1. John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin. God asked John to live in the desert. He dressed in animal skin, and lived on honey and locusts. People would come to him, confess their sins. Then they would be baptised by John as a sign that they were turning away from sin. How much do you know about John the Baptist? Look up Mark 1:4 and mindmap it the information you find out.

2. Prepare ye the way of the Lord ! John the Baptist preached in these words: “Repent for the Kingdom of God is close at hand”. He meant that the rule of God was coming. People should be clean from sin and ready to follow God. What does “repent” mean? 1.To be sorry for your sins? 2.To turn away from your sins? 3.To change your religion? 1.What does “repent” mean? 2.Write out what John the Baptist was preaching. Explain what this meant. 3. Give an example of what someone in a particular job, could do to repent. What sort of sins should they avoid? Eg a soldier, or a business-man, or a cook. **What do you think students at school should do to repent?

3. Then one day, as John was preaching, Jesus walked up to him. John recognises him as the Lord. What should John do? 1.Hand over the job of baptising to Jesus 2.Tell everybody that Jesus, has now come and it’s too late to repent 3.Treat Jesus as normal, and do what he wants 4.Refuse to baptise Jesus, as it would be wrong to suggest Jesus had any sins. 1.What would you do if you were John the Baptist? Explain why. 2. What would you NOT do? Why? **Why do you think Jesus showed up at John’s baptism?

4. What sort of sins do you think people today should repent of, if they were going to follow Jesus ? Think of a character for yourself – job, friend, parent etc. Write a make-believe confession so you can follow God when he comes

5. Design an “advent” card, to prepare people for the coming of Jesus, and the rule of God.