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 called “Zacchaeus.” In today’s lesson, we will learn how Zacchaeus turned from his sins and vowed to do things for people that most would think impossible. Now, let’s stand and praise Jesus, the One who forgives and takes away all of our sins!
Play Video Song: Free (2 minutes)
Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.
Free Music Video
SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)
Our SuperTruth today is: “I will turn from my sins and follow Jesus.” Let’s say that together: “I will turn from my sins and follow Jesus.”
Raise your hand if you ever traveled one way on your bike or skateboard and then changed your mind and made a U-turn to head the opposite direction. Children respond.
Imagine being Zacchaeus. You start out like any other day collecting taxes; then, Jesus calls your name, and everything changes. What you cared about most no longer matters. That is what our SuperTruth is all about. Let’s watch a short version of our Bible story about Zacchaeus and his encounter with Jesus. If you have seen it before, Jesus says that Zacchaeus is a true son of someone. Listen carefully for who that person is.
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 ancient Jericho, where they meet Zacchaeus. People despise him for being a tax collector for Rome, so they are amazed when Jesus reaches out to him, and Zacchaeus is saved and transformed. The children learn that Jesus came to seek and save every lost person.
Condensed Bible Story
Let’s say that you are a person in the crowd following Jesus. Zacchaeus is trying to get closer to Jesus. Do you think you would help him? Why or why not? Children respond.
Would you join in with the crowd who shouted insults and unkind things to Zacchaeus? Please explain. Children respond.
Do you think that you would feel you had more of a right to see Jesus and have Him as a guest in your home than Zacchaeus? Why or why not? Children respond.
Consider how Zacchaeus was in a tree next to the road. Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd. The Bible says that Jesus reached the spot and stopped, then looked up to see him. How do you think Jesus knew Zacchaeus was in the tree, and how did He know Zacchaeus’s name? Jesus knows everything; He is God.
Jesus knows everyone’s name. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. (See Luke 19:10.) He knows those who He came to earth to forgive and save!
Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)
In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about the town of Jericho and tax collectors in the time of Zacchaeus. 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
Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic
The 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 1 John 1:9:
What does this verse tell us that we must do before being forgiven? Confess our sins.
God could just forgive our sins automatically. Why do you think He wants us to confess our sins to Him? He wants us to acknowledge and be aware that we have sinned against Him. He wants us to be truly sorry. He wants us to come to Him, knowing only He can forgive our sins. If He automatically forgave us, we would take it for granted and not appreciate what Jesus does for us.
How does it make you feel to know that we can trust Jesus almost all of the time to forgive our sins? Children respond, hopefully correcting you. Really?
Let’s read the verse together. 1 John 1:9:
You caught my mistake! We can always trust Him 100% of the time. He will never fail us!
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, thank You for sending Jesus to seek us and call us each by name to come and follow Him. We know that when we sin, we can trust Jesus to forgive us and take our sins away! We praise You and thank You, Jesus, and it is in Your precious name we pray, Amen.
Have you ever done something wrong and wanted to “bounce back” and do it the right way? There are many times we would like to start over again and forget what just happened. The game we will play in Small Group will literally let you “bounce back!” Let’s go play!
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.