Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Welcome! Beginning of Ministry & Baptism

Intro Kelly-9 years 3 boys Work at camp

Memory verse (say together) Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of ______ and the _______.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:5-6 (NIV) WATER SPIRIT

“God is the initiator of faith and we are a new creation, through the Holy spirit.”

*Story-me in 7th grade Figuring out who I was-baseball, dress, tons of hair gel Went to camp Forced to go Went with friends Polar plunge Counselor Mike *led me to know the incredible love of Jesus I believe God uses camp, wilderness experiences to change and transform lives

Baptism of Jesus-John the Baptist Beginning of Ministry & Baptism John the Baptist A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare     the way for the _______; make straight in the desert     a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 (NIV) *Read Matthew 3:1-12** LORD

John the Baptist was the last OT prophet Beginning of Ministry & Baptism John the Baptist John the Baptist was the last Old Testament _________ sent to prepare the way for Jesus. PROPHET

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Prophet’s role-proclaim word and will of God, call people to repentance, and to go against culture Beginning of Ministry & Baptism John the Baptist A prophet’s role was to proclaim the ______ & _______ of God, call people to repentance, and to go against the culture. WORD WILL

Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near Beginning of Ministry & Baptism John the Baptist “________, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:2 (NIV) Repent-means to turn, turn away from REPENT

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Matthew 3:11 Beginning of Ministry & Baptism John the Baptist “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the __________ and fire. Matthew 3:11 (NIV) Baptize with holy spirit and fire HOLY SPIRIT

John points to someone greater-Jesus Beginning of Ministry & Baptism John the Baptist “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30 (NIV)

How can this happen in your life? He must become greater; I must become less table question: how can this happen in your life? TABLE DISCUSSION Read and discuss John 3:30 “He must become greater; I must become less.” How can this happen in your life?

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Matthew 3:13-16 *Read* Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Matthew 3:13-16

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Baptism of Jesus: Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Baptism of Jesus Model baptism for us Inaugurate (begin) Jesus’ ministry-authorized by God Trinity-all 3 present Identified with sinful humanity Model baptism for us Inaugurate Jesus’ ministry and that He was approved and authorized by God Presence of the 3 persons of the Trinity Identified with sinful humanity

Sacrament-means ‘mystery’ Beginning of Ministry & Baptism SACRAMENT What is a Sacrament? Literally means __________ MYSTERY

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Sacrament equation Beginning of Ministry & Baptism SACRAMENT Commanded by God Visible element Means of grace that offers forgiveness Commanded by _____, as a ________ element as a means of grace that offers ______________. GOD VISIBLE FORGIVENESS

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism How many sacraments? 2 Beginning of Ministry & Baptism SACRAMENT How many Sacraments do we (Lutherans) believe in? 2

Getting to know your Heavenly Father… Joshua loves superheroes… My heart as a dad is for my boys to know the great love of the Father. In baptism, God becomes your Father. He wants you to know Him. You know how much you love your new child and want to be with him/her and for him/her to know you love him/her. That is God’s heart for you and your child. Imagine the heartbreak you’d have if your child didn’t get to know you. God’s heart would break too. So as parents you are taking upon yourselves the responsibility of helping your child get to know his/her new Father.

Table Discussion TABLE DISCUSSION Have you been baptized? If so, when? What is the purpose of baptism?

Beginning of Ministry & Baptism Purpose of baptism Beginning of Ministry & Baptism PURPOSE OF BAPTISM Obey God’s command to be baptized To obey God’s ___________ to be baptized. John 3:5; Mark 16:16 COMMAND

To receive salvation and be marked as one in family of God Beginning of Ministry & Baptism PURPOSE OF BAPTISM To receive __________ and to be marked as one in the _________ of God. 1 Peter 3:21 SALVATION FAMILY

Creation of faith and receive the Holy Spirit Beginning of Ministry & Baptism PURPOSE OF BAPTISM Creation of _______ and to receive the Holy Spirit. John 3:5; 1 Corinthians 12:3 FAITH

Baptism of infants *see screen* Beginning of Ministry & Baptism BAPTISM OF INFANTS Infants are sinful God is the initiator of faith and faith is a gift Baptism replaces circumcision The majority of Christians across the world baptize infants. The first documents about the early church show infants were baptized. Infants are ________ and need what baptism offers. SINFUL God is the ________ of faith and faith is a gift. INITIATOR Baptism replaces ____________. CIRCUMCISION

Households are baptized in the Bible Beginning of Ministry & Baptism BAPTISM OF INFANTS Infantsare brought to Jesus to be blessed ______________ are baptized in the Bible. HOUSEHOLDS INFANTS _________ are brought to Jesus to be blessed.

“God is the initiator of faith and we are a new creation, through the Holy spirit.” *Jesus’ ministry is all about demonstrating what god wants us to know and experience Healing, freedom, life, belonging, forgiveness Baptism is a daily reminder of who we are and who God is