LESSON 14 Baptism of Jesus,

Belonging to the Church

Objective: By the end of this lesson, the children should be
able to recognize that a sacrament is a special sign of Gods
love, name the effects of the Sacrament of Baptism, have
learned about the baptism of Jesus, and identify the three
Sacraments of Christian Initiation.
Materials:
Bible
Music
Prayer space items
Handout: Baptism of Jesus Coloring Page and/or Activity Page
Vocabulary words - CHRISTIAN, SACRAMENTS, and INITIATION
Symbols of Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
Pitcher, bowl, small paper cups
Bowl of holy water or visit Baptismal font in church
Optional: Holy water bottles
Paper, Pencils, Crayons
Optional: Paper or plastic crosses to color, string, hole punch, crayons or markers
Map of Jordan
Prayer Cards
Introduction
Music:
Prayer Space Items: Cloth (green/white), Cross, Bible, Holy water bottle, dove picture,
candle, oil
Key Words: Christian (one who believes in Christ), Sacraments (outward and visible
sign of Gods grace), Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)
Intro Activity: Baptism of Jesus Coloring Page and/or Baptism of Jesus Activity Sheet
Have the children gather in the prayer circle area.
Make sign of cross and say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be as a group.
About Baptism
It is January. We are at the beginning of a new year. The start of a new year is always somewhat
exciting. It is a time when many people make New Years resolutions. They decide to try harder
at something to make themselves better like many grown-ups resolve to exercise more or eat
healthier diets. Today we are going to talk about another new beginning it is better than the
beginning of a new year. It is the beginning of a new life! A new life in Jesus.
How many of you have ever been to a baptism? Can someone describe what happened? Can only
babies be baptized? Why are people baptized?

Through baptism, God forgives all sin, including original sin, the sin that every person has
because of Adam and Eves disobedience. It is through baptism that we become Christians. We
become members of the Catholic Church.
When an infant is baptized, the priest asks: What name do you give your child? Then, What
do you ask of Gods Church for your child? The parents respond, Baptism. Then the priest
baptizes the child in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Baptism of Jesus
Did you know that even Jesus was baptized? Remember last week when we learned about the
wise men, and how Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape from King Herod. While
Jesus was in Egypt growing up, a man named John came to the desert in Judea and began
preaching that the Lord was coming and that people should get ready. John lived very simply. He
wore clothes made of camel hair, a belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and honey. People
from all over went to the Jordan River to confess their sins and be baptized by John. (show map
of the area) That is why he is called John the Baptist. John told people, I baptize you with water
to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the
Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his
sandals. (Matthew 3:11) Jesus is the one he was talking about. When Jesus was about 30 years
old, before he started his public ministry to the people, he went to John the Baptist (who was
actually Jesus cousin) and asked to be baptized.
Verse: Matthew 3:13-17
At that time Jesus arrived from Galilee and came to John at the Jordan to be baptized by
him. But John tried to make him change his mind. I ought to be baptized by you, John
said, and yet you have come to me! But Jesus answered him Let it be so for now. For
in this way we shall do all that God requires. So John agreed. As soon as Jesus was
baptized, he came up out of the water. Then heaven was opened to him, and he saw the
Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lightning on him. Then a voice said from
heaven, This is my own dear Son, with whom I am pleased.
Heres an interesting questionwhy would Jesus need to be baptized. He didnt have any sin!
He was baptized to show everyone how important it is. He was modeling for us what God
wanted us to do. That is how he lived his life. He showed that it is the way to heaven.
Signs of Baptism
Show pitcher of water. We use water to baptizewhy? Baptism is cleaning away our sins,
making us new. When your hands are dirty, what do we use to get them clean? Water is a great
symbol we can see it (show pitcher), we can hear it (pour water into bowl), we can taste it (give
them a small paper cup with water in it to drink). When we bless ourselves, making the Sign of
the Cross with holy water, we need to do so slowly and reverently. When we do this, we remind
ourselves of our baptism.

Visit to Baptismal Font or Practice with Holy Water

Activity: Either: 1) Place a bowl of holy water in the center of the circle. Have the children take
turns making the Sign of the Cross with it and remembering they too, were baptized. or 2)
Take the children into the church. Show them the Baptismal font and have them use the water to
make the Sign of the Cross. Remind them that they are each a child of God.
Have a discussion at the Baptismal font or around the bowl of water. Questions can include:
Why do we make the sign of the cross at the baptismal font, Genuflecting, Lighting of Easter
Candle and Baptism Candles, Why do they wear white.
Jesus Welcomes Children
Gather in the prayer circle
Listen carefully to this story and notice what Jesus does.
Verse: Matthew 3:13-17
Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them (bless them),
but the disciples scolded the people. When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to
his disciples, Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom
of God belongs to such as these. I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom
of God like a child will never enter it. Then he took the children in his arms, placed his
hands on each of them, and blessed them.
Jesus welcomed everyone. Jesus wanted people to be as open and loving as children are. When
parents bring their children to be baptized, they are bringing them to Jesus like the people in the
Gospel.
Signs of Belonging
Explain that the church welcomes new members through the Sacraments of Initiation. Show the
Words Sacraments and Initiation.
Catholics have three sacraments that celebrate belonging to Gods
family. These three sacraments are Baptism (where our sins are washed
away and we become a member of the church), Confirmation (when we
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit which helps us follow Jesus), and
Eucharist (where we receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the form of
bread and wine). Once you have received all three of these, you are a
full member of the Catholic Church.
Optional Activity: Some people wear a cross around their neck to show
that they are a Christian. Have the children color a paper cross and tie
on a string, or a plastic cross necklace to wear.
Holy Card: Baptism of Christ by Tiffany
Ending prayer:
Dear Father, we thank you that Jesus, who was without sin,
washes away our sins and gave us a new life. In Jesus' name we
pray, amen.