Joyful Moments in Christ

Marked by Heaven, Rooted on Earth

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

At Jesus’ baptism the Father declared his love for his Son. Luke’s genealogy shows that Jesus is the promised Savior who joins heaven’s family to ours.

Lesson Objectives

1. Explain why Jesus’ baptism revealed his identity and mission.
2. Trace Luke’s genealogy to see how Jesus fulfills God’s promises from Adam to Abraham to David.
3. Describe the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit at the Jordan River.
4. Encourage students to see baptism as a sign that we belong to God’s family in Christ.

Class Setting Notes

1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
2. Lesson length: 50–60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

Family Tree Snapshot

1. Give each student a sticky note and have them write the first names of three family members (parents, grandparents, or further back).
2. On a board draw a simple trunk with branches. Invite students to place their notes on the branches, creating a class “family tree.”
3. Point to the variety of names and generations represented.

This activity helps introduce Luke’s long list of Jesus’ ancestors and sparks interest in how God works through families.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 3:21-38 aloud together or have one person read it.

• Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 3:21-38 (ERV)
• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 3:21-38 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 3:21-38 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 3:21-38 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 3:21-38 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 3:21-38 (ESV)

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

1. What happened in the sky when Jesus prayed after his baptism?
2. What did the Father call Jesus, and why is that important?
3. Which names in the genealogy do you recognize?
4. How does tracing Jesus back to Adam help us understand his mission?

Teacher Background Notes

1. Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry. Though he was sinless, he chose to be baptized to identify with sinners and fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15).
2. The voice from heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit clearly affirm Jesus’ divine identity. This moment reveals all three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. Baptism in this context served as a sign of repentance and preparation for the coming of the kingdom. For Jesus, it pointed forward to his mission to save sinners through his death and resurrection.
4. The genealogy in Luke is different from the one in Matthew. Luke traces Jesus’ line through Mary (most likely through her father-in-law), while Matthew traces it through Joseph. Both genealogies affirm that Jesus is the legal and biological heir to David’s throne.
5. Luke’s genealogy moves backward—from Jesus all the way to Adam—emphasizing that Jesus came to redeem not just Israel (descendants of Jacob) but all humanity.
6. Calling Adam “the son of God” highlights God’s direct creation of the first man. But unlike Adam, who fell into sin, Jesus is the faithful Son who obeyed perfectly and brought salvation.

Theological Insights

1. Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh to fulfill God’s plan of salvation.
2. At his baptism, Jesus was publicly declared by the Father to be his beloved Son, marking the beginning of his earthly ministry as the Messiah.
3. The presence of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus shows that he is anointed for the work of redemption.
4. Baptism points to the cleansing of sin and new life that only Jesus can give. Though he had no sin, Jesus identified with sinners in order to save them.
5. Luke’s genealogy shows that Jesus is the promised offspring of Abraham and David, fulfilling God’s covenant promises to Israel.
6. The genealogy ends with Adam to show that Jesus came not only for Israel, but for all people. He is the true Son of God who came to rescue fallen humanity.
7. Through faith in Jesus, we are adopted into God’s family and made part of his redemptive story.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

1. What signs showed that Jesus’ baptism was different from everyone else’s?
2. Why did the Father say, “I am pleased with you”?
3. Which ancestor in Luke’s list reminds you of an earlier Bible story?
4. How does Luke’s genealogy show that Jesus is both fully human and the promised Messiah?

Personal Reflection and Application

1. If you have been baptized, what does it mean to you? If not, what questions do you have about it?
2. How does knowing Jesus has a human family help you trust him with your own life?
3. In what ways can you live as someone who belongs to God’s family this week?
4. How might you encourage a friend who wonders whether God’s promises are trustworthy?

Suggested Activities

Jordan River Diorama

1. Provide shoe boxes, blue paper for water, and paper cut‑outs for Jesus, John, and the dove.
2. Students assemble the scene of Jesus’ baptism, adding a speech bubble for the Father’s words.

This activity reinforces the dramatic moment at the Jordan and helps visual learners remember the Father’s declaration.

Genealogy Chain

1. Give each student paper strips. They write one ancestor name from Luke 3 on each strip and link them into a chain, starting with Jesus and ending with Adam.
2. Discuss how every link shows God’s ongoing faithfulness.

This activity shows the long reach of God’s promises and connects abstract names to a concrete visual.

Baptism Symbol Match

1. Prepare cards with baptism symbols (water, dove, voice, cross) and meanings (cleansing, Spirit, approval, salvation).
2. Students match symbols to meanings and explain how each appears in Luke 3.

This activity clarifies key theological symbols in the passage.

Memory Verse

And the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:22 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,

We praise you for declaring your love for Jesus and for including us in your family through him. Help us remember our baptism, trust your promises, and live as your beloved children each day.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study based on Luke 3:21-38 here:

ELL Bible Study: Luke 3:21-38 — Jesus Is Baptized and His Family Tree

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.