Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome to the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Paul Keeps the Faith.” The Apostle Paul faced many hardships as he boldly shared the Good News. During these times, Paul knew Jesus was present with him as well as having prayers and support from fellow believers. It’s comforting to know that we have a friend who is always ready to help us in difficult situation. Who is that friend? Let’s shout His name! Jesus!

Jesus is present now and will be with us forever. Let’s stand and praise Jesus now for His free gift of eternal life, 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)

Jesus will help us in times of trouble. He wants us to come to Him, and we can trust that He will never turn us away. (See Hebrews 4:16.)

Since we have received Jesus’ love, strength and help, what do you think He wants us to do for others? Show the same to others; help others.

 

We should always look for opportunities to help others and to share Jesus’ love with people. When Jesus sent His disciples out to preach and heal others, He said in Matthew 10:8:

 

Our SuperTruth today is, “I will encourage and help others because Jesus helps me.”

Let’s say it together; “I will encourage and help others because Jesus helps me.”  

     

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 Paul the Apostle as he faced many hardships but still kept the faith. If you have seen the video, Julia told Chris and Joy that Paul’s letter of encouragement spread like wildfire because the believers who read or heard it did two things. Listen closely for what those two things are, then be ready to name them in Small Group.     

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (10 minutes)

Superbook whisks Chris, Joy and Gizmo to Rome during the Great Fire. They meet the Apostle Paul, who fearlessly proclaims the Gospel despite persecution and suffering.

Be sure to preview this video, as certain scenes may be too intense for some children.

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 John 16:33:

If you were told to take heart; what would it mean to you? Children respond.    

To take heart means to be encouraged; to be filled with hope and to be optimistic. Jesus did not tell people what they WANTED to hear, He always spoke what they NEEDED to hear—the truth. It is the same today. Jesus said we will experience trials or hardships in this world. However, He wants us to be encouraged because He has overcome the world! There is nothing that we will face that is greater than His love, His power, and His will to save us!     

 

Let’s say John 16:33 together.  

 

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 learn about how Jesus suffered and even died to help us so we can live victoriously, have salvation, and be filled with joy!       

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 Jesus, You didn’t say that life would be trouble free in this world; in fact, You told us that there would be many trials and sorrows. Yet we have hope because You have overcome the world! Thank You for Your love and Your presence in our lives. You are always available to help us when we come to You. Help us do the same for others. In Your name we pray, Amen. 

 

It’s time for Small Group, where you will play a game to give what you receive. Let’s go find out how to 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.

Balloon Game

Pass it on! Play a game to illustrate the SuperTruth.

In Large Group you were asked to listen carefully for two things believers did with Paul’s message. What were these two things? They copied it, they memorized it.       

 

Reading and placing God’s Word deep in our hearts is essential for all believers. It helps us endure difficult times and be ready to share His Word with others to encourage and help them!

 

You might think at your age that you don’t have much help or encouragement to give—yet that is far from the truth. You can help and encourage others by sharing God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, salvation message, wisdom from His Word, and kindness, etc.

 

Hold up the balloons. These balloons represent just a few of the many things that we receive from God through Jesus. God is generous with us so we can be generous with others. In this game, you will receive a balloon and then immediately give it to the person next to you.

Divide the children into two equal teams—ideally eight or fewer children. If teams are unequal, a leader can play. 

Have the teams form separate lines. The teams will face each other, with several feet between them.    

The players of each team will stand next to each other, about an arm’s length between players.

Place a box at each end of both lines.

Place two JESUS HELPS balloons on the floor at one end of each team’s line.

Place one I HELP and one I ENCOURAGE balloon in the remaining box for each team.   

Give a paper plate to each player.

Round 1 (easier):

On both teams, the player next to the JESUS HELPS balloon box puts one balloon on his/her plate, shouts the words on the balloon, and then carefully passes it to the next player’s plate. That player shouts the words and passes the balloon to the plate of the next player, and so on. The balloon is received and given this way until it reaches the player at the other end of the line. That player shouts the words, then slides the balloon from the plate into the box.  

As soon as the first player passes one balloon, another balloon is immediately put on the plate to pass again.

If a balloon falls to the floor at any time, it must be picked up by the player and put back on the plate to resume play.    

Once both JESUS HELPS balloons have been passed down the line and put into the box, the last player reaches in the box and places the I ENCOURAGE balloon on his/her plate and passes it in the opposite direction to the end of the line and into the box. As soon as the first player passes the I ENCOURAGE balloon, the I HELP balloon is immediately put on the plate to pass.

The first team to put the I HELP balloon in the box at the opposite end wins.   

Round 2 (harder):

Both end players on each team start a balloon at the same time, shouting the word on the balloon. Players continue passing balloons from both sides and shouting the words. When two balloons meet in the middle, players must shout the words and exchange the balloons by tossing one in the air and catching the other simultaneously. The rest of the game play is the same.

Conclusion: Jesus is ready to help us; all we need to do is come to Him and ask. Because Jesus freely helps us, we can show our gratitude and love to Him by freely giving to others what we have received.  

 

In our Signpost Teaching today, we’ll learn more about how Jesus endured suffering and pain to give us the greatest gift we could ever receive and give to others!              

Teaching

Signpost 1  Hardships Will Come

Who is on this Signpost card? Paul.

 

Where is Paul in this picture? In prison.

All people face hardships and suffering; even Christians. In the Bible, Jesus said that God gives sunlight to both evil and good people and sends rain to both the just and unjust. (See Matthew 5:45.) At times, things that happen may seem unfair, especially to good people. Most likely, we all have questioned why tragedies or other bad things have happened to someone in our family, at school, or in our church. This was not God’s plan for His creation—sin brought pain and suffering into the world.  

Jesus doesn’t want us to be surprised when we face adversity and hardship. He never promised that we would avoid them. Instead, He told us we would face not just a few, but many! However, He also said that we can experience His peace and joy as we overcome them through His help and love. (See John 16:33.)

After becoming a follower of Christ, the Apostle Paul experienced much pain and suffering throughout His ministry. Yet Paul knew that through his hardships and weakness, Jesus’ power was made perfect. (See 2 Corinthians 12:7–8.) Imagine singing praises to God in prison; Paul did, and the other prisoners heard him! (See Acts 16:25.)  

We would be wrong to think we should escape all kinds of suffering, when people like Paul and Jesus suffered in this world. Jesus said a servant is not greater than the master; and, since He was persecuted, we will also be persecuted. (See John 15:20.)    

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6  

John 16:33: 

John 15:20:

“Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you.”

2 Corinthians 12:7–9:

⁷Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. ⁸Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. ⁹Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Signpost 2  Jesus is Faithful

This picture is of Paul in prison. What is different about this picture compared to the picture in Card #1? Jesus is with Paul.

Hardships and suffering are not something we look forward to; however, the exciting part is that we do not have to go through them alone. Jesus is faithful and will go with us through them all.

Raise your hand if you ever had a friend or family member stick with you through a tough circumstance. Children respond.

Would anyone care to share what it meant to you? Children respond.

God tells us that He will never fail us or abandon us. (See Hebrews 13:5.) Jesus said He is with us always, even until the end of the age. (See Matthew 28:20.) 

Jesus was betrayed and abandoned by His closest disciples in the garden as He prayed and when He was arrested. This didn’t surprise Him—He knew beforehand that it would happen! Even with a broken heart, He endured suffering, pain, persecution, and death on the cross because of His love for us! Jesus chose to be faithful and obedient to His mission as part of God’s master plan even when it meant dying such a horrible death as an innocent man. (See Matthew 26:36–49, 58, 69–75; Luke 22:31–35.)   

2 Timothy 2:13 says:

If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Hebrews 2:18:

Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested.

 

Matthew 28:20:

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

 

Matthew 26:56:

“But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Matthew 26:36–49:

³⁶Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and He said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” ³⁷He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and He became anguished and distressed. ³⁸He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

³⁹He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” ⁴⁰Then He returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with Me even one hour? ⁴¹Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

⁴²Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” ⁴³When He returned to them again, He found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

⁴⁴So He went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. ⁴⁵Then He came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Up, let’s be going. Look, My betrayer is here!”

⁴⁷And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet Him with a kiss.” ⁴⁹So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave Him the kiss.

Signpost 3  Jesus overcame the World

Can you tell me what Jesus is doing in this picture after He rose from the dead? He is going back to heaven, He is ascending to heaven.

Death could not hold Jesus down! He chose to come to the earth; and after completing His mission, He rose again to be with God in heaven. He is there today, sitting at God’s right hand on the throne! He is ready, willing and able to help us live victorious lives by His power! We have nothing to fear because we are conquerors through Christ! Jesus conquered sin and death so we can have victory in this world and forever in heaven with Him! 

Paul said in Romans 8:18:

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.

 

Because of all that Christ did for us—we want to fulfill our mission in this world to spread the Gospel and help and encourage others as He did!   

Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:5:

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6  

Romans 8:17–18:

¹⁷And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. ¹⁸Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.

2 Timothy 4:5:

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

Romans 8:37:

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 

1 Corinthians 15:55–57:

⁵⁵O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? ⁵⁶For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, it’s time for the Discipleship Challenge where we will learn the last two pieces of God’s invisible armor so we can be a conqueror through Christ! 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give any child who missed the previous lessons the appropriate Conqueror Page and an Armor of God 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.

 

The challenge last time was to learn two new pieces of God’s invisible armor. I would like two different people each to name one piece we learned last time. Shoes of peace, Shield of faith.  

 

You had one other important challenge to do daily; what was that? Pray.

  

Who gives us an inner peace that the world can’t give us? Jesus. 

 

According to the verse you learned, how can our shield of faith help us be a conqueror? It can help to stop the fiery darts of the devil.  

 

Would anyone like to share an experience from the challenge? Children respond.

 

Hold up the Conqueror Page. We will continue with our challenge to learn and apply the last two pieces of invisible, spiritual armor God gives us to help us be conquerors through Christ!

 

Since this is the last lesson of this course, if time permits, read and discuss the next two pieces of armor in Ephesians 6:17:

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

When you have completed this challenge, glue the two pieces to the Conqueror Page. We will discuss your experience next time we meet!

SuperVerse

Superbook Volley: Memorize the SuperVerse with a group activity.

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

 

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.

Prayer

Friend Prayers: Communicate with God.

Have the children stand in a large circle.

 

This world can be filled with pain, sadness and disappointment. This wasn’t ever God’s plan for us; however, sin changed that. Not even followers of Christ can escape these things. We know because Jesus told us this in today’s SuperVerse, John 16:33. Yet in the same verse, Jesus told us to take heart; in other words, cheer up, there is hope. The hope doesn’t come from this world—it comes from Him!

Can anyone say today’s SuperTruth from memory? “I will encourage and help others because Jesus helps me.”

 

As Christians, we are to be on the lookout for opportunities to encourage and help one another. One of the best things we can do for someone who is going through a hard time is to pray for them. To know that someone is supporting you in prayer can bring comfort, strength, and hope. 

In today’s prayer time, I would like us to pray to encourage and to strengthen one another. We can’t always know what someone is going through. Often people carry hurts, disappointments, and pain inside while showing a smiling face on the outside. 

Let’s close our eyes as we pray silently for those across from us. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray. He can bring a Bible verse or words to your mind to pray for someone. Most importantly, pray from your heart in your own words.

Allow children time to pray silently for about 30 seconds to a minute, then close in prayer.    

Dear God, thank You for being a light and a source of hope and encouragement for us in this world. We cannot escape the difficult times, yet we can take heart knowing that You have overcome this world. 1 John 4:4 tells us that the Spirit who lives in us is greater than the spirit who lives in the world! Let us always be ready to remind and encourage one another with these words. In Jesus’ overcoming name we pray, Amen!   

 

 

Review Game

Overcoming Review: Play a game to review the Bible story.

In this review game, you will answer true/false questions about “Paul Keeps the Faith.”

Paul kept his faith and stood firm on the truth of God’s Word. In this game, you will have a chance to stand for the truth, too!

I will read a true/false question to a player from each team. You will stand on one of the plates to answer true or false. Ten points are scored for each correct answer. 

You will also have another chance to score points by rolling marbles to knock over dominos. The dominos represent difficulties, troubles, and trials we may face that can be overcome through Christ.   

Once a question has been answered. The players will have a chance to roll two marbles, one at a time, toward the dominos to knock them over. One point is scored for each one knocked down.   

Divide the class into two teams. They do not need to be equal.

A player from each team stands behind the mark. Give each player a set of T/F plates.

Have the players place a TRUE plate on the floor to their right side and the FALSE plate on the floor to their left side. 

Ask the same review question from the list to both players. Feel free to add your own questions.

Players answer the question by choosing to stand on one of their plates; true or false.

Ten points are scored for a correct answer, no points for an incorrect answer.   

Ask the teams to tell you the correct answer for any false question or bonus question. Discuss, as time permits.

Then, each player is given two marbles to roll toward the dominos.     

The two players will retrieve the marbles they rolled and then give them to the next players.        

The team with the most points wins.

If all the dominos are knocked down before the game ends, stand them up again and continue play.

Questions and Answers

1. T/F: The emperor named Nero supported Paul and his teachings. (False—he arrested and persecuted Paul and many Christians.)

 

2. T/F: Paul only wrote letters to his mom. (False—to all Christians or believers in Christ.)    

3. T/F: We are more than conquerors through our human intelligence and strength. (False—through Christ or the love of Christ.)    

 

4. T/F: When our faith is tested, our endurance has a chance to grow. (True.)

 

5. T/F: The Christians were to blame for starting a fire in Rome. (False—Nero was to blame.)

 

6. T/F: Christians were persecuted and suffered greatly in Rome. (True.)

 

7. T/F: Paul’s letters were written on rolled up papyrus and called manna. (False—scrolls.)

 

8. T/F: John 16:33 says that the world will overcome Jesus. (False—Jesus overcomes the world.)    

 

9. T/F: The Praetorian guards were Roman soldiers who served the Emperor Nero. (True.)

 

10. T/F: Nero’s guards agreed with Paul’s message and helped him escape from prison. (False—they followed Nero’s orders.) 

 

11. T/F: In the Bible story, the emperor Nero was playing a timbrel or tambourine. (False—a lyre or harp.) Bonus: What Old Testament Israelite king played a lyre or harp? (King David.)   

 

12. T/F: Nero used parakeets and toucans in the arena called the Circus Maximus. (False—Bears, lions, and other wild animals.)

 

13. T/F: Paul trusted a woman named Phoebe to deliver his letter to Christians in Rome. (See Romans 16:1–3.) (True.)

 

14. T/F: Thousands of Christians were arrested, persecuted, imprisoned, and even killed in Rome because of their faith. (True.)

 

15. T/F: Paul never suffered or went to prison. (False—he often suffered and was imprisoned in Rome and other places.)

 

16. T/F: Paul wrote that many things can separate us from Christ’s love. (See Romans 8:35–37.) (False—nothing can separate us.)    

 

17. T/F: Today’s SuperTruth says that we should discourage and annoy others. (False—encourage and help others.)   

 

18. T/F: According to today’s SuperVerse, believers will avoid all kinds of trials. (False—we will have many trials and sorrows.)

   

Craft Activity

Take Heart: Assemble a picture symbolic of Jesus overcoming the world.

Give a Take Heart Page, plus half sheet of cardstock, scissors, and glue stick to each child. If you made black and white copies, you may give crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers for children to share as they color their crafts.

Have children assemble their crafts in the suggested order below:

1.    Use scissors to cut out the heart and the world.

2.    Cut apart the two strips of four emojis, then cut apart each square.

3.    Apply glue to the back of the world and position it in the middle of the sheet of cardstock and about an inch from the right edge of the sheet.

4.    Apply glue to the back of the emojis and then press each firmly onto the world (face up). 

5.    Apply glue carefully only to the back of the rectangle on the side of the heart (not to the heart itself). Place the heart (writing up) over the world so it is completely covered, then press firmly on the rectangle on the side of the heart so it sticks to the cardstock.

6.    After the glue dries, fold the heart back along the edge of the rectangle to see the world with the faces underneath.   

As children assemble their crafts, lead a discussion about what each emoji may represent to them. See the key below for suggestions. However, children may think of entirely different emotions.

1. Angry, mad. What might be something that would make you angry in this world? Being teased or treated unkindly, an injustice, having something stolen, being lied to or betrayed, losing or breaking something. 

 

2. Injured, hurt. What might cause an injury? A fight, playing sports, falling, wiping out on a skateboard or bike.    

 

3. Sick or ill.

4. Sorrowful or sad. What might happen to cause you to cry, be sorrowful or sad? Disappointment from receiving a low grade, or not being chosen on a team, a friend or family member moves away, a person or pet you love becomes ill or dies, a favorite team loses a game.

 

5. Fearful or worried. What might cause us to be fearful or worry? Moving to a new city or starting a new school, being rejected by others, being made fun of, doing something wrong or disobeying, sinning, conflict, or quarreling. Home situations, taking a test. A disaster or catastrophe, or emergency situation. Learning someone is missing or lost.  

 

6. Heartbroken. What might cause a broken heart? Someone betrays or turns their back on you. Someone calls you names or treats you cruelly, a divorce, or a friend moves away.      

 

7. Shocked. What might cause us to be shocked, surprised, or in disbelief? Learning someone has been injured or become seriously ill. Someone says something about you or another person that is difficult to believe. A disaster, or catastrophe.   

 

8. Tired or Bored. What might cause us to be tired, exhausted or bored? Being too busy, doing too much, or doing the same thing too long and not doing something challenging.

Conclusion: I would like everyone to carefully turn back the heart to reveal the world and emojis of your craft. Now, please repeat after me. Children repeat.

 

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.”

 

Now, please turn the heart over to cover the world and repeat after me. Children repeat.

 

“But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

 

Who said this? Jesus.

 

Take this craft home as a reminder that we can overcome anything we face in this world when we rest and trust in Jesus, who gives us hope, strength and peace.   

Overcomer Game

Jesus Makes the Difference: Play a matching game about overcoming the world.

On the back of each world card is a word representing something that we have through Jesus to help us overcome the world. You will each turn over two world cards on your turn, which represents overcoming the world or turning it upside down through Jesus love and power!

Have the children sit in small groups of 2–4 children in the circle on the floor or at a table. 

For each group place the 18 cards in the middle on the floor or table, “world” side up. The cards can be scattered or placed in rows of four or six. Each group will play their own matching game. On a turn, a player turns over one card and shows it to the group. The player then chooses a second card to try and match the two cards. If the cards match, the player keeps the cards. If the cards do not match, they are turned over again in the same location (“world” side up). The next player then takes a turn the same way. Proceed this way until all six sets are matched. When a blank card is revealed, it remains in play and visible (blank side up) for the remainder of the game. Reshuffle and play again if time permits. Have children play in a reverse order from the previous game; the person who played last, plays first.  

Conclusion: Jesus provides us with all we need to not only survive in this world but to conquer and overcome it!

Bible Activity

Helped to Help! Discuss verse about giving to others what Jesus gave to us.

This is not a race, Children who aren’t as familiar with the Bible can be paired with an experienced Bible user or children can look up verses alone. Give each child or pair a Bible. Read the Bible reference and have children look up the verse. Have children discuss what we receive from Jesus and then what the Bible instructs us to do with what we have received.  

Depending on time, children can take turns reading one or both verses for each discussion. And, for each topic, consider asking the children if they have received this from God or if they have ever given it to someone.  

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

  

1. Receive—Philippians 2:5–7:

 

Christ left heaven and came to earth for our benefit. What did Christ choose to do for us? He humbled Himself and came down from heaven to be a servant (slave) to us. He did all of this for us, not for Himself. He had everything and gave all of it up for us.      

 

Give—Romans 15:2–3a:    

 

Jesus lowered (humbled) and sacrificed Himself to raise us up; what can we give in return? Live for others, live unselfishly, not just to please ourselves, we can look to help and build others up in Jesus.

 

2. Receive—Matthew 11:29:

 

Give—Galatians 6:2:

Jesus lightened our burdens; we no longer must carry the weight of the law and sin. What can we do for others in gratitude to Christ? Share their burdens, help them, share the Gospel so they too can be relieved by Christ of sin and guilt.  

 

Name one way we can share someone’s burden? Pray for their need, pray for them. Offer to help them with it in some way.  

 

3. Receive—Acts 10:38:

 

What was Jesus filled with? The Holy Spirit and power; God’s anointing.

 

What did Jesus do? He went around doing good and healing people oppressed of the devil.  

 

Give—Proverbs 3:27: 

 

What are we to do for people who are in need? Do good to them; help them when we are able.

 

Optional: Give—Matthew 10:8:

 

Jesus gives us the power to help those who are afflicted by the devil. He tells us to freely give what He has given us! 

 

4. Receive—John 12:46:

 

What did Jesus come to give us? Light in the darkness of this world.  

 

To remain in the light of Jesus, what must we do? Trust in Him.

 

Give—Philippians 2:15:

 

How does this verse instruct us to live? Cleanly and innocently, as children of God.

 

What do we become for others when we do? Shining, bright lights. We become lights like Jesus in a dark world.

 

5. Receive—John 3:17:

 

What did we receive from God through Jesus? Salvation.

 

What did Jesus NOT come to do? Judge us.

 

Give—Mark 16:15:

 

We received salvation through Christ; what does He want us to give in return? Share the Good News with everyone so they can receive Christ and be saved, too.    

 

Optional: Give—Luke 6:37:

 

What two things does Jesus say we are NOT to do? Judge others, condemn others.

 

What will happen if we do? The same thing will come back on us; we will be judged as we judge.

 

What else do we find to do for others in this verse? Forgive.

 

What does God do for us when we forgive others? He forgives us.

 

6. Receive—Romans 8:39:

 

What did we receive from God through Christ? Love, unconditional love, unfailing love, love that cannot be taken from us, a love that remains true no matter what happens.  

 

Give—John 15:12:

 

Christ loves us unconditionally. He even loved His enemies who mistreated Him. What can we give others? Unconditional, unfailing love.    

7. Receive—1 John 1:9:

 

What do we receive from Christ? Forgiveness

 

What must we do to receive His forgiveness? Confess our sins to Him.

 

What does He do as part of His forgiveness? He cleanses us.

 

How can we be confident that He will always do this? He is faithful and just and He can’t lie.    

 

Give—Ephesians 4:32:  

 

What must we do for others that Christ continually does for us? Forgive them.

 

Name some other things in this verse we can do to help others by showing God’s love? Be kind, be tenderhearted.

 

What do you think it means to be tenderhearted? To be compassionate and consider other’s feelings; to show kindness, gentleness, and have a caring attitude.  

 

8. Receive and Give—2 Corinthians 1:3–4:  

 

Receive—Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV):

 

What do we receive at God’s throne? Mercy and grace; help when we need it.

 

Give—Matthew 5:7:  

 

How does God bless us? He blesses us by showing mercy to us.

 

What is His blessing a response to? To us showing mercy to others.

 

Conclusion: Because Jesus helps us, we should follow His example by freely sharing what we receive from Him to help others as we have been helped!