In Luke 3, John the Baptist tells people to get ready for Jesus by turning back to God and living in a kind, honest way. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Children can repeat the big idea in one sentence: God wants us to get ready for Jesus by changing how we live.
Big Idea
John told people to get their hearts ready for Jesus. Getting ready means being sorry for wrong things, turning back to God, and doing what is good and fair toward others.
Memory Verse
Luke 3:4
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
(WEB)
Ask children to hold both arms out in front of them and move them in a wide, slow circle, like a road being made clear. Then they clap once to show that the way is being made ready for someone important.
The Story: Luke 3 for Kids
A man named John lived out in the wild desert. He wore clothes made of camel hair and ate locusts and wild honey. God spoke to John, and John began to tell people to get ready, because someone very special was coming soon. John walked all around the land near the Jordan River, calling people to come to him.
Many people came out to the river to be baptized by John. John saw a crowd and said to them, “Stop pretending. Show me that you are really sorry and that you are going to change.” He told them that just saying they belonged to God’s family was not enough. He wanted their lives to show it, with good fruit that grows from a changed heart.
Crowds of people asked John, “What should we do?” John told them that anyone who had extra coats or food should share with people who had none. Tax collectors came too, and John said they should only collect the money they were supposed to collect. Soldiers asked John what they should do, and he told them not to hurt people or lie about them, and to be happy with the pay they got.
John was not the special one everyone waited for. He told the people, “The one who is coming after me is greater than I am. I am not even good enough to untie his sandals.” John said that this one would bring the Holy Spirit and fire to his people. John was just getting the way ready for him.
Then Jesus came to the river too and was baptized. As Jesus prayed, the sky opened, and the Holy Spirit came down on him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my beloved Son. I am very pleased with you.” Right after this, the chapter lists Jesus’s family line going all the way back to Adam and to God.
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 was not satisfied with words alone. Ask children to notice the word “fruit,” and explain that fruit is what shows a tree is alive and healthy. Help them see that our actions show what is in our hearts.
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 that John gave a simple, practical answer. Point out that sharing with someone who has less is one clear way to live in a changed way. Let children name a time they could share something they have.
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)
Read this verse slowly and point to the voice from heaven. Explain that God says he loves Jesus and is pleased with him. Tell children that this shows Jesus is God’s own Son, and that God is very happy with him.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to get ready for Jesus?
- What is one thing John told people to change about the way they lived?
- How can you show someone that you are sorry and want to do better?
- Why do you think John wanted people to share what they had?
- What do you think it was like for John to point people toward Jesus instead of himself?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Fruit Tree
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a tree trunk and branches. Then have them draw fruit on the branches and write one kind action they can do this week inside each piece of fruit, such as sharing a snack or saying sorry. Hang the drawings where everyone can see them.
The Road Makers
Clear a space in the room or outside. Have children pretend to be workers making a road ready for a king. Call out actions like filling a hole, flattening a bump, and smoothing a rough spot, and have them act each one out. End by having everyone walk the “road” together and cheer for the king who is coming.
Take-Home Share Jar
You will need an empty jar or cup and some paper slips. Give each child a jar and slips of paper, and ask them to write or draw one way they can share with someone this week. They can put a slip in the jar each time they do it. At the next class, let children read or show what they did and talk about how it felt to share.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows John as a messenger whose job was to prepare people for Jesus rather than to take attention for himself. John calls for real repentance, meaning a turning back to God that changes conduct, and he warns against trusting in heritage alone. The chapter also places Jesus within a real historical setting and then traces his human ancestry, which points to his place in the story of God’s people.
With children, avoid overstating the frightening language about fire and the chaff. Keep the focus on the good news that God invites everyone to turn to him and that Jesus is God’s beloved Son. Children should leave with a sense of hope and an invitation to change, rather than fear.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for sending John to tell people to get ready for Jesus. Help us to be sorry when we do wrong, to turn back to you, and to show our love by how we treat others. Thank you that Jesus is your Son and that you are pleased with him. Help us live in a way that shows we belong to you. Amen.
