YEA Lesson Library
Jesus is Baptized
About This Lesson
The lesson teaches the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and God’s Spirit descending as a dove.
Scriptures
Matthew 3:17
Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 16:16
Luke 3:21-22
Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36-37
Colossians 2:12
Words to Know
BAPTIZE - to put completely under water in order to obey God and show that the bad things we have done have been washed away
MINISTER - a man who leads and helps the church
DOVE - a bird that pictures God’s Spirit
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Matthew 3:16
Monday - Acts 8:36-37
Tuesday - Acts 2:41
Wednesday - Mark 16:16
Thursday - Colossians 2:12
Friday - Matthew 28:19-20
Saturday - Acts 2:38
YEAH — At-Home Activity
1. Sorting it Out. Read the lesson to the students. Then ask them to sort out the items which would be associated with a baptism, which would be associated with a bath, and which could be either one. Collection of items: bath towel, Bible, rubber ducky, scrub brush, soap, wash cloth, picture of a bath tub, picture of a baptismal, picture of a lake/ocean, stream. Allow them to physically move each item to separate them. Emphasize that baptism is not about getting the outside clean; it’s about a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Baptizing Whom? Read the lesson to the students. Materials: basin of water, plastic dog or cat, doll. Ask them who is baptized. Do we baptize our pets? No. Why? Because baptism is not taking a bath; it’s a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Dogs and cats can’t make a public confession that they believe in Jesus. Put the dog in the water. Ask: is this baptism? No. As described in the teacher’s edition for this lesson, show the students how a baptism would work, using the doll as the visual.
3. Baptized When? Read the lesson to the students. Be prepared that once the students realize what baptism is, some of them may ask if they can be baptized right now. Since this is a profession of faith, they need to be old enough to realize what that means and mature enough for this to be their faith, not their parents’ faith. You might want to point out that Jesus was not a little child when He was baptized, even though we read in lesson two about how much understanding He had as a 12 year-old. When each person is old enough to be baptized should be a discussion they have with their parents and church leadership.
4. Well-Pleased. Read the lesson to the students. Jesus’ baptism was a choice which very much pleased His Father. Draw a large ribbon (or find a clip art award ribbon). Put the memory verse on the paper in outline letters. Have the students color the ribbon and color in the outline letters. Then the can decorate their ribbons with stickers, stars, foam pieces, or glitter.
5. What’s the Jordan? Read the lesson to the students. Write/print the memory verse across the top of a piece of 11 x 17 paper. Ahead of time cut out pictures from magazines of river scenes (State conservation magazines are a great source for crafts!) or print pictures of the Jordan River in Israel. Help the students glue the pictures onto the paper. Then color in the memory verse. If you don’t have magazines, draw a river picture. Give blue tempera paint to the students to use to paint the water. Remember that these kids often do not have fine motor skills.
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Repeat the name of Jesus’ cousin.
2. Describe how John baptized Jesus.
3. Tell that God was happy when Jesus was baptized.
4. Recite their memory verse.
Topics & Themes
Baptism
God’s Voice
Holy Spirit
Jesus Sets Example
John the Baptist
Jordan River
Obedience
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, crayons, a doll about the size of “G.I. Joe,” plastic tub and water or a flannel board and figures, white construction paper, white crepe paper streamers, paper reinforcements, glue, string, modeling dough, CD, CD player
Preparation
Preschoolers are too young to comprehend the significance of baptism. But biblical truths and traditions need to be introduced early and built on as the child grows. Baptism should be a part of their earliest memories. Create expectation that they will be baptized when they are old enough to come to repentance. Ask your minister to keep you informed about upcoming baptisms. Take your class to see them so the children can become familiar with this beautiful ordinance.
If you don’t use a flannel board to tell this lesson, use a doll to demonstrate baptism. Before class, pour enough water into a plastic tub to cover the doll. Show the children how Jesus was placed under the water in baptism and raised up again.
Enlarge and duplicate the dove pattern onto white construction paper so that each child will have one. You will probably need to cut out the doves, especially for the younger children. Also make enough small doves for the review section so that each child will be able to answer a question. Cut white crepe paper streamers into 12 inch pieces. You will need three pieces for each child in class.
As children arrive, call each one by name and tell them how glad you are that they came to Sabbath School today. Show them to the table and ask them to make a bird out of modeling dough. While they are busy working, ask them if they have ever seen anyone being baptized. Allow them to tell about it. After every- one has arrived, recited their memory verse, and put their stars on their charts, say, “One, two, three, it’s listening time for you and me.” Seat the children in a semicircle, either in chairs or on the floor.
Review Questions
Place the small numbered doves on the table. Allow each child to choose one. Ask the following questions which correspond to the numbers on the doves. If the child holding the numbered dove does not know the answer, allow someone else to answer. If your class is larger than eight, repeat the numbering.
1. What was the name of Jesus’ cousin?
2. Who did John baptize?
3. How was Jesus baptized?
4. Why was Jesus baptized?
5. What came down out of the sky and landed on Jesus?
6. Whose voice did the people hear coming from heaven?
7. When you get older, should you be baptized?
8. Have you ever seen anyone baptized?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each child a dove that has been cut out, a piece of string and three white streamers. Allow the children to glue the streamers to the tail of the dove. Using a hole punch, allow them to punch a hole in the head of the dove. Reinforce the hole with a paper reinforcement. Thread the string through the hole and tie it. Allow the children to “fly” their doves by holding the string.
REACH Activity
Letter: D
Words: dove, divine, devotionals, Daddy
Sentence: JESUS WAS BAPTIZED IN THE JORDAN RIVER. A DOVE CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN. GOD WAS DELIGHTED!
Song
Sing the following verse to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me” on page 6 of the Kids Classics Collection. Jesus loves me, He will stay Close beside me all the day. He will wash away my sin. Let His little child come in. (Chorus)
Closing Prayer
Dear Father, Thank you that Jesus obeyed you and was baptized. I want to obey you too. Help me to be good. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Printable Pages
