Beloved – A Lesson Plan on Baptism

About This Lesson Plan on Baptism

This Beloved lesson plan will help youth understand that baptism brings us into life as members of our Heavenly Father’s family.

Opening Game for Beloved

Start by playing Drip Drip Drop. This game involves a little water, so if you can’t have a few small puddles, then consider Water Drop Race instead. For complete instructions, see Drip Drip Drop.

Follow up with a couple of questions:

• What sacrament does this remind you of?
• Does anyone here remember his or her baptism?
• If you don’t remember your baptism, how do you feel about that?

Most Catholics are baptized as infants so they don’t remember the event. You might wonder how a sacrament which was done at your parent’s request can impact you. But God poured out his grace on you at your baptism whether you remember it our not.

Scripture Reading for Lesson Plan on Baptism

Read the Gospel:

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 (Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist) – the Gospel Reading for the Baptism of Our Lord – Year C

The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.

John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spiritand fire.”

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

Discussion about Beloved

At Jesus’ baptism, a voice identifies him as God’s beloved son. Our baptisms also identified us as sons and daughters of God. The Church teaches that baptism leaves a “mark” on us which can never be removed. This is why we only need to be baptized once. No matter what we do, that mark is always with us.

It is has been said that baptism can be compared to our heavenly Father bending down and kissing us on the forehead. The soft imprint of that kiss remains. It is a sign of his love for us. It can never be taken away.

In baptism, God brings us into his family. We become his sons and daughters. And our original sin is cleaned off of us. We become members of the Church. We receive gifts from the Holy Spirit during our baptism. These gifts are refined by the sacrament of Confirmation.

So at the baptism our Lord, God the Father called Jesus “beloved”. In the same way, he has called each one of us “beloved” at our own baptisms. We need to consider what that really means.

First of all, we are precious to God. No matter what we do, God still loves us and is always calling us closer. Even on our worst day, God is close. We need to trust in his love for us.

Second, if through baptism, each of us became sons and daughters of God, that means we belong to a pretty big family! We are related to every baptized person on this earth. That includes people in other Christian denominations, people from different countries, people who look different from us, people of many cultures. We need to care about our family.

Reflection Questions for Lesson Plan on Baptism

• How does it feel to be a beloved son or daughter of God?
• Think of someone you don’t get along with or look down on. Does seeing that person as a beloved son or daughter of God impact how you treat him or her?
• How is being a member of the Family of God like being a member of our own little families? How is it different?

Challenge for Beloved

This week, remember that you are Beloved. If you are feeling down about a mistake you made or something you said, then feel the love of your Heavenly Father. You are his beloved son or daughter. Nothing can change that.

Prayer

Conclude by offering petitions and praying the Our Father.

Printable Copy

Drip Drip Drop Game

This is a water game for teenagers which can be played indoors if you don’t mind wiping up a few puddles at the end. It is basically Duck Duck Goose with water.

Water Drop Race

This is an indoor water game. It is not messy at all! Tie this in with a baptism theme.

Sacraments 101: Baptism (Video)

Why, exactly, do Catholics have the practice of baptizing infants? What is the purpose of baptism and who can celebrate the sacrament of Baptism? Do the godparents of our child need to be married to each other? Busted Halo explains.