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)

Hello everyone and welcome back! How many of you love Christmas?

I’m especially excited after being reminded last week that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season. Let’s worship Him as we sign Joy to the World.

Play Video 11: (Song) Joy to the World (3 minutes)

Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along and do the motions with the children. They may clap and do freestyle movements during the animation sections.

Joy to the World

SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)

Our SuperTruth for today says “I want Jesus to be Lord of my life.” Does anyone know what Lord means?

Lord means master or ruler. When we submit to Jesus’ Lordship—to His power and authority in our life—we allow Him to lead our lives according to God’s will. We can trust Jesus with our lives because He knows everything about us—inside and out!

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.

Last time, we saw how Chris was too busy to help his family set up the nativity scene. Now, for the children who weren’t here last time, we are going to watch a short version of our Superbook story to see how Chris learned the true meaning of Christmas. For those of you who have seen the full video, watching this short version will help refresh your memories!

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (9 minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to ancient Bethlehem to meet Mary and Joseph. There, they experience the true meaning of Christmas—the gift of God’s Son, Jesus.

Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)

What was God’s gift that He gave to the world? His Son, Jesus.

How do you think this influenced Chris to give his gifts away?

Let’s watch our Bible Background video to learn more about King Herod, the Wise Men, and the town of Bethlehem in Bible times. When Gizmo asks a question in the video, wait for him to suggest some answers, then shout the one you think is right!

Play Video 5: Bible Background (9 minutes)

Bible Background

Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic 2

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 2

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Let’s say our SuperVerse, Isaiah 9:6, together:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

That’s a lot of names for Jesus—and there are many others in the Bible as well! Let’s have the girls say the first sentence of our SuperVerse, and then the boys say the second sentence—as loudly as you can! Children say the verse.

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Dear God, thank You for sending Your gift of Jesus, who is all things to us—Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Next, you will play a game about the symbols of Christmas in our Small Groups. Go have some fun!

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.