LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Mark 1:1–11 and Matthew 3:13–17, we see John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness to call people to repentance, baptize them, and point them to Jesus. When Jesus comes, John baptizes Him and the Father’s voice affirms Him, and the Holy Spirit descends like a dove. These passages show us that before Jesus began his public ministry, there was a time of preparation and proclamation.
In this lesson, children will learn that John’s role was to help people prepare their hearts for Jesus to turn away from wrong things (repent) so God could clean up their hearts. Our “Prepare Our Hearts” takeaway is simple: we can get ready for God to work in us by surrendering our hearts and asking Him to help us. The memory verse, Acts 1:8, reminds us that God gives us power (by His Spirit) to do His work.
OPENING ACTIVITY (10:15–10:30) | Muddy the Water
Items Needed:
- Rocks covered in mud/dirt
- Bowls of water
Give children stones with hearts drawn on them that are covered in mud. Then wash the stones off in water. Talk about sin making our hearts “dirty” and how God cleanses.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 10:30–10:40
Items Needed:
- Memory Verse Doves
- Masking Tape
Have kids take turns finding the Memory Verse Doves hidden around the room. Have them say the memory verse as they place their doves on the wall around the globe using masking tape. Explain that once we accept Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit and it’s our job to go and tell the whole world about Him.
SONG 10:40-10:50
BIBLE STORY (10:50–11:00)
Question 1: Which book of the Bible is this story in? (Mark and Matthew)
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (New Testament)
God sent a man named John the Baptist to get people ready for Jesus. He lived in the wilderness and ate honey and bugs. He also told people, “Change your hearts. Turn from wrong things. The kingdom of heaven is near.” People came from all around to hear him. John baptized them in the Jordan River as a sign of washing away their sins.
When Jesus came from Nazareth, He came to John to be baptized. John was surprised and said, “I need to be baptized by You!” But Jesus said, “Let it be so now, for it is proper.” So John baptized Jesus. As He came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit came down like a dove, and a voice from Heaven said, “You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Theological Questions:
- Who sent John to get people ready for Jesus? (God)
- Who spoke from heaven when Jesus was baptized? (God the Father)
Life Application Questions:
- How can we get our hearts ready for Jesus? (By making good choices and loving Him)
- Who can we tell about Jesus? (Our family, friends)
Prayer:
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus. Help us get our hearts ready to follow Him.
BIBLE CRAFT 11:00–11:15 | TRANSFORMING HEARTS
Items Needed
- Rainbow Scratch Paper
- Coin or Popsicle Stick
- Optional: Coloring Page and Crayons
Give each child a Rainbow Scratch Paper Heart. Remind them that when we accept Jesus, our heart changes. Have them use the coin or popsicle stick to change the black heart to a rainbow heart. Then have them glue the Memory verse onto the heart.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Mark 1:1–11 (KJV)
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, He that cometh after me is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:13–17 (KJV)
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Prepare Our Hearts
What I Learned Today:
- John the Baptist helped people by telling them to turn away from sin so their hearts would be ready for Jesus.
- When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came down like a dove and God said, “This is My beloved Son.”
- We can prepare our hearts by turning from wrong things, talking to God, and asking Him to help us follow Him.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions
- What did John tell people to do before Jesus came? (Repent / turn from sin)
- What happened when Jesus came up out of the water? (The Spirit descended like a dove, and God’s voice spoke.)
- Why did Jesus allow John to baptize Him? (To fulfill righteousness and to show obedience to God.)
- What does the dove represent in this story? (The Holy Spirit)
- What does it mean to have our hearts prepared for Jesus? (Our hearts are clean, turned to God, ready to follow Him.)
Life Application Questions
- What is one wrong thing you can turn from this week? (e.g. lying, disobeying, being unkind)
- How can you ask God to help you live right? (Pray, confess, rely on the Holy Spirit)
- What does it mean to “live for Jesus” in your day-to-day? (Making choices that please Him, being kind, telling others)
- How could you help a friend “prepare their heart” for Jesus? (Pray with them, tell them about Jesus)
- When you do something wrong, what can you do next? (Say sorry, ask God to forgive, try to do better)
(You may include answers to these questions on the back or in parentheses, depending on your format.)