Teaching

When Chris returned from the Superbook adventure, what did he want for Christmas? He wanted his family to go to church together. 

Chris’s eyes were opened to the truth. Even though he had seen Jesus on other Superbook adventures, now he was beginning to understand what his grandpa knew—that Jesus is the Messiah sent by God.    

Let’s say our SuperTruth together. “The Holy Spirit opens my eyes to the truth.” 

Can’t we just understand things on our own, with our human minds?

No, our spiritual eyes are blind to the truth until Jesus comes into our hearts and fills us with His Spirit. The Jewish people expected the Messiah—the Anointed One, the one chosen and sent by God—to be much different than Jesus. They expected to see a mighty king who would conquer their enemies and establish His kingdom on earth. Later, as Jesus performed miracles, some people wanted to make Him a king; yet, Jesus knew this wasn’t His purpose. (See John 6:14–15.)   

God planned from the beginning that no one could know Him through human wisdom. (See 1 Corinthians 1:21.) As the SuperTruth tells us—we must have God’s Spirit to open our eyes to His truth.

Hold up the grocery bag. Inside this bag is a picture. Raise your hands if you think you know who it is. Allow several children to guess.

Are you sure? Why is it impossible to really know? There is no writing on the bag; we can’t see inside, it is hidden.

Remove the folded picture from the bag without letting the class see it.

Who would like to see the picture?

Without letting the class see, unfold the picture and carefully show it to just one child who raised a hand. Don't let anyone else see it. Then say to that child:

Don’t tell the class who is in the picture; but do you know who it is? Yes.

For sure? Yes.

How do you know who is in the picture? Child answers.

You know who is in the picture because I revealed it to you! Would anyone else like to see who is in the picture? I will show it to anyone who raises a hand.

Show the picture to each child who raised a hand.

The only way for you to know the truth is for me to reveal it to you. That is what the Holy Spirit does for us. God sends the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth that we can’t see with our eyes or know with our understanding. Jesus looked like a regular human being. He did not have a name tag saying “King Jesus,” and He did not wear a crown or a royal robe or a suit of armor. He did not walk around with a halo over His head or a supernatural glow around His body. Nothing about His outer appearance revealed that He is the Son of God.    

John 1:10–11 says:

After healing a man who was blind, Jesus and His disciples left Bethsaida to travel to Caesarea Philippi. Along the way, He asked His disciples who people said He was. They answered, John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet. The people saw Him as another prophet—not the Messiah. Their eyes were not open to the truth. Then Jesus turned to the disciples and asked directly who they said He was.

Who answered? Peter.

What was Peter’s answer? The Messiah.

Read Matthew 16:17: 

Jesus was pleased with Peter’s answer because it wasn’t based on what others said, only on what God had revealed to him. How do you think Peter felt? Happy, proud.

Soon after, Jesus told His disciples that He would suffer and die. Peter scolded Jesus and said it would never happen! What did Jesus say?

Read Matthew 16:23:

How do you think Peter felt now? Totally wrong, sorry, embarrassed.

Jesus said that this time Peter did not hear truth from God—Peter had based his answer on his own human thinking. Peter gave two answers—one completely right and one completely wrong. It’s an example of how much we need the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us! 

What if Jesus asked you the same question: “Who do you say that I am?” What would you answer? Allow time for children to answer.

If you don’t know how to answer, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about Jesus to you. Also, please come to me after class, because I would be happy to talk about this with you.

OPTIONAL DISCUSSION FOR GRADES 4–6

Today, there is an amazing amount of information on the internet, TV, and in books. Much of it is based on human wisdom and opinions instead of God’s truth in the Bible.

If you did a search on the internet or asked friends at school who Jesus is, you would get many different answers—like the ones the disciples shared with Jesus. So, how can we know what is true and what is false?

God gave us the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us! 

It’s now time for the Discipleship Challenge where you will be challenged to focus on living for Jesus rather than yourself.

Jesus said we should pick up our crosses and follow Him. This means we should do and say the things He wants us to, rather than what we would choose to do on our own. And that’s what our Discipleship Challenge is all about!

Display the sample craft. Give each child a Follow Jesus Challenge; children’s scissors; pencil; glue or tape; three roundhead paper fasteners; and crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers. First, have children use their pencils to personalize the figures to look like them, then lightly color the pieces, leaving the text visible. Have them carefully cut out all of the pieces on the page. If you did not pre-cut the slits or punch the holes before class, you may need to assist children in doing so. Demonstrate how to fold and assemble the base, place the crosses in the slots, and attach the figures to the base. Be ready to assist any children with special needs.

Hold up the craft. This challenge helps us learn what it means to give up our own ways, to take up our crosses, and follow Jesus.

Rotate the figure beside Cross #1 so that it is hidden behind the base. When you move the figure of the person behind the cross, it represents dying to yourself and crucifying your old life to let Christ live in you. Then, as Jesus said, pick up your cross! Remove Cross #1 and carry it in your pocket or purse all day as a reminder that you are following Jesus’ example instead of your own desires. Let’s read what the first cross says. Live for Christ. Galatians 2:20. 

Your first challenge is to read Galatians 2:20 every day and try to memorize it. If possible, discuss the meaning of the verse with your family. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you act and speak as Jesus would. Remember, Jesus did not come to earth to please Himself; He came to serve God and others.

If time permits, look up and read Galatians 2:20:

Take this craft home and place it where you will see it when you have breakfast every morning. Carry the cross with you in your pocket or purse during the day as a reminder to follow Jesus’ example. Next time, I’ll ask who remembered to do this challenge—and what happened when you did!