Leader Guide

SuperVerse

Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
Round balloons, one per two children
Bibles or the Superbook Bible App

Blow up the balloons and tie them closed.

Write the SuperVerse on the top of the board in large letters to cover the board so children can read the board as they play.

John 16:33:

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Superbook Volley: Memorize the SuperVerse with a group activity.

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together: John 16:33:

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Have you ever heard someone say, “it was smooth sailing”? This means that something was completed without any difficulties or problems; everything went smoothly and according to plan.

If you have ever been in a boat when the water was choppy and rough with tall waves, you know it gets pretty bumpy and you get tossed around. It’s a challenge to keep the boat on course.

Some people think that when they become Christians that everything will be smooth sailing. The trials and troubles will instantly disappear. In the SuperVerse, Jesus was very clear—we not only will experience trials and sorrows, we will have MANY!

Jesus experienced opposition, persecution, troubles, and sorrows. He experienced disappointment and hurt as His closest friends turned their backs on Him in His darkest hour. After Jesus returned to heaven, His disciples experienced persecution, suffering, and rejection; many of them died for their faith. We should not expect to have an easy life, but we can trust that Jesus will be with us through everything we face. We can experience inner joy and peace even in the most trying times. In the end, we win; Jesus has overcome the world!

Divide the children into teams of 2–4 children. Try to form teams with different ages and genders. Have each team face the board and stand in a line several feet away from the other teams and parallel to the board. This is so players can read the verse as they play. Players of each team should space themselves so there is about 3 feet between each player.

Give one balloon to an end player on each team. The players will bat the balloon in the air to the player next to them and shout the first word of the verse at the same time. The second player will shout the next word of the verse and bat the balloon to the third player and so on. Once the balloon reaches the other end of the line, it travels back without interruption in play in the opposite direction until it reaches the player who began the process. Play continues in this way until each word of the verse has been shouted in order. The team that does this first wins. Play continues until a first and second place team completes the verse.

If a balloon touches the ground, that player picks it up and play immediately resumes from that point. A player may bat the balloon as many times as necessary to complete a “pass” to the next player.

Conclusion: As followers of Christ, we can take heart knowing that regardless of what happens in our lives, Jesus has overcome this world including temptation, sin, sorrow, and death!

If children cannot memorize the SuperVerse, be sure they understand its meaning. Remind them to keep working on the verse at home.