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)
Hello everyone! Today is the second lesson of our Superbook story, “John the Baptist.” John the Baptist was actually a cousin of Jesus! God chose John to prepare the way for Jesus by calling people to repent of their sin. Does anyone remember what it means to repent? Turn away from sin and turn toward God. Let’s spend some time now in praise and thankfulness to God for His many blessings as we sing and do the motions to 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.
Play Video 11: (Song) 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (3 minutes)
Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along and do the motions with the children. They may clap and do freestyle movements during the animation sections.
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
SuperTruth and Discussion (1 minute)
Our SuperTruth today says: “I want more of Jesus and less of me.” Let’s say our SuperTruth together. Children say the SuperTruth. This means that we choose to have less of our own sinful nature and more of God’s spiritual nature. As we allow God’s Spirit to have more control of our lives, we become more and more like Jesus.
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.
In our previous lesson, does anyone remember the big decision that Chris faced? He was tempted to use some video games that his game partner, Sam, had illegally downloaded.
For the children who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version to see how John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry here on Earth. For those of us who have seen the full video, let’s try to think of areas in our lives where we need Jesus to increase.
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.
Discussion (1 minute)
Do you believe that all people, no matter their ages, need to have more of Jesus in their lives?
How do you think it would feel to be John the Baptist and have Jesus come to you to be baptized?
Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)
Sometimes John the Baptist is called John the Baptizer. To learn more about the time and place he lived, let’s watch our Bible Background Video. When Gizmo asks a question in the video, wait for him to suggest some answers, then call out the one you think is right!
Play Video 5: Bible Background (8 minutes)
Bible Background
Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic 2
Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat verse.
SuperVerse Graphic 2
SuperVerse (1 minute)
Let’s say our SuperVerse together. John 3:30:
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John the Baptist was a very powerful preacher and had many followers. Even so, John recognized that Jesus was much more important. Jesus is the Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world! Usually people hope to become more and more important—but John understood that the opposite needed to happen. As Jesus’ ministry grew, John’s ministry would decrease. Instead of being jealous of Jesus, John understood and accepted the fact that he would become less important.
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.
Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)
Let’s pray: Dear God, thank You for sending John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. We pray that You will increase more and more in our lives, while our own sinful nature becomes smaller and smaller as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let’s go to our Small Group where you will play a game called “Less of Me.” Are you ready to see what the game is about? Go have some fun!
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.