Lesson: Matthew 3:6 (Ages 6-8)

📖 Matthew 3:6 – Ages 6-8

Explanation

In this Bible verse, we learn about a man named John the Baptist who was baptizing people in the Jordan River. Baptism is like taking a bath for our souls. Just like we take a bath to clean our bodies, baptism helps clean our hearts by showing that we love and want to follow God.

When people were baptized by John, they also confessed their sins. Confessing our sins means telling God when we do something wrong and asking for His forgiveness. It's like saying sorry when we accidentally break a friend's toy or forget to share our snacks. When we confess our sins, it helps us feel better inside because we know God forgives us and loves us no matter what.

So, just like getting into the water to be baptized can wash us clean on the outside, confessing our sins can help make our hearts clean on the inside. It's a special way to show God that we want to be close to Him and live the way He wants us to.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a young rabbit named Rosie who loved playing in the clear waters of the river near her burrow. One sunny day, she saw all the other animals lining up by the riverbank. Curious, Rosie hopped over to see what was happening. To her surprise, she saw them taking turns jumping into the water and talking to a wise old turtle named Timothy.

Rosie asked Timothy what they were doing, and he explained that they were confessing their mistakes and asking for forgiveness before jumping into the water as a symbol of starting anew. Intrigued, Rosie decided to join in. She confessed about nibbling on her neighbor's carrot patch and felt a weight lift off her tiny shoulders. As she hopped into the river, she felt cleansed and ready to make better choices.

Just like Rosie, we can confess our mistakes and be forgiven, just like the animals by the river.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for loving us so much. Thank you for Jesus and for the special way He showed us how to follow You. Help us to remember that just like the people who were baptized in the Jordan River, we can tell You when we make mistakes and ask for Your forgiveness. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think people were getting baptized in the Jordan River?
2. What does it mean to "confess their sins"?
3. How do you think confessing our sins helps us feel better?
4. Do you think it's important for us to ask God for forgiveness when we do something wrong?
5. How can we show God that we are sorry for our mistakes?

Life Application

In Matthew 3:6, we learn about people being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River after confessing their sins. For a child aged 6-8, this verse teaches us the importance of admitting when we make mistakes or do something wrong. Just like the people confessed their sins before being baptized, we can apply this in our daily lives.

At home, if you do something that upsets your sibling or parents, you can say sorry and ask for forgiveness. This shows humility and honesty, just like confessing sins before baptism.

In school, if you accidentally hurt someone's feelings or break a rule, you can admit your mistake and make things right. This demonstrates responsibility and shows that you are willing to learn from your errors.

With friends, if you say or do something unkind, you can apologize and show that you value your friendship. This helps in building trust and strengthening relationships.

By applying the message of Matthew 3:6 in your real life, you can learn the importance of taking responsibility for your actions, seeking forgiveness, and growing in character and faith.

Craft or Activity

Let's create a simple craft to help understand this verse! You can make a "River of Confession" where the child writes or draws on strips of blue paper things they want to confess or ask forgiveness for. Then, they can glue these strips onto a larger paper shaped like a river. This activity can help them visualize the act of confession and understand the significance of being baptized in the Jordan River.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When in the Jordan they did wade,
Confessing sins, their hearts displayed.
Baptized by John, their faith renewed,
In the river's waters, sins subdued.

Songs or Videos

One great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of Matthew 3:6 is "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart." This song celebrates the joy and freedom we experience when we confess our sins and are baptized.

Another wonderful choice is the song "My Lighthouse" by Rend Collective. This song talks about how God's love leads us through the darkness and guides us to safety, much like how John the Baptist baptized people in the Jordan River.

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