Print this Lesson John The Baptist
Luke 3:1-6 and Mark 14:3-12
Hello boys and girls! My name is John, some people call me John the Baptist. I know that you think I'm dressed a little strange, but there is a reason for that. You see, I grew up in the deserted area of South Judea. I mostly lived alone and had to get by on things that I could get from the land and forest. My garment is made from camel hair and my belt is a dried animal skin. My food is mostly dried locust and wild honey and other natural foods. I have been a very important person in the life of Jesus. Let me tell you about it.

My life was mentioned by the Prophets of old in the book of Isaiah saying, "A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way of the Lord." So you see that I had a real purpose in my life and that was to tell other people about Jesus and to prepare them for the coming of his kingdom. My parents were Zechariah, who was a priest and my mother was named Elizabeth and she was related to Mary, the mother of Jesus. I am about six months older than Jesus and related to him. The angel Gabriel appeared to my Dad and told him about my birth and told him to name me John.

I knew at an early age that my duty was to tell others about how Jesus wanted them to live their lives in order to be a part of His Kingdom. I traveled all around southern Judea and along the banks of the River Jordan preaching the good news about Jesus, how they should act and that they needed to be baptized to please our Lord. There were some that didn't believe the message I was teaching, some thought I was a Prophet and some even thought that I was the Christ that had been predicted by the Prophets. Some also come just to see this wild man that lived in the desert. My message to all the people was simple, just be a good person, kind, generous, forgiving, love everyone and be baptized of repentance to wash away your sins. I did this for a long time, many believed and were baptized and I became known throughout the land as "John the Baptist."

Then one day Jesus himself came asking me to baptize him. I said to him, "I am not worthy to loose, untie, your sandals and certainly not worthy to baptize you. You should be baptizing me." "Let it be so now, for it is fitting that I should do all things that are right." So I baptized our Him and afterwards I saw a vision and heard the words of God saying, "This is my beloved Son and I am well pleased." It was certainly the greatest day of my life.

If you would like to read more about me, open your Bibles to the books of Luke and Mark. Now I would like to ask you some questions. (Prepare questions to ask the boys and girls.)