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 and welcome everyone! Today we begin a new Superbook adventure called "Jesus––Friend of Sinners." Speaking of friends, Joy must make a hard decision when she is invited to a party by one of her old friends. Now, let's watch the video and see what that is all about.

Play Video 2: Intro to Bible Story(6 minutes)

Joy is excited to have a whole new set of Christian friends. But when an old friend invites her to a party on the same day as a church event, Joy isn't sure what to do. Is it okay to hang out with unsaved friends?

Intro to Bible Story

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

What project were the children working on? Baking treats for the mission trip fundraiser.

Why did Joy's good friend Jolie show up at the door? They had plans to watch movies together.

What did Joy realize after Jolie left her house? She felt like she didn't fit in  with her old friends after becoming a Christian.

Joy asked whether it was wrong to hang out with Jolie since she wasn't a Christian. What do you think? (Children respond.)
Today’s SuperTruth is “Jesus invites all people to come to Him.” Let's say that together.

I think the SuperTruth helps answer the question we just discussed. Jesus spent time with all kinds of people. 

Let's watch the second part of the video to see what Joy decides.
We will also see how Jesus chose to spend time with people who others thought were sinful and unworthy.


Play Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution

(17 minutes)

Superbook takes Joy, Chris and Gizmo to witness three Bible stories: the parable of the great feast (banquet), the calling of Matthew the tax collector, and the woman caught in sin. Joy is surprised to see Jesus spend time with sinners, tax collectors, the poor, and those with disabilities. She decides to become more like Jesus by following His example.

Bible Story and Resolution

Video Discussion (1 minute)

At Simon's dinner, Jesus said that when you give a party, don't ask those who will invite you back or repay you. Instead, what kind of people should you invite? The poor, injured, lame, blind, etc.

Jesus reached out with love to people, especially those who faced challenges and couldn't do anything for anyone else. We should always reach out with Jesus' love to others ––including those who are not like us and people who don't seem likely to follow Him.

Play Video 10A: SuperVerse Graphic

The graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

10A: SuperVerse Graphic

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

In Jesus' parable of the great feast, the people who were invited made excuses not to come. Today's SuperVerse is what the master said after so many people didn't accept his invitation. Let's say Luke 14:23 together:

His master then told him, "Go out along the back roads and fence rows and make people come in, so that my house will be full."

The master in this parable represents God. Today, there are many ways to stay busy and avoid God's invitation to follow Him. Even so, He still continues to call all people to come to Him.

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.

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Dear God, we don't ever want to be too busy to answer Your call. Please help us look for opportunities to invite people to meet Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.

Raise your hand if you have ever tried to juggle objects such as balls or oranges.
In Small Group today, you will have a chance to juggle something very different––your time! Let's go find out how the game is played!

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.