This Week's Memory Verse:
2 Corinthians 5: 17(a)
"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person."
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!" But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
Matthew 3:13-17
Have you ever been to a graduation before? Perhaps you had a graduation from preschool or kindergarten; or maybe an older family member has graduated. Graduations tell everyone present that people have finished one task and are ready to begin something new.
Jesus' baptism is like a graduation. He had been taught by Joseph his earthly dad how to be a carpenter. He learned from his mother Mary skills to take care of himself. Jesus learned from the teachers in the synagogue how to read and understand the writings of the Torah - God's holy book to the Jewish people (did you know that the Torah is a part of our Old Testament? It is!).
Jesus' baptism by John told everyone that it was time for Jesus to begin the job that God had for him. He was to be an example and share with others how God loved them and wanted people to be a part of God's family. He started a new part of his life the day he was baptized in the Jordan River.
When we are baptized - we start something new too. We become part of the family of God and are ready to take part in some pretty important promises. We promise to love God with all of our heart, to ready God's word and to learn how to listen to God. We commit to loving people and taking care of the Earth that God gave us, and to live a life that makes people want to be followers of Jesus also. Baptism is an important step to take - it is a graduation that tells everyone that you have chosen to be a world changing follower of Jesus.
Today's Task:
Today I will try to tell people by my actions and choices that I am a follower of Jesus!
The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!" But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
Matthew 3:13-17
Have you ever been to a graduation before? Perhaps you had a graduation from preschool or kindergarten; or maybe an older family member has graduated. Graduations tell everyone present that people have finished one task and are ready to begin something new.
Jesus' baptism is like a graduation. He had been taught by Joseph his earthly dad how to be a carpenter. He learned from his mother Mary skills to take care of himself. Jesus learned from the teachers in the synagogue how to read and understand the writings of the Torah - God's holy book to the Jewish people (did you know that the Torah is a part of our Old Testament? It is!).
Jesus' baptism by John told everyone that it was time for Jesus to begin the job that God had for him. He was to be an example and share with others how God loved them and wanted people to be a part of God's family. He started a new part of his life the day he was baptized in the Jordan River.
When we are baptized - we start something new too. We become part of the family of God and are ready to take part in some pretty important promises. We promise to love God with all of our heart, to ready God's word and to learn how to listen to God. We commit to loving people and taking care of the Earth that God gave us, and to live a life that makes people want to be followers of Jesus also. Baptism is an important step to take - it is a graduation that tells everyone that you have chosen to be a world changing follower of Jesus.
Today's Task:
Today I will try to tell people by my actions and choices that I am a follower of Jesus!
The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
