Leader Guide
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.
*Caution: In following the
biblical narrative, the Bible story video may be too intense for some children.
Be sure to preview it before showing the class. You may also want the parents
to see it before showing it to their children. The Condensed Bible story video
is slightly less intense but should also be previewed.
Welcome to the last lesson of our Superbook
adventure, “Love Your Enemies.”
Jesus endured suffering and death for one reason—to save us. Let’s stand now
and praise Jesus for His amazing gift of sacrifice and love as we sing The Salvation Poem!
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)
God demonstrated His love for us by sending His only Son, Jesus, to save us. Romans 5:8 says:
We can do
nothing to deserve this. We can never clean ourselves up enough. We need a
Savior, and who is that? Jesus!
To endure
means to patiently suffer through something painful or difficult. Does anyone who
was here last time remember what persecution is? Cruel
and unfair treatment based on race, religion, etc.
It was God’s plan for Jesus to save us. Do you
think Jesus had to follow God’s plan like a robot? No.
Jesus
chose to follow God’s plan even when it meant terrible suffering and death.
Jesus was unselfish—He sacrificed His own life because He loves us, and so we can
spend eternity with Him.
Our SuperTruth is, “Jesus endured persecution to save me.” Let’s say it together. Children repeat.
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.
Let’s watch a short version of the video about Jesus and a man named Stephen. Both chose to respond in love even as they endured persecution and death. If you have already seen the video, watch carefully for who Stephen saw in the sky as he testified before the angry leaders. Be ready in Small Group to name this person and say what He was doing when Stephen saw Him.
Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 Minutes)
Condensed Bible Story
*Caution: In following the biblical narrative, this video may be too intense for some children. Be sure to preview it before showing the class. You may also want parents to see it before showing it to their children.
First, Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to see that when Jesus is arrested, He is still willing to heal a soldier whose ear is cut off by Peter. Next they see Jesus praying in agony on the cross, “Father, forgive them.” Then they witness Stephen quoting Jesus' words of forgiveness as he is brutally stoned to death. The children learn to trust God when being mocked or persecuted.
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 Isaiah 53:3a:
He was despised and rejected––a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
From the video we watched and the discussions we have had, who
do you think this verse is describing? Jesus.
This verse is part of a prophecy about Jesus by the Old Testament
prophet Isaiah. Scholars believe that this prophet of God lived approximately
700 years before Jesus’ birth. Here, he describes how Jesus would be rejected and
despised by His own people, the Jews. Many of them refused to believe that He
was God’s Son and the Messiah they were waiting for. The word “despised” is a
stronger form of hate. It means an intense or violent hatred for someone or
something.
Jesus knew this prophecy very well. He understood exactly what would
happen to Him. Even so, He followed God’s plan to save us. He left the glory of
Heaven to come to Earth and be mistreated and killed. Why did Jesus choose to
do this? He loves us and wants to save us.
Let’s say Isaiah 53:3 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)
*Caution: Be sure to preview this video before showing it to the class.
Let’s watch the Signposts video to learn more about how Jesus responded to persecution to save us.
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 Jesus, You could have called on armies of angels to rescue You and defeat Your enemies. Instead, You endured pain, suffering and death to save us.
Because of your unselfish sacrifice, we can live with You in Heaven forever. Thank You for laying down Your life for us and making a way for us to enter heaven. In Your saving name we pray, Amen.
It’s time for Small Group, where you will play a game to remember what Jesus did to save us. Let’s go 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.