This series revolves around the topic of love. The series finds us nearing Valentine’s Day on our calendar. The recommended visual aids or “props” for this series are candy hearts with messages printed on them. One approach would be to try to find actual candy hearts with “words” printed on them. Another approach would be to create bigger construction paper cutouts to represent the hearts. This would avoid any food allergies that participants might have. Be creative. Think about creating a “box” to put all the cardboard candies in; then pull one out each week. If you use real candy pieces, place them all in the box and pull one out each week with the focus word to reinforce each week.

Luke 3:21-22, New International Reader's Version (emphasis added)

The Baptism and Family Line of Jesus

²¹When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened. ²²The Holy Spirit came to rest on him in the form of a dove. A voice came from heaven. It said, “You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”

Candy Heart Words: “Love You”

Message

What does love look like? (Let children respond.) How do you know when someone loves you? (Let children respond.) Sometimes they tell you with words. Sometimes people might show that they love you by their actions. Can you tell me about a time when people showed their love toward you? (Allow children to respond.)

Today’s scripture involves both speaking love and showing love by actions. Our Bible passage this morning is about baptism. What does the word “baptism” mean? (Allow children to answer.) When someone is baptized, it is sign for everyone to see that he or she belongs to God and to the church family. When people are baptized, they are saying that they are responding to how much they are loved by God and how much they love God. It also shows that the baptized people promise to love others by the ways they act. When we see someone baptized; we remember our own baptism. We also remember our promise to pray for and support those in our church family. We are reminded of God’s love.

John the Baptist came before Jesus and prepared people for him. He knew Jesus was the Savior of the world. He told people that they needed to follow Jesus. John was the one who baptized Jesus. When he dipped Jesus into the water and lifted him back up, a dove came down and landed on Jesus and a voice was heard that exclaimed, “I love you.” It wasn’t the voice of John. It wasn’t the voice of Jesus. Do you know whose voice it was? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right; it was the voice of God. Everyone was silent, as a voice boomed from the sky. “This is the son that I love. I am pleased with him. I love him.”

The word “love” reminds me of a holiday that is fast approaching. Do you know what holiday that would be? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right; it’s Valentine’s Day. Throughout the next few weeks, we are going to learn about God’s love for us. Have you ever seen those little candy hearts with words written on them? Each week, I will have a different heart to remind us of the week’s “word.” These hearts are called “conversation hearts.” Each week, we will have conversations around the words on these hearts.

Today our candy heart says, “Love You.” This is a reminder of our baptism, when God claims us and tells us we are loved children of God. We are also reminded that we can show love of God to others by our actions as well.

From today’s scripture, I wonder why John was silent during the baptism.

I wonder why Jesus was silent during the baptism.

I wonder why they were both silent, but it was God’s voice that perhaps matters most.

I wonder if you ever hear God’s voice speaking to you.

I wonder what God is trying to tell the church.

Each week for our prayer, instead of praying hands, we will shape our hands like hearts to remind us of love. Can you place your hands in this position? (Position your hands like this:)