Table of Contents:
1. Teacher’s background information.
Some people believe that baptism is baptising a young baby and then later there can be a Confirmation Service to ‘confirm’ the promises that were given at baptism.
Others believe that baptism should only be done when a person turns to God and believes in Jesus. Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, said:
Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 NIV
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2. Lesson plans and resources for: What is Christian Baptism?
[a] What is Baptism and Confirmation. The lesson plan is a downloadable PDF document to present to the children. (Opens in a new tab.)
[b] What is Baptism and Confirmation Lesson Plan is a PowerPoint presentation viewable or downloadable for teachers to show the children. (Opens in a new tab on www.slideshare.net) (Same material as the PDF above).
[c] What is Baptism and Confirmation Lesson Plan is a video based on a PowerPoint presentation. Created with 5-second slides, so pause the video to enable the children to study each slide: (Same material as the PowerPoint above).
[d] Children’s videos:
Cartoon videos of the baptism of Jesus are below.
3. Cartoon Bible story videos about Christian baptism:
[a] ‘Baptism – God’s Story’ (3.49 minutes long)
Here is a song explaining about believing and being baptised in water by total immersion. By Crossroads Kids’ Club.
[b] John the Baptist. Part 2: Jesus’ baptism (4.04 minutes long)
John the Baptist Kids Bible Story part 2. John’s abrupt message and then on to Jesus’ baptism:
[c] A teaser video: A surprising moment at Jesus’ baptism (1 minute long)
Bible story for kids and adults:
4. How to fulfil the locally agreed syllabus for ‘What is Christian baptism?’
Hopefully, you will be able to match your local agreed syllabus with what is here, which satisfies eight councils:
These lesson plans are based on the Progression Documents of The Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Peterborough, and Rutland County Councils. This is in the light blue text.
The green text is from other Councils: Lewisham Borough, West Sussex, Hull and East Riding.
Here are the main aims for the lesson plan:
- Know that there is variety in Christianity by visiting at least two different churches and exploring/comparing their different structures and discovering how these can reflect distinct practices and beliefs (e.g. font or baptismal tank).
- Personal life – baptism, confirmation, etc.
- What does it mean to belong? – Who am I?
- Identify and evaluate some religious and cultural differences between religions with the aim of promoting mutual respect and interfaith dialogue.
Key vocabulary: Baptism, Bible, Christ, Church, Disciple, Easter, Faith, God, Gospel, Holy, Jesus, New Testament.