First Sunday After the Feast of the Epiphany Church School Lesson Recap

Hi Friends! Here is our lesson from Sunday, January 10 in case you were not able to join us on Google Meets. You will need a piece of paper(preferably 8X10), crayons or markers, and a stuffed animal or doll.

New and Goods: Take turns sharing a highlight from the previous week. This was a particularly eventful week in our country. The following addition to the activity is optional:

If your children saw any of the news coverage or were involved in any discussions about the events in your home, you can use the opportunity to think back and talk about any "helpers" that were involved. You can also use this opportunity to talk about and validate any feelings that children may be having at this time. Assure them that whatever feelings they have are valid and important. Also let them know that God knows how they are feeling and he cares and loves them more than anything. Let them know that when problems seem big and out of control, we can pray to God about them. You can make a list of prayer requests related to the events and pray for them together. You can also make a list of ways that kids can help if they feel like they need to do something. Examples include sending cards to friends and family with encouraging messages, gathering items to donate to a food bank. While these are not things related to the events at the capitol building, they are a way to do the work of God and spread love at a time when there is a lot of hate. Let the children know that doing God's work will always help the world to be better.

Opening Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for the time we have together today.

We ask that you open our hearts to your words.

We pray that you help us learn to share your love with others.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

Bible Story: Mark 1:4-11

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 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. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 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. I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Discussion:

-How was the way Jesus was baptized different from the way we were baptized?

-What does baptism mean?

-How do you think John felt when Jesus asked him to baptize him?

-Why do you think Jesus wanted to be baptized even though he was already the Son of God?

Activity:

Find your favorite stuffed animal or doll. You are going to baptize him/her!

You can pretend to baptize like we do in church or like John the Baptist did in the river. When you baptize your animal or doll, say the words:

You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. Amen.

Activity #2: This is the time you will need your piece of paper and crayons or markers.

When we are baptized, we receive a gift of love! John loved Jesus when he baptized him. Jesus wants us to share His love with others in the world! This is a project that will help us remember to both receive the love of Jesus and to offer it to others.

Take your paper and hold it in the landscape direction. Fold it in half "hamburger style," and then reopen it and lay it flat. Take both the left and right sides and fold them in towards the middle so they meet at the first folded line. This time keep the folds closed. On the front, draw two arms/hands with hands facing the center folds. You can add your face and body as well. It will be fine if it crosses the opening. Then on the inside draw your same face and body, but this time point the arms outward toward the outer edges of the paper. You can see an example below. When the flaps are closed, you are receiving the love of God. When the flaps are open, you are offering love to others.

**This week keep your project by your bed so that when you wake up in the morning you will remember to take the time to receive the love of God throughout your day and then pass it along to others!