A baptism and a beginning
Children's Activity
Object:
Today our lesson is about the baptism of Jesus. We read about where Jesus was, who baptized him and what happened during the baptism. Baptism is an important event in Christian churches. It is a rite of passage as a person commits to follow the way of Jesus Christ and love him as Savior.
What is the tradition of baptism in your church? At what age is a person baptized? Why? What happens during a baptism? Is it inside a church or somewhere else? How is water used? All these questions are great to discuss with your children. Knowing what baptism is all about will help them understand why we do it. Since we are learning about Jesus' baptism, today would be a wonderful chance to teach about it to your children.
If they've been baptized, tell your children what it was like. If you have pictures, show them. Where did it happen? Who was there? What happened during the baptism? What were you thinking as you watched them be baptized? There are probably some stories you can share. Maybe your children haven't yet been baptized; maybe you are in a church that prefers to baptize people when they are a little older. You can still talk about baptism with the children -- it's likely that they have seen a baptism and wonder what it's all about.
Whether baptized as infants, children or adults, baptism is a symbol of new life. Some churches prefer to sprinkle with water, some pour water over the baptized person's head, and some churches immerse a person completely. However it happens, we are buried with Christ in the waters and raised up from them as new creatures. We are cleansed and given a fresh start. The who, what, when, where, why and how of our baptisms are important. They are a part of our story as beloved children of God.
What is the tradition of baptism in your church? At what age is a person baptized? Why? What happens during a baptism? Is it inside a church or somewhere else? How is water used? All these questions are great to discuss with your children. Knowing what baptism is all about will help them understand why we do it. Since we are learning about Jesus' baptism, today would be a wonderful chance to teach about it to your children.
If they've been baptized, tell your children what it was like. If you have pictures, show them. Where did it happen? Who was there? What happened during the baptism? What were you thinking as you watched them be baptized? There are probably some stories you can share. Maybe your children haven't yet been baptized; maybe you are in a church that prefers to baptize people when they are a little older. You can still talk about baptism with the children -- it's likely that they have seen a baptism and wonder what it's all about.
Whether baptized as infants, children or adults, baptism is a symbol of new life. Some churches prefer to sprinkle with water, some pour water over the baptized person's head, and some churches immerse a person completely. However it happens, we are buried with Christ in the waters and raised up from them as new creatures. We are cleansed and given a fresh start. The who, what, when, where, why and how of our baptisms are important. They are a part of our story as beloved children of God.
