Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

*Caution: In following the biblical narrative, the Bible story 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. The Condensed Bible story video is slightly less intense but should also be previewed.

Welcome to the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Love Your Enemies.” Jesus endured suffering and death for one reason—to save us. Let’s stand now and praise Jesus for His amazing gift of sacrifice and love 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)

God demonstrated His love for us by sending His only Son, Jesus, to save us. Romans 5:8 says:

We can do nothing to deserve this. We can never clean ourselves up enough. We need a Savior, and who is that? Jesus!

To endure means to patiently suffer through something painful or difficult. Does anyone who was here last time remember what persecution is? Cruel and unfair treatment based on race, religion, etc.  
It was God’s plan for Jesus to save us. Do you think Jesus had to follow God’s plan like a robot? No.

Jesus chose to follow God’s plan even when it meant terrible suffering and death. Jesus was unselfish—He sacrificed His own life because He loves us, and so we can spend eternity with Him.

Our SuperTruth is, “Jesus endured persecution to save me.” Let’s say it together. Children repeat.

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 Jesus and a man named Stephen. Both chose to respond in love even as they endured persecution and death. If you have already seen the video, watch carefully for who Stephen saw in the sky as he testified before the angry leaders. Be ready in Small Group to name this person and say what He was doing when Stephen saw Him.      

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 Minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

*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 parents to see it before showing it to their children.

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 praying in agony on the cross, “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.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

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

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse (2 minutes)

Our SuperVerse today is Isaiah 53:3a:

He was despised and rejected––a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

From the video we watched and the discussions we have had, who do you think this verse is describing? Jesus. 

This verse is part of a prophecy about Jesus by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Scholars believe that this prophet of God lived approximately 700 years before Jesus’ birth. Here, he describes how Jesus would be rejected and despised by His own people, the Jews. Many of them refused to believe that He was God’s Son and the Messiah they were waiting for. The word “despised” is a stronger form of hate. It means an intense or violent hatred for someone or something.

Jesus knew this prophecy very well. He understood exactly what would happen to Him. Even so, He followed God’s plan to save us. He left the glory of Heaven to come to Earth and be mistreated and killed. Why did Jesus choose to do this? He loves us and wants to save us.

Let’s say Isaiah 53:3 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)

*Caution: Be sure to preview this video before showing it to the class.

Let’s watch the Signposts video to learn more about how Jesus responded to persecution to save us.       

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (3.5 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we move to Small Group. Dear Jesus, You could have called on armies of angels to rescue You and defeat Your enemies. Instead, You endured pain, suffering and death to save us.

Because of your unselfish sacrifice, we can live with You in Heaven forever. Thank You for laying down Your life for us and making a way for us to enter heaven. In Your saving name we pray, Amen. 

It’s time for Small Group, where you will play a game to remember what Jesus did to save us. 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.

Small Group

In Large Group you were asked to listen and watch carefully for who Stephen saw in the sky as he testified before the angry Jewish leaders. Who did Stephen see and what was He doing? Stephen saw Jesus in heaven standing at the right hand of God. 

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “Jesus endured persecution to save me.”

In the video, we watched how Judas betrayed Jesus in the garden. Just before this, Jesus agonized in prayer asking God if it was possible to avoid the suffering and pain He was about to experience during His arrest, crucifixion and death. This was all part of God’s plan to save us. Jesus called this plan a “cup of suffering.” Jesus knew how terrible it would be, yet He willingly agreed to fulfill God’s plan to save us.

By this plan, God poured out His love on us. That is what this game is about!

Divide the class into two teams that stand facing each other with about 4–6 feet between them.

Each team forms a line with their players standing side by side without touching each other.

Place a bucket at the end of both lines, where the last player of each team can reach it.

Hand the first player of each team the cup containing six marbles.

Hand an empty cup to the second player of each team—next to the player with the marbles.

The first player must pour the marbles from the cup into the second player’s empty cup.

The first player then hands the empty cup to the third player.

The second player pours the cup of marbles into the third player’s empty cup and hands the empty cup to the fourth player.

Both teams continue in this fashion until all players have played and the last player pours all the marbles into the bucket.

You are all winners! That’s because God pours His love into our hearts and Jesus poured His life out to save us.  

Optional: Repeat the game and have the children do it as fast as possible.

Conclusion: Jesus wasn’t forced to die for us. He willingly chose to fulfill God’s plan. 

Optional: Read Romans 5:5–8 (NKJV):

In our Signpost Teaching today, we’ll learn more about how Jesus modeled and provided forgiveness to all.               

Teaching

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!

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)  

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:

John 18:25-27:

John 21:15-19:

Luke 23:34:

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:

  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:

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:

SuperVerse

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together. Isaiah 53:3: 

Jesus experienced opposition, persecution, troubles, and sorrows. He experienced hurt and disappointment as His closest friends turned their backs on Him in His darkest hour. Jesus endured all of this to save us. Before He was born, He could have chosen to stay in heaven, but He came down to Earth to save us.

Raise your hand if you ever agreed to do something and later found out you weren’t given all the information or facts about it. Children respond.

Maybe you have asked your parents to take you somewhere or give you permission to do something and you didn’t give them all of the information up front for them to make a wise choice. As they discovered more and more about it, they might have said something like: “If I had known all the facts, I would never had said yes!”     

As we discussed earlier, our SuperVerse is a prophecy from Isaiah of what Jesus would face on Earth—about 700 years before it happened! He knew all that would happen to Him. Jesus knew that following God’s plan would cost Him His life. Jesus was willing to endure all this to save us!     

Divide the children into three teams with a mixture of ages and genders. 

Assign a number (1–3) to each team.

Have each team stand together in a group facing the board.

Start with Team 1 saying Line 1, Team 2 saying Line 2, and then Team 3 saying Line 3.

Once the verse is complete, all teams say Line 4 together.

Reassign different lines to each team and repeat the activity a second time.

Reassign different lines again to each team and repeat the activity for the third and final time.

Each team has now had a chance to say each line.    

Conclusion: Jesus knows our grief and pain because He experienced it, too. He was willing to endure it all because of His love for us and His mission to save us.  

Prayer

Have you ever been ignored or rejected by someone you know and care for? It hurts deeply, doesn’t it! Jesus was acquainted with this kind of hurt and pain—that means He knew it well! Many people refused to believe Jesus. He endured persecution, rejection, intense sorrow, and deepest grief as He lived in this world. The very ones He came to save held Him in contempt. His hand-picked disciples abandoned Him when He needed them most.  

Because Jesus knows this kind of intense pain, He understands everything we are going through or that we will experience in the future.   

Let’s close our eyes and pray silently, telling Jesus all about any anxiety, sorrow, suffering, grief, and disappointment we are facing. Allow time to pray.  

Now, let’s silently ask Him to touch us and heal our hearts as only He can. Allow time to pray.

He is able to touch us with His healing and fill us with His peace and joy.

Close in prayer: Dear Jesus, You are acquainted with grief, sorrow and disappointment. You know everything we are going through. Thank You for being here with us. We can always approach Your throne to find help, love and mercy in time of need. In Your healing name we pray, Amen!

How wonderful to know that when we ask Jesus into our heart, He lives inside us, giving us His strength, power and hope! If you’d like to invite Jesus into your heart, you can do it today.

Optional: Lead children in a prayer of salvation and/or have them sing “The Salvation Poem”:

Jesus, You died upon a cross
And rose again to save the lost
Forgive me now of all my sin
Come be my Savior, Lord, and Friend
Change my life and make it new
And help me, Lord, to live for You.
© Matt & Sherry McPherson. All Rights Reserved

Review Game

In this review game, you will answer true/false questions about the Bible stories about loving our enemies, that we have been learning.  

When we ask Jesus into our hearts and follow Him, we become God’s children. No matter what anyone says or does, it can never change our relationship with Him! In Christ, we are secure forever! By standing up for truth and showing God’s love, we can attract people to God’s Kingdom. In this game, you have the opportunity to literally stand for the truth or stomp on what is false!

After I read a 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. 

Once a question has been answered, you will have one more chance to score points for your team.

In the Superbook adventure we saw in our first lesson, Chris had to kick a soccer ball into the goal eight out of ten times. We don’t have that much time, so each player will get only one kick to make a goal. One point is scored for each goal. Are you ready to stand on the truth?     

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 a ball to kick from the line or mark toward the goal.      

The two players will retrieve the balls to give them to the next players.       

The team with the most points wins.

Questions and Answers

1. T/F: Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Eden. (False—Garden of Gethsemane.)  

2. T/F: The guards and religious leaders came with swords and clubs to arrest Jesus. (True.)    

3. T/F: Judas told the Jewish leaders that he would identify Jesus with a hug and a handshake. (False—a kiss.)    

4. T/F: Peter tried to protect Jesus by cutting off a man’s nose with his sword. (False—ear.)

5. T/F: Jesus responded in love, touched the man’s ear and healed him. (True.)

6. T/F: Jesus said He could ask God for thousands of angels to protect Him. (True.)

7. T/F: Jesus was taken to stand trial before a Roman ruler named Jet Pilot. (False—Pontius Pilate.)

8. T/F: As Jesus hung on the cross, He asked God to punish His enemies. (False—He asked God to forgive them.)

9. T/F: Jesus came into the world just to save the Jewish people. (False—He came for everyone.) (See John 1:12.)

10. T/F: Stephen was a good man who was full of faith. (True.)

11. T/F: The religious council accused Stephen of speaking against the law of Jesus. (False—against the Temple and the Law of Moses.) (See Acts 6:13.)

12. T/F: As Stephen was being accused by the religious leaders, his face began to glow or shine. (True.) (See Acts 6:15.)

13. T/F: Two of the men that Stephen testified about were Joseph and Moses. (True.) Bonus: name three more Old Testament characters Stephen testified about. (Abraham, Aaron, King Solomon.)   

14. T/F: Stephen called the religious leaders hardheaded and stubborn. (True.)

15. T/F: Stephen looked into heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right side of God. (True.)

16. T/F: As Stephen was being stoned, he prayed for God to punish his enemies for their sins. (False—to forgive them, not hold their sin against them.)

17. T/F: Today’s SuperTruth says that the persecution that Jesus endured did not have any purpose. (False—He endured it to save us.)   

18. T/F: Today’s SuperVerse is Isaiah 3:13. (False—Isaiah 53:3.)

Active Game

Because of His love for us, Jesus endured persecution and death to save us. Let’s close our eyes and say our SuperTruth together on the count of three; 1, 2, 3: “Jesus endured persecution to save me.” 

Have you ever shared the Good News with someone, and he/she asked, “What exactly is Jesus saving me from? Or, why do I need to be saved?” What would you answer? From our sins, from sin and death.  

Jesus took the punishment for our sin so we can be forgiven and live forever with Him in heaven someday. Isn’t that wonderful?
Jesus said in John 8:34–36:

The truth is that when we sin, we are bound to sin like slaves. The Good News is that Jesus—God’s Son—sets us free from our sin so we can have hope and peace and joy!

Let’s play a game about being forgiven and set free from our sin!

Divide the class into two equal teams. Have each team form a line behind the mark or taped line. Put the “Forgiven and Set Free” cards in the “Forgiven” box and place it at the foot of the cross. Place the “Sin” box next to that box and give each child a “Bound by Sin” card. The game is a relay race. Each player must keep his/her own ankles tightly together—as if bound or tied—and hop to the cross while holding the “Bound by Sin” card. Optional: each player hops to the “Sin” box with both feet in a paper grocery bag. The child then places the sin card in the “Sin” box and takes a “Forgiven and Set Free” card from the other box. The players then are set free and run back to the line so the next player can begin. Play until everyone is completely set free from sin!

Optional: return the cards to the appropriate boxes and play another round. Preface this by explaining that in our walk with Christ, as hard as we try, we are “bound” to make mistakes, give in to temptation and make unwise choices. When we do, we can always return to the cross and ask Jesus to forgive, cleanse, and set us free! (See 1 John 2:1.)

Conclusion: Good job everybody! You are all set free! How did it feel to exchange your sin for forgiveness and be set free to run again? Children respond.

Remember what our verse said in the book of John—

“If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”  

Craft

Let’s say the SuperTruth, if you can, with your eyes closed: “Jesus endured persecution to save me.”    

Let’s make a craft to remember what Jesus endured and suffered to save us.

1 Corinthians 15:4 is written in the tomb entrance.

Display the model craft to help children during assembly of their crafts. 

Have children write their names in pencil on one side of the blank sheet of cardstock.

Option: have the children color the tomb and the stone, being careful not to cover up (hide) the Bible verse reference in the tomb opening.  

Have children carefully cut out the stone, tomb, and SuperTruth block.

Have children turn their sheets of cardstock horizontally on the table (name toward table, not showing).    

Children will apply glue to the SuperTruth block and place it in the top right corner of the cardstock.

Demonstrate how to attach the stone to the tomb using the brass fastener.

Children will glue the assembled tomb to the bottom right corner of the cardstock.

Have children press down firmly on the tomb to flatten the prongs of the brass fastener.

Assemble the cross: before gluing, place one stick vertically and one horizontally over the vertical stick. Adjust the cross so both sticks are completely on the cardstock and not touching the tomb.

Have children apply glue to the back side of the vertical stick and then attach it to the cardstock at the predetermined location.

Now have children apply glue to the middle of one side of the other craft stick and then carefully press it on the vertical craft stick to make the cross.

Wipe off any excess glue with the towel or rag.  

Optional: place a strip of tape at the stick junction to hold it in place until the glue dries.  

Carefully set the crafts aside to dry.          

Conclusion: Jesus carried our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might be forgiven and saved to live with Him in heaven forever.   

Optional: Read 1 Peter 2:24:

Bible Activity

Isaiah 53:3, today’s SuperVerse, says:

He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.

Jesus came from heaven and was subjected to unthinkable physical and verbal persecution. The reason He willingly did this was to save us. Salvation is a free gift, but Jesus paid a heavy, heavy price for it! To gain a greater appreciation of the price He paid, we are going to look up verses and fill in blanks of what He endured as He lived and died for us. After completing each question, we will thank Jesus for enduring that persecution so He could experience all that we will face and to save 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 give children time to look up and read the verse. Read a fill in the blank question aloud, and ask children to raise their hands to answer. Depending on time, children can take turns reading the verse after the blank(s) has been answered.

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

1. Luke 22:63:  

Before Jesus was crucified, the guards began _____ and _____ Him. (Mocking, beating.) 

Let’s thank Jesus for enduring this for us. Thank You, Jesus, for enduring this for me. Children repeat.

2. Philippians 2:7a:

Jesus gave up His _____ _____ and took the _____ position of a slave (servant). (Divine privileges, humble.) 

Thank You, Jesus, for giving up Your divine privileges and humbling Yourself for me. Children repeat.

3. 1 Peter 2:24:  

Jesus carried our _____ in His body on the cross. By His _____ we are healed. (Sins, wounds.) 

Thank You, Jesus, for carrying my sins in Your body. Children repeat.

Thank You for being wounded so I can be healed. Children repeat.

4. John 1:11:

The Jews, who were Jesus’ own people, _____ Him. (Rejected.) 

Thank You, Jesus, for suffering rejection for me. Children repeat.

5. Mark 10:34: 

Jesus predicted this about Himself to His disciples. They will mock Him, ____ on Him, and flog Him with a _____ and _____ Him. (Spit, whip, kill.) 

Let’s thank Jesus for enduring this for us. Thank You, Jesus, for enduring pain and humiliation for me.

Children repeat.

Conclusion: Jesus endured unthinkable, horrible things to save us. But, Jesus said He would do something on the third day, what was it? He would rise from the dead!   

Jesus allowed Himself to suffer persecution knowing that He came to conquer sin and death to save us and give us eternal life! Let’s praise Jesus for defeating sin and death to save us! Thank You, Jesus, for defeating sin and death for me! Children repeat.