Jesus the King · Lesson 4
Jesus Is Baptized
Matthew 3:1-17 New Testament PrincipleObedience
Jesus came to John to be baptized in the Jordan River, and God the Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," as the Spirit came down like a dove.
We obey God because He loves us and His ways are good, just as Jesus obeyed His Father.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!'”
Matthew 3:17 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
At the start of His public ministry, Jesus stepped into the water alongside sinners He came to save, and the Father, Son and Spirit were all revealed together.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Loved first
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Water that shows a change
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Find the dove
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God loves Jesus, and God loves me.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 4 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Dove comes down, Color the dove
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
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Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came down like a dove and God said, "This is My Son." Jesus obeyed His Father, and I can obey God too.
Memory verse
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Adapted from Matthew 3:17
Start here
Ask, "What does it feel like when someone you love says, 'I'm proud of you'?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today God says that to Jesus, out loud, from heaven!"
Bible story 6 min
John the Baptist lived out in the wild. He wore clothes made of camel hair. He ate bugs and wild honey!
John told people, "Turn away from sin and back to God!" People came to the Jordan River, and John baptized them.
One day Jesus came to the river. He asked John to baptize Him. John said, "No! You should baptize me!" Jesus never did anything wrong. But Jesus said, "Let it be so. It is right to obey God."
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Into the river 8 min
You’ll need: A blue sheet or blanket, A paper dove
- Two kids hold the blue sheet low like a river. Each child steps in, crouches, and comes up.
- As they come up, a helper flutters the dove above them, and everyone says, "God loves you!"
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Jesus, who never sinned, was baptized to obey His Father, and the Father, Son and Spirit were all revealed as God declared His love for His Son.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Father, Son and Spirit, Paper plate dove
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
At His baptism, the sinless Son identified with sinners to fulfill all righteousness, and the Father and Spirit affirmed Him as the beloved King and Servant before His ministry began.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: King and Servant, Loved first
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, online and on screens, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Obedience
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Kings and Prophets · Lesson 5God Calls Samuel1 Samuel 3:1-21When God's word was rare in Israel, God called the boy Samuel by name, and Samuel learned to say, "Speak, for Your servant is listening."Old TestamentObedience
Kings and Prophets · Lesson 1The Walls of JerichoJoshua 6:1-27; Joshua 2:1-21God told Israel to march around Jericho for seven days, and when they trusted and obeyed, God made the walls fall down flat.Old TestamentObedience
In the Beginning · Lesson 10God Calls MosesExodus 2:1-3:15; Exodus 4:1-17God saw His suffering people and came down to rescue them, and He called Moses to go, promising, "I will be with you."Old TestamentObedience