Jesus’ Baptism: The Beginning of His Ministry Christian Religious Studies JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

Lesson Plan for Christian Religious Studies

Subject: Christian Religious Studies
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 12-13 years
Topic: Jesus’ Baptism
Sub-topic:
I. The Role of John as the Fore-Runner of Jesus (Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–16)
II. How Jesus Was Baptized by John in the River Jordan (Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22)
III. The Significance of Jesus’ Baptism

Duration: 80 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Narrate the role of John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus.
2. Describe how Jesus was baptized by John in the River Jordan.
3. Explain the significance of Jesus’ baptism.

Keywords

• Baptism
• Fore-runner
• Jordan River
• Holy Spirit
• Repentance

Set Induction

The teacher will ask the students if they know what baptism is or if anyone in their family has been baptized. This will help introduce the concept of baptism and its significance in Christianity.

Entry Behaviour

Students are aware of religious ceremonies like baptism and other forms of cleansing rituals.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Bible (New Testament: Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–16, Luke 3:21–22)
• Pictures of John baptizing Jesus in the River Jordan
• Drawing of a dove representing the Holy Spirit
• Whiteboard and markers

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

In the last lesson, students learned about the presentation of Jesus in the temple. This lesson builds on that by showing the next major event in Jesus’ life: His baptism by John the Baptist.

Embedded Core Skills

• Critical thinking
• Listening and comprehension
• Communication
• Interpretation of religious texts

Learning Materials

• Bible passages (Matthew 3:13–17, Mark 1:9–16, Luke 3:21–22)
• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Visual aids (pictures of John baptizing Jesus)

Reference Books

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for Christian Religious Studies
• Holy Bible (New International Version)

Instructional Materials

• Bible
• Visual aids (pictures of John the Baptist and the River Jordan)
• Drawing charts
• Whiteboard and marker

Content Outline

1. The Role of John as the Fore-Runner of Jesus
   • John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus.
   • He preached a message of repentance, calling people to confess their sins and be baptized in the River Jordan.
   • John told the people that someone greater than him would come, who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.
   • John fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’” (Isaiah 40:3).
2. How Jesus Was Baptized by John in the River Jordan
   • Jesus came to John at the River Jordan to be baptized, even though He had no sin.
   • When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove.
   • A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
   • Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry.
3. The Significance of Jesus’ Baptism
   • Jesus’ baptism showed His obedience to God’s will.
   • It symbolized His role as the Messiah and Savior.
   • The descent of the Holy Spirit confirmed that Jesus was the chosen one.
   • The voice from heaven identified Jesus as God’s beloved Son.
   • Jesus set an example for His followers to be baptized as a sign of repentance and faith.

Examples Relevant to the Topic

1. John the Baptist calling people to repent and be baptized.
2. Jesus coming to the River Jordan for baptism.
3. The Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove.
4. The voice of God from heaven declaring Jesus as His beloved Son.
5. Baptism as a Christian practice symbolizing repentance and new life.

Evaluation: Fill-in-the-blank Questions

1. John the Baptist baptized people in the ___ River (a. Jordan, b. Nile, c. Euphrates, d. Tigris).
2. Jesus was baptized by ___ (a. Peter, b. John, c. Paul, d. Moses).
3. After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came down like a ___ (a. eagle, b. dove, c. lion, d. wind).
4. John preached a message of ___ (a. joy, b. love, c. repentance, d. grace).
5. The voice from heaven said, “This is my ___” (a. friend, b. Son, c. servant, d. prophet).
6. John said Jesus would baptize with the ___ (a. Holy Spirit, b. water, c. fire, d. oil).
7. Jesus’ baptism marked the start of His ___ (a. teaching, b. public ministry, c. travels, d. miracles).
8. The heavens opened when Jesus was ___ (a. teaching, b. born, c. baptized, d. healing).
9. John the Baptist wore clothes made of ___ (a. silk, b. leather, c. camel’s hair, d. wool).
10. John preached in the ___ (a. desert, b. city, c. village, d. temple).
11. Jesus was ___ years old when He was baptized (a. 15, b. 30, c. 25, d. 20).
12. The Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a ___ (a. light, b. cloud, c. dove, d. flame).
13. Jesus came from ___ to be baptized by John (a. Nazareth, b. Jerusalem, c. Bethlehem, d. Jericho).
14. Baptism is a sign of ___ (a. joy, b. repentance, c. grace, d. mercy).
15. John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy of ___ (a. Elijah, b. Moses, c. Isaiah, d. Jeremiah).

Class Activity Discussion: FAQs

1. Who was John the Baptist?
   Answer: He was a prophet sent to prepare the way for Jesus.
2. Why did John baptize people?
   Answer: He baptized people as a sign of repentance and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
3. What did John say about the person coming after him?
   Answer: He said the person would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
4. Where did John baptize Jesus?
   Answer: In the River Jordan.
5. Why did Jesus get baptized?
   Answer: To show His obedience to God’s will and to set an example.
6. What happened after Jesus was baptized?
   Answer: The Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke.
7. What did the voice from heaven say?
   Answer: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.”
8. What is the significance of the dove?
   Answer: It represents the Holy Spirit.
9. What did John wear?
   Answer: Clothes made of camel’s hair.
10. What does baptism symbolize for Christians today?
    Answer: Repentance and new life in Christ.
11. Who is the Holy Spirit?
    Answer: The third person of the Holy Trinity.
12. Why was the baptism of Jesus important?
    Answer: It marked the beginning of His ministry and showed His role as the Messiah.
13. What did the people think of John the Baptist?
    Answer: They saw him as a prophet.
14. What did John eat in the desert?
    Answer: Locusts and wild honey.
15. Why do Christians follow Jesus’ example of baptism?
    Answer: To show their commitment to God and to repent of their sins.

Presentation

1. Step 1: Revising the previous topic, “The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.”
2. Step 2: Introducing the new topic: “The Baptism of Jesus” by reading from Matthew 3:13–17 and Mark 1:9–11.
3. Step 3: Allowing students to share their understanding of baptism and discussing the events of Jesus’ baptism.

Teacher’s Activities

• Read the Bible passages about Jesus’ baptism.
• Display visual aids showing John baptizing Jesus in the River Jordan.
• Explain the significance of each event during Jesus’ baptism.

Learners’ Activities

• Listen to the Bible readings.
• Participate in class discussions about baptism.
• Answer questions about the significance of Jesus’ baptism.

Evaluation Questions

1. Who baptized Jesus?
2. Where did Jesus’ baptism take place?
3. What descended on Jesus after His baptism?
4. What did the voice from heaven say?
5. Why was Jesus baptized?
6. What is the meaning of baptism?
7. What did John say about Jesus’ baptism?
8. What prophecy did John the Baptist fulfill?
9. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit appearing as a dove?
10. How is baptism related to repentance?

Conclusion

The teacher will go around the class, mark students’ answers, and provide feedback. The lesson will end with a summary of the events of Jesus’ baptism and its importance in Christian life.

More Useful Links 

• The Birth of Jesus Christ Christian Religious Studies JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 1
• Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Wise Men and Shepherds Christian Religious Studies JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 2

Learn about Jesus’ baptism by John and its significance in the Christian faith.