A note from Dad, for other parents.
This is our second weekly lesson. After Matthew, we are now reading *Mark chapter 1*. Mark moves fast, and a lot happens in one chapter. So I split it into two parts. This lesson covers the first part, Mark 1:1-20.
What is in this lesson
The comic tells the story in three steps:
1. *Get ready. God sends John to prepare the way. People turn back to God and are baptized. 2. Jesus comes. Jesus is baptized, the Spirit comes down like a dove, and God says, "You are my dearly-beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!" (Mark 1:11) 3. Come and follow me.* After John is put in prison, Jesus tells the good news, and He calls four fishermen to follow Him. They leave their nets at once.
I left out the 40 days in the desert for now. It brings up questions that are better for another day.
How I made this lesson
I read Mark chapter 1 in the J.B. Phillips New Testament (free to read at ccel.org). When the comic quotes what John, Jesus, or God said, I used the Phillips words. Where I put the story in simple words for small children, I did not use quote marks.
For some of the bigger questions, I also used Matthew 3, Mark 6, Luke 11, John 14, and Acts 2.
What does baptism mean?
Children may not know this word. "Baptize" comes from the Greek word baptizo. It was never really translated into English. It means to dip, or to put all the way under. Old Greek writers even used it for making pickles: the vegetable goes all the way into the jar. Mark also says Jesus "came up out of the water" (Mark 1:10).
The people who came to John were old enough to understand. They were "publicly confessing their sins" (Mark 1:5). Their baptism was a sign of "a complete change of heart and of the forgiveness of sins" (Mark 1:4). So I wanted my children to see that baptism is a choice, made with understanding, to turn away from wrong things and turn back to God. That is true for grown-ups and for children.
Why did Jesus get baptized?
My children will ask this, because Jesus never sinned. John asked it too. In Matthew 3:14-15, John says, "I need you to baptise me," and Jesus answers, "It is right for us to meet all the Law's demands - let it be so now."
Jesus was not saying sorry for sin. He was obeying His Father in everything, and He was going first to show us the way. And God said He was well pleased.
The Holy Spirit
At His baptism, the Spirit came down on Jesus. I want my children to understand who the Holy Spirit is:
- He is *God, not a thing. - He is a gift (Acts 2:38). We do not earn Him by being good. - He is our Helper*. He reminds us in our heart how to live God's way (John 14:26). - He helps us live in a way that honors God's name, so people see our good deeds and praise our Father (Matthew 5:16). - Even Jesus lived and worked with the Spirit's power (Acts 10:38). If Jesus did, we need Him too.
And this is not a one-time thing. Jesus said the Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him (Luke 11:13). In Acts 4:31, the disciples were filled again. So the lesson has a small chart where children color a dove each morning after they pray, "Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit today!"
The kingdom of God
After John was arrested, Jesus said, "The time has come at last - the kingdom of God has arrived. You must change your hearts and minds and believe the good news" (Mark 1:15).
John was put in prison because he told King Herod the truth about something wrong he did (Mark 6:17-18). John was brave, even when it was hard.
God's kingdom is not a castle or a country (John 18:36, Luke 17:20-21). It is when God is King in our hearts, over everything we say and do. "Your kingdom come, your will be done" (Matthew 6:10).
What is a disciple?
The Greek word for disciple, mathetes, means a learner, a student who follows a teacher. When Jesus said, "Come and follow me," Simon, Andrew, James, and John followed right away. Jesus invites our children, and us, in the same way. A disciple listens to Jesus, obeys Jesus, and loves others like Jesus.
My prayer
God said about Jesus, "in whom I am well pleased." My prayer is that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, our children will live a life that one day God will look at and be pleased with too. One day I hope we all hear Him say, "Well done."
Download and print
The lesson is 4 pages. Print it two-sided and choose "flip on long edge." Grab some crayons, and you are ready.
Part 2 of Mark 1 (verses 21-45) is coming next.
Scripture quotations are from The New Testament in Modern English by J.B. Phillips. This lesson is free for personal and family use.
— Dad
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