Leader Guide

Teaching

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Discipleship Challenge materials

  • Sermon on the Mount Lighthouse Craft—one per child who missed Lesson 1
  • Cardstock—one page per child who missed Lesson 1
  • Sample craft made in Lesson 1
  • Bibles or the Superbook Bible app

Make one copy of each Signpost Card. Stack the cards in order (1–3, from top to bottom). Gather Discipleship Challenge materials for children who missed the previous lessons. Make copies of the Lighthouse Craft on cardstock. See Lesson 1 for details.

Walk the Talk: Discuss how Jesus lived out what He taught.

Have a child select the first Signpost Card and read it aloud. Prop up the card so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the other cards.

Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Card #1: Live and Love

Jesus didn’t just say how to live; He showed us by example. In the first week’s SuperVerse, Jesus said that when we listen to and do what He says, we are wise. He went on to compare this to building a house on a certain kind of foundation; what is it? Solid rock.

What kind of foundation does a foolish person build on? Sand.

Jesus taught that we should love not only those who love us but also those who don’t! Many times on earth, Jesus displayed God’s love by being kind to His enemies. When the Roman soldier asked Jesus to heal his servant, did Jesus refuse? No, He healed him.

How did Jesus display the ultimate example of loving His enemies to us? While He was dying on the cross, He prayed that God would forgive those who crucified Him.

What a powerful example to us when we are offended or mistreated! The Bible tells us that Jesus did many good deeds while in this world. Acts 10:38 says:

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

What was His motivation; did He like all the attention? No, Jesus taught us not to bring attention to ourselves and to do our good deeds in private or in secret. Jesus led by example. He sometimes told the people He healed not to tell anyone.

Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to spend time with His Father. Many misunderstood His mission and tried to make Him an earthly king! Yet Jesus remained humble and desired to do only what God told Him to do and say.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Mark 7:36:

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more He told them not to, the more they spread the news.

Luke 5:14–16:

14Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, “Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” 15But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of His power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear Him preach and to be healed of their diseases. 16But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

Matthew 6:1–4:

1"Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

John 4:34:

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His work.”

Card #2: Meekness—Not Weakness

Jesus taught and modeled how to show compassion and comfort to people who are sad and in mourning. He came alongside Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died. The Bible tells us that Jesus even wept at Lazarus’s tomb. Jesus didn’t just talk about sorrow and pain; He experienced them!

John 11:35–36 says:

35Then Jesus wept. 36The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much He loved him!”

The Bible also tells us that Jesus mourned or wept over the lost people of Israel. Jesus showed us the true meaning of meekness. Do you remember from the Signpost video what the translation for the Greek word “meek” is? Children respond.

It means power under control. Even when Jesus was under extreme pressure and confronted by His enemies, Jesus remained in control.

1 Peter 2:23 says:

He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

In the garden, Peter was out of control and reacted violently to those who came to arrest Jesus. Peter even cut off a soldier’s ear with a sword! Jesus scolded Peter and in Matthew 26:53–54 said:

53 “Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? 54But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Jesus showed us the importance of meekness in accomplishing God’s will in our lives, no matter what we face.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 23:37:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me.”

Card #3: Be the Light

Jesus taught us to trust God rather than be filled with fear. In the midst of a storm on the sea, Jesus slept peacefully. When the disciples were terrified and woke Him, Jesus said in Mark 4:40 (ESV):

“Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Yes, Jesus was a light in the stormy darkness. And, in troubled times, we can be, too! Even when facing death, Jesus placed His concerns in God’s hands and remained obedient to God’s will over His own.

Jesus came into the world to be a light and to show us the way to salvation. Jesus calls us to be lights in the darkness. We are to love, obey, and trust, as He did on earth.

By our words and actions, we can shine His light and point the way to salvation for others.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 6:25–34:

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. 34So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Luke 22:42:

“Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”

Philippians 2:15:

So that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

Now, it’s time for the Discipleship Challenge, where we will continue to build our houses on a solid foundation.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the Discipleship Challenge materials to children who missed previous lessons; see Lesson 1 for details. Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge.

Was anyone able to read some verses or chapters in the book of John? What are some things you remember from your reading? Children answer.

For this lesson’s challenge, you will need to look up and try to memorize the verse written on the top of the lighthouse. Will someone read that verse? Matthew 5:16

This verse really sounds familiar, like the last challenge did. Do you know why? It’s today’s SuperVerse!

Optional: read and discuss Matthew 5:16 with the children.

“Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

The last part of this challenge is to continue reading the book of John in the New Testament. Continue to read a few verses or a chapter each day. Think about the words Jesus is saying and try to apply them.

When we do good deeds for the right reason, God is pleased. What is the right motivation? To show God’s love, to point to God, to bring praise to God.


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