Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome(1 minute)

Welcome back to the second lesson of our Superbook adventure called “Paul and the Unknown God.” In our last lesson, we learned that creation is evidence of our invisible God. The Apostle Paul declared that God made everything and gives life to everything; nothing exists without God. In today’s lesson, we will learn the importance of defending these truths about God and honoring Him in our lives so others can know Him. Now, let’s stand together and sing “I Do It All for You” to praise God, 

Who created all things and gives us life here today and in heaven forever.

Play Video: (Song) I Do it All for You (2 minutes)

Preview the song so you can help the children sing along with the music.

Free

SuperTruth and Discussion(1 minute)

Have you ever needed to defend something you have done or said? Or have you helped defend a family member or friend? Children respond. 

Our SuperTruth today is: “The best defense of my faith is to share what God has done for me.” Let’s say that together. “The best defense of my faith is to share what God has done for me.”       

Our faith is very valuable, so it is definitely worth defending. Now, let’s watch a short version of our Bible story. If you watched the video last time, Paul sees an altar that has Greek writing on it. Notice what it says and be ready to share the answer in Small Group.        

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

If all children watched the Bible story video in the previous lesson, you may skip it here and go straight to the Bible Background Video.

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo—with QBIT the droid—to ancient Greece, where they visit Athens. They see how Paul is able to preach the Gospel to people who believe in many gods, and the children begin learning how to talk to those who don’t believe in the One True God.

Discussion(2 minutes)

Raise your hand to fill in the blank. Paul told the people of Athens that he saw they were very ______ in every way. Religious.    

Paul said that the people were very religious, yet they did not know the One True God. Religion is not the same as having a personal relationship with God. 

How did the philosophers in Athens describe Paul’s teachings? They said his ideas were new and strange. 

The philosophers invited Paul to speak to the leaders of the council, or the Areopagus. They were the greatest minds in Athens. Raise your hand if you would be nervous if you were called to speak in front of them! Children respond.  

Paul was not afraid to defend his faith and present the truth to people about the One True God. As followers of Christ, we want to share with others the truth about God and the hope we have in Him.  

Introduce Bible Background Video (1 minute)

In today’s Bible Background video, we’ll learn more about Paul’s visit to Athens. 

Play Video 5: Bible Background (8 minutes)

Bible Background

Play Video 10B: SuperVerse Graphic 2

SuperVerse Graphic 2

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

SuperVerse Discussion(1 minute)

The SuperVerse today is 1 Peter 3:15: 

To honor someone means to show respect for who they are. When we live our lives according to God’s Word, we honor Him. And when people ask us why we are living for God, we should be ready to tell them why!      

Let’s say 1 Peter 3:15 together: 

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If they are not able to memorize the entire verse, be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer and Send-Off(1 minute)

Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for being near us and wanting to have a relationship with us. Help us to be willing to seize every opportunity to share with others what You have done for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.     

Raise your hand if you have ever played ping pong or tennis. The game you will play in Small Group is very similar; let’s go 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.

Game

In Large Group, you were asked to listen carefully for what the writing said on the altar that Paul noticed. Raise your hand if you know the answer. To an unknown god.      

Paul was troubled that the people of Athens worshiped everything but the One True God. He defended his faith regularly in the synagogue, in the public square, and even in front of the high council of Athens! Paul honored Christ in all he did. He was ready to answer questions about the Lord of His life, Jesus. 

Hold up a paper ball. In this game, the paper ball represents both a question and the answer. Just as questions were thrown at Paul from all kinds of people, you and a partner will bat this ball back and forth between you to represent that.  

Hold up the cardboard square. Each player will use this square to bat the paper ball back and forth. 

Divide the children into two equal teams. If uneven, one player may play twice, or a leader may play.

Have each team divide in half again. One half of each team will stand at one mark and the other half of each team at the other mark.

Give one paper ball and two cardboard squares to the first two players of each team. 

Two players for each team will face each other with about 3 feet between them. They will travel to the other line as they bat the ball between them using the cardboard squares.   

If a ball falls to the floor, both players must immediately stop and pick up the ball to resume play from that point. Players can only advance as they bat the ball between them. 

When players reach the other line, the ball must be dropped into the box. 

The next pair of players take the ball from the box and travel to the opposite end in the same fashion. 

The first team to complete the course with all of its players wins. 

Play again as time permits. 

For smaller classes, move back and forth multiple times. 

Conclusion: As we live our daily lives for Christ, people will want to know why we are different. We must always be ready to give answers to their questions and share our hope in Jesus. Let’s learn more about defending our faith in today’s teaching.    

Teaching

Paul arrived in Athens before Silas and Timothy, who had been traveling with him. While he waited for them to arrive, he explored the city. What did Paul see that troubled him? The people worshiped many false gods and idols.   

Paul could have just rested as he waited for his friends. However, Paul used his time to share his faith by talking with the people of Athens—even though many didn’t accept his teaching.  

Paul was also called Saul. Can anyone tell me how he became a Christian? Children answer.

He had been on his way to arrest Christians when God stopped him on the road to Damascus. His life was radically changed forever when Jesus became the Lord of his life! After that, Paul used every opportunity to share what God had done for him—even if he was mocked, harassed or arrested.      

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “The best defense of my faith is to share what God has done for me.”          

When Christ is the Lord of our lives, we choose to follow His leading and honor Him by our words and actions. When we do this, people will take notice and ask why. We should always be prepared to share the reason Jesus gives us hope. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you have been a Christian. All you need to do is share what God has done in your life.  

Why do you study for a test? To be prepared to correctly answer the test questions. 

If someone asked you why you believe in Jesus or what He has done for you, what would you say? 

Children answer. 

Let’s put together a puzzle to help us know some things we can tell people if they ask us why we believe in Jesus. Hold the pile of puzzle pieces and call up a volunteer to take the top piece and read it aloud. Then, place a small strip of tape on the piece and have the child place it in on the board, wall, or on a poster board so all can see it. Repeat this for each piece and guide each child to tape the piece in the proper position.  

Lead a brief discussion of each piece after it is taped into position.   

1. Eternal Life—Jesus died to save me from my sins and give me everlasting life.        

2. Strength—Jesus gives me strength and works through my weakness.  

3. Answers—Jesus hears my prayers and answers me.  

4. Forgiveness—Jesus forgives my sins when I confess them to Him.   

5. Peace—Jesus gives me inner peace that the world cannot give and no one can take away. 

6. Love—Jesus loves me unconditionally no matter what! Nothing can separate me from His love. 

7. Healing—Jesus is my healer.  

8. Joy—Jesus gives me joy in my heart, no matter what is going on around me. 

What have all of the pieces formed? A shield.  

By sharing the various things we have experienced and received from God, we build a powerful shield that defends our faith. These pieces represent just a few of the countless blessings we receive from God. The more pieces we add, the bigger and stronger our defense shield becomes. 

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together. 1 Peter 3:15: 

It’s now time for the Discipleship Challenge where we will continue to honor and praise God and look for opportunities to share our hope. 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application 

Give each child who missed the previous lesson an Evidence Page.  

We learned that God created everything from nothing, including the earth and the sky which proclaim God’s glory.  

Who would like to share something you observed in God’s creation? Children respond. 

Does someone have a drawing you would like to share from the first challenge? Children respond. 

Hold up an Evidence Page. 

For this challenge you will read the second section of Psalm 148 each day in your Bibles. Next, try to observe, as much as possible, God’s creation that is described in those verses. Then, make a drawing of something you observed that was interesting or special to you on Evidence Card #2. In your prayer time, praise God for His creation. Continue to pray for opportunities and boldness to share your hope in Christ and tell others how God is the Creator of all we see and can’t see!    

Optional: read Psalm 148:5–10: 

When we meet again, you will have a chance to share your observations and drawings for this challenge.     

SuperVerse

To invite Jesus to be Lord of our lives means that we make Him the ruler and master of every part of our lives. We want to listen as the Holy Spirit guides us in all we do. This is a commitment we must make to follow His will over our own, even when it is difficult, or we don’t understand. By doing this, we honor Him. 

As people see us making choices that please the Lord, they may ask us why. So we must always be ready to share about the hope we have in Christ that is far greater than anything this world can offer.      

Point to the verse near the bottom of the board. Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together one more time. 1 Peter 3:15:  

Ask the children to lower their heads and close their eyes. Erase the following words in the verse: 

Lord, Answer, Honor, Hope, Life, Someone, Always, Ready 

Point to one blank at a time and ask the children to raise their hands to pick the proper word from the word bank on the board above the verse. Write each word in the proper blanks as it is selected and erase the word from the word bank. Repeat until the verse is completed. There should be just four unused words left in the word bank. Once all the words are in the proper places, say the SuperVerse together again.    

Conclusion: In this activity, you had to make the proper choices of which words fit in the verse. Some of the words were correct and some were not. When we choose to follow Christ as our Lord and Savior, He will guide us and strengthen us so we can make the proper choices and show us what fits and what doesn’t fit in our lives.        

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

Prayer

Our SuperVerse tells us to honor Christ and let Him be Lord of our lives. We just learned what that means in our SuperVerse activity. The Bible tells us that Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. (See Revelation 3:20.) This means that He will not force His way in; we must invite Him. 

In our prayer today, you will be given the opportunity to invite Jesus to be Lord of Your life. If you’ve already done that, then ask God to show you any areas of your life that you have closed off to Him—like anger toward someone or an unhealthy habit. Things like this can stop us from growing in our relationship with the Lord.   

Jesus loved us so much that He left heaven and came to Earth to sacrifice His own life on the cross to save us. By doing this, He showed how much He loves us. He knows us even better than we know ourselves, so He knows what is best for our lives. He gave His life for us, and so He asks us to give our lives back to Him. This means inviting Him to be the ruler or master of every area of our lives. 

Please bow your heads and close your eyes. Take a moment to meditate on the Lord and pray silently.    

A wonderful way to invite Jesus into our hearts is by praying the Salvation Poem that we sing sometimes. If you mean this in your heart, then repeat after me:

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.

Then continue praying: Lord, for those of us who have already invited You in, soften our hearts that we might allow Jesus to be Lord of every area of our lives—at school, at home, in our plans for the future, and in our relationships. We want to open the doors of our hearts to You. We want to follow You and grow to become more like You each day. By inviting You to be Lord, we say that we trust You to lead us because You know what is best us, and You have a wonderful plan for each of us. Give us the strength and understanding to make choices that please You. In Jesus’ strong name we pray, Amen.   

Additional Activities

 The cross is a reminder of our hope in Jesus. He is the focus of our faith, and we need to be ready to defend it! 

1 Peter 2:24 says:  

The cross is at the center of our hope as Christians. And, that’s what the focus of this game is. You are going to bounce balls into each cup that forms the cross.     

Start the time. 

The first player steps up to the end of the table and bounces a ball toward the cups.

Each ball must bounce at least one and can bounce multiple times. 

When a ball lands in a cup, it remains there. If the ball misses, it is retrieved by the player and brought back to the box. 

After players take a turn, they will retrieve their missed balls (if any) and take them back to the container and stand in line again. 

Only one ball can be in a cup. If a second ball lands in a cup it is removed. 

Continue play until a ball is in each cup of the cross.

Stop the time and record it. 

Play additional rounds as time permits to beat that time. 

Optional: Play as teams. Add another cross with additional balls on a second table. Divide the class into two teams and play as before. The first team to complete the cross wins. 

Conclusion: 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: 

Not everyone believed Paul’s defense of his faith. Many scoffed and laughed at the idea of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet, Paul knew that the cross represents our hope and the very power of God! Let’s never lose sight of what the cross represents. Our faith depends on what Jesus did for us on the cross! 

Object Lesson

We are learning about faith. The Bible tells us that there is a certain kind of faith that is pleasing to God. Have the volunteers read James 2:14–17:

Faith is more than just believing that God exists. Faith is more than just saying you are a Christian. 

Hold up the paper so the children can see the writing. Make the paper into a ball. Hold the paper ball high in the air. 

Let’s say that this paper ball represents the first type of faith we just read about. This type of faith says, “I believe God is real” but doesn’t do anything to demonstrate that faith. 

Drop paper ball to ground. Sarcastically act excited. 

Whoohoo! Now, that was worth watching, wasn’t it? I couldn’t take my eyes off it.  

Choose two more children, younger and older, to try it. 

I wish we had time for all of you to try it! Smile. 

Would you say that this kind of faith will attract people to God; did it cause you to take notice and make you want to experience it yourself? Children respond.  

Is this faith alive and active? Children respond.   

Hold up a bouncy ball in the air, drop it, and let it bounce as you speak. 

This ball represents the kind of faith that pleases God. This faith is in motion; it is alive and says that God is real. Now, this faith got your attention, right? You wanted to see what it would do next—it was exciting!  

Have a child retrieve the ball and then give another ball each to an older child and a younger child. 

Instruct the children to drop their balls at the count of three. Let the balls bounce around the room.  

Wow, now that is more like it! Imagine if we as a group went out into the world and lived our lives at school, at home, and in our neighborhoods with this kind of active faith? People will take notice and ask what is going on; why are these children so active and full of joy as they choose to serve others?   

Active faith is honoring God not just with words; but with actions showing He is the Lord of our lives. Believers who demonstrate active faith show that God is real by the way they live. Can you see why that type of faith is pleasing to God? Faith that is alive overflows from the heart, glorifies God, and shows His love to others. It shows that God is real and active in the world!

Active faith moves and flows with the leading of God’s Holy Spirit and looks different in different situations. Can you think of some ways we can show our faith? Children respond. 

Active faith can be shown by things like giving, helping, obeying, listening, and sharing. Another powerful way to show active faith in God is by praying for others. How do you think praying shows your faith? Children respond. 

Praying for someone shows that we trust God is alive, He hears us, and He will answer our prayers.  

Now, here is one very important thing to understand about works and doing good deeds to show our faith. No amount of good deeds or actions can earn eternal life for us. The Bible is clear that eternal life is a free gift—given to us by Jesus—not something we can ever earn! (See Ephesians 2:8–9.)   

Active faith is a response and a thank You to God for His free gift. 

Read Ephesians 2:10:

Hold up a bouncy ball and the paper ball, one in each hand, then drop the balls at the same time. Now, which faith do you want to have?

Maze Activity

Paul was invited to speak at the Areopagus, which is located on a hill in Athens. Your job is to find the paths to the top where he will defend his faith.    

1. What did Paul observe that troubled him as he watched the people in Athens? He saw that they were very religious, but they did not know the One True God.  

2. Paul debated with a group of very smart men who eventually invited him to speak to the high council. What were these men called? Philosophers.    

3. Try to fill in the blank. As Paul debated with the council, he told them that in God, we live, and move, and _____. Exist.  

4. Here’s a fill-in-the-blank question. Paul told the council that God is not an _____ designed by craftsman from gold, silver or stone. Idol.     

Allow the children to share their paths to the Areopagus.   

Conclusion: Paul confidently defended his faith with every opportunity he was given. He debated in the synagogues and the public square and then eventually in the Areopagus. Some people laughed at him, but others were convinced and became believers. 

Bible Activity

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. 1 Peter 3:15: 

In our discussions about defending our faith, particularly in today’s teaching, we have learned that the best thing we can do is to share what God has done for us personally. As believers in Jesus, we do not serve an UNKNOWN God! As Paul said in Athens, God is not far from anyone, and wants to be found by everyone. In Him, we live, and move, and exist! (See Acts 17:27–28.)

Our experiences and relationship with God can never be taken from us; they give us hope for the future. By seizing the opportunities we are given, we can share our hope, attract others to God, and provide hope to them, too! In this activity, we will look up verses about things we receive from God through Christ that we can share with others to give them hope, too!   

Give a Bible to any child who needs one. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible to assist them in looking up the verses. Have a volunteer read the verse and then lead a discussion with the questions below. After each discussion, ask if anyone would like to share a personal experience with this particular aspect or gift from God through Christ.    

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary. Do as many as time allows and in any order you choose. 

1. 1 John 1:9:  

What do we learn about God in this verse? He is faithful and just. He wants us to confess our sins and wants to forgive us and cleanse us, not punish us.     

How could this give someone hope? The weight of guilt or shame someone carries can be removed. Sins can be forgiven and cleansed. You can be given a new start. 

2. 1 John 3:1a: 

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? It can give hope, love and a sense of belonging to someone who may feel unloved or even unwanted. When things go wrong, we always have God and His love.    

3. John 16:33: 

What does this verse say about God and knowing Him? We can have peace in God through Christ. God is bigger and more powerful than anything that we may face in this world.

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? Someone who is troubled and afraid can have peace. They can know that God is bigger than anything they face. They can overcome through Christ, there is hope.     

4. John 3:16: 

What does this verse say about God and knowing Him? God loves us so much He sacrificed His Son to save us. God made a plan to save us. He wants to live with us forever. 

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? People can know that all they need to do is believe and receive eternal life. God loves and wants to save everyone.    

5. Jeremiah 29:11: 

What does this verse say about God and knowing Him? God has a plan and purpose for me. I was created for a reason. God wants only what is good for us, God gives us hope and a future.   

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? It gives value to someone who doesn’t feel they have purpose or worth. It shows that God wants good and not bad things for them.    

6. James 1:5: 

What does this verse say about God and knowing Him? He wants to share His wisdom, He wants us to ask and won’t make us feel bad for it. He is generous. 

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? Someone who needs wisdom and direction to make choices can have it from God. God is generous and wants people to ask Him for help. We can come to God.    

7. Romans 8:39: 

What does this verse say about God and knowing Him? God is all powerful in heaven and Earth. He loves us in Christ, nothing can separate us from His love even if we sin or fail.   

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? Those who feel unloved or abandoned can know that God will always be with them and they can forever trust in His love. People can have assurance that nothing they do can affect God’s love for them in Christ. God will love them through anything, He is faithful.      

8. John 14:27: 

What does this verse say about God and knowing Him? God restores total and complete peace to us. His peace is perfect and superior to anything in this world. It is a gift and isn’t something we must work for. We can replace our troubles, worries and fear with His peace.  

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? It can give them relief from their worries, troubles and fear. They know they can receive it as a gift and don’t need to try to earn it. Those who have never experienced peace in their lives can receive supernatural peace and security from God in Christ.     

9. Hebrews 4:16: 

What does this verse say about God? We can approach Him with confidence (in Christ). He is full of grace and mercy. He will help us in times of need. 

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? They can learn that God is approachable, loving, and will help us when we have a need. He is merciful.      

10. Philippians 4:19: 

What does this verse say about God? He supplies everything we need. He has everything; He is the source of everything we could possibly need. He is rich, and He treats everyone the same and gives provision to all believers in Christ. God takes care of us.   

How can this knowledge give hope to someone? Those who have needs can know that God will take care of them, and He is generous.     

Conclusion: When we allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we have access to all of God’s abundance, protection and riches. We must tell others about our generous and loving God to glorify Him so they can experience His love and mercy, too. Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “The best defense of my faith is to share what God has done for me.”