The Holy Spirit Series for Kids Lesson 1: John the Baptist

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit is present during baptism Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
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Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!" 15But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. 16-17The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spiritit looked like a dove descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life." (Message) Biblegateway

Message:

John was a man who dressed in camel-hair clothes and ate locusts and honey. People came for miles to hear him preach. He told the people that they needed to repent of their sins and be baptized. Many lives were changed when they repented and were baptized. Some of the people did not like to hear this kind of a message. They thought John was strange and told them things about themselves that they did not like to hear. John told them water alone would not change their hearts. They must have a change on the inside first. When God forgives us from our sins, the Holy Spirit becomes a part of our lives. We are changed from the inside out. Baptism is a symbolic act that Jesus did and we are to follow his example. When we are baptized, we are telling others that we have decided to follow Jesus. Jesus will clean us on the inside and help us live for Him. The Holy Spirit will help us make good choices.

Questions for Discussion: 1. Why do we need to be baptized? 2. What does it mean for me to be baptized? 3. Does baptism save me from my sins? 4. Who needs to be baptized?

Learning Game: Pour 8 cups of water in a water glass. Be sure that each glass has a different level of water in it. Tap each glass lightly with a spoon in order that the kids can hear the different sounds. Share that the more we have of the Holy Spirit in our lives the greater our sound will be of kindness, love, mercy, joy, peace in our lives. The more we walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us

things that we need to be changed or that we need to stop doing that make Him sad. Allow the kids to try this. Sing a tune to the sounds; it does not need to be anything perfect as the kids will simply enjoy the activity. Suggestion: (Sing any tune will be fine or sing along with the tunes that the sounds make as you hit the water glasses. Holy Spirit be my Guide, Holy Spirit my heart is open wide Help me to hear and see your will And always obey as you reveal. Rev. Jeanne McIntosh April 2012. All rights reserved.