Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Hello and welcome! Today, we begin a new Superbook adventure titled “Love Your Enemies.” Have you ever been in a crowd and been separated from your family or friends? How did you feel? I panicked; it made me nervous and afraid.

The good news is that no matter where we are or what we do, there is someone who we can never, ever be separated from! We will learn more about that a little later. But first, Chris is trying out for the all-star soccer team, and not everyone is happy about it! Let’s watch.                

Play Video 2: Chris and Joy’s Dilemma (4.5 minutes)

Chris and Joy's Dilemma

Chris is on the church’s soccer team and has a shot at making the regional All Stars. When he is harassed for being a Christian, he wants to fight back against his persecutors.

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Today’s SuperTruth is “Nothing can separate me from God.”

No matter what people do to us or what they think about our beliefs, it will never change the fact that we are God’s children, and He has a wonderful purpose for our lives. 

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “Nothing can separate me from God.”        

Let’s see what happens with Chris—and also how Jesus and a faithful man of God named Steven dealt with the people who wanted to hurt and kill them.                  

Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution (19 minutes)

Bible Story and Resolution

*Caution: In following the biblical narrative, this video may be too intense for some children. Be sure to preview it before showing the class. You may also want the parents to see it before showing it to their children. If you wish to use a slightly less intense version, you may play the Condensed Bible Story (Video 4), followed by Chris and Joy’s Resolution (Video 8).  

First, Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to see that when Jesus is arrested, He is still willing to heal a soldier whose ear is cut off by Peter. Next, they see Jesus in agony on the cross, praying, “Father, forgive them.” Then they witness Stephen quoting Jesus' words of forgiveness as he is brutally stoned to death. The children learn to trust God when being mocked or persecuted. Returning to the soccer tryouts, Chris helps the boy who mocked him and has an opportunity to talk about Christ.

Video discussion

When people are mocked or even killed for their faith, that’s called persecution. What did Chris see on his Superbook adventure that changed his mind about getting even with Kane? He saw how Jesus and Steven were persecuted yet showed forgiveness.

What did Chris do that surprised Kane and the others at the soccer tryouts? He was kind to Kane and gave him an extra soccer ball so he could make one more shot to qualify for the All-Stars.  

Persecution and suffering were very common for Christians in Bible times, and it still happens today—in some places more than others. Yet no matter what people say about us and no matter what they do to us, it can never change our relationship with God. And as Chris saw, we must rise above it to show Jesus’ love to others

Play Video 10A: SuperVerse Graphic 1

Graphic loops 3 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 1

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Our SuperVerse today is Romans 8:39: 

Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isn’t it reassuring to know that absolutely nothing can cause Jesus to stop loving us? Nothing we could ever do, nothing that comes into our lives, no failure, carelessness, or disaster will change His choice to love us. Jesus will love us in all circumstances, no matter what!   

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, thank You for giving us everlasting peace and security through Your Son, Jesus. There is no reason to fear or wonder about our relationship with You. Even when it seems like something has spun out of control, Your love remains sure and true. Help us shine Christ’s light for others to see. In Jesus’ everlasting and mighty name we pray, Amen.     

Can anything separate us from God and Christ’s love? No!

Sometimes people THINK that things can separate us from God, but that’s not true! In the Small Group game, it’s up to us to remove those obstacles in a unique way!  Let’s go do that now!   

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.

Relay Game

Let’s try to say today’s SuperTruth together with our eyes closed: “Nothing can separate me from God.”

Optional: choose three volunteers to read Romans 8:35, 38, 39.  

In this Bible passage, the Apostle Paul listed more than 15 things that might cause us to wonder if God loves us.

Point to the sign and the domino wall. The sign represents God and the love of Christ. The dominos represent the things that may seem to separate us from God and His love—like a fence or wall! Now, in this game, we must remove these things to restore the truth about God’s love!  

We are going to work as one team in a relay game to remove the dominos in the fastest time. Now, this class looks like you are up for an even bigger challenge. Hold up a jumbo craft stick.
You will all work together for the fastest time. Are you ready to play?

Have the children line up behind the line or mark. Start the clock.

The first player walks quickly to the dominos, places one on the stick and walks carefully back to the line. If a domino falls to the floor, the player must return it to the stick and continue from that point. While walking, a player can only use one hand and must have the other hand behind his/her back. Continue until all the dominos are removed. Stop the clock and record the time.

Replace the dominos and play another round to try for a faster time.  

Optional: Play another round and use the standard size (smaller) craft sticks, or use additional dominos and have children balance two at a time on the jumbo craft sticks.

Conclusion: As believers, we will face many troubles that can trick us into believing we are separated from God. But the truth is that in Christ, we are forever connected to God’s unconditional love. Let’s learn more about this in today’s Teaching.

Teaching

Stephen was a godly man who was full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He was one of seven men chosen to serve as deacons in the church. They cared for people’s needs, such as making sure widows had enough food. Stephen also preached the Gospel and performed miracles.

Some religious leaders debated with Stephen, but they were no match for the wisdom that God gave Stephen. So they convinced some people to lie about him, saying that he preached against Moses and the Law, the Temple, and even God.

Has it ever seemed like you did everything right and still got in trouble? That happened to Stephen!

When we face persecution for our beliefs, does it mean we failed or did something wrong? No!

No, most likely, the opposite is true. Jesus said in Matthew 5:10–11:

¹⁰God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. ¹¹“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.”

As Stephen heard the people lying about him, his face began to glow as bright as an angel. Why do you think this happened? God’s glory and presence was with/on Stephen. The Holy Spirit within Stephen was showing.   

Full of God’s Spirit, Stephen fearlessly preached the truth; and as he did, the religious leaders got angrier and angrier! When he told them that he saw heaven opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, the leaders were even more furious! They dragged Stephen out to kill him. Did Stephen shout insults at them and blame God? No, he simply asked God to forgive the men who were persecuting him.

Who also responded this way as He was persecuted and put to death? Jesus on the cross.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give each child a Love Cover Page and a pencil. Display the model you made before class.

1. Have children write their names on the back of their page.

2. Have children carefully fold the right side of the page over the middle section at the dashed line.  

Use the model craft as you explain the challenge.

Open the flap on your craft. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for them. For this challenge, you are going take action on this verse.  

1. In the middle block, write down any troubles you have. 

2. For the next block, look up and read Matthew 5:44. Write down a short prayer to forgive anyone who has offended you. Ask for God’s strength to help you face these troubles. Each day read Matthew 5:44 before your prayer time.

3. The last step is to fold over the first flap on the back section of the page and read the Challenge #1 verse, 1 Peter 4:8. This is a reminder of what you have done. It represents covering offenses and persecution in love and extending forgiveness instead of seeking revenge or retaliation. Try to memorize this verse.  

Notice how once the flap is folded, you can no longer see the offenses or troubles because they are now covered. You have chosen to focus on God and Christ’s love instead of on your circumstances—just like Jesus and Stephen did! Next time we meet, you will have an opportunity to discuss your experience with this first challenge. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Children, if anyone is hurting you or doing something to you that they should not be doing, do not keep it a secret—even if that person made you promise not to tell anyone! You should definitely tell a parent, a teacher, or an adult you trust.

SuperVerse

Let’s look at the board and say the SuperVerse together. Romans 8:39:

The Apostle Paul wrote the SuperVerse in a letter to the Roman Christians who were being arrested and persecuted. Paul wanted to reassure them that regardless of the circumstances and situations, even if facing death, nothing could separate them from Christ.

To help us learn today’s SuperVerse, we are going to have fun acting it out!

Divide the class into groups of about four children each. Give them a couple of minutes to devise simple motions to act out the verse as they say it aloud. (If children are having difficulty, suggest that they make their hands into a heart shape to show “love,” put their arms out into the shape of a cross to show “Christ Jesus,” etc.) Then have each group “perform” the verse for the class. Be sure to clap after each group!

Prayer

Who can say the SuperTruth from memory? Nothing can separate me from God.

Sometimes when everything in our life is going smoothly, we may begin to drift away from God because we think we can handle things on our own. We may say, “I’ve got this!”

It is ironic that when things get tough because of trouble, or temptation, or persecution, or disappointment—that’s when we turn back to God! The Bible says that God is our very present help in time of trouble! (See Psalm 46:1 KJV.)  As followers of Christ, we are connected to God through prayer. It is our lifeline. If we turn to God, we will draw closer to Him and grow in our walk with Him.

In Paul’s letter that he wrote from prison to the Christians in Rome, he said in Romans 12:12 (CEV):

Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.  

Who was listening closely—where was Paul when he wrote this letter? In prison.

Even in the darkest, filthiest prison, Paul knew he was still connected to God. He was convinced that he could never be separated from the love of Christ. And because of this, Paul was able to look beyond his suffering to encourage others to stand strong in the midst of their trials and troubles!

Paul did not say that their troubles would make them glad—he said hope could make them glad in the midst of troubles. He said to be patient, then he ended by saying, “Never stop praying!” That is our connection to God! Prayer is how we sense that Jesus is with us and that He loves us, no matter what.

So let’s follow Paul’s instructions today.     

First, please close your eyes and think about seeing Jesus one day. Imagine a world without persecution and pain, sickness and sorrow. He will wipe away every tear! There will also be no more death! That is the way it will be when Jesus returns to Earth and makes all things new again. (See  Revelation 21:4.) That is how our hope makes us glad—to know that our world will be what God originally created it to be, and that we will live forever with Him in heaven. Allow children time to pray.

Next, Paul tells us to be patient in times of trouble. With your eyes closed, if there is any kind of trouble or trial you are experiencing, share it with God and commit to trust Him and His timing as He works in your situation to accomplish His will. Allow children a moment to pray.

The third thing Paul told us to do is to never stop praying! God does not tire of us coming to His throne in time of need.

Optional: read Hebrews 4:16:

To close the prayer time, say each statement below and then pause for the children to repeat it.

Soccer Activity

Joy and Chris were on the soccer team and competing to be chosen for the all-star team. How did they pass the ball back and forth to each other? They kicked it.

We are going to kick the ball to one another as we discuss today’s Bible story.   

This is a large group activity and game. Divide the children into two equal groups. A leader may need to play to even the teams. Have each group stand in a line, across from and facing each other, leaving at least 10–12 feet between the lines. 

Children should stand at arm’s length from the players on either side.

I will place the ball in front of a player at one end and ask a question about the Bible story. The player will answer quickly and then kick it to the player directly across from him/her. We will do this until everyone has had a chance to play at least once. Listen carefully before you answer and kick, I will ask a new question at different points in the activity. 

Give a ball to the first player at one end and side. Ask the first question. At different points in the activity, ask a new question. If any child is uncomfortable answering. The child may say, “PASS” and kick the ball to the next player.

Choose as many questions as you wish from the list or ask your own.

1. Using only one or two words, how would you describe Stephen in the Bible? Faithful, courageous, strong, spirit-filled, brave, bold, Disciple, Christian, God-fearing, committed.

2. In one word, how do you think Stephen felt when he was being accused before the council? Anxious, nervous, confident, bold, empowered, strong, determined, outnumbered, humbled.

3. In a few words what did you learn about God from the story? He sees us, He is near, He empowers us, He is our light, He is faithful, He loves us, He came to save, He forgives, He is merciful.    

4. How will you respond differently to persecution and troubles after hearing the story? Pray for others, be bold, endure suffering for Christ, speak the truth, forgive others, trust God, be patient.    

Optional Game: After the discussion, play a large group game to kick the ball using the same team alignment but instead, the teams will work together to achieve the best time without answering questions! Place the ball near the player at one end of the line, and that player will kick it along the floor to the player across. Keep doing this until the ball reaches the last player, who will kick it to a leader to stop the clock. Record the time and play again to try to do it faster each time.

Play a game with two balls. Start a ball at each end of the line to travel to the opposite end at the same time.

Important: instruct the players to stop the ball with a foot first before they aim and kick it to the next player. Record the time on the board and play again to try to beat it. 

Conclusion: Nice teamwork everyone! Put your hands out sideways and clap each other’s hands!            

Object Lesson

I’m going to read a verse that comes before our SuperVerse in the Bible, Romans 8:39:

Have the other volunteer stand, read PERSECUTION aloud, give it to you, and sit down again.
        

Another thing Paul lists, is PERSECUTION. At times, we may wonder if Christ no longer loves us when we suffer persecution, maybe it means He has left us all alone; is this true? NO!            

Look at the signs through the magnifying glass. Time permitting, allow the children to view them, too.

When you look through a magnifying glass at an object, what happens to it? It looks bigger.

Did the object itself actually grow? No, it only appeared to, it stays the same.

The reality is that when we focus on our present situation; it can become bigger or is magnified in our eyes or minds, just like these signs in the magnifying glass. At times, the troubles can seem so big that the situation seems hopeless and like it will never end. We can feel like we are separated and isolated from God and Christ’s love.    

Here is what the Apostle Paul told us we must do in 2 Corinthians 4:18:  

Look at the TROUBLE SIGN through the magnifying glass. Did Paul tell us to focus on this? No!

Wow, this trouble seems even larger now! He said NOT to focus on them because they are temporary and will soon be gone.

Do you remember what he said we must look at or focus on? Things that cannot be seen.

Now, that sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it? If I tell you all to look at what you can’t see, would you wonder if I was feeling OK?  

Hold up the GOD Sign. Paul is talking about focusing on God and Christ. We cannot see them with our physical eyes, but they exist and are eternal; they will last forever!

Who did God allow Stephen to see in heaven as he was being persecuted and stoned? Jesus. 

Jesus and His love are permanent, they will never go away. Stephen fixed his gaze on heaven where God and Jesus live for all eternity. He chose NOT to gaze on his circumstance, but rather on His Lord and Savior who he would live with forever.

Hold up the TROUBLE and PERSECUTION SIGNS. Whenever we focus on our hardships and suffering, they begin to steal our joy and make us feel unloved and alone.

Place the GOD SIGN in front of the two other signs. Remember to shift your focus to God and heaven above. Just like this sign covers and blocks the other signs, GOD is above and beyond and infinitely bigger than anything we may face—no matter how big something appears in our mind. God transcends everything in this world and beyond.     

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “Nothing can separate me from God.”

Bible Verse Activity

Let’s look at the board and say the verse together. Romans 8:35: 

The Apostle Paul wrote this verse in a letter to the Roman Christians who were being arrested and persecuted. Paul wanted to reassure them that regardless of the circumstances and situations, even if facing death, nothing could separate them from Christ.

The word calamity in the verse means a sudden event which causes distress and/or damage. It could be described as a devastating or catastrophic blow. Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you playing a sport? This blow is sudden and comes out of nowhere, leaving you gasping for air! Sometimes we may receive a blow in our lives that “blindsides” us. In these times, we must hold on to Christ, convinced that His love will never leave us—even when the circumstance seems hopeless. 

The word destitute in the verse means to lack the basic necessities in life. In these times, Christ is immovable, and His love can never be taken from us!    

This activity is based on Romans 10:17:

So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote this verse in a letter to the Roman Christians who were being arrested and persecuted. Paul wanted to reassure them that regardless of the circumstances and situations, even if facing death, nothing could separate them from Christ.

The more we hear and speak God’s Word, the deeper it sinks in us. The Good News today is that Christ died for us and nothing can separate us from His love!  

Have the children sit in a horizontal row on the floor or in chairs facing the board with the verse written on it. You will ask short questions using parts of the verse and then pause for the children to stand and shout “NO!” After each response, the children will sit down again

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? No!

Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble? No!

If we have calamity? No!

If we are persecuted? No!

If we are destitute? No!

If we are in danger? No!

If we are threatened with death? No!

Is there anything or anyone who can possibly separate us from Christ’s love? No!

Note: If any children are not physically able to stand, they can sit and shout the response instead. 

This verse asked a lot of questions—and our SuperVerse answers them. In fact, our SuperVerse is found just four verses after that one! Who remembers our SuperVerse and can say it out loud? Romans 8:39:

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Conclusion: Sometimes when we face difficulties, we may be tempted to think it is because God is disappointed, mad, or doesn’t love us anymore. That is far from the truth! Nothing can separate us from God and Christ’s love! 

Bible Study

Make one copy of the Match Cards for each team of two children, plus extras.

Carefully cut apart the individual cards (14) and mix them up in a pile.   

Measure and cut ten strands of yarn, each one approximately 10 inches long, for each team.

Place each set of cards and yarn strands into a sandwich bag or put a rubber band around them.    

Have the children sit in teams of two. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible.

Give each pair a Bible and a set of cards and yarn.

Have the teams place the match cards into two columns; one will consist of (6) Bible reference cards, the other will consist of (8) word cards.

Instruct the children to leave a gap about 4 inches wide between the columns.  

The experienced Bible user can look up the verses and the other player can connect the cards using the yarn. This is not a race, but you should specify an amount of time to complete the activity.
Note that the New Living Translation was used in creating this activity. If children are using different translations, their answers may vary.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “Nothing can separate me from God.”

The two columns you made are SEPARATED.

Each card in one column has a word or words on it. These are things that can try to separate us from God and His love. But, through our relationship with Christ, we can prevent it from happening by focusing on Him and trusting His Word.   

In the other column, each card has a Bible verse reference in the book of Romans. Each Bible verse will have at least one word from the other column in it. These verses tell us the real truth that through Christ we can overcome and defeat everything that tries to separate us from God.  

Once you identify the matching cards, you will connect them with a strand of yarn. This represents the eternal connection with God through Jesus. Even when we sin, we are connected to God. Even when we feel condemnation or shame, our relationship is unbroken. Even when we suffer persecution, God is still with us.

Tell children that one word may have two verses linked to it, and one verse may have more than one word linked to it. So, consider the cards carefully.

When the time allotted has expired, go through the cards and discuss the matches.