Bible Study – Baptism of Our Lord
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
Epiphany “divine revelation” is celebrated on January 6th. It is a season of lights which emphasizes that God has revealed himself to us through Christ Jesus. The adoration of Jesus by the Wise Men (Magi) from the East.
Epiphany means several things: a gift is received; the gift must be shared. Jesus appears to be suggesting a rhythm, a balance to our lives. We go inward to be with God, to receive; we go out in the world to share what we have been given – still with God. We are called to balance the pouring out of our love with the resting in God. We are called to heal by just showing up, by laying on hands, by sharing what we have. This good news that was for the few people who heard it up close and personal is ours because they reached out and shared it. It will belong to those who have not yet heard, if we accept our call to share the story by how we live out our lives and as St. Francis said, “with words, if necessary.”
The baby Jesus is now a man; a man beginning his ministry. Perhaps he is still trying to sort out in his mind what he is being called to do. He looks for validation and turns to his cousin, John. John, meanwhile, has been faithfully calling people to prepare, turn around, start over. He is pretty sure he will recognize Jesus, but he has not yet met him. When Jesus shows up, John goes into the water with him to baptize him, and both of them hear a voice from heaven. Jesus now knows he will be able to figure out what it is that he is being called to do
Opening Prayer: Thank you, God, for Baby Jesus, the angels, the shepherds, and the Wise Men. Thank you for giving us all this -- because you love us. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to Mark 1:4 -11 and read or read the scriptures below.
Mark 1:4-11
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Questions:
- What do you think it was like for John to baptize Jesus, his cousin?
- What do you think it was like for Jesus to be baptized?
- Why do you think we have baptisms in our church and why it is usually babies who get baptized?
- Have you been to a baptism at our church and do you remember anything that happened?
- Who usually does the baptisms?
- Where do the baptisms take place?
- What is a godmother or godfather?
- I wonder what baptisms tell us about being people of God?
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on url)
The Baptism of Jesus – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VMNO2MAmwA
Gospel of Mark Summary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGHqu9-DtXk
Song: Be Like Jesus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqquxi0B4oY
Activities:
I am Sealed by the Holy Spirit: Take a 3 x 5 card and pick a colored marker and copy the sentence "I am sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever." Find a place to put the card at home. Such as A bookmark, By your bed or Whatever you choose.
Gifts: The theme for the season of Epiphany is "Receiving the Gift and Offering the Gift." What do you think this means? (Perhaps you are familiar with the concept: "Pay it Forward", which was a book and then a movie you might have seen.) You may have seen the bumper sticker that invites people to practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of generosity.
Can you figure out things that you could do to make something better or someone happier – and do it secretly? Could you do these things in ways so no one will know? (Example: get a big trash bag and pick up junk at the park and toss the bag in the trash. Unload the dishwasher when no one is looking – and it is not your turn!) List your ideas on a piece of paper and see if you can do all of them.
The Baptism of Jesus - Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/the-baptism-of-jesus-3
The Baptism of Jesus - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/the-baptism-of-jesus-6
The Baptism of Jesus – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/the-baptism-of-jesus-4
The Baptism of Jesus – Multiple Choice: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/the-baptism-of-jesus-5
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon us your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised us to the new life of grace. Sustain us, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give us an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen
