Leader Guide
| Site: | Superbook Academy |
| Course: | The Invasion of the Bug-O-Mytes - A Lesson in Working Together |
| Book: | Leader Guide |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Saturday, April 12, 2025, 8:15 PM |
Leader Introduction
Welcome students as they arrive with their parents.
OPTIONAL: As they arrive, play the song “The Solution.”
In today’s video, Quantum Labs has a big problem with bugs. No, not the type you call an exterminator to remedy. These pests are computer software bugs called Bug-O-Mytes, and they are causing the lab’s computers to be, well… buggy! Gears is offended that instead of asking him, Miss Tina asked Rodney from the IT department to get rid of the bugs. Gears says he has a hardware solution, while Rodney says he has a software fix. Miss Tina saves the day with a Bible story about Nehemiah and how the Israelites worked together to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. In this lesson, children learn the importance of working together to accomplish more than they could alone. Because, after all, two people are better off than one!
*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation unless otherwise indicated.
Optional Opening Game
- Bug Page
- Character Page
- Cardstock—two pages per six children
- Scissors
- Toy bug net (if available) or a gallon-size sealable bag
Make one copy of each page for every six children.
Cut apart the six individual cards on each page.
Shuffle the cards in a stack.
Before class, hide the cards face down around the room. Make some cards more visible than others. Don’t place cards inside drawers or cabinets or under heavy or breakable objects. The game should be a fun challenge but not difficult or frustrating. Consider making a mental note or writing down the location of the bug cards to assist any children who may have difficulty finding one.
We have a problem today that I can’t solve on my own, so I need your help. Let’s pretend that this room is actually in Quantum Labs, and we have a bug problem. Hold up a bug card.
Bugs like this are all over the lab, and you will each take turns finding them. Hold up a character card. But be careful: there are also Miss Tina and robot cards like this one. They must stay in the lab. If you find one of these cards, turn it over, and leave it where you found it. Then keep searching for a bug. When you find one, put it in the net (or bag), and the next player will take a turn.
Give the net or bag to the first player. Repeat this process until each child has found a bug card.
Optional: Copy additional Bug Card Pages to give children more chances to find bugs.
Play again if time permits. Use only bug cards for an easier, quicker game.
Conclusion: Hold up the bag or the net. Look at all the bugs you found! Congratulations, you worked together to get rid of the bugs successfully. Let’s “give it up” for everyone for a job well done! Lead the children to cheer and clap.
Today’s lesson is about working together. When we work together, we can do great things and have success.
In today’s video, Miss Tina and the bots have a bug problem. The bugs are called Bug-O-Mytes, and they are causing the lab computers to fail! Let’s watch the video to see if there is anything that just ONE person can do to solve the bug problem in Quantum Labs.
Object to GO!
- Plastic drinking cup
- Optional: Drinking Cup Image (provided)
Hold up the cup or image and discuss it using the questions and comments below.
● I think everyone knows what this is, right? Yes, a cup.
● Hold up your hand if you have used a cup to drink from today. Children respond.
● What are some things you drink in a cup? Water, milk, pop (soda), juice, tea.
● Raise your hand if someone has ever brought you a drink in a cup. Children respond.
A servant in today’s Bible story brought a very expensive cup to a very important person every day. In fact, it was the most important part of his job!
● Can you guess who the servant brought the cup to? Children guess.
● Good guesses! Let’s watch our video to see if you guessed correctly.
In today’s video, we will watch as Nehemiah and God’s people work together to build something really big!
Play Video (Bible Story)
Bible Story
Teaching Time
- Empty paper towel tube (King's scepter)
- Toy shields (2) or use the template provided
- Toy crown or use the template provided
- Two pool noodles, yardsticks, or broom handles (Spears)
- Robe, blanket, or bath towel (King's robe)
- Cardstock—3 sheets
- Cup
- Chair (Throne)
- Optional: Toy construction hats
- Optional: Crown Page, cardstock, and crayons
- Optional: Shield Page and Strap Page
- Optional: Toy tools (Hammer, ruler, screwdriver, shovel, etc.)
- Scissors
- Masking tape or stapler
- Actors: King, Nehemiah, two guards, workers (3 or more), enemies (2 or more)
- Optional: Costume beards and headwraps for one or more characters
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
Optional: Make a copy of the Crown Page on cardstock. Color the crown if the copy is in black and white.
Cut out the three pieces. Size the bands for a child’s head. Tape the pieces together.
Make two copies of the Shield Page and one copy of the Strap Page on cardstock. Color the front of the shield if the copies are black and white.
Cut out the two shields and the four arm straps. Align the two arm straps on the back of each shield. (Each strap is mounted vertically.) Raise the center of each strap to form a U so a child’s arm can slide through. Tape or staple each strap.
Assist the actors with costumes and props as necessary.
Slowly read the Bible story as outlined below. Pause at the bold text to direct the actors.
Place a chair (throne) in the presentation area.
● The king enters wearing a crown and robe, holding a scepter, then sits on the “throne.” A long time ago, there was a king in a country called Persia.
● A man named Nehemiah was the king’s cupbearer. This was a very important job, and the king trusted Nehemiah very much. Nehemiah enters with cup and hands it to the king.
● Although Nehemiah lived in Persia, he was in exile from his homeland, which was far away in Israel and its capital city, Jerusalem. Exile means you are forced to live away from your home. Nehemiah had just heard some bad news that the wall around Jerusalem had been destroyed. This made it easy for enemies to attack!
● Thinking about this made Nehemiah very sad—so sad that he wept. Nehemiah looks sad and wipes his eyes.
● When the king asked him why he was so sad, Nehemiah prayed to God, asking the Lord what to say. Nehemiah folds his hands in prayer.
● Nehemiah told the king about the broken walls of Jerusalem and asked the king’s permission to go and rebuild them. Nehemiah pretends to ask.
● The king liked Nehemiah very much. He smiled and said, "Yes!" King smiles, nods his head "Yes," and points to Nehemiah with his scepter.
● Nehemiah began the long trip to Jerusalem. Nehemiah walks away from the king.
(The king leaves, and the chair is removed).
● Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem. He looked at the long wall around the city that was all broken down and saw that it was a big job—so big that he could not do it alone. Nehemiah looks around with hand above his eyes and shakes his head.
● Nehemiah needed help! When the Jewish people heard what Nehemiah planned to do, they came from all over to help! He was so happy and thankful to see them! Workers enter with tools (optional hats). They stand with Nehemiah. He shakes their hands and smiles.
● The workers began to rebuild the wall. Workers bend over to pick up stones and pretend to use tools to build the walls.
● But not everyone was happy the walls were being rebuilt! Some enemies laughed at the workers and made threats to get them to stop their work! The enemies enter laughing, making angry faces, and shaking their fists.
● But Nehemiah and the workers refused to stop. He trusted God and had a plan! Nehemiah points to the sky, smiles, then looks determined and shakes head "no."
● The guards with shields and spears enter and stand with serious faces. Nehemiah had guards with weapons and shields stand watch to protect the workers. The Israelites kept working, and the wall kept getting taller!
● Because the Israelites trusted God and worked together, the wall was finished in only 52 days!
● The people had worked together, so now they could celebrate together. The enemy’s threats did not stop them! Nehemiah, the actors, and all of the children jump, clap, and cheer. The enemies sadly walk away with their heads down.
Optional Review Questions
Hold up the Object to Go! cup. One of Nehemiah’s important jobs was being a cupbearer. Who did he bring a cup to? The king (of Persia).
Could just one man repair that great big wall while also looking out for enemy attacks? No!
It took everyone working together!
What did the Israelites do when the walls were rebuilt? They returned to Jerusalem.
Verse to GO!
- Superbook GizmoGO! "A Lesson in Patience" on DVD or in Superbook Academy
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
Ecclesiastes: 4:9 (NLT)
Play Video (Verse to Go)
Verse to Go
Today’s Bible memory verse is Ecclesiastes 4:9. Say the memory verse slowly.
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Ecclesiastes 4:9
Now, let’s learn the verse together with some motions.
Stand facing the children and help them to repeat phrases and imitate the motions.
Two people… Hold one arm out with two fingers pointing up.
Are better off than one… Hold the other arm out with only the index finger pointing up.
Repeat a few more times slowly.
Optional: Make sure the children understand what it means to succeed.
The word "succeed" means to reach a goal or to complete a task you choose to do.
Let’s say a parent asks you to pick up all your toys in the backyard. To succeed, you must pick up all the toys. Now, what if a friend offers to help you; will the task go faster or slower? Faster!
Yes, correct; two people are better off than one, right? Your kind friend helped you to succeed even faster than you could on your own.
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.
Music Time
The Solution
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 “The Solution” under Resources or under “Extras!" in the DVD main menu.
The Solution
Play the video song “The Solution.”
Encourage the children to dance, sway, and sing with Miss Tina and the robots while imitating their moves.
Together, repeat, “We have to work together,” while holding both arms in the air to imitate the robots each time the line is sung. In most cases, this is every other line.
Singing Activity
Lead the children in singing and dancing to the song “Together"
Together
We can work together. (x4)
Put your hands together.
Use your hands together.
Move our feet together.
We can work together.
When we all agree,
Soon we’ll see
As a team
We help each other succeed.
Take Home Coloring Page
- The King's Servant Take-Home Page.
- Crayons or washable markers
- Optional: GizmoGO! Working Together trading cards, available under Products—one for each child.
The Take-Home Coloring Page located in Resources can be printed and given to students to color at the end of class if time, then to take home.
Print one page for each child, plus extras. Provide crayons or washable markers.
As children color, review today’s lesson using the discussion points below:
● Who are the two men in this picture? Nehemiah and the king (of Persia).
● What is the king wearing on his head? A crown.
● What is Nehemiah handing to the king? A cup.
● What was Nehemiah called because he brought the king his cup? A cupbearer.
● What did Nehemiah ask the king for permission to do? To go to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls.
● Did the king say "yes" or "no" to Nehemiah’s request to go to Jerusalem? Yes!
OPTIONAL TRADING CARD:
Optional: Hand out GizmoGO! trading cards for THE INVASION OF THE BUG-O-MYTES—WORKING TOGETHER—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 children come back to class each week, they can collect all three! (Save the cards for RODNEY and NEHEMIAH for Lessons 2 and 3.)