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 called “Jonah.” The more I learn about the story of Jonah, the more I learn about God’s loving mercy. God cared about the city of Nineveh and about His disobedient prophet, Jonah. In today’s lesson, we are going to discover that God demonstrated the depth of His mercy by sending His only Son to die on the cross to save us from our sins! Let’s stand up to thank and praise Him for His endless mercy as we sing The Salvation Poem. While we sing, let’s really think about how God shows His mercy to us each day and how we can share His mercy with others.
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: “God showed His mercy through the cross.” Let’s have the girls shout the first part of the SuperTruth, “God showed His mercy” and then the boys shout the last part, “through the cross.” Are you ready? Let’s go!
That was wonderful! Let’s do it one more time and switch so the boys go first. Ready? Go!
Yes, God is merciful. He sent His Son into the world to sacrifice His life on the cross so our sins can be forgiven and we can live with Him forever in heaven.
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.
Who remembers why Joy did not want to show mercy to the girl at school? The girl stole a bicycle and bullied other children.
Now, for the children who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version of the video. If you’ve already seen it, look for ways that the people of Ninevah showed that they were sorry for their sins.
Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (9.5 minutes)
Condensed Bible Story
Superbook takes Joy, Chris and Gizmo to meet Jonah, who is swallowed by a great fish as he resists God’s plans to show mercy to wicked people. The children learn to show God’s forgiveness even to those who don’t deserve it.
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 (2 minutes)
Our SuperVerse, John 3:17 (cev), says:
“God did not send His Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent Him to save them!”
Let’s all say it together.
What does the word condemn mean?
Condemn in this verse means to pass judgment. When Jesus came to Earth, His mission was to save people—not to pass judgment and punish! Let’s say the SuperVerse together again.
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.
Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)
It is time for our Signposts video to learn how the story of Jonah points to the life and death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Play Video 6: Signposts Video (4.5 minutes)
Signposts Video
Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)
Let’s pray before we move to our Small Groups. Dear God, thank You for showing mercy to us each and every day. We especially thank You for sending Jesus to die for us on the cross so we can escape judgment and receive eternal life! In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Today in Small Group, we are going to play a fun review game about the story of Jonah and God’s mercy! Let’s go!
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.