In the front of your books miss two lines and… Write down as many facts about John the Baptist as you can.

3.8 Jesus’ Baptism Objective: To understand the importance of Jesus’ baptism To know what happened during Jesus’ baptism

In those days, John the Baptist came into the desert of Judea In those days, John the Baptist came into the desert of Judea. He wore clothing made from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey

He went into all the region around the Jordan River, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, saying, 'Repent! For the kingdom of heaven draws near!'

  The whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem were going out to him, and John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, 'You offspring of snakes! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?'

'I baptize you with water, but the one coming after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire! He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with never-ending fire!'  

Matthew 3.13 The Baptism of Jesus  13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John.     14 But John tried to deter him, saying, I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?     15 Jesus replied, Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness. Then John consented.     16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.     17 And a voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee

And he was baptized by John in the Jordan.

And immediately coming up out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”.'

The Baptism of Jesus One day Jesus came to John and asked to be baptised. John knew Jesus was the Messiah and refused, because he didn’t think he was good enough to even touch Jesus’ feet. But Jesus insisted and so John baptised him in the river Jordan.

Why was the Baptism of Jesus important? The baptism of Jesus was important because it marked the start of Jesus’ ministry (teaching) also ‘this is my son, I am pleased with him’ is very important as it marks Jesus as the Messiah and the son of God It fulfils the prophecy made in Isaiah

Why was Jesus baptised? His baptism was exemplary. Jesus’ baptism was an example to us of what we should do.  If He did it, and he had no sins to forgive, then it shows us that we should do it. His baptism was a confirmation that he was the God’s son His baptism validated John the Baptist’s ministry and vice versa. He is showing that he cares for sinners and so he does what sinners should do.

Your task... Why was Jesus baptised? Draw a picture of what we have heard today and write the story of what happened underneath In what way is Jesus spending time with sinners like a doctor spending time with the sick? Notes to help you Sets a good example Shows he was God’s son Showed that John the Baptist was right. He spends time with sinners (like a doctor) John Baptised many in the Jordan Jesus asked to be baptised and John was unsure John baptised Jesus The heavens opened The Spirit came down as a dove A voice said “this is my own dear son”  (If they want ideas, remind them that Jesus was baptized in a river, the sky opened up and the Spirit of God came down like a dove, or they could draw a picture of someone they saw baptized or create a sign to help them remember what they have learned.)