Teaching

In With the New: Discuss what it means to have a new life in Christ.

In the Superbook Adventure, who did Pastor Aaron tease about being baptized? Gizmo.

When the children were baptized, did they just float on a raft on the surface of the water? No, they went completely underwater.

The word "baptize" comes from the Greek word baptizo, meaning to be submerged or immersed, usually in some type of liquid—in this case, water. There are two main meanings of the word: 1. A covering or sprinkling of liquid. 2. Immersion or submersion, which results in a change.

That reminds me of our SuperVerse. Let’s read it from the board together: Colossians 2:12: 

Baptism is an outward symbol or representation of the change that takes place in a believer’s heart. Do people look different on the outside after they’re baptized? Children answer. 

No, except for being wet! It is an inner supernatural work that only God can do in someone. When people are baptized, they proclaim to the world that they now belong to Christ and have begun a new life in Him! To be baptized is a powerful statement and witness to all.

In the game we just played, did you just put your old card on top of the pile, so it was still visible and easy to pick up again? No, we buried it; it was hidden.

To be buried with Christ means that our old life dies, and He raises us up to begin a new life. You had to let go of the old card before you could pick up the new card. You cannot hold on to both and truly follow Christ!

Open the classroom door and stand sideways in the doorway—half in and half out. Raise your hand if you think I am in the classroom. Children respond. Raise your hand if you think I am out of the classroom. Children respond. There is not a right or wrong answer because I am part way in and part way out.

Raise your hand if you have heard the saying, “Out with the old, in with the new?” Children respond. It means to leave old things, ways, or ideas behind and start fresh. This is what is meant by being made new in Christ. Some people try to hold on to their old selfish ways and at the same time follow Christ—something like me in the doorway, half in and half out.

Step dramatically into the classroom but leave the door open. Jesus wants us to be “all in” with Him. He wants us to completely surrender our old life and let Him make us brand new! When we are “all in,” we no longer live for ourselves—we live for Christ and to serve others. We no longer serve sin because Jesus sets us free to live a life pleasing to God.

Romans 6:7 says:

Our lives won’t completely change in an instant. Yet, the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, gives us the power to make wise choices, change our old habits, ways, and thinking, and resist temptations.

Pick up the suitcases. When Jesus called His disciples, did they pack their bags and rent a trailer to haul their fishing boats behind them? No, they left everything to follow Him. (See Luke 5:11.)

They left everything; they were “all in!” Step all the way into the room and shut the door behind you. They shut the door on their old lives to follow Jesus. 

Colossians 3:1–2 says:

When we choose to follow Jesus, and our new life begins, our minds change. Instead of seeking the things of the earth that we can see with our physical eyes, we begin to seek the things of God that we can only see with our spiritual eyes. We become brand new in Christ. We begin an exciting journey and have nothing to fear. God is working in us and for us, so we can accomplish His plan for our lives.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6:

Now it’s time to go to our Discipleship challenge, where we are fishing for a special kind of catch.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed Lesson 1 a Fishing License craft. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home.

Be prepared to assist any children with special needs.

Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge. The challenge last time was to learn Luke 10:2. Who would like to say it from memory? Children respond. Luke 10:2:

What is God’s harvest, and what does this license give us authority to do? Fish for people!  

Were you able to tell someone about Jesus? If so, would you like to share about that? Children respond.  I hope you were able to spend time in prayer each day. We need to pray for each other and for God to send others to be fishers of people! There can never be too many people fishing in God’s kingdom!

Let’s look at today’s challenge. Have a child read Fish #2 aloud. Be ready at all times—1 Peter 3:15.

Have you ever seen someone fishing, and it looked like they fell asleep while waiting for a fish to tug on the line? Children respond.

It’s easy to fall asleep while waiting. But we don’t want to be napping when we fish for people—Jesus wants us to be ready at all times!

For this challenge, continue to pray for each other and for God to send more workers or fisherman out into the world to share the Gospel. Also, read and memorize 1 Peter 3:15. Then, listen to the Holy Spirit and be alert to opportunities to share about Jesus with others. Tell them what He has done in your life, such as giving you hope, courage, or joy. We will discuss your experience next time we meet!