to the front to advance for more of a challenge.
How did you like that game? It was different wasn’t it? Children respond.
How
did it feel to be first and then find yourself last again? Children
respond.
Coloring Activity
- Follow Me Coloring Page
- Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
Write the SuperVerse on the board. Matthew 9:13:
Give a coloring page to each child, along with crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers to share. Lead a discussion using the questions below as children color their pages.
- Who is Jesus talking to in this picture? Matthew (Levi).
- What was his job? He collected taxes.
- Were tax collectors popular back then? No, they were considered to be dishonest and thieves. They often collected more than they should and then kept the extra for themselves.
- Did Matthew ask Jesus for some time to think about following Him? No, he immediately got up and left his tax booth.
Conclusion: Tax collectors were viewed as being dishonest and traitors for working for the Roman government. Imagine how surprised Jesus’ disciples must have been when He told Matthew to join them and follow Him! Jesus came for sinners; Matthew’s life was changed in a moment.
Bible Activity
- Bibles—to make the activity fair for all children, do not use tabbed Bibles or electronic devices unless all the children have them
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
- Eraser
- Sticky note pads—one pad per pair of children
- Pencils—one per pair of children
- Timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand, or timer app
Make sure there is a clear path between the children and the whiteboard.
If you would prefer not to use sticky notes, have children raise their hands to answer.
The Bible says that nobody is without sin. That is why it was necessary for Jesus to come to Earth. Without him we are helpless. In this activity you will look up verses about sin and our solution–Jesus!
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, telling you whether it is in the Old or
New Testament, and 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 and then
walk quickly to stick it on the board. You have 30 seconds to do that. The
first team scores 10 points for the correct answer or answers; all other teams
score 5 points for the correct answer(s) 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. If time permits, after points are scored for each question, read the
entire verse and briefly discuss it.
1. Romans 3:23—N.T.: _____ has sinned and fallen _____. (Everyone, short)
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
2. Ecclesiastes 7:20—O.T.: Not a _____ person on earth is ______ good and never sins. (Single, always)
Not a single person on earth is always
good and never sins.
3. Proverbs 20:9—O.T.: No one can say, “I am _____ and _____ from sin.” (Pure, free)
Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”?
4. 1 John 1:8—N.T.: If we claim we have no sin, we are _____ ourselves and not living in the _____. (Fooling, truth)
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
5. 1 John 3:5—N.T.: ____ came to take away our sins. There is no _____ in Him. (Jesus, sin)
And you know that Jesus came to take away
our sins, and there is no sin in Him.
6. 1 John 4:10—N.T.: God sent His Son as a _____ to take away our sins. (Sacrifice)
This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
7. 1 Peter 2:24—N.T.: Jesus carried our sins in His _____ on the cross. (Body)
He personally carried our sins in His body
on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His
wounds you are healed.
8. Acts 3:19—N.T.: We should repent and turn to God so our sins can be
_____ away. (Wiped)
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
9. Proverbs 28:13—O.T.: If we _____ our sins, we will not prosper. (Conceal)
People who conceal their sins will not
prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
10. Matthew 9:13b—N.T.: Jesus did not come to call the _____, but those who ______ they are sinners. (Righteous, know) Hint: this is the SuperVerse
Conclusion: The key to forgiveness is knowing that we have sinned and need Jesus!