The Son Also Rises
Bible Story:
The Son Also Rises (Jesus baptized by John the Baptist) Luke 3:21-23
Bottom Line: When I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more.
Memory Verse: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52, NIV
Virtue: Knowledge—discovering something new so you can be better at whatever you do.
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
We need a plan
STORYTELLER:
“John had been traveling all around Judea, telling everyone they had sinned—you know, done bad things—but that God had made a way for them to change. John was baptizing those who wanted to change. He told people that someone else was coming—someone greater than him. I wanted to hear more about this, so I got closer to hear what John was saying.
“‘I baptize you with water,’ John said. ‘But one who is more powerful than I am will come. I’m not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals.’
“This was amazing news! I have been looking for this Savior that John was speaking of for my entire life. I was afraid He might not come in my lifetime. Imagine my surprise when suddenly I heard John’s voice get louder as he greeted someone in the crowd. I heard him call someone by name. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. John was saying the name ‘Jesus!’
“I got even closer, pulled out my monocle (hold monocle up to your eye), and saw John embrace this man. I knew it must be Him. It must be this man I had heard about, who people said might be the long-awaited Messiah—the one who would save us.
The plan
STORYTELLER:
“I got close enough to hear them talking. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Jesus wanted to be baptized by John! Amazing! John was in shock and looked confused. I saw John shake his head several times—and who could blame him? If Jesus was the Son of God, HE should be baptizing JOHN, not the other way around!
“Then I heard Jesus speak. He told John that it was right for them to do this—that THIS was part of God’s holy plan!
“Wow. I was amazed. What kind of a God sends His perfect Son to earth to be baptized by someone who was clearly NOT perfect? That’s a God I want to know.
“My mind was spinning. Would John do it?! The crowd around me pressed in; we all watched in complete silence what was happening before our eyes.
God’s response
STORYTELLER:
“We watched as John the Baptist did, in fact, baptize the Son of God! As Jesus came up out of that water, the craziest thing began to happen! It was as though the skies parted and suddenly we all heard a voice from the heavens saying, ‘You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.’
“Wow! And to think, I thought I was just going to see an unusual preacher today! But I ended up seeing the SON OF GOD get baptized and hearing GOD HIMSELF speak out loud! If I hadn’t been there myself, I’m not sure I would have believed it!
“Of course, I had to be baptized today too. I don’t know all of what God has planned for my life, but I do know that I want to follow His plan. And if getting baptized was part of God’s plan for His Son, I’m going to follow in those footsteps!
“In fact, that’s why I’m writing all this down—to make sure I won’t ever forget this day. And I’ve saved some souvenirs to remind me of all that I saw. I even saved some water from the Jordan River!
“Today was definitely the most exciting day of my life, and I can’t wait to see what else God has planned—for Jesus and for me!
wrapping up the story
STORYTELLER:
“God’s big story is full of all kinds of plans. Today we saw that both John the Baptist and Jesus fulfilled some of God’s plan. I’m realizing that when I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more.
“People who love and care about us have knowledge that we need, too. Think about it. Has your mom or dad ever told you to take a jacket to school, and you didn’t? Then you’re shivering at the bus stop, shivering at recess. You’re cold, and your parents knew you would be because they had knowledge you didn’t have. Maybe they looked at the weather channel or they went outside or they remembered a time when it happened to them. You can trust what your parents, your Small Group Leaders, and other adults you trust say because they love you so much that they only want the best for you.
“Knowing that your parents and other adults you can trust have knowledge you don’t have, you should choose to trust what they say. If they tell you that it isn’t safe to get in a car with strangers, believe them. Like God, they have knowledge you don’t have and they love you. To discover what God says, you’ll need to spend time learning what He says in His Word, praying, and even asking questions about the Bible. That’s what Jesus did! Remember, when I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more.
“Learning what God says can help you trust God and His plan, plus you’ll grow closer to God because you start to learn what’s most important. And as you learn and listen, you’ll find it’s easier to trust God more and more. When I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more. Let’s say that together.”
STORYTELLER and KIDS: “When I discover what God says, it helps me trust Him more.”
Pray
STORYTELLER:
“Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for having a plan. Just like You had a plan for Your Son, Jesus, we know You have a plan for each of us. Help us to discover, to find out what You say to us in Your Word, so we can trust You more and more. Thank You that we’re a part of Your big story. We love You, God. Amen.”