Vocabulary

Explain those two concepts to the children.

Baptism: Being immersed in water for the remission of sins. The water symbolizes purity.  

Repent: To feel regret, sorry for the wrong and seek to change and turn away from wrong.

 John himself had his coat made of camel's hair, and his food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem, and all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

Show a picture of John the Baptist

Trading cards of John the Baptist (from ebibleteacher.com)

From the Bible

Matthew 3:1-6 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Who was John the Baptist, who was his family?

Zechariah and Elisabeth were a Jewish couple who pleased God, they were very well respected by the Jewish people Zechariah was a priest in the Temple.

One day, while he was serving in the Temple, an angel appeared to him. He was scared, but the angel said, don't be afraid, your prayer is answered. Your wife will bear a son, whom you will name John.  

Zechariah asked how he could be sure this would happen, for he and his wife were older. The angel said, I am Gabriel, and to prove what I say is true, you will not be able to speak 'til the child is born. When Zechariah came out, the people were astonished. Even though he could not tell them what happened, it was obvious he had a vision. Sure enough, soon Elisabeth was pregnant.

Now Elisabeth was the cousin of Mary, who was also pregnant with Jesus at the time. Mary came to visit Elisabeth, and when she did, John leapt in her womb and Elisabeth prophesied.

When he was older, John began to preach to the Jews. He did not live in cities, but in the wilderness, eating locusts and honey, wearing skins, and teaching repentance. He taught that the Jews had to turn away from their sins and wash themselves clean through Baptism for the Messiah was coming soon.

True or False

It was unusual for someone Elisabeth's age to bear a child. T

Zachariah, the father of John was a simple carpenter. F

Mary came to visit Elisabeth when they were both pregnant. T

John led an strange lifestyle for the time. T

John taught that men could be saved without changing their lives. F

John had many disciples. T

Review Questions

How were Mary and Elizabeth were related? They were cousins.

Who did Zechariah see in the temple?  The angel Gabriel.

John was how many months older than Jesus? Six months

Where did John preach? In the wilderness

What did he eat? Locusts and wild honey

What did he wear? Animal skins (camel) 

What did he teach people? To repent and be baptized for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and telling the people that the Messiah is coming

 "John Says" Game:  In the lines below, if it starts by John says, they turn around first and then do it. If it doesn't start by John Says, they don't turn around.

John says take one step back

John says hop once on your right foot.

John says raise your hands