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 to the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Zacchaeus.” Have you ever heard someone say, “Some people never change”? This is not true for anyone who belongs to Jesus! Let’s stand and praise the only One who can make all things new 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 today is, “Jesus changes my life and makes it new.” Let’s say the SuperTruth together. “Jesus changes my life and makes it new.” If you are a follower of Jesus today, can you share something that changed in your life after you asked Him to be your Lord and Savior? Children respond.
Consider sharing something that changed in your life when you became a believer. What changes do you think that people saw in Zacchaeus’s life following his encounter with Jesus? He gave to people instead of taking from them. He became an honest man. He wasn’t greedy and selfish.
When someone begins their new life with Jesus, do you think they will immediately look and act differently? Please explain. Children respond.
When we begin our new life in Christ, our physical appearance will not change. The immediate change takes place invisibly in our hearts. As we learn more about what pleases God by learning His Word in the Bible, we will begin to change the way we think and act. We will be filled with His love and desire to do His will and to serve others.
Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)
If most or all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, omit it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.
Let’s watch a short version of the video about Zacchaeus. If you’ve already seen it, watch and listen carefully for the name of another tax collector whose life was changed by Jesus.
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
Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic (1 minute)
The graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.
10C: SuperVerse Graphic
SuperVerse (2 minutes)
Our SuperVerse today is 2 Corinthians 5:17:
What do you think it means to belong to Christ? Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We try to live as He does, according to God’s Word, and not as the world tells us to live. We don’t belong to the world anymore. God is our Father, and we are Jesus’ disciples.
What do you think that it means that the old life is gone? We don’t live selfishly any more. We live to please Him and to do His will.
Do you think it means that we can’t be with our old friends? No, unless someone causes us to be disobedient to God or to sin. We must choose friends wisely, but we also need to try to introduce them to God and live in a way that they can see Jesus in us.
Jesus came to save the lost. He did not just hang out with those who acted like Him and believed in Him. We must live in such a way that we influence those around us for Christ and not the other way around.
Let’s say the SuperVerse together. 2 Corinthians 5:17:
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If any children are not able to memorize the entire verse, be sure they understand its meaning.
Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)
Let’s watch the Signposts video to see how Jesus connected with Zacchaeus. Through this encounter, we can better understand how Jesus wants to be with us.
Play Video 6: Signposts Video (4 minutes)
Signposts Video
Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)
Let’s pray before we move to Small Group. Dear God, it is so exciting to learn that when we become followers of Jesus, we begin a new life with a new purpose! Help us to read Your Word every day and follow the direction of Your Holy Spirit so we can fulfill all You have planned for us in this new life! In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
In Small Group today, we are going to play a game about change—not one, but two kinds. Let’s go see what this game is about!
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.