Leader Guide

Leader Introduction

In today’s video, Gizmo surprises Gears by building new shelves to display his collection of action figures. Gears is pleasantly surprised, but his excitement quickly turns to shock when he discovers that his favorite Protonatron figure is missing! Even worse, he accuses Gizmo of stealing it! Could this be the end of their friendship? And can Miss Tina and Detective Widget crack the case?

Miss Tina presents a Bible story about David and Jonathan, who develop a friendship that will last through thick and thin. Jonathan makes a difficult choice to help protect his best friend, David, from the wicked King Saul—who is Jonathan’s father! Through the story, children will learn the importance of friendship.

*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation unless otherwise indicated.”

Optional Opening Game

In this game today, we are going to learn some fun things about each other.

Give the ball to a child and have them say their name so all can hear. Then raise your fingers to count to three and all together say “Hi, (Child’s name)!”

The child will then roll or toss the ball to the person on their left. Repeat this until all the children have taken a turn. Then, stand behind each child and ask the class to shout that child’s name to see how well they listened.

If time permits, play again so each child can name a favorite color or animal. Stand behind each child again and ask the class if they remember what was said.

We just learned some fun things we may not have known about each other, didn’t we? The more time we spend together, the more we learn about each other. This helps us to build friendships.

In today’s video, we will join Miss Tina and the robots at Quantum Labs. Something has changed the color of everything, and Gears has lost something important to him! Raise your hand if you have ever lost something important to you. Children respond.

Today’s lesson is about friendship. Let’s see what happens when two friends face a problem and how they work it out.

Video Lesson

Play Video (Case of the Missing Protonatron)

Case of the Missing Protonatron

Optional discussion following the video:

● What did Gizmo do to surprise Gears? He built shelves for Gears’ action figures.

● Why was Gears angry? One of the action figures was missing.

● What did Gears think happened to it? He thought Gizmo took it.

● Why did this hurt Gizmo’s feelings? Gears was his friend. Stealing is wrong.

● What did Professor Fern ask Miss Tina to take care of? A flower (Gladiolus).

● What happened to the flower? Gears dropped it, and the glass container broke.

● Which robot was playing a detective? Widget.

Object to GO!

Hold up the crown or image and discuss it using the questions and comments below.  

● Do you know what this is called? A crown.

● Who would wear a crown? A king or queen.

● Place one hand through the crown (like a bracelet). Do you wear a crown like this? No, you wear it on your head!

● What other piece of clothing might a king or queen wear? A robe.

● Someone in today’s Bible story wears a crown. Do you think it is a queen or a king? Children respond.

We will soon find out who guessed correctly! Now, let's watch today's lesson about friendship.

Play Video (David and Jonathan—Bible Story)

David and Jonathan

Teaching Time

● Enter David. Oh, look, everyone! Here comes David! He was a brave soldier who won many battles. David’s strength and success came from God. David points to sky and then flexes muscles.

● God’s people loved David and liked to celebrate his victories. They would clap and cheer and dance for joy. The crowd dances, claps, and cheers for David.

● David and Jonathan were best friends. The actors smile and put their hands on each other’s shoulders.

● Jonathan loved David so much that he gave him his robe, belt, bow, and sword. Jonathan hands the items to David and smiles.

● David and Jonathan promised to always be best friends no matter what happened. The two shake hands.

● Place the chair (throne) off to the side of David and Jonathan. Enter King Saul wearing crown, holding spear (paper towel tube).

● Uh-oh! Here comes King Saul! Whenever King Saul heard the cheers and songs for David and saw the dancing, it made him very angry. The crowd cheers and dances. Saul and the guards make angry faces.

● Saul wanted the people to cheer for him, not David! Points to self and nods head "yes."

● Jonathan wasn’t just a friend to David; he was also King Saul’s son! Jonathan stands at one side of the throne and to side of the guard.

● This meant that Jonathan should be the king one day. Place crown on Jonathan’s head.

● But this wasn’t God’s plan. God had chosen David to be king instead.

● David was Jonathan’s best friend for life. So, instead of being angry, Jonathan trusted God’s plan and was happy for David. Jonathan smiles and places the crown on David’s head.

● Jonathan exits, and the crown is placed back on Saul’s head.

● David was a musician who loved to worship God. He often sang and played the harp (kinnor) for King Saul when the king was sad. David stands several feet from the king and plays the harp. King Saul smiles.

● One day, Saul became very angry about how God chose David to be king instead of Jonathan. Saul makes angry face.

● Saul became so angry that he tried to hurt David.

● Saul stands up with angry face and (gently) throws “spear” beside David.

● David quickly jumped, and the spear missed. David jumps away from spear.

● King Saul makes angry face and exits. Jonathan enters.

● David told Jonathan what King Saul had done. At first, Jonathan couldn’t believe it. Jonathan shakes head "no."

● But Jonathan trusted David and knew his good friend would not lie to him. So, Jonathan promised to help David escape and always to be his friend. David promised that when he became king, he would always take care of Jonathan’s family. The two actors hug and shake hands. Jonathan exits.

● David ran away and hid from Saul for many years. David runs in place, then crouches down.

● One day, David did become king, just like God planned. David sits on throne with crown on his head.

● David remembered his friendship with Jonathan and cared for Jonathan’s family, just as he promised! Smiles and nods head "yes."

David and Jonathan were best friends forever. They helped and trusted each other in good times and in bad times—now, that’s friendship!

Hold up the crown or put it on your head. Do you remember our Object to Go? Two people wore a crown in the Bible story. Who were they? Saul and David.

Optional Review Questions

Why did King Saul want to hurt David? He was jealous. He didn’t like David. He wanted Jonathan to be king.

What instrument did David play to make King Saul feel better? A harp.

Who was David’s best friend? Jonathan.

Who did David take care of after he became king? Jonathan’s family.

Verse to GO!

Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

Stand facing the children and lead them in repeating phrases and imitating the motions.

Play Video (Verse to Go)

Verse to Go

Raise your hand if you have seen or worn a watch that you tell time with.

Point to your wrist for a clue if needed. Where do you wear a watch? On your (hand) wrist.

Try to remember this a,s we will learn the first part of the verse today and add motions to it. Are you ready? Children respond.

A friend… Have children do a “high five” with the person beside them. You can do a high five with the child at one end.

Loves… Form a heart with fingers of both hands.

At all times… Point to an imaginary wristwatch and circle it with your index finger.

Repeat slowly a few more times.

A true friend loves and sticks by you in good times and in bad or difficult times.

The Bible tells us that Jesus, God’s Son, is our friend. And not just any friend but the best friend we could ever have. He always loves us, no matter what we are going through or what we have done!

Note: Preschool children may not be able to memorize the entire verse; they may simply repeat it with you. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Prayer Time

Close the lesson with a simple prayer to encourage the children to be a true friend to others and to talk to Jesus, our best friend.

For example: Dear Jesus, thank You for forgiving us and saving us from our sins. And thank You for being our friend Who loves us at all times. Help us to talk with You every day and to be a true friend to others. In Jesus’ saving name we pray, Amen.

Music Time

The lyrics and chords for this song are found in Resources.

Create your own motions or use the suggested motions as seen in the Quantum Karaoke “Friendship” under Resources or under “Extras! in the DVD main menu.

Friendship

Play the video song “Friendship” for your students.

Encourage the children to dance and move to the music. Optional: lead children in saying and doing actions to specific parts of the song below:

Verse 1

Line three: hold fingers up and shout, “One, two, three!”

Line four: hug self when at “friendly hug.”

Line four: cover your eyes at “and hide-and-go-seek!”

Verse 2

Line two: point to sky and shout, “Firmament!”

Line three: hold arms up and make big muscles at “stronger than cement.”

Chorus 1

Line three: sing “oh, oh, oh, oh” (x3)

Verse 3

Line two: shout “your very self”

Chorus 2

Line four: sing "Love, love, love, God’s love. Love, love, love, God’s love."

Verse 4
Lines two and four: hold palms together at “prayer.”

Singing Activity

Lead the children in singing the song “Be Nice to Your Friends” at 16:30 of the video. Encourage the children to dance and move to the music with Miss Tina while pretending to sing into a microphone.

Be nice to your friends and keep it kind. (x4)

Be nice to your friends, and here is why:

Big Daddy the Creator says to keep it kind.

Be nice to your friends and keep it kind. (x3)

Be nice to all your friends and keep it kind.

Be nice to your friends, and here is why:

Big Daddy the Creator says to keep it kind.

Take Home Coloring Page

As children color, review today’s lesson using the discussion points below:

● Who was David’s best friend: Saul or Jonathan? Jonathan.

● Who was King Saul’s son: David or Jonathan? Jonathan.

● What should a true friend do at all times? Love you.

● Who tried to hurt David? King Saul.

● Who protected David? Jonathan.

● Who did God choose to become king after Saul? David.

● Who can we always count on to hear our prayers, forgive us, and love us at all times? God, Jesus.

OPTIONAL TRADING CARD:

Optional: Hand out GizmoGO! trading cards for DAVID AND JONATHAN, one per child. These are available for purchase under Products. Explain that there is a different trading card for each of the three lessons, so if they come back to Sunday school each week, they can collect all three! (Save the cards for WIDGET and CASE OF THE MISSING PROTONATRON for Lessons 2 and 3.)

Video Option

Let’s watch another video to see what really happened to the missing Protonatron.

The Missing Protonatron wrap-up of this episode

Ask the following discussion questions:

● What did Gears finally decide about Gizmo? To trust him and believe what he said about not taking his action figure.

● What did Gears ask Gizmo to do? To forgive him for saying he took the figure.

● Did Gizmo forgive Gears? Yes!

● Who solved the case of the missing Protonatron? Professor Fern.

● Where was the action figure the whole time? In Professor Fern’s lab.

● Who left the action figure in Professor Fern’s lab? Gears.

When friends get angry or upset with each other, it is very important for them to say they are sorry. But it doesn’t stop there. It is even more important to ask for forgiveness and to forgive. When we do this, our friendships will not only last, but they will also grow stronger!