In this lesson, children learn that John the Baptizer told people to get ready for Jesus by turning away from their sins. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God sent John to tell people to get ready for Jesus, and Jesus came to be baptized and to show that God is pleased with him. Getting ready means turning your heart back to God.
Memory Verse
Matthew 3:2
“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands over their hearts, then slowly turn their palms outward and lift them up as they say the verse together. The motion shows turning back to God. Repeat it three times, speeding up a little each time, and see how fast the class can keep up.
The Story: Matthew 3 for Kids
A long time ago, a man named John lived out in the wild desert of Judea. He wore clothes made of camel hair and tied a leather belt around his waist. For food, he ate locusts and wild honey. John did not live in a fancy house, and he did not need one, because his job was to tell people about God.
People from Jerusalem and all over the countryside came out to hear John. He told them, “Turn away from your sins and get ready, because the Kingdom of Heaven is close!” Many of them went into the river Jordan, and John baptized them, which means he washed them in the water. It showed that they were sorry for the wrong things they had done.
Some proud leaders called Pharisees and Sadducees also came to see John. John looked at them and said, “You are like a bunch of snakes! Who told you to run away from God’s anger? Show by the way you live that you really are sorry.” He wanted them to know that just saying the right words was not enough. God wants our hearts to change.
John also told everyone that someone greater was coming after him. He said, “I wash you with water, but the one coming after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” John said that he was not even good enough to carry that person’s shoes. He was pointing everyone toward Jesus.
Then Jesus came all the way from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. John felt confused and said, “I should be baptized by you, not the other way around!” Jesus answered, “Let it happen this way, because it is the right thing to do.” So John baptized him.
When Jesus came up out of the water, the sky opened up. The Holy Spirit came down like a dove and rested on Jesus. Then a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, and I am very pleased with him!” God was showing everyone that Jesus is his Son.
Read It Together
Matthew 3:1-3
1 In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, 2 “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.”
(WEB)
Point out that John was not in a palace or a temple. He preached in the wilderness, and his message was simple: get ready, because God’s kingdom is coming. Ask the children where people usually hear important announcements today.
Matthew 3:13-15
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” 15 But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus did not need to be washed from sin, but he chose to be baptized to do what God asked. Ask them to notice that John first said no and then obeyed. Explain that doing what is right can sometimes be surprising.
Matthew 3:16-17
16 Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. 17 Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
(WEB)
Point out how the whole Trinity appears here: Jesus in the water, the Holy Spirit like a dove, and the Father’s voice from heaven. Let the children act out a dove landing softly on someone’s shoulder. Explain that God was happy to show everyone who Jesus is.
Talk About It
- What do you think John meant when he told people to get ready for Jesus?
- Why do you think John wore simple clothes and ate wild food instead of fancy meals?
- How can you show God that you are sorry when you have done something wrong?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted to be baptized even though he never sinned?
- What is one way you can get ready for Jesus in your everyday life this week?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Dove and the Sky
Give each child a sheet of blue construction paper, white crayon or chalk, and a cotton ball. Have them draw a simple river at the bottom of the paper, then glue a cotton ball shaped like a dove above it. Let them draw rays of light coming down from the top corners to show the opened heavens. Ask each child to tell the class what the picture shows about Jesus.
Wash Away the Mud
Fill a plastic tub with water and place a few small pebbles in it. Give each child a dry paper towel and ask them to dip it in the water and wipe off a little pretend mud from a classroom table. Talk about how the water washes away dirt, and how God washes away sin when we turn back to him. Keep the game light and fun.
Ready for Jesus Bookmark
Cut strips of cardstock, about two inches wide and eight inches long. Have each child write “Get Ready for Jesus” on one side and draw a small river or a dove on the other. Punch a hole at the top and tie a piece of yarn through it. Encourage them to take the bookmark home and place it in their Bible as a reminder to turn toward God each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that John’s ministry pointed people to repentance and to Jesus as the one who would bring the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ baptism also reveals the Father, Son and Holy Spirit together, and the Father’s words affirm the Son’s identity. Repentance here is a real turning of the heart, not just a ritual.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that baptism itself saves anyone or that children must understand every theological detail. Keep the focus on God’s love, turning back to him, and Jesus being his beloved Son.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for sending John to tell people to get ready for Jesus. Help us turn our hearts back to you when we do wrong. Thank you that Jesus came to be with us and that you are pleased with him. Help us to follow him every day. Amen.
