Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Hello and welcome! Today, we begin a new Superbook adventure titled “The Widow’s Mite.” What kind of person is a “widow”? A woman whose husband has died.

 

You may think a story called “The Widow’s Mite” is about a widowed lady who is strong and mighty (hold up your arm and clench your fist). But no!

 

In Bible times, there was a tiny little coin called a “mite”—it wasn’t even worth a penny! Something worth less than a penny may not seem important to us—but you’ll see how it was very important to Jesus! But first let’s get started on our adventure by seeing what Chris is doing today.                                 

 

                            

Play Video 2: Intro to Bible Story(4.5 minutes)

Chris and Joy's Dilemma

Chris has been saving his money to purchase an expensive new telescope. When the church youth group needs money for a food mission, Chris doesn’t want to give them his hard-earned cash.

 

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Chris was saving his money for over 2 years to buy the telescope. His money came from two sources; what were they? His allowance and money he earned mowing lawns.   

  

If you’ve ever saved your money to buy something, if you want, share what it was and how long you saved. Children answer.  

 

Today’s SuperTruth is “I will be a cheerful giver.” Let’s say that together: “I will be a cheerful giver.”

 

Saving money for something you really want can be exciting and fun. It can help us develop patience and understand the true value of something. However, we should never be so focused on saving that we forget to give cheerfully to God, first!

 

Let’s watch the rest of the video to see what Chris decides is the right thing to do.              

                

Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution (19 minutes)

Bible Story and Resolution

 

 

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to Jerusalem, where people are bringing their offerings to the Temple. When a poor widow gives just two tiny coins, Jesus says she has given more than rich people who gave much larger offerings—because she gave all she had. When Chris returns home, he gladly donates his savings to the church mission.

Video discussion

Do you think it would have been wrong for Chris to buy the telescope; why or why not? Children respond.  

 

God wants us to have good things. But things should never be more important to us than God.

Play Video 10A: SuperVerse Graphic 1

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

SuperVerse Graphic 1

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together. 2 Corinthians 9:7:

 

 

In this verse, who decides how much to give? Each person.  

 

To be reluctant means to hesitate or to be slow to do something. God doesn’t put pressure on us to give—He wants us to be generous and to give freely because we choose to.      

 

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)

Heavenly Father, every good and perfect gift we have is from You. Help us be cheerful givers and to share what we have out of gratitude and thanksgiving for Your generosity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.     

 

In Small Group today, you will play a fun game that’s about giving and receiving. Let’s go learn 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

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I will be a cheerful giver.”   

 

This game is about giving cheerfully when we hear about someone else’s need. This is pleasing to God and He will bless us. When we hold on to what we have, we can miss out on a bigger blessing from God.  

     

Divide the children into six teams of 2–5 children. Teams do not need to be equal. If necessary, a team can have just one child.  

Assign each team a number from 1–6. It is important for each player to know their team number! Be prepared to help children with special needs.  

Have each team sit in their own circle in the four corners of the room, and two in the middle.  

The game is played like “Go Fish.” 

Shuffle all the sets of cards together, then give each team six random cards. 

Each team places all cards with their own team number face-up in the middle of their circle. 

Cards with other numbers are turned over and placed in a pile near the center of the circle.

(For example, if Team 1 has two cards with the number 1, the team places those two cards face-up, in the order the words would be spoken in the SuperTruth; then they turn all the extra cards with different numbers face-down so other teams cannot see them.)

The goal is for each team to build the complete SuperTruth using only cards with their team’s number. To accomplish this, teams must give cards to each other when asked for one.

This represents giving cheerfully to help others and meet a need.   

Start the game. One player from each team will go to another team and ask, “Do you have a card for team number __?” (The player will ask only for their team number.)

The team checks their extra cards without revealing the card numbers. If they have a card with the requested number, they must give it to the player with a smile! If they have more than one card with that number, they should not say so, and only give one card to the asking player. 

The asking players return with the card to their team and the next player goes to ask for a card from a team—either the same team as before or a different team. 

Once a team has built the SuperTruth with their cards, they stand up and shout it together.  

Continue until all teams have built the SuperTruth. If time permits, shuffle the cards and play again.          

Conclusion: In this game, your teams could not build the SuperTruth with just the cards you were initially given. Proverbs 3:27 says:

 

 

You gave what you had to help other teams and you received cards you needed from others. The Bible says that God gives us more than we need so we can give generously to others. God loves a cheerful giver! Let’s learn more about giving to God and others in today’s Teaching. 

 

Teaching

 

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “I will be a cheerful giver.”  

 

Giving is good, but what pleases God is cheerful giving.

 

In the Superbook adventure, when Chris first heard about the lack of money for the food drive, why didn’t he feel he needed to help? He gives money when he can; other people have more money.

 

Why did Chris change his mind? He learned he should give cheerfully and regularly.

God consistently gives good things to us; God never changes, and He is our perfect model for giving.     

 

Giving cheerfully is what our SuperVerse is about. Let’s say it together. 2 Corinthians 9:7:    

 

 

In the Jewish Temple, we watched people give their tithes and offerings.  

How much is a tithe? One-tenth or 10% of what you earn or receive.   

 

Who would impress you the most—the rich people giving lots of gold or the poor woman who gave only two tiny coins? Children respond. 

 

God doesn’t view offerings the same way as we do. You may think that at your age you don’t have much to give so your offerings aren’t valuable to God. But Jesus makes it very clear that just two small coins given willingly and cheerfully can please God—even more than larger gifts that were given to impress people or to fulfill an obligation.          

 

2 Corinthians 8:12 says:

 

 

Isn’t that awesome? If your heart is right, your gift is blessed and accepted by God!  

 

Arrange the two sets of plates on the table. Position the two plates with dimes together. Position the two plates with pennies and quarters together leaving space between the two sets of plates.

 

Let’s say that these are two offerings from two different givers. 

Show the pennies and quarters to the children on the plates.  

Don’t answer now; but consider which offering you think that God is most pleased with. 

 

Show the plates with the dimes to the children.

Here are two offerings of the same amount.   

Don’t answer now; but consider which offering you think God is most pleased with.

 

What did you think about the first offerings with the pennies and quarters? Children respond.

What did you think about the identical offerings with the same number of dimes? Children respond.

 

The simple truth is that we really can’t judge. Do you know why? Because we can’t see inside the givers’ hearts, we don’t know their motives or reasons for giving.      

 

Slowly turn the plate with quarters over so the coins slide off onto the table.

Reveal the heart with the sad face on the back of the plate. You couldn’t see this sad face that represents the attitude of the giver’s heart. I think this person was sad to give money to God!

Slowly turn the plate with pennies over so the coins slide off onto the table. Reveal the heart with the smiling face on the plate. You couldn’t see this cheerful heart when this offering or tithe was given. This person was happy to give money to the Lord!  

 

So, now, based on what we know from our SuperVerse, which offering do you think pleases God more? The happy heart, the pennies. 

 

Let’s look at the second set of offerings. Both givers gave the same amount.

Repeat the process and discussion using the two plates of dimes.

 

The attitude and motive of the heart makes all the difference to God!

God sees what we can’t. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees about their giving in Luke 16:15:

 

 

In the video, Jesus’ disciples were impressed with people giving larger offerings. However, Jesus looked inside their hearts and saw what kind of people they really were. He knew the rich people were giving out of their surplus—extra money that they had. Or perhaps they were giving money just so other people would admire them! However, Jesus saw that the poor widow sacrificed all that she had to live on, and she trusted God to meet her needs. Her offering was all she had.

 

Hold up the water bottle, take the cap off, and gently tip it so that some water flows out into the bowl.

The bottle doesn’t need to be squeezed or have pressure applied for water to come out—it just naturally does. Stand the bottle upright and then tip it over again. The water did not hesitate to come out. It freely poured out. That’s what it was designed to do.

 

And this is God’s design for us—to give cheerfully from our hearts.    

 

Remember the verse from the game you played, Proverbs 3:27–28:

 

 

The Lord is pleased when we love and serve others with a cheerful heart because we are so thankful to Jesus for all that He has done for us!

 

Now it’s time for our Discipleship Challenge where we will learn more about giving in a practical way.      

 

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

 

Give each child a Cheerful Challenge Coin Page and a Giving Bank Page.  

Give children’s scissors to each child and provide glue sticks and tape to share.

Display the model craft of the Giving Bank.

Have children carefully cut out and assemble their banks following the instructions. Assist as needed.    

Tell the children to cut out their Cheerful Challenge Coin Pages at home (so coins do not get lost).

 

Hold up the model Giving Bank and the first Challenge Coin. The Discipleship Challenge for the next three lessons is called the Cheerful Challenge. This challenge is about putting into action what we are learning about cheerfully giving to God and others. God loves when we give cheerfully!

 

Choose a volunteer to read aloud Matthew 6:21, on the front of the bank.  

 

 

When we decide in our hearts to cheerfully give to God and others, it shows that the desire and priority of our hearts is to please God. This demonstrates that we value or “treasure” God’s will over our own desires, putting Him first.

 

Hold up Coin #1 of Challenge #1 and have a volunteer read aloud the Bible verse reference on it. 1 Chronicles 29:14b.

 

Ask the children to look at their coin pages. At home, you may carefully cut out the Challenge Coins. One coin of each of the three challenges has a Bible verse like the one I am holding.

Have a volunteer read Coin #2 of Challenge #1.

Coins #2–4 of each challenge say “Give to God” and “Give to Others.”

 

You will also carefully cut out the Challenge Bookmark. The bookmark can be used to mark the challenge verse in your Bible as a quick reference for the challenge.

 

For each challenge, you will read and learn (if possible) the Bible verse. God’s Word is a precious gift to us. When we give our time to read, learn and apply His Word, it shows we value and are thankful for His gift. When this part of the challenge is completed, drop coin #1 into the bank.    

 

The second part of each challenge is about cheerfully giving back to God and sharing with others what He has given us. On the Challenge Bookmark are different ways we can give and share. Be creative and think of different ways to use God’s gifts He has given to you! It isn’t only about giving money! As you give, drop a coin into the Giving Bank. Pray and be alert for opportunities to give and share. When you do, don’t be surprised if you need to make more coins!

 

It’s a blessing to give to others, and we’ll store up treasures in heaven for all eternity!

 

Remember, for Challenge #1, learn the verse on Coin #1. Then ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and ears for opportunities to give to God and to share and serve others! When we meet again, you will have a chance to share about your coins of giving!     

 

SuperVerse

Let’s look at the board and say together 2 Corinthians 9:7:

 

 

Place one hand on your heart and have the children do the same. According to this verse, should we decide how to give from our hearts? Yes!   

 

God wants our decision to give to come from deep within our hearts because we love Him and are filled with joy when we give back to Him!

 

Have you ever received a gift from a close friend or family member that wasn’t big or expensive, but it meant everything to you because it showed they really understood you and knew you? 

  

When a gift comes from the heart, it has deep meaning and value, doesn’t it!

 

When we give to God from our hearts, it shows that we know Him and understand what will please Him. To help us learn the SuperVerse, I am going to say a part of the verse and demonstrate a hand motion to go along with it. You will then repeat the motion and words together. Are you ready?

 

Place a hand over your heart. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. Children repeat.

Frown and hold out a clenched fist. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. Children repeat.

Smile and completely open one hand, palm up, as if to release something. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” Children repeat.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Children repeat.  

 

Repeat the verse two more times this way. Consider having a few older children volunteers stand alongside you and lead the activity with you.    

 

Conclusion: Giving is good, but giving with a cheerful heart is what pleases God the most!

Prayer

In our churches and communities, there are many opportunities to give. Jesus is pleased when we give, but not all giving is the same. It is important to give with the right attitude and motive. If we feel pressured to give or if we give to avoid feeling guilty, it is unlikely that we are giving cheerfully. Even more, it is likely that we will carry anger and bitterness inside. This is the opposite of what God intended for us when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive!” (See Acts 20:35.)   

 

Take a moment now to close your eyes and bow your heads. I will pray and then allow a few moments for the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts.

 

Lord Jesus, look inside us today and silently speak to our hearts. You see what others can’t. Reveal any feelings, emotions, attitudes, and motives that are not pleasing to You. Allow children time to silently listen for the Lord’s guidance in their hearts.

 

Thank You for giving Your life for us and for continuing to give us all we need every day. Help us to joyfully give back to You and to share with others with love, thanksgiving, generosity, and compassion. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Additional Activity

When we give freely and cheerfully to those who cannot repay us, we are actually giving to God, and He promises to bless us! Proverbs 19:17 says:

 

 

Everything belongs to God, so everything we have comes from God. We don’t actually own what He gives us; He trusts us to wisely manage and use what He has given us. This is called stewardship. Yet even though all we give is His, He still promises to repay us, especially when others can’t!  

 

Jesus talked about the benefits and blessing of giving. He said in Luke 6:38a:

 

 

Jesus wasn’t just speaking about giving to our family and friends, He was talking about being generous even to our enemies and those who cannot give back to us. This verse applies to money and also to anything else that we freely give to others—things like forgiveness, mercy, kindness, love, and compassion.

 

Let’s take a look at how God gives back to us according to what Jesus said in Luke 6:38.

 

Stand behind the paper balls and the tall containers/cups.

Place one cup (Cup #1) toward the front of the table. This cup represents God or someone with a need.  

The paper balls represent things we give. It can be a tithe or an offering to God. It can be a donation to a foodbank, or anything given to someone in need.    

Raise your hand to guess how many of these paper balls will fit into this cup. Children guess.

Let’s see if anyone guessed correctly. Count aloud as I place the balls in the cup.

 

Slowly place balls into the Cup #1 as the children count. Add only enough to fill to the rim—not over.

Raise your hand if you guessed {correct number} balls. Children respond.

Now, it is important to remember Jesus said the widow’s offering of two mites was greater than what the wealthy people gave. More is not necessarily better!   

 

Empty Cup #1 and place the empty second (Cup #2) next to it.

Point to Cup #2. This cup represents us. Raise your hand if you think this cup will hold the same number of balls since they are the same size. Children respond.    

 

Ask the children to count aloud as you add one ball at a time. Begin to place paper balls into Cup #2 as you did with Cup #1. However, each time the balls reach the rim of the cup, press them down and tap the bottom of the cup on the table to make room for more.

Repeat, adding and counting until there is no more room to add more and the balls overflow the cup.

 

This time, {number} balls filled the cup until it ran over! This is how God promises to give back to us—pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

 

So, why is God generous toward us; is it so we can keep everything to ourselves? No.

Read 1 John 3:17 (NKJV):  

 

 

Hold up Cup #2. We have so many things to share, even if we don’t have money! We have other possessions, spiritual gifts, talents, abilities, forgiveness, mercy, hope, the Good News of salvation, and the other countless blessings God gives to us through Christ.

 

Begin to take the balls out of Cup #2, reform them and place them into Cup #1 until it reaches the top. He gives generously to us so that we can generously and cheerfully share what we have with others.     

 

Conclusion: We should never give just so we’ll get something back. We want to give freely, cheerfully and generously. And God will bless our lives abundantly in countless ways! 

 

Action Game

2 Corinthians 9:10 (CEV) says:

 

This verse talks about how God provides seed to the farmers so they can then plant crops and generously share what they grow with others. For us, the seed represents things like our money, food, clothing, gifts, talents, and possessions—anything that God gives us. In this game, the marbles represent this seed. 

 

When we generously give to others, what does this verse say that God will do for us? He will increase what we have so we can give even more to others! 

 

Did you know that we can never, ever out-give God? No matter how much we bless others, God will bless us even more! He is the source of all good things, and His supplies are endless!

 

Divide the class into teams of 4–6 children. Adjust this to the size of the class. If possible, mix boys and girls, and older and younger children on each team.

Have each team form a separate line; side by side at arm’s length from one another. See the image for game setup.

Place a container of marbles at one end. Give each child a plate.

Say “Ready, set, give!” to start the game. The first player on each team will take a marble and put it on his/her plate. Then, the player rolls the marble from that plate to the next player’s plate and so on down the entire line.

The last player in the line carefully carries the marble on his/her plate to the beginning of the line and all players move down one position. This means the last player becomes the first player and the previous first player is now the second player, etc.

The first player keeps the marble on the plate and adds a second marble. The player then transfers the two marbles to the next player. Play continues as before until the marbles reach the last player in line. That player goes to the first position and everyone moves down one position again.

Continue this process, adding one marble each time to the plate. The first team to pass all five marbles and return them to the container wins.

Note: players cannot use their hands to touch or hold the marbles on the plates. Players must work together to carefully transfer marbles between plates. However, if marbles roll off a plate, team members can help gather them and return them to the player’s plate.

 

Conclusion: What happened when you gave what you had? I received back even more!

 

God loves to give us good things, and He loves to see the joy that we experience when we share His blessings with others.

Matching Game

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: “I will be a cheerful giver.”

 

God cares about the condition of our hearts when we give. God does not want us to be angry or sad when we give our tithes and offerings. He also doesn’t want us to give out of fear, guilt or pressure.

God is not waiting to punish us if we don’t give or give enough! God is pleased when we give cheerfully out of love for Him and thanksgiving for all He gives to you every day! 

 

We are going to play a matching game to get rid of all the emotions or feelings that are not pleasing to God when we give. The game ends when we only see the cheerful faces!

 

The children play as one large group. Each player takes a turn which consists of flipping over two cards, one at a time. The first card chosen is turned “face up” for all players to see. Then the same player flips over a second card to try to match the first card. If the cards match, they are removed from play (except for a happy face pair). If both cards are happy faces, they are flipped “face up” and remain on the table. If the two cards do not match, they are flipped over “face down” in the same location and remain in play. Play until all four face card sets are “face up”! 

 

Conclusion: Good job removing all the negative feelings toward giving! Jesus told His disciples that it wasn’t the amount that was important to God if a gift came from the heart. The wealthy people gave an offering out of their surplus or extra. But the widow decided in her heart to give all that she had.                   

 

Bible Activity

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth: “I will be a cheerful giver.”  

 

In this activity, we will learn that cheerful giving goes beyond money. We have so much to give to God and others because we are abundantly blessed by Him!  

 

Have the children sit down 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. The other child can be the “messenger.” They write the answers on a sticky note and stick the note to the board. If both players are experienced Bible users, the players can alternate looking up a verse and being the messenger. Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse. 

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.

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

 

I will say a verse reference and write it on the board. Then I will write two questions for you to answer about the verse: 1. Who gave? 2. What did they give? You may start to look the verse up as soon as I say it. Once you find the answers, the messenger will write your answers on the sticky note, then quickly stick it to the board. You have one minute to do that. Each team scores five points for a correct answer on the board in time. The pair with the most points wins.  

 

If time permits, read the verses surrounding the passage so you can share the background of what is taking place and how to practically apply it today.      

 

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. Luke 21:2–4: 

 

 

1. Who gave? A poor widow.   

2. What was given? Two small coins, two mites, all she had to live on. 

 

2. Acts 4:36–37:

 

1. Who gave? Barnabas (Joseph).   

2. What was given? All of the money from a field he owned that he sold.  

 

3. Acts 3:6: 

 

 

1. Who gave? Peter.   

2. What was given? Jesus’ healing power, Jesus’ love, freedom, wholeness from Jesus. 

 

4. Luke 19:8: 

 

 

1. Who gave? Zacchaeus.  

2. What was given? Half his wealth (to the poor), four times any money that he cheated people by charging them too much money for their taxes.  

 

5. John 12:3: 

 

 

1. Who gave? Mary.    

2. What was given? Expensive perfume. 

 

6. Acts 16:14–15: 

 

 

1. Who gave? Lydia.   

2. What was given? Hospitality. Her home to stay in.  

 

7. Matthew 10:42:

 

 

1. Who is to give? Us, everyone.   

2. What small thing given will be rewarded by Jesus? Something as small as a cup of cold water. 

 

8. Acts 2:44–45: 

 

 

1. Who gave? The believers (in the early church).    

2. What was given? They sold their property and possessions and gave money to those in need.  

 

Conclusion: These people decided to freely give from their hearts because of their love for God. They gave without hesitation and reluctance. No matter what we give, God loves a gift that is given cheerfully from our hearts.