What is Baptism?

Kids faith lesson

This Baptism Teaching is from the Wilderness Adventure VBS.  The goal of this program is to help children better understand the seven sacraments and deepen their love for Jesus.

Teaching: What is Baptism? 
7 minutes

You’ll need:

• Baptismal candle
• Bowl with water and a small cup or shell
• Jar of Holy Oil (Ask to borrow the chrism oil from the church.)
• White garment (baptismal gown)

Who can tell me what happens at a Baptism?  

Place the baptismal items in front of you as you teach the lesson. 

In the sacrament of Baptism, there are four very special things that are used. 

1. The first thing is holy water. Show the bowl of water. 

Scoop some water into a cup and pour it slowly back into the bowl. 

When the priest pours water on the forehead of the person being baptized, it washes away all sin from their soul. He says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” When we make the sign of the cross, we are remembering our Baptism. 

2. The second important part of our Baptism is that we are anointed with holy oil. Show the holy oil and invite some children to smell the oil.

Holy oil is a sign of being anointed for a mission to live and love as Jesus lived. When the priest anoints the one to be baptized, he asks God to fill them with the Holy Spirit and grant them the graces to live as a follower of Jesus.

3. The white garment represents “putting on Christ”; being “clothed in Christ.” Show the white garment/baptismal gown.

We become a son or daughter of God and begin a new life in Christ. 

4. The candle represents the light of Christ. Show the candle.

It reminds the newly baptized person to keep the flame of faith alive in their heart and in the world. 

How many times can a person receive the sacrament of Baptism?  Just once. 

Why is it really important that we receive the sacrament of Baptism? 

• We need to be baptized in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 
• Show Bible and read from John 3:5. Jesus says: “Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 
• Baptism washes all sin from our soul. Both original sin (the sin passed down to us from Adam and Eve) and all personal sin (actual sins that we have committed against God) are washed away.    
• It makes us a part of God’s family and a member of the Catholic Church. 
• It puts a special (Sanctifying) grace into our soul; it’s what makes the soul holy. 
• It also brings the Holy Spirit into our soul.

Explore the Wilderness Adventure VBS Here