John the Baptist Announces Jesus

Published June 21, 2026
John the Baptist Announces Jesus

Bringing the Story of John the Baptist Into Your Home

The most beautiful thing about our God is that He doesn't want to be a mystery or a distant figure in the sky; He is deeply relational and wants to be near to you. Because He loves us so much, He chose to become human in the person of Jesus to live right here among us. This week, we are exploring the life-changing reality that God came to be with us. As a parent, you have the incredible privilege of helping your children see that Jesus isn’t just a character in a book, but a Savior who is present in their lives today. By looking at the story of John the Baptist, we can learn how to "point and announce" God’s presence in our own homes.

In John 1:19-34, we meet a unique man named John the Baptist, who lived in the wilderness, dressed in unusual clothes, and walked around shouting important messages to everyone who would listen. He wasn't there to draw attention to himself; he was the "announcer" sent by God to point the way to Jesus. John even had the honor of baptizing Jesus, witnessing the Holy Spirit rest upon Him like a dove, confirming that Jesus is truly the Son of God. This announcement is the ultimate expression of our Key Verse, John 3:16: "For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." God’s love is the "why" behind the story—He sent Jesus because He wanted to be with us forever.

John the Baptist’s entire mission was to ensure that no one was confused about who Jesus was. He wanted the world to know that the Savior had finally arrived to bring us back into a right relationship with God.

Definition Box

  • Messiah: The Son of God whom everyone had been waiting for; Jesus is the Messiah who saves us from sin and brings us close to God.
  • Ministry: The work Jesus did when he was grown up, which included preaching, loving, and healing people.
  • God Sighting: Evidence of God’s work and presence in our lives today, such as an answer to prayer, the beauty of nature, or feeling refreshed.

Conversation Starters for the Car or Table

Use these questions to help your children connect the biblical story to their daily lives:

  • Who would you want to visit you? If you could have anyone come to your house today, who would it be and why? How does it feel to know that God loved us so much that He actually came to visit and live with us?
  • What is your favorite thing to have with you? Look in your pockets or backpack—if you could bring one thing with you everywhere you go, what would it be? Jesus wanted to be with us even more than we want our favorite things.
  • How is Jesus like a best friend? Jesus is "God with us." What is the best part about having a friend who is always there and knows exactly what you are going through?

Practicing "God Sightings" at Home

Just as John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and announced His arrival, your family can practice "pointing and announcing" where you see God working right now. A God Sighting is any moment that reminds you of His presence—like seeing a beautiful sunset, noticing a specific answer to a prayer, or feeling a sense of peace and refreshment after a long day.

Make it a simple daily habit at dinner or bedtime to share these observations. Simply point toward the memory and announce it: "I saw God today when we saw those bright stars," or "I saw a God sighting when we prayed for your test and you felt calm." This verbal exercise helps children realize that even though we cannot see Jesus physically today, He is still very much with us.

Seeing Jesus in Your Child

You can model John the Baptist’s role by "announcing" Christ-like qualities when you see them in your children. This builds their confidence in knowing that Jesus is at work in their hearts.

Christ-like Attribute

What to Say to Your Child

Kindness

"Look! I see Jesus in the way you showed kindness by sharing your snack."

Creativity

"I see Jesus in your creativity when you built that amazing tower!"

Love

"I see Jesus in you by the way you show love and care for our family."

7. A Simple Way to Pray Together

Prayer is one of the best ways to remember that God is currently with us. You don't need fancy words; you can teach your children to talk to God just like they are talking to a dear friend.

  1. Listen and Agree: Explain that when one person prays aloud, the rest of the family listens with their minds and agrees with their hearts.
  2. Keep it Simple: Remind your kids they don't need to "put on a show." They can just be themselves.
  3. Use These Prompts: Follow this simple four-step guide for your family prayer time:
    • Praise: Tell God why He is awesome.
    • Remember: Mention something cool God has done recently.
    • Ask: Ask for help with specific people or situations.
    • Commit: Tell God, “Yes! We want to follow you!”

You don’t need a specialized degree or a backpack full of supplies to lead your children spiritually. Your most important job is simply to share the "good news" that John the Baptist shared: Jesus has come, and He wants to be near to us. By pointing out God's work in the world and the Christ-like beauty in your children, you are showing them that faith is a daily, relational journey. Rest in the truth that you aren't doing this alone, because God came to be with us.