Free Bible lessons for kids · 5 lessons
John the Baptist: Bible lessons for kids
John the Baptist was born to prepare the way for Jesus. He called people to turn from sin and pointed to Jesus, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.”
5 Bible stories, one subject: the life of John the Baptist. Teach them as a series or one at a time; each lesson has its film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and game, all free.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”John 1:29 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 5
- Passages
- Luke 1:5–25, Luke 1:57–80, Matthew 3:1–12, Matthew 3:13–17, John 1:29–51
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
5 Bible lessons about the life of John the Baptist
An Angel Visits Zacharias
Luke 1:5–25 · story film
While the priest Zacharias served in the temple, the angel Gabriel told him that he and Elisabeth would have a son named John. Because he did not believe, Zacharias could not speak until the promise came true.
Big idea: God hears our prayers, even the ones we have prayed for a long time.
Memory verse:
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:13 (KJV)Ask: Where was Zacharias when the angel came? In the temple, burning incense (Luke 1:9).
Game: Silent Zacharias (about 10 minutes)
John Is Born
Luke 1:57–80 · story film
Elisabeth had her baby, and the neighbors wanted to name him after his father. Zacharias wrote, “His name is John,” and right away he could speak again and praised God.
Big idea: God keeps His word, so we praise Him for His mercy.
Memory verse:
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luke 1:76 (KJV)Ask: What did Zacharias write on the writing table? “His name is John.”
Game: Writing Tablet Relay (about 10 minutes)
John Prepares the Way
Matthew 3:1–12 · Mark 1:1–8 · Luke 3:1–18 · story film
John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, calling people to repent and be baptized in the Jordan River. He told them that One mightier than he was coming.
Big idea: Getting ready for Jesus means turning from sin.
Memory verse:
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Matthew 3:3 (KJV)Ask: Where did John preach? In the wilderness of Judaea.
Game: Make the Path Straight (about 10 minutes)
Jesus Is Baptized
Matthew 3:13–17 · Mark 1:9–11 · Luke 3:21–22 · story film
Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized by John. As He came up out of the water, the Spirit of God came down like a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke.
Big idea: God the Father loves His Son, and He is well pleased with Him.
Memory verse:
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Matthew 3:17 (KJV)Ask: Which river was Jesus baptized in? The Jordan.
Game: Keep the Dove Flying (about 8 minutes)
Behold the Lamb of God
John 1:29–51 · story film
John pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Andrew followed Jesus and brought his brother Simon. Philip found Nathanael and said, “Come and see.”
Big idea: When we meet Jesus, we want to bring others to Him.
Memory verse:
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:29 (KJV)Ask: What did John call Jesus? The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Game: Come and See (about 8 minutes)
Plan it as a series: 5 weeks
| Week 1 | An Angel Visits Zacharias (Luke 1:5–25). God hears our prayers, even the ones we have prayed for a long time. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | John Is Born (Luke 1:57–80). God keeps His word, so we praise Him for His mercy. |
| Week 3 | John Prepares the Way (Matthew 3:1–12). Getting ready for Jesus means turning from sin. |
| Week 4 | Jesus Is Baptized (Matthew 3:13–17). God the Father loves His Son, and He is well pleased with Him. |
| Week 5 | Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29–51). When we meet Jesus, we want to bring others to Him. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Bible verses about the life of John the Baptist to memorize
“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
Luke 1:13 · An Angel Visits Zacharias
“And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;”
Luke 1:76 · John Is Born
“For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
Matthew 3:3 · John Prepares the Way
“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 · Jesus Is Baptized
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29 · Behold the Lamb of God
Questions people ask
Who was John the Baptist in the Bible?
John the Baptist was born to prepare the way for Jesus. He called people to turn from sin and pointed to Jesus, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God.”
Which Bible stories teach the life of John the Baptist?
An Angel Visits Zacharias (Luke 1:5–25), John Is Born (Luke 1:57–80), John Prepares the Way (Matthew 3:1–12), Jesus Is Baptized (Matthew 3:13–17), Behold the Lamb of God (John 1:29–51).
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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