Baptized as Beloved Children Lesson Plan

Facilitator, begin this activity by inviting the youth to sit in a circle. Explain that the purpose of this game is to think about love in a new way, through actions instead of words. Tell them that everyone will get a chance to take part, so they should pay attention and be ready. Encourage creativity, but remind them to keep their gestures kind and appropriate.

You may want to model a simple gesture first, such as blowing a kiss, offering a thumbs-up, or giving a heart sign with your hands. Once the first person has sent their gesture of love to someone in the circle, that person will then pass along their own gesture to someone else. Continue until everyone has had a turn.

Now, let’s think about what just happened. You received a gesture of love from someone, even if it was simple or silly. How did it make you feel to be noticed and included in that way? Sometimes even small actions can remind us that we are cared for and valued. When you are on the receiving end, it can brighten your mood or make you feel more connected.

On the other side, you also had to create a gesture of love to give to someone else. Was that easy or did it take a little thought? It can feel strange at first, but showing love without words is something we do all the time. A smile, a high five, or even just listening to someone is a way of showing love. These gestures can mean a lot, especially when words are not enough or when words are hard to say.

This game reminds us that love can be shown in many forms. Verbal expressions like “I love you” are important, but actions often speak just as strongly. God shows His love for us not only in words but also in actions. In Scripture, we see both. God speaks His love, but He also shows it through what He does. Today we will read about one of those times in the baptism of Jesus. As we hear the story, think about how God’s love is both spoken and shown, and consider how you might share that same kind of love with others.

Here are some questions to think about:

How did it feel to receive a non-verbal gesture of love from someone in the group?

• Was it difficult to come up with a non-verbal gesture of love to pass on to someone else? Why or why not?
• Did anyone come up with a gesture that they had never thought of before? What was it?
• Do you think non-verbal gestures of love are just as important as verbal expressions of love? Why or why not?
• How could you use non-verbal gestures of love in your relationships with family and friends?

Consider what we hear about declaring love in Mark 1:7-11:

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:7-11 – the Gospel for the Baptism of the Lord Year B

Think about this moment in the Gospel. Jesus comes out of the water after being baptized, and the heavens open. The Holy Spirit comes down like a dove. Then a voice is heard from above. It is the Father’s voice, speaking words of love: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Imagine being there and hearing those words. Imagine the joy and peace that must have filled Jesus’ heart. This was not just a public moment. It was also very personal. It was the Father declaring His love for His Son.

This shows us something very important about God. He is not far away and silent. He is close and wants us to know His love. When the Father speaks to Jesus, He is also showing us the kind of relationship He wants with us. We are not just random people to Him. We are His children. And just as He delighted in Jesus, He delights in us. He wants us to hear those same words in our hearts: “You are my beloved.”

Now, let’s think a little bit about the Trinity in this story. The Father speaks words of love. The Son receives that love. The Holy Spirit comes down like a dove. The Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and the Son. This moment shows us that God is love itself. Love is not just something God does. Love is who He is. Father, Son, and Spirit are united in love, and in baptism we are invited into that same love. That means baptism is not just a ritual with water. It is an entry into God’s very life.

What do you think Jesus felt when He heard those words? He knew His mission was beginning. He knew there would be challenges ahead. But before He did anything, He was reminded of His identity. He was the beloved Son. In the same way, before we do anything, God reminds us who we are. We are His children. We are loved. That identity comes first, before any successes or failures.

Most of us do not remember our baptism. Many of us were infants. But even if you cannot recall the moment, what happened at your baptism is real. It changed your life forever. In baptism, the stain of original sin is washed away. You become a new creation. God’s Spirit begins to live in you. And just like He spoke to Jesus, God speaks to you: “You are my beloved child.”

Picture an infant being baptized. The priest or deacon pours water over the baby’s head. The baby might cry or squirm. But in that moment, something invisible and holy is happening. It is as if the Father bends down and kisses His child. He claims that little one as His own. That is what happened to you. God looked at you and said, “This one is mine. This one I love.”

Even though you may not remember your baptism, you can live it every day. Each time you make the sign of the cross, you remember that you belong to God. Each time you pray, you are speaking to the Father who calls you beloved. Each time you forgive someone, or show kindness, or love others, you are living out what it means to be baptized.

Sometimes it can be hard to believe this. Maybe you feel unworthy or unsure. Maybe you think, “God can’t love me like that.” But baptism tells a different story. Baptism is God’s promise, and God never breaks His promises. He does not wait for you to be perfect before He calls you His child. He loves you as you are. He calls you beloved right now.

So as you reflect on this Gospel, remember the moment when Jesus heard the Father’s voice. Then think about your own baptism. Hear those same words spoken to you. Let them sink into your heart: “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter.” Carry that truth with you. It will give you strength when you are discouraged, hope when you feel lost, and joy when you are unsure of your worth. You are God’s beloved. Nothing can take that away.

When you divide the youth into small groups, encourage them to listen to each other with respect. Remind them that sharing in a group means being honest but also kind. Nobody has to share more than they want to, but everyone should have the chance to speak. Ask the groups to focus on listening and understanding, not on judging or correcting. After the small group time, you can invite a few volunteers to share highlights with the larger group.

• What does it mean to you when God calls you His beloved child?
• How do you think Jesus felt when He heard the Father’s words at His baptism?
• Do you ever find it hard to believe that God loves you? What makes it hard or what makes it easier?
• How can remembering your baptism help you when you face struggles or doubts?
• What are some ways you can remind yourself each day that you belong to God?
• How might your relationships with friends or family change if you truly believed you were beloved by God?
• If you met someone who had never been baptized, how would you explain why baptism matters?

This week, try to live out what it means to be God’s beloved child. One way you can do this is by reminding yourself of your identity every morning. When you wake up, make the sign of the cross and quietly say, “I am God’s beloved.” Let those words shape how you see yourself and how you face the day. Another way is to share love through a small action each day. It could be giving someone a smile, helping with chores at home without being asked, or sending a kind message to a friend. These simple acts show that you belong to a God of love.

You can also take a moment each evening to look back on your day. Ask yourself, “Where did I see God’s love today? How did I share it with others?” Write down one thing in a notebook or journal. Over time, you will begin to see how God’s love is always at work in your life. Remember, being baptized means carrying God’s love into the world. Let this week be a time when you choose to live as His beloved.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and minds. Close your eyes if you’d like, and place yourself in God’s presence. Remember that He is here with us right now, and that He calls each of us His beloved child.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of baptism. We thank You for calling us Your sons and daughters and for loving us without condition. Help us to remember that we belong to You and that nothing can take Your love away.

Lord Jesus, just as You heard the Father’s voice at Your baptism, help us to hear His voice in our hearts. Remind us each day that we are cherished and chosen. Give us the courage to live as Your followers and to share Your love with others.

Holy Spirit, fill us with Your presence. Guide our steps this week and strengthen us to show kindness, forgiveness, and joy. May we never forget that we are beloved children of God. Amen.

Themes

• Beloved Children of God: Baptism tells us who we are. We are not strangers or outsiders. We are sons and daughters who belong to God’s family.
• God’s Love Shown: At the baptism of Jesus, the Father spoke words of love. In our own baptism, God shows us that same love. His love is personal and lasting.
• Identity in Christ: Our worth is not in what we do but in who we are. Baptism marks us as followers of Jesus. It gives us a new life in Him.
• The Holy Spirit’s Gift: The Spirit came down on Jesus in the Jordan. In baptism, the Spirit also comes to live in us. This helps us grow in faith and goodness.
• Beginning of Mission: Jesus began His public ministry after His baptism. Our baptism also sends us out to live as disciples. It is the start of our calling.
• Forgiveness and New Life: Baptism washes away original sin. It gives us a clean start with God. We are made new in His grace.
• The Trinity Revealed: At the Jordan, the Father spoke, the Son was baptized, and the Spirit came down. Baptism shows us that God is Father, Son, and Spirit. We are invited into this love.
• Community of Faith: Baptism does not just make us children of God. It also joins us to the Church. We are part of a larger family of believers.
• Daily Reminder of Grace: Even if we cannot remember our baptism, it is always with us. Each sign of the cross points back to that moment. It is a reminder that we belong to God.
• Called to Share Love: Being baptized means living differently. We are called to forgive, to serve, and to care for others. God’s love flows through us to the world.
• God’s Promise to Us: Baptism is a promise that God will always be with us. He claims us as His own. That promise cannot be taken away.

Background Material

Baptism is the first of the sacraments of initiation. It is the doorway into the Christian life and the foundation for everything that follows. Through baptism we are freed from original sin, we are reborn as children of God, and we become members of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit” (CCC 1213). This is why baptism is so important for Catholics. It is not just a symbol or a tradition. It is a real gift of grace.

In Scripture we see the meaning of baptism revealed in the life of Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus goes to the Jordan River and is baptized by John. As He comes out of the water, the heavens are opened, the Holy Spirit comes down, and the Father speaks: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). This moment shows the love of the Trinity. The Father speaks His love, the Son receives that love, and the Spirit shows the bond of love between them. In baptism, we too are drawn into this love.

St. Paul also writes about baptism many times. In his letter to the Romans, he says, “We were buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Baptism is both death and life. We die to sin, and we rise with Christ. This is not something we can do on our own. It is God’s work in us.

The early Church also understood baptism in this way. The Acts of the Apostles tells how new believers were baptized right after hearing the Gospel. For example, in Acts 2:38, Peter tells the people, “Repent and be baptized 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.” Baptism was always connected with forgiveness, the gift of the Spirit, and becoming part of the Christian community.

The Catechism explains that baptism has several effects. It washes away sin, both original sin and personal sin. It makes us a new creation. It marks us with a seal that can never be erased. It also joins us to the Church, the Body of Christ. As the Catechism states, “Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte a new creature, an adopted son of God, who has become a ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ member of Christ and co-heir with him, and a temple of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 1265).

For young people, it is important to know that baptism is not just a past event. It is a present reality. Even if they do not remember their baptism, the grace is still alive in them. Baptism tells them who they are: beloved children of God. This is their true identity, and it is the foundation for how they live as Catholics.

So this lesson plan helps youth see baptism in the light of Catholic teaching. It is about identity, grace, and mission. It reminds them that God’s love is both spoken and shown. And it invites them to live each day as beloved children of the Father, walking in the Spirit, and following Jesus Christ.

Music Suggestions

• “Beloved Child of God” by Chris Bray
• “No Longer Slaves” by Bethel Music
• “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray
• “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin
• “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong Worship
• “You Say” by Lauren Daigle
• “Beloved” by Jordan Feliz
• “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury
• “Known” by Tauren Wells