John the Baptist Told People About Jesus

Matthew 3:3-4, 11, 13-15

Our story comes from the Bible. It is found in a part, or book, of the Bible called Matthew. Matthew was one of the special helpers of Jesus.

Because God had told the people He was sending someone very special, the people watched and waited for someone very special to come. When God was ready to show His Son, Jesus, to the people, God sent someone else first to tell all the people to get ready because Jesus was coming. God sent someone to tell the people that Jesus was on His way and that Jesus would be the greatest.

The man God set to tell the people that Jesus was coming was named John. People called him John the Baptist, because he would baptize people in water. Since John really loved God, God told John it was his job to go tell the people that Jesus was coming and that Jesus would be the greatest.

When God gave John this special job, John did exactly what God said. He started telling all the people about God’s Son, Jesus, and how very special He was. He started telling people that Jesus is the greatest.

When people started hearing what John said, they came to the Jordan River, to the water, to be baptized so they could show everyone that they loved God and wanted to live God’s way.

Then one day, Jesus came to the water to be baptized. He was the One they had been waiting for. He was the one John told them about. Jesus was finally here!

John was amazed that Jesus was standing right there in front of him and that He wanted John to baptize Him. John did what Jesus wanted him to do...

...and while he was baptizing Jesus, a loud voice came from the sky and said, "This is my Son." It’s like God was saying Jesus is the greatest.

From that day on, people started following Jesus. We can follow Jesus too! When we follow Jesus, He shows us how to live God’s way, and He can do that because he’s so special. Jesus is the greatest.

Bible Paraphrase: "Come and follow me," Jesus said. (“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19 NIV)

Text Truth: John told people that Jesus is special.

Family Devotional

Jesus speaks to us in Acts 1:8 about witnessing.

"You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
– Acts 1:8

You probably don’t live in Jerusalem, Judea, or Samaria. But you are to be a witness for Jesus, too. You are to tell others that Jesus is God’s Son. You don’t have to use religious terms. All you have to do is tell others how you know that Jesus is God’s Son.

Pray that God will place someone in your path to tell about Jesus. When the opportunity comes, allow the Holy Spirit to give you the words to speak boldly.

Activities You Can Do at Home

Bedtime / Storytime

Each night before bedtime this week, tell stories about Jesus as a baby, a boy, and a man to help your child understand baby Jesus grew as a child and then became an adult. Say with your child the Bible paraphrase, “A Savior has been born. (Luke 2:11).

Tell the Good News with a Picture

You’ll Need: white construction paper, blue construction paper, scissors, crayons or washable markers, a dove sticker (optional)

Let your child draw a picture of John baptizing Jesus. Start with a white piece of paper. Cut a strip of blue construction paper for the Jordan River, and add the river to the picture. If you have a dove sticker or other decoration, add it to the picture. Let your child use the picture to tell someone that Jesus is God’s Son.

Run Down the “Jordan River”

You’ll Need: bottles of bubble solution and bubble wands, paper towels

• Have family members and friends, each with a bottle of bubble solution, stand in two lines, forming the banks for the river. 
• Blow bubbles and let your child run down the “river.” 
• Take turns trading places. 
• Use the paper towels to prevent slick floors. 
• Let everyone have a chance to run down the river. Have your child tell a family member what happened at the Jordan River.
• Remind your child that we can tell others that Jesus is God’s Son.

Practice Makes Perfect

John told others that Jesus is God’s Son. Practice telling stuffed animals or other family members in various ways that Jesus is God’s Son.

Pray for Courage to Tell

• As a family, pick one or several people you would like to tell that Jesus is God’s Son. 
• Pray for courage to speak to those people this week.

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.

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