Children's Sermon (Matthew 3:13-17) Baptism Object Lesson

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Baptism is important. This object lesson will teach kids why. It’s from Matthew 3 and based on the Baptism of Jesus. Kids will love this sermon! It teaches about Baptism from Matthew 3:13-17 where Jesus is baptized by John. This message doesn’t deal with different doctrines of baptism, but it does cover the main idea of what Baptism means. Print the message below and watch the teaching video.


Children’s Sermon on Baptism

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Baptism is a blessing. This children’s sermon teaches why with a children’s object lesson.

About this Baptism Object Lesson

Childrens Sermon on Baptism of Jesus
Object Lesson on Baptism

“Blessing of Baptism” Children’s Sermon Object Lesson on Matthew 3:13-17 a cleansing reminder and godly example

Main Objective: Baptism has varied significance, practice, and detail across different denominations. However, it is done, though, it is important to note its importance in reminding us of our salvation. This lesson communicates that to kids, and emphasizes that Jesus was baptized as well, in order to demonstrate for us and to affirm who He was. 

Law/Gospel Theme: Baptism reminds us of who we are in Christ. We have “died” with Him and been made new creations. It is a blessing and privilege to remember that God has washed away our sins and given us transformation. Because of Jesus, we can draw near to God.

Object Lesson Props:

Water (water bottle, cup, or pitcher), soap, dove/bird ornament

Bible Passage: Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism of Jesus teaching ideas

Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. If your church has a baptismal font or tub, it might be helpful to incorporate it within your object lesson.


Baptism Object Lesson and Children’s Sermon from Matthew 3

Greet the children, and ask a few questions…

Hello, children of God! Do you see what I have here? What is this? (Hold up a glass, pitcher, or bottle of water.) That’s right, this is water! Now, what does water do? What can we do with water? (Encourage kids to come up with a variety of water uses, such as drinking, swimming, cooking, and bathing.)

So water is powerful and important stuff. And did you know that your body is made up largely of water? That’s why it is essential that you drink it and stay hydrated. But water also makes me think of baptism. Do you know what baptism is??

Baptism helps us remember that God has saved us and washed our sins away! Some people do baptism in different ways… some sprinkle water onto people (feel free to demonstrate with a small toy and your water); some people dip all the way into the water; some baptize people when they are little babies; some when they are older…there are a lot of ways to do it. But it is a wonderful and important thing to be baptized because it shows us that we are new in Christ!

We are born sinful, and will likely do a lot of bad things in our lives, whether we mean to or not. But we can rest assured that God will forgive us. He sent Jesus to take our place and die so that we can live with God. He loves us no matter what we do!

And did you know that Jesus was baptized, too? Now, that might seem strange, because we know that Jesus never sinned…so why would He need to be baptized?

Well, John asked that same question. Remember John, the camel hair-wearing, locust-eating guy? He baptized people in a river. Jesus came to him one day asking to be baptized, and John tried to send Him away. But Jesus insisted, saying He needed to do it. This lets us know that baptism is a blessing and a great thing. And when Jesus was baptized, something remarkable happened. Heaven opened up, and the Holy Spirit came down like a dove (hold picture of dove or toy), and the voice of God was heard, saying “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased.”

So all parts of the Trinity were present at once. And God was announcing who Jesus was, His beloved Son. We can take heart that Jesus was and is who He proclaimed. That is a comforting reminder. He lived and died so that we might have eternal life, and be made clean and new in Him.

This is something that we should help us to live joyfully every day. We are made in God’s image and we can live in His presence. We were sinful, but can be cleansed in Christ. So the next time you wash your hands or take a bath, remember how God has washed away our sins. Why don’t we Thank Him for that right now?


Children’s Prayer Moment

(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for baptism
Thank you for washing our sins and making us clean
Help us remember that, and live in your presence
Thank you for your son Jesus
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus’s name, Amen!


Lesson Text – Matthew 3:13-17 (NIV) The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:13-17

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