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Free Workshop Rotation Model Lessons - Season 2

Children’s Sermon

Matthew 3:13-17


Jesus Welcomes God’s Holy Spirit


January 8, 2023

1st Sunday after Epiphany

Lectionary Year A


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ASK    (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

  • Good morning
  • Have you ever had a friend or family member visit your home?
  • What were some of the ways you and your family welcomed that friend or family member into your home? What were some things that you did ahead of time or once the guest arrived to make the guest feel at home?
  • [Some answers to help the kids think of: Cleaning up ahead of time, preparing a place for them if they are staying over, offering them something to eat/drink when they arrive, paying attention to them once they are there]
  • And why is it, do you think, that we do those things (that we just said) to make someone feel at home?
  • [Possible answers to help the kids think of: Because we like them and want them to know it; because we want them to come back; because for special occasions and special people, you do special things]
  • It sounds like you really know how to make a guest feel welcome!


TELL    (a.k.a. The Freeway)

  • In today's scripture story, we hear about a different kind of guest being welcomed.
  • Instead of having a guest over to his house, Jesus welcomes God's Holy Spirit into his life and himself [point to your chest/heart and head/brain].
  • There was a specific way that Jesus prepared for and welcomed the Holy Spirit in today’s story. Did you happen to notice what it was that Jesus did just before God’s Holy Spirit showed up?
  • That's right! Jesus chose to be baptized by John the Baptist.
  • To be baptized, John and Jesus stood in the Jordan river and then John “dunked” Jesus (in a gentle way) into the water.
  • It was like John was giving Jesus a very quick bath.
  • Which, sounds a lot like like Jesus was cleaning up before his guest (God’s Holy Spirit) arrived, right?
  • Then, once God's Holy Spirit was welcomed by Jesus, Jesus and the Holy Spirit went and did many amazing things together.


SHARE the Good News   (a.k.a. The Destination)

  • One of the things that Jesus did with the help of God’s Holy Spirit was teach his disciples how to welcome the Holy Spirit into their own lives just like he did.
  • One way that Jesus taught his disciples to welcome the Holy Spirit into their lives was by praying, alone and with others.
  • Another way Jesus taught the disciples to welcome the Holy Spirit into their lives was by worshiping God together.
  • When the disciples did these things to welcome God’s Holy Spirit into their lives, then they were better prepared to do the same things Jesus did: Share God’s healing love with those around them.
  • Isn’t it interesting that the same things that Jesus taught his disciples are what we do here at [name of your church]?
  • When we do these things to welcome God’s Holy Spirit into our lives as individuals and as a church, then we are better prepared to do the same amazing things Jesus and his disciples did.
  • And that’s the Good News for today: As we learn and do the things that Jesus teaches us about welcoming God's Holy Spirit in our lives, the more amazing things we and God can do together. Let’s pray.


CLOSING Prayer

  • This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God…

Dear God…


Help us to welcome…

Help us to welcome…


…your Holy Spirit into our lives…

…your Holy Spirit into our lives…


…just like Jesus did…

…just like Jesus did…


…and teaches us to do, too.

…and teaches us to do, too.


Thank you and Amen.  



Originally posted January 5, 2014
Updated on December 9, 2022
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia



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Related message(s): Baptism in Luke; Day of Epiphany