Leader Guide

Teaching

Tags:
Discipleship Challenge materials for children who missed previous lessons:  
  • Craft materials
  • Sample craft made in Lesson 1

Copy the two Signpost Cards onto cardstock, if possible, in color or black and white.

Give the Discipleship Challenge materials to children who missed previous lessons; see Lesson 1 for details.

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

Jesus Is Amazing: God sent His Son to save us.

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  Jesus Is All We Need

Can someone tell me what just happened in this scene on the Signpost Card? Jesus healed a man who was blind.   

During Jesus’ ministry time on the earth, He taught people about being a part of God’s kingdom. He often healed people who were sick or had a physical affliction. Raise your hand to tell me a miracle of healing that you saw in the video. He healed a crippled man; He healed a blind man; He healed a woman in the crowd who reached out and touched His robe; He healed a child who couldn’t walk.

Jesus also fed hungry crowds in miraculous ways. Speaking of amazing things Jesus did, what miracle took place in a fishing boat? Jesus told Peter and the other fisherman to let down their nets into the water after they had fished all night and caught nothing. They caught so many fish that their boats almost sank.

These were just a few of His miracles. The Bible tells us that Jesus performed many more miracles. Here is what Jesus’ disciple John said in John 21:25:

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

Jesus performed miracles to meet people’s needs, bring God glory, and show that He was sent from God. (See John 2:11.) 

Jesus spoke God’s blessings over the crowds that followed Him. He gave hope to those who endured suffering and trials for following Him by promising them a great reward in heaven. 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6   

John 2:11:

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.

Luke 6:21b–23a:

21b"God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. 22What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven."

Luke 6:17–19

17When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of His followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. 19Everyone tried to touch Him, because healing power went out from Him, and He healed everyone.

Acts 10:38

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.

Signpost 2 Jesus Came to Seek and Save

Jesus did many important things in this world; however, the most important thing He did was to die on the cross to save us from our sins. We all need to be forgiven and cleansed of sin! Jesus knew that His mission in this world was to seek and save those who are lost.

Did you know Jesus sees us even before we see or seek Him? What was Nathanael doing when Jesus saw him? He was sitting under a tree.

Jesus knew all about Nathanael before he knew who Jesus was. Jesus knows about each one of you, too. In fact, He knew you before you were born, and He has good plans for your future! (See Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11.)

Jesus invites us to join Him, just as He called the disciples to follow Him. He seeks us and calls out to us so we can begin our journey with Him and fulfill God’s wonderful plans for our lives!

Jesus willingly came down from heaven and gave up everything for us—sacrificing His life for our sins. Then, He rose from the grave to defeat death so we could have eternal life with Him in heaven. Are you willing to accept His free gift?

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6   

Romans 5:8

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

John 1:47–48

47As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” 48“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

Philippians 2:5–8

5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, 8He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

1 Corinthians 15:56–57

56For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:9

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

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

Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge. The challenge last time was to learn 1 Peter 3:15. Would anyone like to try and say it from memory? Children respond.

You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

When we live for Jesus in our brand-new life and love others as He did, people will notice that we are different. Because of this, they will ask questions. We must always be ready to share about our hope in Jesus! Was anyone able to share their hope with someone? Children respond.

Let’s look at the last challenge on our fishing license. Choose someone to read Fish #3. Serve and share the Good News. Ephesians 3:7.

Optional: Read and discuss Ephesians 3:7 with the class:

By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving Him by spreading this Good News.

Sharing the Good News is not a burden; it is a privilege and a unique opportunity given to Jesus's followers. Think of that— what an honor! He has chosen us and given us the power to serve Him by sharing the Good News with others! Continue to pray for one another as we serve Christ, and keep looking for opportunities to share your faith with others!

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