Leader Guide

Teaching

Three Signpost Cards
Three sheets of card stock or paper
Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
GizmoNote (optional take-home note)

Discipleship Challenge Materials:
Love Cover Page for children who missed the previous lessons
Cardstock––1 sheet for each Love Cover Page
Sample craft made in Lesson 1

Make copies of the three Signpost Cards onto cardstock, in color or black and white.

Place the cards in a pile face down, Card #1 on top.

Optional: Print the GizmoNote, one per child to take home after class.

Make double-sided copies of the Discipleship Challenge materials for children who missed the previous lessons; see Lesson 1 for details.

Have a child select the first Signpost Card and read it aloud. Tape the card up or prop it against a wall so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the other two Signpost Cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1 Stephen Followed Jesus' Example

Who is on this signpost card? Stephen

The leaders were so angry that they shouted and covered their ears. Why? They couldn’t stand hearing the truth about Jesus.

What did Stephen do as He was being stoned? He asked God to forgive them.

Who was Stephen imitating by responding in love? Jesus.
Stephen imitated Jesus’ behavior and forgave the men as they stoned him to death. What supernatural things did Stephen experience? His face began to shine brightly like an angel’s face; he saw heaven open and Jesus standing at God’s right hand.

We must be careful who we choose to imitate or follow. What do many people in the world do when someone hurts them? They take revenge and get even.

That’s why the world notices when Christians show love and mercy if they are hurt!

When we choose to respond in love, we become a light in the darkness. John 1:5 says:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

Stephen’s accusers could not put out the light of Jesus in him!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Acts 6:15:

At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel's.

Acts 7:56 (CEV)

“Then Stephen said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!"

Acts 7:60 (CEV)

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Signpost 2 God’s Message Is for Everyone

When Jesus was betrayed and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see two opposite responses. What are they? Peter cut off the man’s ear. Christ healed him.

The human response is to attack those who hurt us. The godly response is to love them.

Jesus chose to follow God’s plan instead of calling on angels to defend Him. When the soldiers first approached Jesus and His disciples, Jesus said, “I am He.” The men instantly dropped to the ground, helpless! (See John 18:6.) Jesus’ Words could defeat and destroy those who came against Him. Jesus had all of heaven’s power in His hands, yet He responded in love.

Once when Jesus and His disciples were traveling, the Samaritans refused to allow them to rest and travel through their city. Does anyone know why? The Samaritans and Jews were enemies.

Two of Jesus’ disciples asked permission to call down fire from heaven to destroy those Samaritans. Is this what Jesus taught us to do? NO!

Jesus would not allow it. He did not come to destroy people; He came to save them.

Another time, Jesus told a story where a Samaritan was the hero—then Jesus told everyone to follow the Good Samaritan’s example! This made the Jewish leaders really mad! Yet Jesus came to save ALL people, not just people who are like us or who seem nice.

When Jesus was put on trial, one of His closest friends denied knowing Him. Can you guess who? Peter.

What would you do if you were in serious danger, and your best friend said he didn’t know you? Children answer.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, did Jesus tell Peter, “I’ll never speak to you again!”? No.

Jesus showed love and forgiveness, and gave Peter a new purpose in life!

Even as Jesus hung on the cross, He didn’t focus on anger or revenge; His thoughts were on forgiveness and love for His enemies. Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (See Luke 23:34 (NKJV).)

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 26:52-54:

Put away your sword," Jesus told him. "Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don't you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?

John 18:4-6:

Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to Him, so He stepped forward to meet them. Who are you looking for? He asked. "Jesus the Nazarene," they replied. "I AM HE," Jesus said. (Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them.) As Jesus said, "I AM HE," they all drew back and fell to the ground!

Luke 9:54-55 (CEV):

When the disciples James and John saw what was happening, they asked, "Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy these people?" But Jesus turned and corrected them for what they had said.

Luke 10:36-37:

"Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."

John 18:25-27:

"Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, "You're not one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "No, I am not." But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Didn't I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?" Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

John 21:15-19:

¹⁵After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “You know I love You.” “Then feed My lambs,” Jesus told him. ¹⁶Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “You know I love You.” “Then take care of My sheep,” Jesus said. ¹⁷A third time He asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.” Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep.” ¹⁸“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow Me.”

Luke 23:34:

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Signpost 3 Salvation in Jesus Is for Everyone

Did you know that we all have been enemies of God at one time or another? We have denied Him or disobeyed His Word, and that is called sin. Through God’s plan for Jesus to die and be resurrected, He provided a way for us to be forgiven. (See Colossians 1:21.)

It is as simple as believing in Jesus and all He did for us. Through His death and resurrection, we are saved, and our sins are washed away! Because of this, we are empowered and commanded to love and forgive one another, even our enemies!

Ephesians 4:32 says:

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 6:12(NKJV):

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

1 John 1:9:

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Romans 10:9:

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 5:10:

For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son.

Now it’s time to put this into action with our Discipleship Challenge!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed the previous lessons a Love Cover Page. Show children the sample craft made in Lesson 1 and have them assemble the craft at home.

Use the model craft as you discuss the challenge.

Lead a discussion asking children to share their experience with Challenge #1 and #2.

Allow any volunteers to say 1 Peter 4:8 or Proverbs 10:12 from memory.

Open the flap on the craft. For Challenge #3, you will continue to put Matthew 5:44 in action.

1. In the Challenge #3 middle block, write down any offenses, struggles or troubles you have.

2. Look up and read Matthew 5:44; or even better, memorize it and say it aloud. Write down a short prayer asking for God’s strength to help you endure and overcome any offenses. Each day read Matthew 5:44 or say it aloud from memory to begin your prayer time. Ask God to help you forgive everyone!

3. The last step is to fold over the last flap on back page and read the Challenge #3 verse—Proverbs 17:9. Can anyone tell what folding over this flap represents? Covering the offense in love and offering forgiveness instead of paying someone back for the offense.

If possible, try to memorize Proverbs 17:9.

Optional: Since this is the last challenge, you may choose to read and discuss the meaning and practical application of Proverbs 17:9 now.

Proverbs 17:9:

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.