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 (1 minute)
Welcome back to the second lesson of our Superbook adventure titled “Nicodemus.” In today’s lesson, we will learn what Jesus told Nicodemus must happen for anyone to enter the kingdom of God. God has made a way for all of us to enter His kingdom. This is one of the many reasons to praise Him. So let’s stand and do that right now!
Play Video Song: Celebrate Your Victory (3.5 minutes)
Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.
Video Song: Celebrate Your Victory
SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)
Our SuperTruth today is based on something very important that Jesus said: We must be born again. Let’s all say it: We must be born again.
Raise your hand if you can hardly wait to grow up so you can do more and more exciting things. Children respond.
Raise your hand if you want to become a baby again. Children respond.
When Jesus said we must be born again, did He mean that we literally have to become tiny babies again? Raise your hand if you think no. Children respond. Raise your hand if you think yes. Children respond.
Let’s watch a short version of our Bible story about Nicodemus and find out what Jesus really meant by being born again. If you have seen it before, watch and listen carefully to name the two animals described in the Bible passage that a young man reads in the Temple.
Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)
If all children watched the Bible story video in the previous lesson, you may skip it here and go straight to the Bible Background Video.
Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (10 minutes)
Superbook takes Chris, Joy, and Gizmo to Jerusalem, where Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader, secretly meets with Jesus. The children learn that everyone must be born again to see the kingdom of God, and Chris prays for salvation.
Condensed Bible Story
Discussion (2 minutes)
The leader of the Pharisees invited Jesus to a meal at his house. The Bible says that everyone who attended watched Jesus closely. Do you think that they wanted to learn from Him or to criticize Him? Why? To criticize Him. They wanted to see if He would break one of their religious laws; they wanted to find some fault with Him.
The Pharisees had noticed how popular Jesus was and how large crowds were following Him. His teachings often clashed with their traditions. At the meal, what did Jesus do that broke one of their traditions? He healed a man on the Sabbath day.
What did Nicodemus call Jesus when they met alone? Rabbi. Rabbi means teacher. Nicodemus said that He knew God had sent Jesus to teach them.
What did Nicodemus say was evidence that God was with Jesus? His miracles or miraculous signs.
Imagine all that was going through Nicodemus’s mind as he met with Jesus. Nicodemus was a respected teacher and leader of the Pharisees. He knew Jesus was sent by God, yet many of Jesus’ teachings were contrary to traditions that Nicodemus had believed for many years!
Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)
In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about Nicodemus and the religious leaders of that day. Be ready for Gizmo’s questions! Wait for him to give some answers, then call out the one you think is right!
Play Video 5: Bible Background (7 minutes)
Bible Background Video
Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic
Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.
10B: SuperVerse Graphic
SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)
The SuperVerse today is John 3:3:
Nicodemus was very surprised to hear Jesus say this was necessary to enter God’s kingdom. Jesus is very clear. Being born again is not just one of many ways to see the kingdom of God—it is the only way!
Let’s say this verse together: Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If they are not able to memorize the entire verse, be sure they understand its meaning.
Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, we praise You for making a way for all of us to enter Your kingdom. The way is not through our own goodness or our good works—it is only by believing in Jesus that we can be born again spiritually and begin a new life in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
In Small Group today, you will roll marbles off the end of a table. That doesn’t sound very challenging, does it? Just wait and see what you need to roll the marbles through! Let’s roll!
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.