Three Activities for Preschool Families: John the Baptist

Three Activities for Preschool Families: John the Baptist Hero Image Three Activities for Preschool Families: John the Baptist Hero Image

God wants us to tell others about Jesus. It is a simple statement and one that all of us reading this would quickly agree with. However, though it is easy to agree that we should and need to tell others about Jesus, we often do not. I know, for me, evangelism is the weakest area of my walk with Christ. Why? Because I lack faith, and I fear what others might think of me. I have been determined to grow in this area and by God’s grace had to opportunity over the past year to be involved with leading two young ladies to Christ. How about you? When was the last time you shared God’s Good News with someone? Has it been too long? This is a great time to jump in with your kids to tell others about Jesus using the simple activities below.

HIGHLIGHTS from the Weekend…

This week your child learned that God has a perfect plan and that He makes people alike and different. An angel appeared to Zechariah and told him that Elizabeth, his elderly wife, would give birth to a son. They were to name their son John. He would be great in God’s eyes and teach people about God’s forgiveness and mercy. He was to be a messenger to the people about the coming Messiah who was Christ. John grew and lived in the desert, wearing clothes made from camel’s hair and eating honey and locusts. John was sent by God to prepare the way for the Lord. He baptized people; he even baptized Jesus! HE WAS ALWAYS POINTING PEOPLE TO JESUS. The story of John the Baptist’s life can be found in the following passages: Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1 -8, Luke 3, 57-80, and John 1:6-34.

Teaching Truths:

  1. We are to tell others about Jesus

Memory Verse

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

3 Activities that Help Us Learn That We Are to Tell Others About Jesus:

1. Gospel Fuzzy Pom-Poms

Grab different colored pom-poms and gather the family or a group of friends together. Explain what each color pom-pom stands for:

Gold – heaven

Black – sin

Red – Jesus died

White – I’m forgiven

Green – I’m growing in Christ

Hand out the different colored pom-poms so each person has a color. Begin singing the Gospel Fuzzies song which is included below (If you want to hear the tune first, search YouTube for “Gospel Fuzzies song”). While singing, have the person stand up when you sing about the color they are holding. When you feel that the children know what each color stands for, remove all pom-poms except one of each color. Begin singing the song again. This time, pass the pom-poms around the circle as you sing. At the end of the verses, stop singing. Whoever is holding a pom-pom must tell what it stands for. Continue in this manner until all children have told the meaning of at least one color.

Gospel Fuzzies Song

“We’re the gospel fuzzies (repeat two times) And we wouldn’t hurt a flea.

Gold stands for heaven (repeat two times) Where I want to go.

Dark means I’m a sinner (repeat two times) And I can’t get in.

Red means Jesus died (repeat two times) And he rose again.

White means I’m forgiven (repeat two times) When I trust in Him.

Green means that I’m growing (repeat two times) When I follow Him.

2. Bugs for Dinner

John the Baptist lived in the desert and ate bugs and honey. So, have your child help you make crescent bugs for dinner. The crescent roll will be the body of the bug while pretzel sticks are the legs and raisins are the eyes. Bake the rolls as directed on the package. When the crescent rolls have cooled, place thin pretzel sticks in the sides of the rolls as legs and attach raisins with honey for eyes. As you eat dinner, talk with your child about John the Baptist by using these questions.

  1. Why did God send John the Baptist?
  2. What did John eat in the desert?
  3. What kind of clothes did John wear?
  4. What did John teach people? (Jesus is coming.)
  5. What do you think it was like living in the desert?

3. Jesus is Coming

Keep an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube. Allow your child to decorate the tube using stickers and crayons—you can even tape some streamers and ribbons to the end. Once the tube is finished, have your child march around the room announcing and shouting into the tube “Jesus is coming!”.

Pray

Lord thank you for the opportunity to learn about John the Baptist and his faithfulness to point other to Christ. Help us to be like him and to share your Truth and love with those around us more and more.