I Will Be With You

Note to the Teacher

If communication to parents before the session is an option, ask whether each youth has been baptized and for a summary of the details of that event – date, place, and names of godparents/sponsors in case youth do not know the specifics of their baptism.

1. Icebreaker (10 minutes)

Option 1: Low-Tech

Group students in pairs or threes. Ask them to design, practice, and present a simple machine skit to the group that cannot be accomplished with one person. Examples include a record player, fan, lawnmower, washing machine, and so on. Baptism, in a way, is a human choice to be in partnership with God, from which people grow, learn, struggle, and are transformed in community rather than alone. In The United Methodist Church, baptism is a sacrament, a response to God’s covenant with us. (Leaders who want to learn more about baptism in The United Methodist Church should consider exploring the Belong series of resources, particularly on baptism.)

Option 2: High-Tech

Watch the Chuck Knows Church baptism video (YouTube: Chuck Knows Church). Ask students if any remember or have seen photos of their baptism. The video explains the types of baptism and emphasizes the importance of a community of disciples – people who show up to support one another.

2. Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Read Isaiah 43:1-7 CEB, Psalm 29 CEB, Acts 8:14-17 CEB, Luke 3:15-17 and 21-22 CEB

3. Discussion (15 minutes)

Today’s scripture lesson comes from four different books. The messages are tied together by the image of water, the physical symbol of baptism. Isaiah focuses on God’s presence during the rough waters of life; the psalmist focuses on God’s majesty over water and other forces of nature. Luke’s words, in both Acts of the Apostles and the third Gospel, center on the act of baptism. In Acts, Peter and John connect the power of the Holy Spirit with the newly baptized. In Luke, John tells those being baptized that Jesus will bring the Holy Spirit to them, but we do not get details. Do you think John baptized Jesus by immersion (since the scene was the Jordan River), pouring (less water than immersion), or sprinkling (typical in most United Methodist churches)?

• Hang a piece of butcher paper on the wall and give each student a pen or marker. Read the Luke 3 verses aloud slowly, including verses 18-20, which are not listed as part of today’s reading. Ask students to jot down or draw pictures of visual details as they hear them (example: a gathering of people, John the Baptist, his mention of water, sandals, the Holy Spirit, and fire; John’s imprisonment by Herod, the presence of the dove when Jesus was baptized).
• Ask students, “As you look at the words and pictures on the butcher paper, which part of the scripture passage leaves you wishing for more specifics? Do you feel that you learned more about John or about Jesus today?”
• What if the description of Jesus’ baptism is deliberately vague to help you relate to him? It may be more important to know that Jesus was baptized, just like us, than to know when, where, or how!

4. Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

Prepare a table in the center of the room covered with white cloth (the color of Epiphany). Place a clear bowl of water in the center of the table and surround it with tiny seashells, at least one per person, purchased at a hobby store if not available in nature. If participants’ baptism dates are made available in advance by parents, include “baptismal birthday” certificates in the set-up. If any students have not been baptized, be sensitive to their situations and make sure they have the necessary information if they desire baptism or would like to consider baptism with your church. That conversation should involve the lead pastor of your church and the guardians and caregivers of the young person.

Remind students that baptism is not a security blanket or “get out of jail free” card. Instead, it is our promise to better recognize God’s presence and the love of community on our journey. Some congregations distribute a special witness page when a child or other person is baptized so those present can sign it as evidence that they pledge to support the baptized person.

Leaders can also refer to this article and share a bit about the United Methodist understanding of baptism as an act of God, and because of that understanding, the United Methodist Church doesn’t “rebaptize.” Any remembrance or celebration of baptism is an invitation to remember the promises we make together to and for one another. These remembrances are second, third, or fourth baptisms.

Ask students to do the following:

• Print their name with a permanent marker on the inside of one of the shells.
• Make a list, on the back of their baptismal birthday certificate or a separate piece of paper, of at least three people they feel have supported them on their faith journeys.

Play “Down to the River to Pray” from the movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou? as background music. In turn, take each student’s shell, fill it from the bowl of water, and dip your index finger into the shell. Trace the sign of the cross on each student’s forehead or hand, saying, “Remember your baptism.” Listen to the entire song if time permits; close with prayer, reminding youth of water as a powerful symbol of God’s presence and their baptism.

Total time: 50 minutes

NEEDED RESOURCES:

• Video access for the Chuck Knows Church baptism episode
• Butcher paper and pens or makers, small seashells, permanent markers, baptismal birthday certificates, white cloth, bowl with water
• Device to play “Down to the River to Pray”
• Bibles or copies of the CEB translation of the scripture passages.