John the Baptist: Voice in the Wilderness Adventure!
Goal: Today we're going on an adventure back in time to learn about a very special and interesting person named John the Baptist!
Materials Needed:
- Bible (or children's Bible storybook)
- Drawing paper
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- Optional: Craft supplies (e.g., small sticks, brown fabric scraps, playdough)
- Optional Snack: Honey and crackers
Lesson Activities:
1. Who Was John? (Introduction - 10 mins)
Ask Pehrsen: Have you ever heard of someone being a 'messenger'? What does a messenger do? (Listens for answers like 'delivers messages', 'tells people something important').
Explain: Long ago, God chose a special messenger to get people ready for someone incredibly important – Jesus! This messenger's name was John, and he became known as John the Baptist. Let's find out about him!
2. Life in the Wild! (Story & Discussion - 15 mins)
Read together the story of John the Baptist. Focus on passages like Matthew 3:1-6 and Mark 1:1-6 (or use a children's Bible version).
Discuss:
- Where did John live? (The wilderness/desert) What do you think that was like?
- What did the Bible say he wore? (Clothes of camel's hair, leather belt) Why do you think he dressed like that?
- What did he eat? (Locusts and wild honey) Does that sound tasty to you? (Maybe offer the honey and cracker snack here!)
- What was John telling people to do? ('Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!') What does 'repent' mean? (Explain: it means being sorry for doing wrong things and deciding to turn back to God).
3. Draw John! (Creative Activity - 15 mins)
Give Pehrsen paper and drawing supplies. Ask him to draw a picture of John the Baptist in the wilderness. Encourage him to include details like his clothes, maybe some rocks or sand, and perhaps even locusts or a pot of honey!
Optional Craft: Use fabric scraps for clothes, or sticks to build a small 'wilderness shelter'.
4. Baptizing Jesus (Story & Discussion - 10 mins)
Read or tell the story of John baptizing Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17).
Discuss:
- Why did Jesus want John to baptize him? (To show he was starting his work for God, to do what was right).
- What amazing things happened right after Jesus was baptized? (The heavens opened, the Spirit of God came down like a dove, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.').
- Why was this event so important? (It showed everyone that Jesus was God's Son).
Optional Craft: Use blue playdough to represent the Jordan River and small figures (or make simple ones) for John and Jesus.
5. Wrapping Up: Prepare the Way! (Conclusion - 5 mins)
Ask Pehrsen: What was John the Baptist's main job? (To prepare the way for Jesus).
Talk about how we can 'prepare the way' in our own hearts for Jesus today – by listening to God, being sorry when we do wrong, and trying to live how He wants us to.
Ask: What is one important thing you learned about John the Baptist today?