Stained-glass window in Nauvoo Illinois Temple, by Tom Holdman

January 23–29

Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3

“Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”

As you read about John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus Christ, record any spiritual impressions you receive. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families can help you understand these scriptures and help you support the learning that the children are doing at home.

Invite Sharing

To give children a chance to share what they have already learned, show a picture of Jesus being baptized. Ask them to tell you what is happening in the picture and how they feel about being baptized.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Matthew 3:13–17

I can be baptized as Jesus was.

How can you use the account of Jesus’s baptism to help the children prepare to be baptized?

Possible Activities

• Summarize the story of the Savior’s baptism (see Matthew 3:13–17; see also “Chapter 10: Jesus Is Baptized,” in New Testament Stories, 26–29, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Explain that Jesus was baptized by immersion by someone who had priesthood authority. Repeat the story several times and invite the children to share the details they remember.

• Show a picture of Jesus being baptized and this week’s activity page. Let the children point out similarities between the two pictures. (There’s a picture of Jesus being baptized in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families.)

• Review the promises the children will make when they are baptized (see Mosiah 18:8–10; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37; Gospel Topics, “Baptism,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Ask them which of these things they are already doing.

• Invite a member of the bishopric to tell the children about the baptismal interview they will have before they are baptized.

• Sing together a song about baptism, such as “Baptism” (Children’s Songbook, 100–101). Consider asking a child to lead the other children while they sing.

We can follow Jesus’s example by being baptized.

Matthew 3:11, 16

The Holy Ghost helps me.

In addition to preparing for baptism, the children are also preparing to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. How can you help them?

Possible Activities

• Use Matthew 3:11, 16 to teach the children that the Holy Ghost descended on Jesus when He was baptized (a dove appeared as a sign to show that this had happened). Show the picture The Gift of the Holy Ghost (Gospel Art Book, no. 105), and explain that we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost when we are confirmed.

• Bring a box containing things such as a picture of Jesus, a comforting blanket, and a compass or map. Invite the children to select an item, and let them explain how each object represents a way the Holy Ghost can help us—He testifies of Jesus (see John 15:26), comforts us (see John 14:26), and shows us the right way (see 2 Nephi 32:5).

• Share your own experiences with receiving help from the Holy Ghost.

• Invite the children to listen for ways the Holy Ghost helps us as they sing a song about Him, such as “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Songbook, 105).

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Matthew 3

I am blessed by the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood.

John the Baptist held the Aaronic Priesthood, so reading about him in Matthew 3 is a good opportunity to teach the children about the Aaronic Priesthood. Help them recognize the blessings and power that come to us through this priesthood.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to make a list of Aaronic Priesthood duties, using Doctrine and Covenants 20:46, 58–60; 84:111. Ask the children to look in Matthew 3 for examples of John fulfilling some of these duties. How can all of us invite others to come unto Christ, as John did?

• Display some pictures of Aaronic Priesthood holders performing the ordinances of baptism and the sacrament (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 103–4, 107–8). Discuss how these ordinances prepare us to receive Jesus Christ and the blessings of His Atonement.

• Read together Doctrine and Covenants 13:1, and testify that John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood to Joseph Smith. Ask the children how they have been blessed because the Aaronic Priesthood was restored.

Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:1–11; Luke 3:2–18

I can keep my baptismal covenants.

Learning about the account of Jesus’s baptism provides a good opportunity to help the children review their baptismal covenants and recommit to keeping them.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to take turns reading verses from Mark 1:1–11. Discuss why Heavenly Father wants us to be baptized. Why was Jesus baptized, even though He did not need to be cleansed from sin? Help the children find answers to this question in Matthew 3:13–15 and 2 Nephi 31:6–7.

• Review the covenants the children made at baptism, found in Mosiah 18:8–10 and Doctrine and Covenants 20:37. Invite the children to write these references on this week’s activity page.

• Prepare several pairs of cards with matching phrases or pictures that represent our baptismal covenants. Place the cards facedown. Invite the children to take turns turning over two at a time, looking for a match. After a match is made, invite children to share ways they have kept that covenant.

• Share how keeping your baptismal covenants has blessed you.

Matthew 3:11, 16

The Holy Ghost can guide me.

Children are learning how to recognize and follow the Holy Ghost’s guidance. Help them understand that keeping their baptismal covenants will help them be worthy to receive His guidance.

Possible Activities

• Ask each child to read one of the following scriptures and to explain what it teaches about how the Holy Ghost speaks to us: Helaman 5:30; Doctrine and Covenants 6:23; 8:2–3; 11:12–13.

• Ask a child to read Matthew 3:11. How is the Holy Ghost like fire? For instance, fire can be comforting, and it gives light to guide us (see John 15:26; 2 Nephi 32:5).

• Invite the children to close their eyes and hold out their hands. Then lightly brush their palms with a feather or string. Invite them to tell you when they feel it. What does this activity teach about recognizing the impressions of the Holy Ghost?

• Invite the children to share experiences they have had with the Holy Ghost. Why does keeping our covenants help us to have the guidance of the Holy Ghost?

Encourage Learning at Home

Encourage each child to ask their parents, other family members, or friends about their baptisms.

Improving Our Teaching

Seek your own inspiration. Don’t view these outlines as instructions that you must follow as you teach. Rather, use them as ideas to spark your own inspiration as you ponder the needs of the children you teach. (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 7.)