Baptism Games For Sunday School
Baptism Games for Sunday School
Baptism is one of the most important events in a Christianโs life, symbolizing the washing away of the old life and the beginning of a new one in Jesus Christ. As Sunday School teachers, it’s crucial to convey the significance of baptism to children in a way that is both engaging and educational.
Baptism games for Sunday School are a fantastic way to do this. Through fun games, Bible lessons, and crafts, children can learn about Jesus’ baptism, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of making right choices in their own lives.
The Importance of Baptism in Sunday School Lessons
In Sunday School, the story of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River is often a focal point of lessons about the beginning of Jesusโ public ministry.
This significant event, where the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and the voice of God declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” provides a powerful example for children to understand the meaning of baptism.
Sunday School lessons should aim to make the story of Jesus’ baptism relatable to children by emphasizing that baptism is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
Through baptism games for Sunday School, kids can actively participate in learning, and making the Bible story of Jesus’ baptism more memorable and meaningful.
Baptism Games for Different Age Groups
Baptism Games for Younger Children
For younger children, itโs essential to keep the activities simple, fun, and visually engaging. Baptism games for Sunday School in this age group should focus on the basics of the story and the symbolism behind baptism.
Baptism of Jesus Coloring Page
What It Is: A coloring page featuring the scene of Jesusโ baptism in the Jordan River, with John the Baptist, the dove representing the Holy Spirit, and the voice of God from heaven.
How to Use It: Use the coloring page during story time as an object lesson to discuss the main idea of the baptism of Jesus. As children color, explain how this was an important event in Jesusโ life and marked the beginning of His public ministry.
Free Baptism Coloring Page
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints has an abundance of resources. There are several Baptism coloring pages that you can download online for free. Simply head on over to their coloring pages list by clicking here.
Water Relay Fun Game
What It Is: A simple water relay game where children must carry a small cup of water from one end of the room to the other, symbolizing the journey of baptism.
How to Play: Divide the children into two teams. Each child takes a turn running with a cup of water, trying not to spill it. The team that fills their bucket first wins. This game can be linked to the concept of baptism, where water is a symbol of washing away the old life and beginning anew in Jesus Christ.
Pin the Dove on the Baptism Scene
What It Is: A spin on the classic โPin the Tail on the Donkeyโ game, but with a baptismal theme. Children try to pin a paper dove onto a picture of Jesus’ baptism.
How to Play: Blindfold each child, spin them around, and let them try to pin the dove where the Holy Spirit would be. Discuss how the dove represents the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit of God is present in our lives after baptism.
Baptism Games for Older Children
Older children can handle more complex games that involve strategy, memorization, and deeper discussions about the meaning of baptism and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Bible Memory Match
What It Is: A memory card game featuring key scriptures and images related to baptism, such as the Jordan River, the dove, and phrases like “gift of the Holy Ghost.”
How to Play: Lay the cards face down and have the children take turns flipping over two cards at a time. The goal is to match pairs of cards, each pair depicting a scene or scripture related to baptism. This game reinforces Bible lessons and helps older children memorize important scriptures.
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Baptismal Journey Board Game
What It Is: A custom board game where children move through different stages leading up to baptism and beyond, including “Repentance,” “Faith in Jesus Christ,” “Receiving the Holy Ghost,” and “Eternal Life.”
How to Play: Use a simple board with spaces representing different stages of spiritual growth. Children roll dice to move forward, landing on spaces that prompt them to answer questions, perform Bible memory tasks, or discuss parts of the baptism story. The first child to reach the “Eternal Life” space wins. This game teaches about the steps involved in following Jesus and the commitment made at baptism.
Jordan River Crossing
What It Is: An obstacle course designed to mimic crossing the Jordan River, where children must navigate various challenges that represent the trials and blessings of living a Christian life.
How to Play: Set up a course with different obstacles such as stepping stones (representing faith), balancing beams (symbolizing walking the straight path), and a final “river” to cross (using a piece of white cloth). This game emphasizes the importance of making right choices and staying on the path of righteousness.
Integrating Baptism Crafts into Sunday School
Crafts are an excellent way to reinforce the lessons taught through baptism games for Sunday School. They allow children to express their understanding of baptism creatively.
Baptismal Candle Craft
What It Is: A simple craft where children decorate a candle with symbols of baptism such as the cross, water droplets, and doves.
How to Use It: After completing the craft, explain that just as a candle gives light, baptism is the beginning of a new life in Christ, where we are called to be a light to others. This craft can be kept as a reminder of their own baptism or the story of Jesusโ baptism.
Baptismal Banner
What It Is: A group craft where children create a large banner depicting the story of Jesus’ baptism, including images of the Jordan River, John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit as a dove, and the moment heaven opened.
How to Use It: Hang the banner in the classroom as a visual reminder of the baptism story. Discuss how the banner represents the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and how baptism is an important event in every Christianโs life.
Bible Lessons and Story Time Activities
Incorporating Bible lessons and story time into baptism games for Sunday School helps children understand the significance of baptism in the broader context of Jesusโ life and ministry.
The Baptism of Jesus: A Bible Story
How to Teach It: Begin by reading the account of Jesus’ baptism from the New Testament (Matthew 3:13-17). Emphasize the key moments: Jesus coming to John, the conversation between them, the actual baptism, and the divine proclamation from heaven.
Interactive Elements: Use a flannel board or puppets to act out the story of Jesusโ baptism, allowing children to participate by moving the characters or narrating parts of the story. This hands-on approach helps younger children engage with the Bible story.
Object Lesson: The Wedding Ring and Baptism
What It Is: Use a wedding ring as an object lesson to explain baptism.
How to Teach It: Just as a wedding ring is a visible sign of a personโs commitment to their spouse, baptism is a visible sign of a personโs commitment to Jesus Christ. Explain that baptism is a way to show others that we have chosen to follow Jesus and live according to Godโs word.
Bible Crafts: Creating a New Testament Scroll
What It Is: A craft where children create a mini scroll of the New Testament, focusing on verses about baptism.
How to Use It: Have children write or paste selected scriptures onto the scroll, then roll it up and tie it with a ribbon. This activity reinforces the importance of the Bible in understanding the teachings about baptism.
Group Activities and Small Group Discussions
Group activities and discussions are essential for helping children apply what they’ve learned from baptism games for Sunday School to their own lives.
Small Group Discussion: Right Choices After Baptism
How to Facilitate It: After playing baptism games, gather the children into small groups and discuss the importance of making right choices after baptism. Ask questions like, “What does it mean to follow Jesus after baptism?” and “How can the Holy Spirit help us make right choices?”
Key Points: Emphasize that baptism is the beginning of a journey with Jesus and that the Holy Spirit guides us in making choices that align with Godโs will.
Bible Times Role Play
What It Is: A role-playing activity where children reenact the baptism of Jesus and the events surrounding it.
How to Play: Assign roles to the children (Jesus, John the Baptist, the onlookers, the voice from heaven) and have them act out the story.
Which Bible Game do you think you will integrate into your lesson plan? Have some favorites that are not here? Let us know in the comments below.