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John Was BornDear Parents,
Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project® for Kids. Today’s Bible story is about John’s birth. Shortly after Mary left Elizabeth and returned home, the time came for Elizabeth to give birth to her baby. For the duration of Elizabeth's pregnancy, her husband, Zechariah, had been mute. His inability to speak was punishment for his doubting the angel who foretold John's birth. (See Luke 1:20.) Elizabeth gave birth to a son, and her friends and family rejoiced with her—just as the angel Gabriel had said. (See Luke 1:14.) Everyone had assumed the baby would be named after his father, but Zechariah was clear: HIS NAME IS JOHN. In Luke 1:66, the people wondered, "What then will this child become?" John would grow up to be an evangelist. He would be spiritually strong. John's ministry would be brief, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, he would lead thousands to repentance. He would humbly prepare the way of the Lord with this aim: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John would gain thousands of followers and then joyfully hand them over to Jesus as the groom’s friend who rejoices at the groom’s voice. (See John 3:29.) Then John would go to prison and ultimately be beheaded by King Herod. But Jesus Himself would say, "Among those born of women no one is greater than John" (Luke 7:28). As you teach kids the story of John’s birth, talk about how John’s birth was prophesied by Isaiah. (Isaiah 40:3) A long time before Jesus was born, prophets said that Jesus would come. The prophets also said another man would come first to say, "Jesus is almost here!" John the Baptist told people to turn away from their sins because Jesus was coming to be King over the whole world. |
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John Was Born
Luke 1:57-80
The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby. Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy. Her neighbors and relatives celebrated with Elizabeth because God had given her a good gift: a son.
On the day the baby was to be named, everyone thought Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, would name the baby Zechariah. But everyone was wrong.
“We will call him John,” Elizabeth said.
Everyone was confused. Usually new parents would name their baby after someone in their family. “None of your relatives has that name,” they said.
Then they motioned to Zechariah and asked him what he wanted the baby’s name to be. Zechariah couldn’t talk; he had been mute since an angel told him Elizabeth was going to have a baby. So Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN.
Everyone was amazed. All of a sudden, Zechariah could talk again! He began to speak, and he praised God. Everyone around Zechariah was afraid, and everyone in the hill country in Judah started to talk about what happened. Those who heard about the baby John believed his story, and they said, “What special things will John do in his life?” God was with John.
Then the Holy Spirit lled Zechariah, and God gave Zechariah words to speak. This is what Zechariah said:
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and provided the way for His people to be saved.
He has raised up a Savior for us from the family of David, just like He said He would do through the prophets long ago.
He will save us from our enemies.
God was good to our ancestors, and He always kept His promises.
He has allowed us to serve Him without fear.
And you, child—my son—will be a prophet of the Most High.
You will go before the Lord and get the people ready.
You will tell the people about forgiveness and how they can be saved from their sins.
Because God is good and loving, He will send light to those who live in the dark. The light will guide us to the place of peace.
John grew up and became spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared to the people in Israel and began to preach and baptize people. He became known as John the Baptist.
Christ Connection: A long time before Jesus was born, prophets said that Jesus would come. The prophets also said another man would come rst to say, “Jesus is almost here!” John the Baptist told people to turn away from their sins because Jesus was coming to be King over the whole world.
Luke 1:57-80
The time came for Elizabeth to have her baby. Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy. Her neighbors and relatives celebrated with Elizabeth because God had given her a good gift: a son.
On the day the baby was to be named, everyone thought Elizabeth and her husband, Zechariah, would name the baby Zechariah. But everyone was wrong.
“We will call him John,” Elizabeth said.
Everyone was confused. Usually new parents would name their baby after someone in their family. “None of your relatives has that name,” they said.
Then they motioned to Zechariah and asked him what he wanted the baby’s name to be. Zechariah couldn’t talk; he had been mute since an angel told him Elizabeth was going to have a baby. So Zechariah asked for a writing tablet. Then he wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN.
Everyone was amazed. All of a sudden, Zechariah could talk again! He began to speak, and he praised God. Everyone around Zechariah was afraid, and everyone in the hill country in Judah started to talk about what happened. Those who heard about the baby John believed his story, and they said, “What special things will John do in his life?” God was with John.
Then the Holy Spirit lled Zechariah, and God gave Zechariah words to speak. This is what Zechariah said:
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and provided the way for His people to be saved.
He has raised up a Savior for us from the family of David, just like He said He would do through the prophets long ago.
He will save us from our enemies.
God was good to our ancestors, and He always kept His promises.
He has allowed us to serve Him without fear.
And you, child—my son—will be a prophet of the Most High.
You will go before the Lord and get the people ready.
You will tell the people about forgiveness and how they can be saved from their sins.
Because God is good and loving, He will send light to those who live in the dark. The light will guide us to the place of peace.
John grew up and became spiritually strong. He lived in the wilderness until the day he appeared to the people in Israel and began to preach and baptize people. He became known as John the Baptist.
Christ Connection: A long time before Jesus was born, prophets said that Jesus would come. The prophets also said another man would come rst to say, “Jesus is almost here!” John the Baptist told people to turn away from their sins because Jesus was coming to be King over the whole world.