YEA Lesson Library
Jesus is Baptized
About This Lesson
Even though Jesus never sinned, Jesus gave us the example to be baptized to please God; this lesson teaches that we must all repent and be baptized if we want to be saved from our sin.
Scriptures
Matthew 3:3-17
Matthew 21:23-27
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 1:4
Mark 1:4-11
Mark 16:15-18
Luke 3:1-22
Acts 2:37-41
Romans 6:1-7
The Lesson
There is massive power in nature—the power of a volcanic eruption, an earthquake shaking the ground beneath your feet, a tornado with its fierce winds, and lightning blazing through a storm at 50,000 miles per hour. But the most awesome power in nature can’t rescue you from your sins.
Sin can do devastating things to your life. It erodes your character and puts a wall be- tween you and God in such a way that He will no longer hear your prayers. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, and he will not hear you” (TLB). Sin, like erosion on a shoreline, will eat away at your life unless something is done to stop it and reverse the trend.
John the Baptist was born as a forerunner to Jesus Christ. He was an unusual character who wore clothes woven from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.
John went out into the wilderness and began preaching repentance. His theme was, “Turn from your sins. . . turn to God. . . for the Kingdom of Heaven is coming soon.”
People from Jerusalem, from the Jordan Valley, and every section of Judea went to the wilderness to hear John preach. He must have been a dynamic, convincing speaker because people confessed their sins and were baptized with water. John said that Jesus would come after him and baptize with the Holy Spirit.
John rebuked the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He told them to prove with worthy deeds that they had repented and turned from their sins. They had difficulty believing they were sinners, because they were related to Abraham, the father of the faithful. They thought this in some way made them special to God.
But it’s not who we are related to, or which family we belong to that makes us special to God. God is concerned with what we do and what is in our hearts. Isaiah 66:2 says, “I will look with pity on the man who has a humble and a contrite heart, who trembles at my word.”
Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River where John was baptizing. He asked John to baptize Him, but John didn’t feel worthy to do the honors. He knew Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus explained that He must be baptized to fulfill all righteousness, so John consented.
Unlike all of us, Jesus didn’t need to repent. He never sinned! Baptism is commanded by God. Jesus set an example by being obedient in every way. He wanted to please His Father and felt it was necessary to be baptized. God demonstrated His wholehearted approval of Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus came up out of the baptismal water of the Jordan River, the heavens were opened. The Spirit of God came down in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with Him.” God was pleased that Jesus was obedient.
Is God pleased with your life? Are you burdened down with sin? Do you feel helpless to resist cheating on an exam, taking drugs, having premarital sex, partying with the kids and getting drunk, breaking the Sabbath, etc.? Do you keep going back to your sin without the power to resist? Do you hate yourself for yielding to those sins?
God has given you access to power that can help you resist the sins that cause you so much misery. This power is greater than any power in nature or on earth. God’s miraculous power brought Jesus back to life! Is that power missing from your life?
To have this power, you must believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior. He has the power to forgive your sins and bring you back to life. You must repent of your sins, be deeply sorry for them, and resolve to continue not to do them. Then you must be baptized as Jesus was.
Will being baptized cause you to miss out on a lot of fun? What’s fun about guilt feelings? What’s fun about a hangover? What’s fun about unplanned pregnancy, and a baby to care for without a dad for financial support or even help? What’s fun about AIDS?
Christ said His purpose is to give you life and that you may have it more abundantly (John 10:10). You can have power to resist and overcome sin, and you now know what you must do. Ask your parents or a minister to help you understand repentance, and when you are ready, follow Jesus’ example and be baptized.
Student Prayer
Almighty Father,
You are so powerful and wonderful. You have provided a way for me to be forgiven of my sins through your Son Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Help me to understand what repentance is and help me to repent. I want to be baptized when I have come to repentance. Please show me when I am ready.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Matthew 3:13-17
Monday: Luke 3:1-22
Tuesday: Matthew 21:23-27
Wednesday: Mark 16:15-18
Thursday: Acts 2:37-41
Friday: Matthew 28:18-20
Saturday: Romans 6:1-7
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain that sin erodes character and keeps God from hearing their prayers.
2. State that Jesus was baptized to obey God, not because He had sinned.
3. Explain that the power to resist sin comes from God.
Topics & Themes
Baptism
Dove
God’s Voice
Holy Spirit
Jesus, God the Son
Jesus, Savior
Jesus, Without Sin
John the Baptist
Obedience
Repentance
Sin
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students and teacher’s books, newsprint pad, three marker pens, sheets of paper, pencils, music player, CD/cassette tape and songbook
How to Teach This Lesson
Arrive early enough to arrange the chairs in a semicircle and put three long strips of blank newsprint paper on the wall. At the top of one, write “sin”, on the second, write “repentance”, and on the third write “benefits.” When the students arrive and are seated, go around the room and start with the first person. Have each one give a letter as they spell out S-I-N. Ask all of the “S’s” to stand by the piece of paper that says “sin.” Ask all of the “I’s” to stand in front of the paper that says “repentance.” Have all of the “N’s” stand in front of the paper that says “benefits.”
Ask the first group to give a definition of sin. 14 The second group is to define repentance. And the third group is to list the benefits that come from repenting. Have each group first brain- storm their assignment and then write what they agree upon on the paper to which they are assigned. When they are finished, have them return to their seats.
By sequentially following the questions laid out below, you will be well equipped to stay on track, complete every section and meet the objectives of this lesson.
How does sin affect your life? What specific things can it do to you? Sin can cause you to be HIV positive or contract other STDs, get pregnant out of wedlock, become a drug addict, become an alcoholic, become addicted to nicotine, get hurt and/or hurt others, be put in prison, and be in an automobile accident and even an early death. Write the things the students say under the definition of sin. Add the above if they’re over- looked.
Do you feel better or worse after you have sinned? Why? What can you do to resist sin? Stay away from the wrong crowd, get out of a bad environment, have a plan, and ask God daily for His help.
Have your efforts to resist sin worked? How can you be more effective in resisting sin? Study God’s word and pray daily for help.
How many of you agree with the definition of repentance that has been written on the board? Does anyone have anything to add to this definition or any changes they wish to make?
Is repentance just a feeling or is there more to it than that? Then what is it?
How do you know when you have repented? When you are truly sorry for what you have done and not that you have just been found out. You should also have a firm resolve never to do that wrong again.
What other benefits can you receive for being repentant? Add these under “benefits.” Remind the class that repentance is a very deep sorrow for past sins and a determination not to do them again.
What is the better course of action, sin or repentance? Why?
Jesus didn’t have to repent before He was baptized because He had not sinned. What message did John preach to the crowd before they could be baptized? “Turn from your sins. . .turn to God. . .for the Kingdom of Heaven is coming soon.”
Were there some people there who didn’t repent? Yes. Who were these people? The Pharisees and Sadducees. Why didn’t they repent? They thought they were safe because they were descendants of Abraham.
At what age do you think a person is capable of repenting and being baptized? What steps must a person take before they can be baptized? Accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and repent of their sins.
How do you feel about being baptized? Go around the room and ask each student to read one of the paraphrased scriptures they wrote in their YEA book from their Bible study on repentance.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each teenager a sheet of paper and have them draw a bold arrow going up. Underneath the arrow ask them to write one way that Christ can help them in their daily lives. Ask for volunteers to read what they wrote. Here is the type of example they could write: Christ has helped me to resist peer pressure to smoke, or Christ has helped me to get closer to Him through prayer.
REACH Activity
Memory Verse Spotlight
What is the Greek meaning of the word “baptism”? Explain what you have learned about baptism. What verses help explain baptism to you the best? Write them down and memorize them to help you remember what you need to know about baptism.
Where in the World?
The Jordan River has a very interesting history for the people of God. Research this historical river and then choose a creative way to share your findings.
They Did What Back Then?
Think about how news was communicated back in the days when John was preaching and baptizing. How did word get around? What did the people hear from others about his message? People came from all over Judea to hear John preach. They left their homes to make the journey to hear what John had to say. Once they heard John’s message of repentance they chose to be baptized. No one “made” that choice for them. It was a personal decision. They chose to change their lives by confessing their sins. The people then had to make a journey home. How far a distance would you travel to make a life-changing decision as these people did? Discuss and share ideas as a group.
Making it Mine
You probably think you are a pretty good person. After all, you’ve never done anything really bad, such as kill someone. But that’s not what God says. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. What about you? Are you a good person? Or do you need the Savior to rescue you from this body of sin? Will you be in God’s Kingdom because you really haven’t done anything very bad? Or are you condemned without the blood of Jesus which makes you right with God? Think about it. Pray about it. Then write about it in your Bible notebook.
Worldview Collision (see introductory information for an explanation)
The biblical worldview says there is only one way to God—salvation through Jesus Christ. Other religions would tell you there are many ways. You are not being intolerant of other religions when you disagree; you are only stating what the Creator of the Universe has said. Where did God say there’s only one way (Jesus Christ) to eternal life? Use your concordance to find three to five related Scriptures. Then write a paragraph stating what you believe about salvation.
Questions
As you’re working through the YEA lesson, Daily Devotionals, doing the activity, or reading the Bible, be sure to write down any questions you have. That way you’ll remember to ask someone. Also remember to share the really interesting things you’re learning with family and friends.
Song
“Awesome God” is on page 55 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Ask one of the students to lead in prayer asking God to help each one to come to true repentance.
Printable Pages
