Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: people figures (Jesus, John, crowd), small “river” (blue cloth or paper), blocks.
- Table: coloring page of Jesus standing in the water with John and a dove above, plus crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear about Jesus being baptized.”
- “Jesus went into the water to show He was obeying God.”
- “God said, ‘This is My Son. I love Him.’”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Song 1 – Jesus Loves Me
Song 2 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 3 – “Jesus Obeyed God”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“Jesus, Jesus, God’s dear Son,
Came to show the way.
He obeyed His Father’s voice,
I can too today.”
Motions: point up on “God’s dear Son,” tap ear on “Father’s voice,” point to self on “I can too.”
- Motions: point to self, hug self, hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”
Song 2 – B-I-B-L-E
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 3 – “Jesus Obeyed God”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“Jesus, Jesus, God’s dear Son,
Came to show the way.
He obeyed His Father’s voice,
I can too today.”
Motions: point up on “God’s dear Son,” tap ear on “Father’s voice,” point to self on “I can too.”
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use: Jesus figure, John the Baptist figure, blue cloth for Jordan River, dove cutout.
a) John baptizes people
Place John by the “river.”
b) Jesus comes to be baptized
Bring Jesus figure to John.
c) God speaks and the Spirit comes
Hold the dove cutout above Jesus.
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Point up (Jesus) then to self on “Jesus.”
Point up on “God,” hand on heart on “loves.”
Point to self and hug on “Jesus loves me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) John baptizes people
Place John by the “river.”
- “The Bible tells us about a man named John. People called him John the Baptist. John told people, ‘Turn back to God and stop doing wrong things.’ When people said they were sorry and wanted to follow God, John baptized them in a river called the Jordan.”
- “Baptism means going into the water and coming back up to show a clean, new life with God.”
b) Jesus comes to be baptized
Bring Jesus figure to John.
- “One day, Jesus came to John at the river. Jesus never did anything wrong, but He wanted to do everything God wanted. Jesus asked John to baptize Him.”
- “John put Jesus down into the water and brought Him back up again. Jesus was obeying His Father in heaven and showing that He was ready to do the work God gave Him.”
c) God speaks and the Spirit comes
Hold the dove cutout above Jesus.
- “As Jesus came up out of the water, something amazing happened. The sky opened, and the Holy Spirit came down like a gentle dove and rested on Jesus. Then a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My Son, whom I love; I am very pleased with Him.’”
- “This was God the Father speaking. God was telling everyone, ‘Jesus is My Son. I love Him. I am pleased with Him.’”
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “Jesus is God’s Son. God loves Jesus. Jesus loves me.”
Motions:
Point up (Jesus) then to self on “Jesus.”
Point up on “God,” hand on heart on “loves.”
Point to self and hug on “Jesus loves me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
d) Jesus connection (who He is and what baptism means for us)
Hold child-Jesus figure close to your heart.
“Jesus’ baptism shows us that He is God’s special Son and that He obeys His Father. Today, when people follow Jesus, they get baptized to show they belong to Him and want to live a new life with Him. Baptism does not make God love us—God already loves us—but it shows on the outside what God is doing on the inside.”
“Jesus is God’s Son who loves us and came to save us.”
Hold child-Jesus figure close to your heart.
“Jesus’ baptism shows us that He is God’s special Son and that He obeys His Father. Today, when people follow Jesus, they get baptized to show they belong to Him and want to live a new life with Him. Baptism does not make God love us—God already loves us—but it shows on the outside what God is doing on the inside.”
“Jesus is God’s Son who loves us and came to save us.”
Craft –“Jesus’ Baptism Scene”
Goal: Simple river scene with Jesus, John, a dove, and the Father’s words summarized.
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
When finished, have children hold up their craft and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper.
- Help them color the river blue in the middle.
- Help them glue Jesus standing in the water and John standing next to Him.
Glue or draw a dove above Jesus’ head. - Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus is God’s Son. God loves Jesus. Jesus loves me.”
- Children can add sun, clouds, or a few people on the riverbank.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your picture shows Jesus standing in the water with John and the Holy Spirit coming down like a dove. God said, ‘This is My Son, I love Him.’ Jesus is God’s Son, and He loves you too. When you look at this picture, remember: ‘Jesus is God’s Son. God loves Jesus. Jesus loves me.’”
When finished, have children hold up their craft and say:
- “Jesus is God’s Son. God loves Jesus. Jesus loves me.”
Supplies
- Paper with a simple river line across the middle, or blank paper.
- Pre-cut figures: Jesus, John, small dove; or kids draw simple people and a bird.
- Blue crayons/markers for water.
- Glue sticks.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus is God’s Son. God loves Jesus. Jesus loves me.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Children repeat after you:
