Leader Guide

Leader Introduction

Welcome students as they arrive with their parents.
OPTIONAL: As they arrive, play the song “Kind and Sweet.”

Today’s Bible story reinforces and expands on the previous lesson about kindness.

Back at Quantum Labs, Gizmo is excited to host the first comedy night show in the auditorium. Everyone is having a great time until Widget nervously takes the mic and says unkind things about Rig, hoping to get some laughs. The crowd becomes silent and Rig bursts into tears.

In today’s Bible story, Miss Tina tells us about how four men showed kindness to a man when they brought him to Jesus. Jesus rewarded their faith by healing the man and forgiving his sins! Children will learn the importance of showing kindness to others as Jesus shows kindness to us every day!

*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation except as noted.

Optional Opening Game

Unmatched Kindness

Note: If time is short, skip this activity or save it for the end of class.

Let’s play a matching game to begin today’s lesson. The cards on the table (floor) have pictures of ways to show kindness. Remember, our God forgave us, so we’re able to give kindness to everybody.

There are two cards for each picture. On your turn, you will choose one card to turn over and show everyone. Then, you will choose a second card to see if it matches. If the cards match, you will show everyone the cards, and we will discuss how the pictures show kindness.

If the two cards don’t match, you will turn them over on the table in the same spot.

The leader can stand by the cards and assist the children in returning the cards face down to the table if needed.

Continue this way until all the cards are matched and the acts of kindness are discussed. Note: Allow children to share their ideas; there is more than one answer per card!

OPTIONAL:

For an easier/faster game, leave unmatched cards face-up after being selected, or use fewer cards (but make sure you use two of each image).

Use the list of the cards below:

1. Listening to others 2. Praying for others 3. Sharing Jesus 4. Donating food 5. Donating clothes 6. Being friendly 7. Encouraging and supporting others 8. Walking the dog/helping 9. Sharing what you have with others 10. Spending time together 11. Helping 12. Showing compassion and being tenderhearted.

You did it! You matched all the cards and had great ideas on how they showed kindness! Now, let’s watch a video about a robot who forgets how important it is to be kind to others.

Object to Go

● Hold up the rope. Who might use a rope like this? A firemen, cowboy or cowgirl, a sailor, farmer, fisherman, a worker, etc.

● A rope can be used for many helpful things, like giving one end to someone who needs to be rescued.

● A rope was used by some men in our Bible story to help a friend. How many men do you think used a rope? Two, three, four, or five? Children respond.

Let’s watch our video now to find out if anyone guessed correctly!

Optional: Play Bible Story Theme Song (9:00 – 9:19)

Play Video (Bible Story Theme Song)

Bible Story Theme Song

Optional: Sing along and do the motions with Miss Tina for the Bible Story Theme Song.

“Have you heard the Word? Truth’s in the Word—oh!”

“Have you heard the Word? Truth’s in the Word—let’s go!”

Video Lesson

Play Video 

In today’s Bible story, we will see how four men showed kindness to a friend when they refused to give up on bringing him to Jesus.

Play Video (Bible Story)

Bible Story

Teaching Time

Slowly tell the Bible story as outlined below. Pause at bold text to allow children to imitate your actions or words.

● One day, Jesus walked to a house in Capernaum. Walk in place.

● He began to teach about God to the people who gathered there. Hold a hand in the air and silently mouth words.

● Some religious leaders called Pharisees came to the house. They were jealous of Jesus, and His words made them angry. Make an angry face and scowl.

● As more people heard about Jesus, a large crowd formed outside the house.

● The crowd stood tall to try to see Jesus. Stretch and stand on tiptoes.

● There was a man who lived in Capernaum. He was paralyzed, so he couldn’t move his legs to walk. He lay on a mat all day, unable to move! Make a sad face.

● The man was so blessed to have four kind friends. Smile big, shake head "yes."

● The friends believed that Jesus would heal the paralyzed man so he could walk.

● The four friends carried the man on his mat to the house where Jesus was teaching. Hold arms up and make a strained face to lift a heavy load.

● There was a problem, though. The crowd was so big that they couldn’t get near the house to see Jesus! Sigh loudly, lower head, and look dejected.

● The men had worked hard to carry the mat this far, and now this!

● BUT they had an idea. Look up excitedly and point to your head.

● At the side of the house was a stairway. They could climb the stairs to the rooftop and then lower him down to see Jesus! March in place to climb the stairs.

● It just might work! So up they went to the top of the roof carrying the man on his mat. Hold arms up, march in place, groan, strain, then set the mat down.

● Piece by piece, the men removed part of the roof to make a hole. Bend down and pick up some pieces one by one and lay them to the side.

● Then the men looked down through the hole in the roof, and there He was: Jesus! Look down excitedly and put a hand on forehead to peer down.

● They carefully held onto the ropes and lowered the man on his mat to Jesus! Bend over and lay something down.

● Do you remember when we talked about how a rope could be used to help? Children respond.

● Jesus saw the men’s kindness and faith. He looked down at the man on his mat and said, “Your sins are forgiven!”

● The Pharisees couldn’t believe what they heard! Only God can forgive sins! Who does Jesus think He is? Make an angry face and cover ears with your hands.

● Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking. He said, “Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or stand up and walk?”

● Then Jesus told the man who couldn’t walk, “Stand up, take your mat, go home!”

● The man jumped up, picked up his mat, and praised God as he walked away. Jump up and down, praising God and waving hands.

● The man’s friends and the crowd were amazed. They couldn’t believe what had just happened, and they praised God too! Celebrate, applaud, and praise God!

The four kind men carried their friend to Jesus, who performed two miracles that day. Jesus showed kindness to the man when he healed his legs and forgave his sins. That day, Jesus proved to the crowd and the Pharisees that He was truly God’s Son.

Optional Review Questions

● How do you think the four friends felt when they saw their friend get up and walk? Excited, relieved; they were glad that they had shown kindness and helped him.

● When Jesus saw what the four men had done, what pleased Him? Their faith in Him to heal the man.

Verse to GO!

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

Play Video (Verse to Go)

Verse to Go

Today’s Bible memory verse is Ephesians 4:32. Say the memory verse slowly.

To begin, let’s say the first part of the Bible verse we learned. If you weren’t here last time, we will say it with you and teach you the motions, too!

Stand facing the children and lead them to repeat phrases and imitate the motions.

Be kind to each other… Slowly raise both arms from your side and extend them in front of you, palms up.

Tenderhearted… Smile and gently pat your heart with both hands.

Repeat slowly a few more times.

Now, let’s learn the second part of the verse with motions.

Just as Christ… Raise both arms and point upward.

Has forgiven you… Bring both arms down and point inward to your heart.

Remember, our God forgave us, so we’re able to give kindness to everybody!

Optional: Make sure the children understand that tenderhearted means to care about other people’s feelings and to show them kindness.

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 kind.

For example: Dear Jesus, thank You for loving and forgiving us so we can show Your love and kindness to everyone around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Music Time

Kind and Sweet

The lyrics for this song are found in Resources.

Play the video song “Kind and Sweet.” Encourage children to sing the words and imitate the motions with Miss Tina and the Quantum Lab robots.

Kind and Sweet

Suggestion: at the end of the second chorus, shout “Be Kind” with the children after Gizmo and Miss Tina’s three statements:

Gizmo: When you are hanging on a vine—Be kind!

Gizmo: When you are tied up in a bind—Be kind!

Gizmo: When you are feeling kind of tired because so many things are on your mind—Be kind!

Repeat in the same way with Miss Tina.

Take-Home Coloring Page

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

● How do you think the man felt after Jesus healed him? Thankful, excited, happy.

● What does it mean to sin? To disobey or do something that isn’t pleasing to God.

● Who can forgive sins? God, Jesus.

● How does Jesus show kindness to us every day? He loves us, hears our prayers, forgives us, protects us, cares for us, gives us what we need, is our friend, etc.

OPTIONAL TAKE-HOME TRADING CARD: 

Optional: Hand out a GizmoGO! Bible Story Card, Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man, to each child. These are available for purchase under Products. Explain there is a different card for each of the three lessons, so if they come back to Sunday School next week, they can collect all three! (Save the Boomie Character Card to be given out in Lesson 3.)

Wrap-up and Song

Wrap-Up and Piano Song (Kind and Sweet)

Kind and Sweet

Optional Discussion Questions
● Gizmo said that he learned two ways to be kind. Can you name them? 1. Use kind words. 2. Do kind actions.
● What are other ways Miss Tina and Gizmo said we can show kindness? Pray for someone, forgive, share a toy, give a gift, compliment someone (say something nice about them).
● What is the kindest thing we can do for anyone? Show them God’s love and tell them about Jesus.

The Salvation Poem

Salvation Poem Intro

Salvation Poem Conclusion

Not everyone knows who Jesus is. Stand up if you were able to tell someone about Jesus after we met the last time. Children respond.

Raise your hand if you know someone you can tell about Jesus. Children respond.

Gizmo and Miss Tina present the Gospel before singing the Salvation Poem.
Have the children bow their heads and close their eyes. Pray and give the children an opportunity to raise their hands if they would like to receive God’s gift of salvation and live for Jesus! Follow up after class with children who received God’s salvation gift.

Game

Play the Optional Opening Game “Unmatched Kindness” at the beginning of this lesson.

Play the game “Build Up or Tear Down” from Lesson 1.