Lesson: The Baptism of Jesus
Creative dramatics is used to explore John's baptism of Christ and the Presbyterian baptism of infants (or your denomination's practices). Lesson plan written by Amy Crane (amycrane@hotmail.com) for Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church in Tampa, Florida.

Scripture: John 1: 19 - 34

Lesson Objectives:
By the end of the session , the students will
* know that John is one of the four Gospels that share an account of the life of Jesus and know where to find it in the New Testament.

* be familiar with the story of Jesus' baptism.

* understand sacrament of baptism, including the promises made by an infant's parents or by the person being baptized and also the promises made by the others involved.


Resources:
Rump, Nan. Puppets and Masks: Stagecraft and Storytelling. Worcester, Massachusetts: Davis Publications, Inc., 1996.
--. PC(USA) Book of Order.

Background comments on the story:
* Read the story in the other three Gospels and note the variations: Matthew 3: 1-17, Mark 1: 1-11, Luke 3: 1-22.

* Although John did not know for whom he was preparing the way, he recognized Jesus immediately ("I saw the spirit come down like a dove from heaven and stay on him," 1:32b). He gave testimony, announcing to everyone that Jesus is the Son of God. (And he continued to give testimony; see 1: 35-36.)

* From the PC(USA) Book of Order: "Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. Jesus through his own baptism identified himself with sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the servant manifested in his sufferings, death, and resurrection. Jesus the risen Lord assured his followers of his continuing presence and power and commissioned them ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age' (Matt. 28:19, NRSV). The disciples were empowered by the outpouring of the Spirit to undertake a life of service and to be an inclusive worshiping community, sharing life in which love, justice, and mercy abounded." Check with your pastor to see what your church says about baptism.


Props, scenery, costumes, and supplies: Bible time costumes, Jordan river (tape a large piece of butcher paper to the floor), doll to be baptized, bowl with a bit of water, copies of the baptism liturgy your church uses (meet with your pastor to find out exactly what is said and done in your church for baptism. If there are any hymns that are normally sung as part of the baptism, consider singing them as part of the portrayal of the sacrament.); materials for bird puppet: paper plates, craft sticks, plain white paper, scissors, markers or crayons, glue, tape, stapler and staples, craft feathers.

Early arrival activity: Make the "Bird-in-the-Hand" puppets from Puppets and Masks. (If time is short, make the body in advance, and cut a beak shape out as part of the body. Tape the craft stick to the body and use staples to hold the body together instead of glue; leave off the feet.) It is not necessary for everyone to have a puppet; only one is needed to show the Spirit descending like a dove. Students who made a puppet may take it home with them.

Books for sharing before and after class: Look for books about the lives of Jesus and John the Baptist, including illustrated collections of Bible stories such as
McCaughrean, Geraldine. God's Kingdom: Stories from the New Testament. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 1999.
Turner, Philip. The Bible Story. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.

BRINGING THE STORY TO LIFE: Creative dramatics
Group time:
Open with prayer.
Read the scripture: John 1: 19-34

Discuss the story:
Characters: Jewish authorities, priests, Levites, John the Baptist, Jesus, people, Spirit of God (like a dove)
Remind the students that John is Elizabeth and Zechariah's son and is a relative of Jesus (see Luke 1). Read Matthew's description of John the Baptist: Matthew 3: 4-6.
Where did the story take place? in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River (this is not the same Bethany where Lazarus lived [chapter 11]).
Discuss baptism practices. Does anyone remember how we baptize people in our church? What sorts of questions are asked? Who answers them? Talk about how some people are baptized as infants and others are baptized as youth or adults.

Warm-up exercises:
* Talk about what it may have looked like when "the Spirit came down like a dove from heaven and stayed on Jesus." (There are no right or wrong answers to this question.)

* Mime how each of these people present at Jesus' baptism may have reacted to seeing the Spirit descending like a dove:
John the Baptist
Jesus
Others waiting to be baptized
Priests and Levites sent by the Jewish authorities

* Practice using the bird puppets to descend like a dove on Jesus. Depending on how many puppets were made, half the class can be doves and the other half can be Jesus. Switch. (It may be necessary to remind some over-exuberant students that the dove probably did not bonk Jesus on the head.)


Assign parts and act out the story of John baptizing Jesus.
After you act out the Bible story, baptize a doll. (Before beginning, have the "parents" decide on the doll's name.) With younger students, a teacher may have to read the part of the minister, but allow a child to be the minister and do the baptizing with water. (If time permits and the sanctuary is not in use, consider taking the class to the sanctuary and doing this using the baptismal font or pool.) After formally dramatizing a baptism, allow each child to have an opportunity to baptize the doll.


Pulling it all together (closing discussion):

* Why was John baptizing people?

* Why do you think Jesus felt it was important to be baptized by John?

* What is a sacrament?

* What is baptism?

* Why are you baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit? (Look at Matthew 28: 19)

* Have you been baptized? What do you remember about your baptism (actual memories or from family stories/photos)?


Closing Prayer:
God: help us remember the promises made in our own baptism, and renew our trust in you. Help us to obey your will and to serve you with joy, as did your son Jesus. Amen.