Baptism
BAPTISM
Objectives:
- Students should know that we enter God’s church through baptism.
- Students should be able to name the objects used in a baptism.
Possible Lesson Plan:
- Open with prayer.
- Review with the students the story of Theophany, the baptism of Jesus. Where was he baptized? By whom? Who spoke and what appeared? Read it yet again in your children’s Bible.
- A baptism is a very special time. Ask the children if they have seen a baptism? Who is present? What happens? Take them to see the font. Show pictures of a baptism. Ask if they were baptized? Who are their godparents? Explain that their godparents held them and held a candle and promised to help them grow to be strong and love God. Explain that they were undressed and dipped in the water three times, then dressed in white, new clothes. Their hands, feet, chest, forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, and throat were all blessed with holy oil; with small children let them touch each part. With older children, explore why these parts were chosen. They were given a cross; are they wearing a cross today?
- Role-play a baptism – Dress an immersible baby doll in a blanket. Have a baptismal outfit ready. With younger children, the teacher will have to be priest and tell the others what to say; older children can read the “script”:
Priest (making sign of cross in water in tub): May this water be sanctified with the power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest (with hand on head of baby): In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I lay my hand upon your servant (name) who has come to be a part of your family. Since this baby cannot speak for himself, who will answer for him?
Godparents (1 holding baby and 1 a candle): We will.
Priest: Do you hate Satan, the devil, and all of his evil ways?
Godparents: We do.
Priest: Turn and spit on him. (Godparents do this.) Do you want to be baptized?
Godparents: I do.
Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
All: Recite the creed. (Godparents now remove the blanket)
Priest (anointing baby using cotton swab dipped in oil making sign of cross):
The servant of God (name) is anointed with the Oil of Gladness in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest (taking naked baby and immersing 3 times in a tub of water): The servant of God (name) is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest (after godparents dress baby in baptismal robe): The servant of God (name) is dressed in the Baptismal robe in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Note: Keep your “baby” for next week’s Chrismation.
- Sing “As many as have been baptized…” 3 times while the “baby” is marched 3 times around the room.
- Make a baptismal robe: take a pillow
case for each child. Cut holes for head
and arms. With red ribbon or fabric
paint decorate front and back with a
cross.
- Alternatively, make a baptism mobile; directions and sample cutouts below.
- Close with prayer. Ask parents to send pictures next week of the children’s own baptism.
Baptism Mobile
To make a baptism mobile, cut squares about 2-3 inches across from construction paper, 2 for each letter.. On one side of one set,, glue smaller white squares, each printed with one letter from the word, “baptism”. On the other set, glue smaller white squares, the top one titled “BAPTISM” and each subsequent one with a symbol or article used in the baptism. In the example on the right, there is a font, part of the creed, tonsuring, Chrismation, baptismal gown, and candle. Other ideas would be a dove, a godparent, a cross, etc., depending on your own traditions. Use a ribbon glued between the papers with the letters and the symbols to connect them, leaving enough at the top to tie a loop to hang the mobile.
