Baptism---John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus: Movie Workshop

Video: Jesus of Nazareth #1" 1992, by Artisan Home Entertainment.

Open with prayer (something simple, just to get the children calmed down and in a mode of listening to God and about God)

Ask them what they have done the last two weeks in Sunday school.
Tell them that this week we will be watching part of a movie and talking more about baptism.

Ask them if they remember what baptism is.

Tell them that first you will read out of the bible. Tell them where in the bible. Help them to find it in bibles also and let them read along.

Read Matthew 3

Questions to ask them before the movie:

Who was John the Baptist?
-prophet who baptized people
-wore camel hair
-he ate grasshoppers and wild honey
-he was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus

Why did he baptize people? (What did it mean to get baptized?)
-he baptized people in the name of the Lord. He told people to turn away from their evil ways and be cleansed by the Lord through baptism. “I baptize you with water so that you will give up your sins. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough to even carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” --Matthew 3:11

Play the clip from the movie
It should start by showing people walking in water.
Turn it off after John the Baptist says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes under himself the sins of the world.”
It will be almost 4 minutes long.

Questions to ask after the movie:

Why did John not want to baptize Jesus?
“But John kept objecting and said, ‘I ought to be baptized by you. Why have you come to me?’” Matthew 3:14
-He didn’t think he was worthy (good enough) to baptize Jesus, who he knew was the son of God.

What did Jesus say?
“Jesus answered, ‘For now this is how it should be, because we must do all that God wants us to do.’” --Matthew 3:15 (The movie doesn’t say this exactly the same, my Bible is a Contemporary English Version)

What did they see after Jesus was baptized?
“So Jesus was baptized. And as soon as he came out of the water, the sky opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.” Matthew 3:16

What did they hear God say? (In the movie, John said it out loud.)
“Then a voice came down from heaven and said, ‘This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.’” --Matthew 3:17

Did you like the part of the movie that you saw? If so, what part did you like?
(This is just to get them to talk about the movie)

Do any of you remember your baptism?
If so, tell about it.

(If you remember your own baptism, feel free to tell the kids about it)

End with a prayer that thanks God for cleansing us of all of our sins through baptism.

If there is a lot of time left over, have the kids draw pictures of a part of the movie or of their own baptism.

Exchange Volunteer modifed title of post for clarity.

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