Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost Card and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost Cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.       

Signpost 1  Freedom From Evil Spirits           

The Bible tells us that Jesus set people free from evil spirits. Jesus gave His authority to His disciples—giving them power over demons and evil spirits. 

This is why Paul could perform extraordinary miracles—by the Spirit of God. He set free the slave girl who was making money for her masters by telling fortunes. She was doubly enslaved by her masters and the evil spirit that controlled her. Paul commanded the evil spirit to leave—not in his own power, but in the name of Jesus Christ. This same authority is given to all believers in Jesus! 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6  

Acts 16:18:

This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. 

Acts 19:11–12:

¹¹ God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. ¹² When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

Luke 10:19: 

“Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.”

Luke 8:35–36:

³⁵ People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. ³⁶ Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.

Signpost 2  Freedom From Fear and Sin 

What was the jailer ordered to do? Not to let Paul and Silas escape.

In Bible times, if a prisoner escaped, the guards in charge of that prisoner could be forced to serve the prisoner’s sentence, or even be put to death! The jailer did not want Paul and Silas to escape. To make sure, he locked their feet into stocks so they couldn’t even stand up. 

When the earthquake opened the prison doors, the jailer thought everyone had escaped, so he was ready to take his own life until Paul stopped him. Paul and Silas shared the Good News about Jesus, who forgives our sins and saves us from them. The jailer and his family were saved, baptized, and set free from the fear and sin that held them captive!   

While on the earth, Jesus also healed those were trapped in sin and fear. He healed a crippled man who always laid on his mat because he could not stand or walk. The man was completely dependent on others to care for him and transport him. Jesus not only healed and set that man free physically, He set the man free from his sins! He told the man to pick up his mat and go home. Jesus set him free emotionally, physically and spiritually! Only Jesus can give us freedom in every part of our lives!   

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Acts 16:30–34:

³⁰ Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” ³² And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. ³³ Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. ³⁴ He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Matthew 9:2,6 (cev):

² Some people soon brought to Him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, He said to the crippled man, “My friend, don’t worry! Your sins are forgiven.” ⁶ But I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.”

 Luke 4:18 (cev):

“The Lord’s Spirit has come to Me, because He has chosen Me to tell the good news
to the poor. The Lord has sent Me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers.”

Romans 8:2:

And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Signpost 3  Freedom to Rejoice and Be Thankful    

What did Paul and Silas do in jail that was so unusual? They prayed and sang praises to God.

They were content even in their horrible circumstance. Even though physically they were in a jail cell with their feet in stocks, their spirits were free! Paul and Silas had learned to be thankful and content in any circumstance. They knew that they were right where God wanted them to be, and by Christ’s strength they could face anything.      

Life can be difficult, filled with struggles and injustice. Hard things may happen, causing us to feel out of control and helpless. However, as God’s children, these things have no power over us. We can rejoice and be thankful in any circumstance because we are God’s children and His Spirit lives inside us! All we must do is believe, and through Jesus we are set free! Now that is truly good news! 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 

2 Corinthians 3:17:

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Philippians 4:11–13 (cev):

¹¹ I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. ¹² I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. ¹³ Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

John 16:33:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Romans 10:9–10 (nkjv)

⁹ If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Let’s talk about our Discipleship Challenge and learn about how we can share the Good News with others so they can be set free!   

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give an Iron Link Challenge to any children who missed Lessons 1 and 2.   

Hold up the sample craft. Last time, our challenge was to look for things we can thank God for, and ask Him to help us rejoice in His goodness—even in hard times. Did you find new things to thank God for? Were you able to worship God during a difficult time? Allow children to share their challenge experiences.

Our final challenge is to pray for opportunities to share the Good News with others, and to give the link with the cross to a friend and watch The Salvation Poem together. Also, continue to memorize all three SuperVerses for this course. Let’s share the Good News as Paul and Silas did, so Jesus can set people free!