In Luke 3, John the Baptist tells people to turn back to God, share what they have, and get ready for Jesus, who is coming soon. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sent John to help people get ready for Jesus, and God still helps us live in ways that show we love him and love others.
Memory Verse
Luke 3:5
Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
(WEB)
Have children stand tall with arms stretched wide, then slowly lower them to their sides as they say the words together. Ask them to show how the rough places become smooth, which helps the verse stick.
The Story: Luke 3 for Kids
A long time ago, a man named John lived in the wilderness, which is a wide, quiet place with few houses and lots of sand and rocks. God gave John a special job. John was to tell people that they needed to turn their hearts back to God and get ready for someone very important.
Many people walked out to the river Jordan to see John. He dipped them in the water to show that God had washed away their wrong choices. John spoke boldly, and he told the crowds that being a child of Abraham was not enough. God wanted to see real changes in how they lived and treated each other.
The crowds asked John what they should do. He told a man with two coats to share one with someone who had none. He told a tax collector to take only the money he was supposed to take. Soldiers asked him the same question, and John told them to stop hurting people and to be happy with the pay they earned.
John said, “I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is greater than I am.” He told the people that this person would bring God’s Spirit to them. Later, Jesus came to the river and was baptized too. As Jesus prayed, the sky opened, a dove came down, and God’s voice said, “You are my beloved Son.”
At the end of the chapter, Luke lists the family line of Jesus, going all the way back to Adam and to God himself. This shows that Jesus belongs to every family of people, and that God has been planning to bring his love to everyone.
Read It Together
Luke 3:8
Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
(WEB)
Point out that John wanted the people’s actions to show what was in their hearts. Ask children what a fruit that shows we love God might look like at home or at school.
Luke 3:11
He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
(WEB)
Show children how John asked the crowd to share with those who had less. Talk about a time they shared a toy, a snack, or a kind word, and how that helped someone else.
Luke 3:22
And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”
(WEB)
Point out that God spoke from heaven to show that Jesus is his beloved Son. Explain that God is always pleased with Jesus, and that Jesus loves us and shows us how to live.
Talk About It
- What did John tell the people to do to get ready for Jesus?
- Why do you think the man with two coats was asked to share one?
- How can we share what we have with the people around us this week?
- What do you think it felt like for Jesus to hear God say that he was loved?
- When you do something kind, what does that show about your heart?
Activity Ideas
Paper Jordan River Picture
You will need blue paper, crayons or markers, and a few cotton balls. Have children draw the river in the middle of the paper, then add green along the banks and a few rocks. Let them glue cotton balls on one side to show clouds, and draw a dove above the river to remember the moment Jesus was baptized.
Straight Path Game
You will need a few couch cushions, a laminated card or paper, and some open space. Set the cushions in a bumpy line to represent crooked roads, then have children walk across while you call out “make the path straight!” They can flatten each cushion to make a smooth path. This shows how God makes our way ready.
Sharing Reminder at Home
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a small jar. Have children write one way they will share this week, such as giving a toy or helping with dishes. Fold the card and place it in the jar, then read a few cards together at dinner to remind everyone to share with others.
Teacher Notes
Luke 3 shows that God’s message comes through repentance, which means turning our hearts back to him, and that real change shows up in everyday fairness, generosity, and honesty. Adults can see that John’s call to the crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers applies to every person, whatever their role or background. The chapter also points forward to Jesus, the one who brings the Holy Spirit and whose identity is affirmed at his baptism.
Avoid overstating what children can grasp about the genealogy or the imagery of fire and winnowing. Keep the focus on the simple truths of sharing, honest work, and God’s love for Jesus, and let the more complex parts be explored later as children grow.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for sending John to help people get ready for Jesus. Help us turn our hearts toward you and share what we have with others. Help us do what is right and kind each day. Thank you for loving us, and for loving Jesus, your Son. Amen.
