Leader Guide
Site: | Superbook Academy |
Course: | Doubting Thomas |
Book: | Leader Guide |
Printed by: | Guest user |
Date: | Friday, April 18, 2025, 9:02 PM |
Description
Unlimited Experience
SuperTruth: Jesus wants us to experience Him.
SuperVerse: “Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.” John 14:21 (NLT)
Bible Story: Matthew 27:57–65, 28:1–20; Mark 16:1–20; Luke 23:44–56, 24:1–53; John 20:1–30
Superbook Video: Doubting Thomas
Video Leader Guide
Select a video to have playing as children enter the Large Group room. Videos are under Resources on the top menu bar.
Have Small Group leaders greet the children as they enter the Large Group room and engage them in a game or conversation until time for Large Group to begin.
Welcome to the final lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Doubting Thomas.” From time to time, all of us have doubts about something. It’s good to be cautious and not believe everything that we read or hear, especially on social media and the internet. However, one thing we can put our faith in is God’s Word! In the Bible, God’s love for us is revealed through Jesus, who died for us and now lives in us.
It’s time now to stand and sing The Salvation Poem to praise Jesus for loving and saving us!
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)
Our SuperTruth today is, “Jesus wants us to experience Him.”
Would you rather read about famous athletes, actors or musicians or meet them in person and spend time with them? Children respond.
Which would be cooler to you, to hear stories about different countries or travel to different countries and experience each one? Children respond.
It’s exciting and encouraging to hear testimonies of what Jesus has done or is doing in other’s lives but there is much more for us. Jesus wants each one of us to personally experience Him in our own lives. He wants us to discover His power, love, peace, and presence in deeper ways, every day!
Let’s say that together: “Jesus wants us to experience Him.”
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.
It’s time to watch a short version of the Bible story video. If you have already seen it, listen closely for two things that Thomas calls Jesus after He appears to him.
Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 Minutes)
Condensed Bible Story
Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to Jerusalem just after Jesus is crucified. Roman soldiers say His body was stolen from the tomb. Why should Thomas believe Jesus’ other disciples who say He is alive? And who is the mysterious traveler on the road to Emmaus? The children discover that Jesus is always there—for everyone!
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 John 14:21:
According to this verse, how do we demonstrate our love to Jesus? By accepting His commandments and obeying them.
Whose love do we receive when we love Jesus? God and Jesus.
In addition to loving us, what else does Jesus promise to those who obediently live for Him? He will reveal Himself to us.
Let’s say John 14:21 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 gives us what we need to believe.
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 God, we don’t just want to read about You—we want to know You personally! You promise that as we obey Your Word and live for You, You will reveal Yourself to us. Thank You for being our Savior, Lord and friend who lives in our hearts every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
It’s time for Small Group. In the game we will play, you will need to decide if you are in or out. Are you confused? I can understand why; let’s 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 Game
- Painters tape or masking tape
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
Place a line or mark down the center of the room lengthwise
In Large Group, you were asked to listen carefully for two things that Thomas calls Jesus after He appears to him. My Lord and My God.
Raise your hand if you remember when in the video Peter and John raced to the tomb? Children respond.
Who told them some very good news about Jesus that they could hardly believe? Mary (Magdalene).
I am going to read from the Bible what we watched in the video. This will give you a better understanding of our game. Read John 20:1–10:
Have you ever raced a friend to get somewhere fast? Children respond.
It sounds like Peter and John had a race to the tomb, doesn’t it? Can you imagine the thoughts going through their minds—could Jesus really be alive? Children respond.
John won the race but he didn’t go into the tomb. Peter came in second place, but went into the tomb right away! They saw the empty tomb and the burial cloths Jesus had been wrapped in. Now, they finally understood Jesus’ words about His resurrection! They not only heard about Jesus’ resurrection, they experienced it—and this was only the beginning!
In our game today, we are going to be in and out of the tomb like Peter and John as we follow commands that are given. Jesus said that we show our love for Him when we accept and obey His commands. And His promise to us is that He will reveal Himself to us. Let’s find out how to play.
Have the children line up single file behind one another down the center of the room, facing the leader. Leave as much room as possible between the children. Tell the children that the right side of the line is “In the Tomb” and the left side of the line is “Out of the Tomb.”
The leader shouts a command and ends it with either “In the Tomb” or “Out of the Tomb.” Upon hearing the command, the children jump from one side to the other and do the command. If the children stay on or jump to the wrong side, they must sit out of the game for two commands, and then they may return. Have another leader control when children may return to the game.
Use the commands below or create your own:
- Clap your hands as fast as you can—in the tomb.
- Clap your hands as fast as you can—in the tomb. (This is a duplicate command to trick.)
- Sit on the floor—out of the tomb.
- Stand up—out of the tomb.
- Jump up and down three times—in the tomb.
- Do five jumping jacks—in the tomb.
- Shout “Jesus is alive!”—out of the tomb.
- Hop on one foot—in the tomb.
- Wave hello—out of the tomb.
- Touch your toes—out of the tomb.
- Hum a tune—in the tomb.
- Pat your back with both hands—out of the tomb.
- Shout “I want to experience Jesus!”—in the tomb.
- Spin around two times—out of the tomb.
- Shout “I am a witness for Christ!”—in the tomb.
- Run in place to share the Good News—out of the tomb.
- Dance in place from your waist up (legs still)—in the tomb.
Game options: Play just for fun—no one is removed from play when an error is made. Or eliminate players from the game as they err. The last child standing wins.
Conclusion: You did a great job obeying the instructions that were given. Let’s learn more about Jesus appearing to His followers after His resurrection in today’s Signpost teaching.
Teaching
- Four Signpost Cards
- Four sheets of card stock or paper
- Small potted plant
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- GizmoNote (optional take-home note)
Discipleship Challenge materials:
- Heart Challenge Page
- Flame Page
- Sample craft
Make copies of the four Signpost Cards on cardstock, in color or black and white.
Place the cards in a pile face down, with Card #1 on top.
Optional: Print the GizmoNote, one per child to take home after class.
Make copies of both Discipleship Challenge pages for children who missed the previous lessons; see Lesson 1 for details.
Have a child select the first Signpost Card and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or lean it against the wall on the floor so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the remaining three Signpost Cards. Additional Scriptures are included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.
Signpost 1 Believe Through an Encounter
In this image, who encounters Jesus outside His tomb? Mary (Magdalene).
Did Mary immediately recognize Jesus? No, not until He spoke with her and revealed Himself.
Jesus fulfilled God’s plan to save us from our sins. He died on the cross and rose again to life. He conquered sin and death for us, yet many found this hard to believe because they didn’t actually see Him on the cross or walk out of the tomb after His death. (See Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:57.)
This was not the case with Mary; she witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross and then saw Him outside the tomb—alive! Mary believed without doubt that Jesus had died and had risen again.
Jesus has not changed—He is alive and can choose to come to us and speak to us directly. However, in our next two Signposts, we will see how He most frequently reveals Himself to help us believe.
OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6
1 Corinthians 15:57:
John 20:14–16,18:
18Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them His message.
Signpost 2 Believe Through Scripture
In the video, Jesus could have instantly revealed Himself to the two men walking on the road to Emmaus. However, He chose to spend time with them, listening to their conversation and concerns, and then guiding their faith through the Scriptures. What does “Scriptures” mean? The Bible, specifically the books of the Old Testament (since the New Testament hadn’t been written yet).
Jesus said to the two men in Luke 24:26–27:
Here are just a few of the prophecies from the Old Testament of the Bible that Jesus fulfilled concerning His life, crucifixion, and resurrection:
1. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet said that a shoot would grow out of the stump of (Jesse) David’s family and the Spirit of the Lord would rest on Him.
Hold up the plant. Discuss how the smaller branches or shoots grow from the main stem of the plant.
2. Psalm 22 describes Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, saying He was hated and rejected. His hands and feet were pierced as they nailed Him to the cross where He died. (See Psalm 22:6,14,16.)
3. Psalm 118:13,17,22 predicts Jesus’ resurrection following His death on the cross saying:
Jesus and His disciples likely sang this Psalm on the night Jesus was arrested! (See Matthew 26:30.)
How did the men describe the feeling they had as Jesus shared Scriptures with them? They said that their hearts burned inside them.
The Bible clearly provides us with all we need to understand and believe about Jesus. The more we commit to reading the Bible, the more Jesus will be revealed. The more we know, the easier it is to believe without seeing! The Bible was written to give us understanding and hope as we live our lives for Christ, knowing that our future is secure in Him—forever! Jesus wants to be present in every part of our lives. He wants to walk and talk with us every day!
OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6
Isaiah 11:1–2:
Revelation 3:20:
John 20:31:
Signpost 3 Believe Through a Witness
Who is in this image from the video? The two men on the road to Emmaus and the disciples.
The two men could not wait to witness about their encounter with Jesus—that He is truly alive! This is what witnessing is about—sharing about Jesus, our personal experiences with Him, and what we know through Scripture about Him. It is exciting when the Holy Spirit opens our hearts and we receive new understanding about our Lord and Savior!
God’s Word is alive! The Old Testament prophet named Jeremiah described God’s Word as fire shut up in his bones; he could not keep it inside! (See Jeremiah 20:9.) When we understand God’s Word about Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to share the Gospel with others!
Thomas still had doubt that Jesus was alive—even with Mary’s witness, the witness of his fellow disciples, and the two men on the road to Emmaus. It is the same today; many people have trouble believing even after hearing the witness of others and reading Scripture. Still, Jesus continues to knock on the door of their hearts. Jesus knows it is difficult to believe without seeing Him face to face. But Jesus says we are blessed when we believe by faith. He told Thomas in John 20:29b:
OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6
Acts 4:19–20:
Jeremiah 20:9:
Acts 1:8:
Signpost 4 Will You Believe?
One day as Jesus walked with His disciples, He turned and asked them who others said He was. They answered that some said He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or other prophets. Then Jesus said, “But who do YOU say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (See Matthew 16:13–16.)
Jesus told Simon Peter that only God could have revealed this to Him, not man.
In today’s Bible adventure, Jesus helped Thomas overcome his doubt, and Thomas finally had all the evidence he needed to believe.
Do you have enough evidence to believe and not doubt? Can you believe without seeing? Today, Jesus asks us the same question that He asked His disciples; “Who do you say that I am?” The Bible tells us in John 3:16 (NKJV):
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6
Matthew 16:13–17:
17Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”
Now it is time to learn about the final part of the Heart Challenge!
Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application
Give each child who missed the previous lessons a Heart Challenge Page and a Flame Page. Display the sample craft and encourage them to assemble their crafts at home and begin the challenge!
In the previous challenge, you were asked to learn Romans 15:13. Would anyone like to try to say this verse from memory? Romans 15:13:
This verse is one of Paul’s prayers for believers in Christ. It is a powerful prayer to pray over yourself and others each day.
Would anyone like to share how many flames you were able to place in Heart #2? Children answer.
Would anyone like to share your experience in your prayer time? Children answer.
Is there an experience of living by faith and not by sight that you would like to share? Children respond.
Hold up the sample Heart Challenge Page. The next challenge for you is Heart #3. Your challenge is to pray daily for the power to obey God’s Word and demonstrate God’s love to others. When we receive God’s love, we should not be content with keeping it inside. We must demonstrate His wonderful love to others so they can experience it!
As part of this challenge, you will also read and learn John 14:21 which tells us of God’s love.
Optional: read John 14:21:
Each time you work on the challenge, cut out a flame and glue it to Heart #3. As we fill our hearts with His Word, spend time with Him in prayer, and obey His commandments, we will experience Jesus’ love and be able to share it with others!
SuperVerse
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
Write the SuperVerse on the board: John 14:21:
“Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.”
Let’s say John 14:21 together:
Let’s take a deeper look at this verse. In the first line, if I understand it correctly, Jesus says that we can truly show that we love Him when we can say the Ten Commandments from memory; is that right? No!
Thank you for correcting me, my mistake. How can we then show our love? By accepting and obeying His commandments.
Oh, that’s a big difference, isn’t it? It is good to memorize Bible verses, but even more important, to actually do what they say! When we put God’s Word into practice and follow His example, this is what is pleasing to God!
God sent Jesus into the world to restore our relationship with Him that was broken when Adam and Eve sinned. By accepting Jesus as our Savior and obeying His Word, we are made right in His sight. God loves us, His children through Jesus. There is no other way to come to God except through our relationship with Jesus.
Now, in the last line of the SuperVerse, we learn that Jesus loves us and will reveal Himself to us! How do you think He will reveal Himself to us? Children answer.
He will reveal Himself to us as we read the Scriptures, pray, go to church, listen to Bible teachings, and fellowship with other believers. And He will reveal Himself by filling us with His love, mercy, peace, and power every day. Jesus wants to spend time with us and will show Himself in various ways, in different places and circumstances. This is how we experience Him!
Let’s say John 14:21 together again:
If children cannot memorize the SuperVerse, be sure they understand its meaning. Remind them to keep working on the verse at home.
Prayer
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
When two of Jesus’ followers walked and talked on the road to Emmaus, they did not recognize Jesus as He joined them. The two men experienced feelings such as doubt, fear, grief, disappointment, and sadness from the events that had just taken place! But even though they didn’t know it at the time, Jesus was right there with them. At home, the men ate and talked with Jesus and suddenly their eyes were opened to recognize Him.
As we live our lives, in the busyness of everything, in times of disappointment, sadness, doubt, anxiety, and fear, it is easy to forget that Jesus is with us. The truth is, He promised to never leave us. (See Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:8.)
Promises like these can remove doubt and replace it with faith. In the SuperVerse today, Jesus tells us that when we live according to His Word, He will love us and reveal Himself to us. In our prayer time today, I would like you to close your eyes and silently share with Jesus any difficulties you are facing right now such as grief, uncertainty, sadness, disappointment, rejection, or fear. Allow children time to pray.
Maybe, like the two men walking on the road to Emmaus, you do not recognize Jesus’ presence in your life in difficult times. Silently ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you, to open your spiritual eyes and experience His strength, His comfort, His encouragement and direction. Allow children time to pray.
Close in prayer: Heavenly Father, as we live for You and obey Your commands, You love us and dwell with us. Sometimes we may doubt Your presence in tough times, so we ask that You reveal Yourself to us so we might experience Your love and help in those times. Even when we don’t feel Your presence, help us to live by faith and believe You never leave us; in fact, Your Spirit lives inside us! Thank You for wanting us to experience Your love, mercy and power. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Review Game
- Four paper plates
- Marker
- Two tennis balls or beach balls
- Child's small soccer goal or bedsheet, two chairs and two clothes pins or clips
- Optional: masking tape or painters tape
- Whiteboard and marker; or chalkboard and chalk to keep score
- Bible or Superbook Bible app
Note: the items needed for this review game are identical to the ones used for Lesson 3 in “Paul and the Unknown God, Part 1.” Only the questions have been changed.
Place the soccer goal near one end of the room.
Make your own goal by stretching a bedsheet across the back of two chairs and using clothespins or clips to hold it in place.
Place a line or mark on the floor about 12–15 feet from the goal.
Write TRUE on two plates and FALSE on two plates.
Place a TRUE and FALSE plate in front of you. Demonstrate how to answer using the plates as you explain the game.
In this review game, you will answer true/false questions about the Bible story.
I will read a true/false question to a player from each team. You will step onto one of the plates to answer true or false. Ten points are scored for each correct answer.
You will also have an additional chance to score points by kicking two balls into the goal, once a question has been answered. The players will each take a turn to kick two balls into the goal. One point is scored for each goal. Players will retrieve the balls they kicked and quickly return them to the line for the next player.
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 and FALSE plate on the floor in front of them.
Ask the same review question from the list to both players. Feel free to add your own questions.
Players answer TRUE or FALSE by stepping on one of the plates.
Ten points are scored for a correct answer, no points for an incorrect answer.
Ask teams to give you the true answer false questions.
The two players will take turns to kick two balls into the goal.
The team with the most points wins.
Questions and Answers
1. T/F: The disciple named Peter ran to tell Mary Magdalene that Jesus was alive. (False—Mary told him.)
2. T/F: When Mary visited Jesus’ tomb, the stone still closed the entrance. (False—it was rolled away.)
3. T/F: The stone was rolled away by the religious leaders. (False—an angel.)
4. T/F: The guards at the tomb fell asleep. (False—they were awake and saw the angel.)
5. T/F: The High Priest bribed the Centurion to lie and say the guards at the tomb fell asleep. (True.)
6. T/F: The High Priest wanted people to believe that Jesus’ disciples stole His body from the tomb. (True.)
7. T/F: Peter outran John to the tomb and Thomas came in third place. (False—John outran Peter, Thomas wasn’t present.)
8. T/F: Four of Jesus’ followers were walking and talking on the way to Emmaus. (False—two.)
9. T/F: One of the men walking on the road to Emmaus was named Cleopas. (True.)
10. T/F: A third man joined the two walking to Emmaus; His name was Thomas. (False Jesus.)
11. T/F: The two men walking to Emmaus immediately recognized Jesus. (False—they didn’t know it was Him.)
12. T/F: Jesus explained the Scriptures about His death and resurrection to the men. (True.)
13. T/F: The two men asked Jesus to leave their home. (False—they begged Him to stay the night.)
14. T/F: After Jesus broke bread with them, their eyes were opened to recognize Jesus. (True.)
15. T/F: The two men from Emmaus kept it a secret that they had seen Jesus. (False—they told the disciples.)
16. T/F: Thomas is often referred to as Trusting Thomas. (False—Doubting Thomas.)
17. T/F: Thomas said he refused to believe that Jesus was alive until He could see Jesus’ wounds and touch them. (True.)
18. T/F: Jesus appeared to Thomas and told Him to look at and touch His wounds and to believe! (True.)
19. T/F: Jesus told Thomas that He will bless everyone who believes when they see Jesus with their eyes. (False—He will bless those who believe without seeing Him.)
20. T/F: We receive power from the Holy Spirit to witness about Jesus. (True.)
Match Game
- Match Cards, 4 pages
- Blank Card Page
- Card stock, 6 sheets
- Scissors
Make one copy of each Match Card, 4 pages.
Make two copies of the Blank Card Page.
Cut out each individual card (24).
Make a stack of A cards and 4 blank cards, then shuffle the 12 cards.
Make a stack of B cards and 4 blank cards, then shuffle the 12 cards.
Keep the stacks separate.
Make a “game board” with two sides on the floor.
Place the 12 A cards face down on the left side in 2 rows of 6 cards or 3 rows of 4 cards.
Place the 12 B cards face down on the left side in 2 rows of 6 cards or 3 rows of 4 cards.
Leave about 3 feet between the A and B side.
Divide the children into two teams. The teams do not need to be even. Have the children sit in their own teams facing the match card “game board.”
Let’s say the SuperVerse together. John 14:21:
We are going to play a matching game. There are eight sets of cards with images of Bible characters who did what Jesus told them to do. In their obedience, they experienced Him in deep and life changing ways. The matching cards are numbered and have an A or B on them. The A card represents when Jesus instructed the people to do something. The B card represents what happened when the people obeyed.
You will score five points for each Bible character match. There are also 4 blank card sets to match. These you only score one point but more importantly, the blank cards are removed which makes it easier to remember and find the Bible character cards. After each Bible character match, we will briefly discuss what Jesus told the people to do and the result of their obedience.
Teams will alternate turns. Only one player from one team plays at a time. A turn consists of a player choosing a card from the A side and the B side. The player first selects a card from the A side of the board and shows it to the other players. Then the player does the same for a card on the B side. If the cards match, the player keeps the cards and returns to the team. If the cards are not a match, they are placed back in the original spots, face down. If a player selects one blank card and one-character card, both are returned to the board, face down in the original spots.
Following each match of character cards, lead a brief discussion about the significance of what happened in the images. Use the following information, feel free to add your own.
Note: If time is limited, instead of asking questions, briefly give a summary of each match.
· Who is the character or characters?
· What is the setting or what is happening in the story?
· What did Jesus tell the character or characters to do?
· What was the result of the character’s obedience?
· What was revealed about Jesus or what did the characters experience from the encounter with Him?
1. Ananias is sent to Saul: As Ananias prays, Jesus tells Ananias to lay hands on Saul so he can see again. Ananias fears Saul but obeys. Ananias lays hands on Saul and he regains his sight. (Acts 9)
2. Saul encounters Jesus: Jesus appears to Saul as he travels to Damascus to persecute the Christians. Saul is blinded and is instructed to wait for Ananias to lay hands on Him. Paul is healed, is baptized as a believer in Christ, and begins to boldly preach the Gospel. (Acts 9)
3. Zacchaeus and Jesus: Zacchaeus is a hated, dishonest tax collector. He climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus tells him to come down so He can dine at his house. Zacchaeus’ life is dramatically changed by Jesus and vows to make it right for all he has stolen. (Luke 19:1–10)
4. Blind man at the Pool of Siloam: Jesus makes mud and puts it on the blind man’s eyes. Jesus tells him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys and is healed! (John 9:1–11)
5. Jesus turns water into wine: Jesus is at a wedding feast of a friend. Mary, His mother, tells Jesus that the wedding host has run out of wine. Mary tells the servants: “Do whatever He tells you.” Jesus tells the servants to fill up the jars with water. They obey and Jesus miraculously turns the water into the best wine they have tasted. (John 2:1–11)
6. The miraculous catch of fish: After Jesus’ resurrection He appeared on the shore as the disciples fished. They fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat; and they caught so many fish that their nets were full and near breaking. (John 21:1–6)
7. Levi/Matthew called by Jesus: Matthew was a tax collector who worked for the Roman government. Jesus came by his tax booth and told him to follow Him. Matthew left his booth and became Jesus’ disciple. Matthew invited his tax collector friends to eat with Jesus at his house. (Matthew 9:9–10)
8. Jesus tells the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for God’s promise of the Holy Spirit: Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem to be baptized in the Spirit and receive power to witness about Him all over the world. 120 believers gathered in prayer and received the promise of God’s Spirit to boldly preach the Gospel. (Acts 1:4–7,12–15; 2:1–4)
Play until all cards are removed from the board. Count the matches and award points. The team with the highest score wins.
Conclusion: When we walk in obedience to Jesus and God’s Word, He will reveal Himself to us and we can experience Him in new and exciting ways. As Mary, Jesus’ mother, told the servants at the wedding feast, “Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)
Coloring Activity
- Gizmo Helps Coloring Page
- Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers
Give a coloring page to each child, along with crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers to share. Lead a discussion using the questions below as children color their pages.
1. What was the main purpose of Chris, Joy and Gizmo’s mission trip? To witness to people and to build an orphanage.
2. What was Gizmo doing in this scene? Trying to help stir the mortar.
3. How did that work out? It didn’t. The mortar was so thick that his paddle got stuck and he spun around instead and flew into Pastor Aaron.
Gizmo always has good intentions, but many times his ideas backfire and turn into some kind of mishap or mess.
4. We can demonstrate our love for Jesus by doing what He asks us to do. How do you think the people on the mission trip can do that? They are witnessing about Jesus. They are loving and serving others by building the orphanage.
Conclusion: When we do what Jesus asks, we experience the love of God and share it with others.
Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “Jesus wants us to experience Him.”
Bible Activity
- Bibles––to make the activity fair for all children, do not use tabbed Bibles or electronic devices unless all the children have them
- Whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
- Eraser
- Sticky note pads––one per pair of children
- Pencils––one per pair of children
- Timer, such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with second hand, or timer app
Make sure there is a clear path between the children and the whiteboard.
If you would prefer not to use sticky notes, have children raise their hands to answer.
God wants us to do more than just learn about Him. He wants each of us to experience Him. The verses we will look up are based on what is available for every believer to experience personally.
Have the children sit in pairs. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible. Give each pair a Bible. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse while the other player writes the answer on a sticky note. The notes are then stuck to the board. If both players are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse.
Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.
All but one of the verses you will find are in the New Testament. I will say a Bible reference and then write it on the board. At this point, you may begin to find the verse. As you do this, I will read a fill-in-the-blank question that you will find the answer or answers to in that Bible verse.
I will repeat the question one more time, if needed. The player who is not looking up the verse will write the answer or answers on a sticky note and then walk quickly to stick it on the board. You have 30 seconds to do that. The first team scores 10 points for the correct answer; all other teams score 5 points for the correct answer stuck to the board within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up! The team with the most points wins. Are you ready to find out more ways that we can experience Jesus?
Allow spelling errors because of the fast pace of the game. Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs.
Read the verse reference but do not read the actual verse until after the questions are answered.
If time permits, have a child read the verse. Do as many questions as time allows.
1. Mark 1:15: Jesus said that by repenting of our _____, and believing the Good News, we can experience the _____ of God. (Sins, Kingdom)
2. Galatians 3:28: Although we are all different, we are _____ in Christ. (One)
3. Philippians 3:10: Paul said that he wanted to experience God’s _____ _____ that raised Him from the dead. (Mighty power)
4. John 16:33: On Earth we experience _____ and sorrows, but through Jesus, we can experience _____. (Trials, peace)
5. 1 Corinthians 15:57: Through Christ, we can experience _____ over sin and _____. (Victory, death)
6. Philippians 4:13: In Christ we can do everything when we experience His _____ that He gives to us. (Strength)
7. 2 Corinthians 12:9: We can experience Christ’s _____ working in us to overcome our _____. (Power, weakness)
8. John 15:11: Jesus wants us to experience His _____. We will be filled so full that it will _____. (Joy, overflow)
9. Old Testament: Isaiah 53:5: Jesus was beaten so we could be _____. He was whipped so we could be _____. (Whole, healed)
10. John 8:32: Jesus said that when we know the _____, we can experience being set _____. (Truth, free)
Let’s say our SuperTruth together: Jesus wants us to experience Him.