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 (2 minutes)
Welcome back for the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “John the Baptist.” John prepared the way for Jesus to bring us God’s salvation. Because Jesus died for our sins on the cross, we are part of God’s Kingdom here on Earth and then in heaven forever! So let’s stand up and praise God as we sing The Salvation Poem.
Play Video 7: (Song) The Salvation Poem (3 minutes)
Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along with the children.
The Salvation Poem
SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)
Our SuperTruth for today is: “Because of Jesus, I can be great in God’s Kingdom.” Let’s have grades 1–3 shout the first part of the SuperTruth, “Because of Jesus” and then grades 4–6 shout the last part, “I can be great in God’s Kingdom.” Are you ready? Let’s go! “Because of Jesus, ... I can be great in God’s Kingdom.”
That was great! Can you do it again even louder? Yes!
Go! “Because of Jesus, ... I can be great in God’s Kingdom.”
We can become great in God’s Kingdom not through anything we do on our own; it is only because Jesus died for our sins and rose again. When we ask Him to be our Lord and Savior, we have the power to do great things in His kingdom!
Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)
If all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, omit it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.
If you were here for the previous videos, why didn’t Joy think Chris should play the new video games he was given? They were illegally downloaded, which means they were stolen.
Today, we are going to watch a short version of the video. If you’ve already seen it, look and listen for the answer to this bonus question: John said God could make children of Abraham from what? You will have a chance to answer the question during Small Group Game Time.
Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (10 minutes)
Condensed Bible Story
Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. John preaches a message of repentance to the crowds, and fearlessly confronts King Herod about his sin. The wicked queen plots revenge by having her daughter dance to entice the king then ask for John’s head as her reward. John faithfully chooses to follow God, and the children learn they can point others to Christ.
Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3
Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat verse.
SuperVerse Graphic 3
SuperVerse Discussion (2 minutes)
Our SuperVerse, Matthew 11:11, says:
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!”
Let’s all say it together. Children say the SuperVerse together.
Who said these words in our video today? Jesus.
Can you think of some reasons Jesus may have said this about John?
John the Baptist is also called John the Baptizer. He came as a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus. Yet this verse tells us that we can be greater in the Kingdom than John. Why? The answer is in our SuperTruth that we learned before our video. What does the SuperTruth say? Because of Jesus, I can be great in God’s Kingdom.”
We will discuss this more in our Small Group time.
Now, let’s say the SuperVerse together again. Matthew 11:11:
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!”
Note: Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times, while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.
Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)
Let’s watch our Signposts video to learn how the life of John the Baptist points to the life of Jesus Christ.
Play Video 6: Signposts Video (5 minutes)
Signposts Video
Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)
Let’s pray before we move to our Small Groups.
Heavenly Father, thank You for John’s courage, for his humbleness, and for his willingness to prepare the way for Jesus. Help us to humbly obey You, and fill us with Your boldness to tell others the good news about Jesus. In His name, Amen.
Today in Small Group, we are going to play a fun review game to recall the important things we learned in the story of John the Baptist.
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.