John Baptizes Jesus

This week is the baptism of Jesus. I like to use project boards for visuals, and I made one for this lesson. There is also a song and several craft project choices.

Last week we talked about Jesus in the temple when He was 12 years old. Joseph & Mary traveled to Jerusalem to remember the Passover. They were traveling with a group of people, and when they left, Jesus had stayed behind in the temple. When Joseph & Mary searched and couldn't find Jesus, they went back to Jerusalem looking for Him. They finally found Jesus after 3 days! Jesus was with the teachers in the temple. He was asking questions and listening to their answers. When Joseph and Mary asked Jesus why He had stayed behind, Jesus replied "Why are you looking for Me? Don't you know I would be about My Father's business?"

Jesus grew up in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee, and when Jesus was about 30 years old, He left home and went to see John. They were related through their mothers. Luke 1:36 Our lesson today is found in Mathew 3:13-17, also Mark 1:4-12, Luke 3:2-23 and John 1:28-33.

Remember that we studied about the birth of John? His father was Zacharias, and his mother was Elizabeth. Zacharias didn’t really believe the angel when he said that they would have a baby because they were older. Zacharias couldn’t talk until the baby was born and he wrote “His name is John” for the people to see.

About John: Mathew 3:1-11 John and Jesus were related. He wore clothes made from Camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. John ate locusts and wild honey. People came to him from all Judea.

John baptized the people in the Jordan River with water and said that the One coming was mightier than him. (Matthew 3:11) John was preaching a baptism of repentance for remission of sins. (Luke 3:3)

John was preparing the way for Jesus to come. He did what God wanted and taught people about Jesus.

Jesus went to meet John at the Jordan River. He wanted to be baptized. And Jesus wanted John to baptize Him. John told Jesus that He should be baptizing him, and John asked, “Why are You coming to me?”

Jesus told John “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John baptized Jesus.

After Jesus was baptized, Jesus came up immediately out of the water…so by the Bible, Jesus was in the water to be baptized. Remember, Baptism Means All the Way Under! When Jesus came up the Heavens were opened up to Him and Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and a voice from Heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus didn’t need to be baptized since He had never sinned. But Jesus was baptized to show us an example of what we need to do. Jesus’ baptism also shows us how to be baptized. Baptism is for people that know right from wrong, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and they want to go to Heaven. When you repent you have a change of heart and change how you live your life. Baptism washes away sin and then if you live the way God wants, you will go to Heaven. Acts 2:38

I was thinking about this lesson, and just started singing this song! I am not good with songs or games, but once in a while, I have a tune in my head, so I type it out right away so I don't forget it! I like to have a flip chart style visual, so that is also here to print, along with the song. Click here.

http://kidsbibledebjackson.blogspot.com/

I created this visual aid to use with this lesson. I purchased the project board at Hobby Lobby. I love using these for visual aids, they are affordable, they fold up and store super easy! And, everything is all set up for the nest time I use it. And, I can use it over and over! As you can see from the above photo, I printed everything, cut it out and laid it out to see how I wanted it. Jesus and John are on two sheets of paper because I wanted them bigger. You will have to piece them and glue them together, and add John's belt once he is put together. I cut a piece of 12x12 cardstock into 4 pieces, cut the tops out like waves, and used a Sharpie to add the waves. I printed the sun onto yellow cardstock, and just glued the base down so I could slightly bend the sun ray out.

I also purchased the project board header. It has a dark blue side and the light blue side. I trimmed the side with the notches to look like waves and used a Sharpie to add the waves. I attached it at the bottom at a slant. John can be already on the board, or you can add him as you do the lesson. I just used masking tape rolled sticky side out to add Jesus, John and the dove. I wanted Jesus to be able to be removed to go down into the water and lay sideways so the kids can't see Him, then add Him back to the board. I added the dove the same way at the correct time. If you do not want to buy the header, or can't find one, you can just use blue bulletin board paper. You can print everything by clicking here.

To discuss John, I purchased some fabric that has a slightly rough texture that is a camel color. I bought a jar of honey, leather strap, and used a locust I have for the plagues.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3uNEVAAKowpXzFmcWxvWWZzbGM/edit?usp=sharing

**Jesus’ baptism is the start of His ministry. What is Baptism? Immersion; buried under water Greek forms: Rhaino-sprinkle Cheo (k-e-o) pour Baptism: plunge, submerge (Click here to print)