Jesus and John the Baptist
LESSON DATE & SCRIPTURE: May 07 | JOHN 3:22-36
New city catechism question of the week:
Question #19:
Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
Answer:
Yes. God reconciles us to himself by a Redeemer.
Memory Verse: John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Talk about it together
Before he was born, God chose John the Baptist for a special purpose. John traveled from place to place telling people about God’s kingdom. He baptized people with water and helped them prepare their hearts for someone greater, Jesus, the promised Savior.
John understood that he was not the one who could save people from sin. His role was to point others to Jesus. He said, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” John wanted people to focus on Jesus, not on him.
John was called a voice in the wilderness, sharing God’s message. Jesus is God’s Word, the one John had been talking about all along. John baptized with water, but Jesus gives new life through the Holy Spirit. God’s plan was for John to prepare the way and then step aside so Jesus could accomplish the work he came to do.
When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives our sins and gives us eternal life. Jesus is the only way to have a forever relationship with God the Father.
Family discussion
Who did John the Baptist prepare people for?
What did John baptize with?
Whose words does Jesus speak?
What happens when we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior?
Family prayer
Lord, thank you for preparing the way for Jesus. We trust you and thank you for forgiving our sins and giving us eternal life. Amen.