Grades 1-3
Introductory Activity – Letter Scramble
Materials: paper squares (7 different colors of squares), marker, music CD
Print the letters of the word Savior on paper squares, one letter per square. Make several sets of the word on each color, enough for every kid to have a letter.
Give each child a square. Play music and guide kids to walk around the room randomly. Stop the music and say: “Find kids with the same color as you to spell the word Savior.” Lead kids to stand in groups that spell the word. After all kids have grouped up, play the music and guide kids to move around the room again. Stop the music and tell kids to group up in a different way. Suggestions: stand in groups of 7 with kids that have the same letter; stand in groups with all different colors to spell Savior; stand with a group to spell a different word. Tell kids that they hear that God sent Jesus as the one and only Savior.
Live It Out
Game – Life Point Step-Out
Materials: paper, marker, tape
Print the words of the Life Point on paper, one or two words per page, to make 12 pages. Mix the words and tape them to the floor in a 3-by-4 grid. Guide kids to stand in a line. Tell the first child to step on the first words of the Life Point. The second kid can step on the first and second word. Continue, leading the kids to step on the words in order that the previous kid stepped on and adding the next words. If a kid makes a mistake, he can start over. Say the Life Point together.
Craft – Watercolor Baptism
Materials: watercolor paints, water, paintbrushes, white paper, pens
Give each child a piece of paper and other supplies. Instruct them to paint a picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus with their watercolor paints. Tell them to write the Life Point across the top of the page. Afterward, allow several volunteers to share their pictures with the rest of the class.
Grades 4-6
Introductory Activity – Water Balloon Toss
Materials: Water Balloons
Before class, put together multiple water balloons. Take kids outdoors to a large area. (If not possible to go outdoors, play indoors using beanbags.) Form pairs of kids and instruct each pair to face each other. Give a water balloon to each pair. Instruct them to toss the water balloon back and forth. After every toss, the children should take a step back. If a pair bursts a water balloon, they are out of the activity. The pair that separates the furthest is the winner! Afterward, explain that being baptized is not just about getting wet. Briefly explain the meaning and purpose of baptism and tell your children they will learn about Jesus being baptized today.
Live It Out
Game – Bible Passage Challenge
Materials: note cards, pen
Before class, write Matthew 3:13-17 on note cards, with one verse on each card. Do not write the references on the cards. Hide the cards in your classroom before your children arrive. Tell them you have hidden five verses from today’s Bible story, and they are to work together to find the cards and put them in the appropriate order. If you can, do several rounds with your children to see if they can complete the activity faster.
Craft – White Dove
Materials: white paper, crayons or colored pencils, scissors, yarn, hole-puncherBefore class, search online for “How to draw a dove for kids.” In class, give each child a piece of paper, a crayon or colored pencil, scissors, and a piece of yarn. Tell them you are going to show them a video that will instruct them how to draw a dove. Give them time to watch the video to draw their dove. Next, instruct them to write the Life Point on the dove and to cut out the dove. Hand out a hole puncher and direct the children to punch a hole in the top of the dove. Next, instruct them to run the yarn through the hole and tie the two ends together, creating a loop. Encourage them to hang their dove up at home. Have everyone say the Life Point together.
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