Leader Guide

Teaching

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Copy the three Signpost Cards onto cardstock if possible, in color or black and white. Make copies of Mission Ship Craft for any children who missed the previous lessons. See Lesson 1 for details.

Follow the Leader: Discuss how the disciples modeled Jesus to others.

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 other two Signpost Cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1: Encourage and Serve

As believers, we should try to represent Christ in all that we do. 1 John 2:6 (CEV) says:

If we say we are His, we must follow the example of Christ.

Let’s look at some ways that the disciples followed Jesus’ example. Paul, Barnabas, and the other disciples did many miraculous and wonderful things. By doing these miracles, the disciples were being examples of Jesus. Who remembers some miracles that Jesus did? He healed the sick—including people who were blind, deaf, crippled, and who had leprosy. He walked on water, calmed the storm, and cast out demons. He turned water into wine. He multiplied a few loaves of bread and fish to feed thousands of people. He raised dead people to life again—the He rose from the dead Himself!

Barnabas encouraged and lifted up other believers. What does his name mean? “Son of Encouragement.”

What did Barnabas do for Paul when he first became a believer? Barnabas brought Paul to the apostles and told them how Jesus had appeared to him on his way to Damascus and about how Paul had become a believer. He told them how Paul had begun to preach boldly about Jesus.

Even though John Mark abandoned the mission, what did Barnabas do for him? He gave him a second chance and went on another mission.

Jesus also gives people second chances! While Jesus was on trial for His life, one of His closest friends denied even knowing Him! Do any of you know who that person was? Peter.

How would you feel, if you were going through a very scary time and one of your best friends pretended not to know you? Lonely, sad, betrayed, forgotten, unloved.

Even so, Jesus forgave Peter. And do you think Jesus forgives us? Yes.

No matter what we’ve done, we only need to confess it to Him, and He forgives us. We always have a second chance with Jesus!

It was important to Paul and Barnabas to return to places where they had preached the Gospel so they could encourage the new believers. Jesus tirelessly encouraged His disciples and prayed for them. Jesus not only prayed for His disciples, but He also prayed for everyone who would hear the Gospel and become a believer—that includes us! (John 17:20).

Jesus showed His followers how to serve by being a servant Himself. He says in Matthew 23:11 (NLT):

“The greatest among you must be a servant.”

Paul, Barnabas, and the other disciples followed His example and humbly served others. And we, too, should be like Christ and humbly serve others.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT):

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Acts 4:36–37 (NLT):

36For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. 37He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

Acts 14:21–22 (NLT):

21After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
Signpost 2: Opposition Will Come

Sometimes, when we follow Jesus, we face opposition to the Gospel. Can you name some ways that the disciples faced opposition as they shared the Good News? Elymas, the governor’s sorcerer, opposed Paul and Barnabas and questioned the miracles that Jesus performed. The religious leaders opposed the disciples’ message and forbade them to preach about Jesus.

The disciples were often mocked, laughed at, arrested, and even persecuted for their beliefs. How do you think they reacted? Children answer.

Let’s read the answer in Acts 5:41 (NLT):

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

Jesus faced rejection, suffering, and even death, yet He submitted to God’s plan so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life. If we share the Gospel with people and they laugh, should we get angry and upset? No.

What should we do instead? We should pray for them, continue to show love, and trust God.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Luke 9:22 (NLT):

"The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things," He said. "He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day He will be raised from the dead."

Matthew 5:43–45:

43"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."

Matthew 5:10 (NLT):

"God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."

Philippians 2:8 (NLT):

He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.
Signpost 3 Share the Good News

The disciples followed Jesus’ example by preaching the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ. Do you remember what the apostles did when they were released from jail by God’s angel? They went to the temple and preached to the people as the angel had commanded them to do.

Even though they were ordered to not preach about Jesus, they obeyed God instead of the religious leaders.

Jesus wants everyone to follow Him, yet, He told us very plainly that it takes sacrifice and commitment. He told His disciples in Matthew 16:24 (NLT):

“If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me.”

To believe in Jesus is to follow His example, in encouragement, in service, and in telling others the Good News. Jesus said that the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Will you choose to follow Jesus and work in His harvest?

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 5:24 (NLT):

"I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”

Luke 10:2 (NLT):

These were His instructions to them: "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields."

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Who was able to do the challenge from the last lesson? Children respond.

Would you like to share how it felt to encourage others? Children share.

Did anyone memorize Philippians 2:4? Can you say it now?

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

It is easy to focus only on ourselves, but if we do this, we miss opportunities to help others. Paul wrote in this verse to be aware of other people and what is going on in their lives. When we do that, the Holy Spirit can show us a way to encourage and help them by demonstrating God’s love.

Give the Mission Ship Craft to children who missed Lessons 1 and 2, so they may assemble it at home. Hold up the sample craft. Would someone please read our mission challenge for Lesson 3 on the sail? Share—Read Romans 1:16 and share the Good News.

Paul and Barnabas took the Good News to many places; those who believed were saved by the power of God. God has entrusted us with this same mission. Your challenge now is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with at least one person before this class meets again. The second part of your mission is to read Romans 1:16 and try to memorize it. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage and boldness to share the Good News and to prepare someone’s heart to receive it. God’s power is nothing to be ashamed of; it is something to shout about!

Optional: Read Romans 1:16 (NKJV):

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.
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