11 January 2026
Bible readings for today
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CollectHuakina mai ngā rangi e te Wairua Tapu,
kia kite ai mātou i a Īhu e īnoi ana mō mātou; hei whakapakari i a mātou kia whai wāhi ai ki tāna kapu, kia rite ai hoki ki te mahi ki a ia mō ake tonu atu. E īnoi ai mātou i roto i a Ihu Karaiti tō mātou Ariki. Āmine. Open the heavens, Holy Spirit, for us to see Jesus intercede for us; may we be strengthened to share his cup and ready to serve him for ever. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. |
Over the summerYou may have fewer services or regulars over the summer months, but its always a great idea to anticipate that children will be present in your Sunday gatherings.
Quick checklist:
Head over to our Holiday Page to check out ideas for Activity Bags (to use in the service) and Summer Packs for families.
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Jesus is Baptised by John (Matthew 3:13-17)
John the Baptist anticipated a messiah who would be greater than himself. John is portrayed as the forerunner of Jesus who prepares the people for Jesus' ministry. The Baptism of Jesus is also found in Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.
Inputs for leadersGospel Conversations 2026 (Diocese of Dunedin)
We're into our holiday-time mode of conversation now until the end of January. Less structured, friends gathering for a chat about readings from Advent 4 to the end of January. |
Visio Lectio
Free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission. Download Terms of use Sarah Lea West Art 
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Intergenerational Worship
Kids TalksBaptism of Jesus (Kids Church Ideas) - a great selection of ideas and activities for teaching about this passage. Includes lesson plans for various ages (at bottom of page).
Bible Story with pictures (Adventures in Mommydom) - John the Baptist lesson resources, with a John the Baptist story with illustrations, and group discussion questions. The Baptism of Jesus (Gary Neal Hansen) We are God's Children (Sermons 4 Kids) Children's Talk
You will need: A bowl of water, hand soap, towel. Set up the bowl of water, soap and towel on a table. When was the last time you got dirty? I mean really dirty! Maybe you were playing in the dirt or fixing a car or clearing out the garage. Can you think of what you were doing? Tell the person next to you. What did you do to get clean again? (allow a few answers). My hands are a bit dirty, so I'm going to wash them in this basin. Maybe you used soap and water or got in a shower or bath or jumped in the pool or used a hose. Those are all great ways to get clean on the outside. But what happens when we're dirty on the inside? What happens when we've lied or hurt someone or taken something that doesn't belong to us? Will washing in this basin help those things go away? No, not really. We can be spotless on the outside, but still be full of mess on the inside. When we're baptised, and when Jesus was baptised, it looks like a washing up on the outside, but it's more than that. Baptism is a way of showing that we want to be washed up and clean on the inside, too. When we're baptised, it's like saying that we're sorry for the bad things we've done and we want a new start. And God always forgives us. That makes a lot of sense for us, because we do bad things a lot. Sometimes we do them without knowing, sometimes we know that what we're doing is wrong. We need to be cleaned up on the inside. But Jesus never did anything wrong. He didn't need to be cleaned up or forgiven, but he still got baptised. That made him extra close to all of us, doing something that we do. When God looked at Jesus, he sent his holy spirit, in the form of a dove down. Then God said that he loved Jesus very much and was really, really pleased with him! God is pleased with us, too, when we want to be clean on the inside and on the outside! Children's talk for younger ones
Sit the children down and ask them if they know what baptism is, have they been to one etc? Do they know if they are baptised? Then read them the story from the Beginner’s bible of Jesus’ baptism. Talk about the symbol of water - it washes us clean, makes us feel fresh. Often peole like to shower first thing in the morning so they are ready to start the new day! Jesus didn’t need to be baptised but he chose to start his work on earth by being baptised, it marked the start of his work of telling people about God his father and teaching them how to live as God wants us to. God was so happy with Jesus and all the good work he was doing that he said it aloud for everyone to hear! God is also pleased with you when you try hard to be kind to other people and love them and to remember all the things Jesus taught us. We will make a picture of Jesus’ baptism to help you remember! Children's Talk for older ones
Baptism! What is baptism? Why do we get baptised? What are some of the symbols? Get out the bibles and find and read the passage together, taking turns. Then talk about - do they think Jesus needed to be baptised? Why did he choose to be baptised? Why did God choose to speak out loud and send a dove? Talk about the symbols of baptism. Talk about how when you baptised the priest signs you with a cross on your forehead, like a secret sign of belonging to God. If you have been baptised then you will always have that invisible sign of God’s love on your forehead! If you haven’t been you might like to think about arranging to, just talk to the your church leader! |
ActivitiesGames
Activities
Glitter bottles
What you need:
Preschool Play Tell the story
John the Baptist was there, helping people get ready for Jesus. When Jesus came, He said, “John, baptise me.” John wasn’t sure — he thought Jesus didn’t need to be baptised. But Jesus said, “It’s right.” So John baptised Jesus in the water. When Jesus came up out of the water, God’s Spirit came down like a dove, and God’s voice said, “This is my Son — I love Him.” Jesus showed us how to follow God, and God showed that He loves Jesus -- and He loves us too! Water Play - set up a shallow tray or tub with water, cups, spoons, toy people, pebbles. Let children explore pouring, splashing, and moving toy figures through “water.” Talk about how John baptised Jesus in the river. I wonder what it might feel like to be in the river? I wonder how Jesus felt when God said, “I love you”? I wonder how it feels to be loved by God? Dove and Spirit Art Station - You'll need white paper doves (simple cut-outs), crayons, feathers, glue, blue paper. Invite children to decorate a dove and stick it on blue. Talk about how God’s Spirit came like a dove. I wonder what the Spirit feels like? I wonder how God’s love comes to us today? Prayer Circle - You'll need a simple cloth or scarf as a “river,” a soft heart or figure. Children sit in a circle holding the “river” cloth. Pass around a heart or figure and let each child have a turn praying if they want. FInish by saying. “God loves me. God loves you. Thank you God.” |
Media
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Saddleback Kids: Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist
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Saddleback Kids: Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, for toddlers.
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Mina Munns - the Baptism of Jesus
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