Leader Guide
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, everyone! The lesson today is the second one about our Superbook adventure, “Paul and Silas.” I would like someone who saw the video the last time to tell me why we saw Paul standing in water two times. He was baptizing new believers; Lydia and her household, then the jailer and his household.
In the Bible story, people rejoiced because they heard the Good News and believed in Jesus. It’s time for us to rejoice in our Savior as we sing Lord of Everything.
Play Video: (Song) Lord of Everything (3.5 minutes)
Lord of Everything
Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.
SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)
Our SuperTruth today is: “I will rejoice and be content.” What does it mean to be content? To be satisfied, happy, and at peace.
Have you ever been around people who complain and grumble a lot? How do you feel when you’re with them? Frustrated, negative, annoyed, even guilty that we are happy.
How does it feel to be around people who are usually joyful and thankful? Happy, peaceful.
Yes! As followers of Christ, we have many reasons to rejoice and be content, regardless of any situation or circumstance we find ourselves in. When we are content and full of joy, others want to be around us. This is what happened when Paul and Silas chose to rejoice and be content in prison! If you’re wondering how that’s possible, we’ll watch a short version of our Bible story video right now. For those who have seen it before, watch closely to see what the jailer asks Paul and Silas after they choose not to escape.
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 (11 minutes)
Condensed Bible Story
Superbook takes Chris, Joy, and Gizmo to Philippi, where Paul casts a demon out of a fortune teller. He and Silas are arrested, beaten, and thrown in prison—yet still, they praise God. They don’t try to escape after an earthquake, knowing the jailer would be executed. Moved by their faith, the jailer is saved and baptized, along with his entire family.
Discussion (2 minutes)
When Paul cast an evil spirit from the fortune teller, why were the girl’s masters so angry? Her powers were gone and they could not make money anymore.
Why were Paul and Silas put in prison—did they do something wrong? No; they were preaching the Gospel.
Would you be singing and praising God if you had been beaten and thrown in prison?
What happened when Paul and Silas were praising and worshiping God? An earthquake set them free.
Why was the jailer about to kill himself? He saw the prison doors open and thought the prisoners had escaped. He knew he would be executed if they escaped.
People can lose hope when they are desperate. Yet we should never lose hope because God is always with us! That’s why we can rejoice and be content, even in very hard times. Paul and Silas shared the Good News with the jailer. So instead of dying that night, he found eternal life—and so did his family!
Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)
In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about Paul, Silas, and their missionary journeys. 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 2
SuperVerse Graphic 2
Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.
SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)
The SuperVerse today is 1 Thessalonians 5:18:
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
So we are to be thankful in most circumstances, right? No, in all circumstances.
Very good; you are paying attention! It is easy to be thankful and praise God when things are going according to plan and all is well. It isn’t as easy when things seem to go wrong. However, it is God’s will that we are always thankful, regardless of our circumstances. No matter what happens, we are loved by Him, our sins are forgiven, and Jesus is our Lord and Savior! In every situation, we have hope now and forever!
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If younger children 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, in this world we will find ourselves in many kinds of circumstances, both good and bad. Because we know Jesus, we have reason to be thankful and to rejoice in all situations. Help us to remember all of the blessings we have because of Jesus Christ. In His wonderful name, we pray, Amen.
In Small Group today, you will play a game where you will travel with Paul and Silas to spread the Good News. Oh, I should warn you—beware of the soldiers who want to arrest you!
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.