The Birth of John

This story is about God keeping His promises.

The child will learn that:-

  • God kept his promise to Zechariah and Elizabeth.
  • God keeps His promises to us as well.

Bible Story Reference: Luke 1: 57-80

Memory Verse: 

Luke 1:76 (NIV)

 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

Opening Activity

  • Discuss what it would be like not to be able to talk for a number of months. How would you communicate with people?
  • What is it like on Christmas morning or on a birthday when you get a present you have been waiting for? This is how Zechariah and Elizabeth must have felt when their little son was born just as the angel had promised. It was such a special time!

Bible Story

  • When the baby arrived the family and their neighbours wanted him to be called Zechariah like his dad. Elizabeth told them that his name was to be John. (Luke 1: 57- 60) Why did Elizabeth say he would be called John?
  • When Zechariah was asked about the name of the boy he wrote down “His name is John.” (Luke 1: 62-63) Just at that moment he was able to talk again. Zechariah gave thanks and praised God.
  • Why did Zechariah do this? God had kept his promise, he was full of joy at the birth of his son and he knew that God would soon do even greater things! Everyone was amazed at what they had seen. (Luke 1: 64-66)
  • John was a special boy. Why? Remind the child that his parents had waited so many years for him but even more importantly He would grow up to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus.
  • God will keep His promises to us too. Mention a couple of promises which He makes to us in the Bible.

Questions

  1. Who was Elizabeth’s husband?
  2. Why was he not able to talk?
  3. What did the neighbours want to call the baby?
  4. Why did Zechariah and Elizabeth call him John?
  5. When was Zechariah able to talk again?
  6. What special job would John do?

Prayer

Thank You God for your promises, help me believe them.

Songs

Crafts

“His Name Is John”

What You Need

  • Different colours of paper
  • Marker
  • Crayons or coloured pencils
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Steps 

  1. Write “His name is John.” on white paper, landscape.
  2. Glue white paper to another piece of paper at an angle.
  3. Pretend you are writing with a pencil and trace your hand in that position.
  4. Cut out hand.
  5. Continue to draw fingers.
  6. Glue hand down in a way that it looks like it might have written the words.
  7. Cut out a long ‘pencil’ or writing tool from a piece of paper.
  8. Glue pencil to hand and under thumb.
  9. Write “Luke 1:63” at the top of the paper.
  10. Write “Zacharias’ hand” on the hand.
More Printable Activities