“Rise and Be Baptized” Acts 22:16

A Baptism Lock-In or One Day Confirmation Retreat

Glen Dawursk, Jr. – www.yuthguy.com

 

Click here to download this file

 

Suggested Schedule

 

 

9:00      Check-in and Registration

 

 

9:15      Prayertime, SInging and Da’ Rules in Church

 

 

9:30      Name Tag Activity

 

 

9:45      Community Builders in the Fellowship Hall

 

 

·       Human Bingo; Coin Race; Fruit Basket Upset; or Stop & Go

 

 

10:30    Baptism Scavenger Hunt

 

 

11:00    Bible Charades

 

 

11:30    Baptism Bible Study (led by Pastor or guest leader)

 

 

·       Baptism Part One: “What’s Your Name?”  See attached sheet

 

 

12:00    Pizza Break

 

 

12:30    Water Olympics

 

 

1:30      Card Games: Spoons or Crazy Eights

 

 

2:00      Projection screen Movie: “Little Nemo” (In Youth Room with Popcorn)

 

 

4:00      Bible Break Time: Baptism Part 2 (in Church)

 

 

 

Baptism Part 2: 

 

 

·      Read Matthew 3:1-6.  Describe what was happening here.  How did John the Baptist baptize?  Why do you think confession of sins goes along with baptism?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·      Read Matthew 3:13-17 and Mark 1:9-11.  What do these verses tell us about Jesus’ baptism?  How are these verses similar?  Different?  How were you baptized?  When?

 

 

 

4:30      Lights Out (Sleeping Bags)

 

 

7:15      Wake Up and Clean-Up

 

 

7:30      Donuts & Juice

 

 

7:40      Bible Break Time: Baptism Part 3 (in Church)

 

 

 

Baptism Part 3:

·      Have each youth or paired youth read a verse and summarize the passage: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:37-39; Acts 8:12-13; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 16:25-34.

·      As a group discuss: How are these baptisms alike? Different?  Were their any requirements to be baptized (such as age, belief, etc.?)  What is important for us to remember about baptism?

 

 

 

 

 

·      Show a video of yours or your child’s baptism. 

 

 

 

 

 

·      Take them to the Baptismal font.  Show them it.  What happened when they were baptized? Martin Luther once said:  “When you wash your face remember your baptism.”  What does that mean to you?

 

 

 

8:00      Go Home!!

 

 

 

 

 


What’s Your Name?

A Baptism Bible Study

Glen Dawursk, Jr. – www.yuthguy.com

 

Leader’s Narration and Instructions:

 

Show a new name tag with your name on it to the group.

 

Everyone here has a name tag because everyone here has a name.  Your parents gave it to you when you were born.  How many of you have a middle name?  How many of you were named after a relative or holiday?  Have you ever wanted to change your name?  Why?

 

In the Old Testament, God did change some names.

 

Gen. 17:5 -      Whose name was changed?  Why?

·       (Abram to Abraham; because it symbolized the covenant or promise between God and Abraham)

 

Gen. 17:15 -   Whose name was changed this time?  Why?

·       (Sarai to Sarah; because it symbolized the covenant or promise between God and Sarah)

 

Just as God called Abraham, He also has called us.  He desires to be in partnership with us also.  He desires to make a covenant with us.

 

John 10:3 -     Who is the Shepherd?  Who are the sheep?

 

But does God really know everyone?  Isn’t that impossible?

 

Psalm 147:4 - He even knows every star by name.

 

Isaiah 40:26 - And not one star is missed!  Surely He knows our names.

 

Show my name tag all crumbled, dirty and ripped.

 

This name tag has some serious problems.  What’s wrong with it? 

Can a name ever become “bad”?  Do some names have bad reputations?  Why?

 

That is how our name looks to God.  He expects this (Clean Name Tag) but all we can do is the (Dirty Name Tag).  Our reputation simply stinks and we deserve nothing from God. 

 

Our alias before God are: Sinner, Condemned, Traitor (Judas), Children of the Devil.  Yet, He still wants us and still calls us by our names.

 

2 Chronicles 7:14 -    What does he expect from us?  He wants us to humble ourselves and pray.  He wants us to ask for His forgiveness.  And, as always, God has the plan.

 


 Joel 2:32 -     Call upon whom?  What will He do?

·       (God. Deliver us.)

 

Acts 2:1 -        Call upon whom?  What will He do?

·       (God. Deliver us.)

 

Matt. 1:21 -     Why the name Jesus?

·       (He will save his people from their sins)

 

 But what is God’s plan? Look up Acts 22:16

·       (God’s plan is forgiveness of sins or making our name tag clean before God through baptism.  Through baptism, He wants us to become the heirs to His kingdom.  Because of Jesus, we now carry His “family” name.)

 

Look up Galatians 3:27 and Titus 3:5-7.

 

Show a new name tag with my name with

the word “Jesus” superimposed over it in red.

 

Act 4:7-12 -     By what power or what name do we receive a new name?

·       (Jesus)

 

Because of Jesus, we receive a new name at baptism.  We receive “Jesus” as our name before God and our alias are Forgiven, Clean, Saved, Beloved and Children of God.

 

Rev. 3:12 -      What does Jesus say will be written on us?

·       (A new name). 

 

What is the new name?

·       (Jesus, Saved, Children of God)

 

At confirmation, we acknowledge our baptism by publicly re-confirming our baptismal name change.  It was at our baptism that we received the gift of eternal life as an inheritance that comes with our new family name.  We became a “Child of God.”

 

But it doesn’t end here.

 

Many people forget their promise to God at confirmation.  They forget about Christ’s sacrifice to get us a “clean” name before God.  But God doesn’t forget.

 

Gen 17:9 -      God expects us to keep what?

 

·       (Our part of the covenant). 

 

With our new name, what is our new part of the covenant?

 

·       (To follow Jesus and to follow His teachings) 

 

What if we don’t?  Look up Daniel 12:1

 

·       (Our name won’t be written in the book)

 

What is the book?

·       (The Book of Life – the list of all true believers and followers of Christ) 

 

What happens if our name is not in the book? Look up Rev. 20:15.

 

·       (We will perish in hell  for eternity)

 

Tell story about Alexander the Great: 

“Change your name or change your ways!”

 

 

Story:

 

Alexander the Great had taken over the entire known world and he was in his favorite room basking in his greatness when suddenly armed guards opened the chamber doors and dragged in another solder.  The soldier laid on the ground at the feet of Alexander the Great.  One of the guards, a centurion approached Alexander and said, “Alexander, sir, this man does not deserve to be in your army.  He has been a disgrace to all soldiers by his conduct, lack of teamwork and insubordination to authority. He has not lived up to the standards of a soldier in your army.  He has been disloyal and has brought shame to his unit.   He should be dishonorably discharged and punished immediately.  For a moment there was quiet in the room as Alexander pondered what to do.  He eventually looked down at the man and said, “Soldier, what is your name?” The soldier leaned his head back, looked up at Alexander and said, “Alexander, sir.”  Alexander the Great look sternly at the man and quickly retorted, “Soldier, you either change your name or change your ways.” 

 

 

We are called Christians.  Martin Luther said we were “little Christ’s.”  We can not say we are Christians and then not act as Jesus would have us to act.  In the same way Jesus says to us, “Either we change our name or change our ways.”

 

At baptism and confirmation we take on the name of Jesus.  As heirs to the God’s kingdom, we are representatives for God here on earth.  He expects us to live as examples and to keep our part of the new covenant we have with God through Christ.  Seem too tough?  Just remember, that at baptism, we also receive the full power of the family name.

 

Philippians 2:5-11 -   Whose name is exalted?

 

·       (We all are)

 

Because of our namesake, we now have special privileges.  We can go to God whenever we want.

 

Proverbs 18:10 - What does God do for us?

 

·       (He protects us.  He helps us stand up against the powers of sin and He does not crumble.  He gives us His strength.)

 

Wow!  Not only does God give us a new name tag at baptism, He also helps us keep it clean.

 

Praise the Lord!  “Shout with joy to God, all the earth! 
Sing the glory of His name; make his praise glorious!”  Psalm 66:1, 2

 

 

 

 

What’s Your Name?

A Baptism Bible Study

Glen Dawursk, Jr. – www.yuthguy.com

 

Student Worksheet

 

Small Group Activity #1

 

  1. Color your name tag using colors which represent your personality. 
    Be able to tell why you used the colors you did.

 

  1. Add a symbol(s) which represents something important in your life. 
    Be able to explain your symbolism.

 

  1. Who were you named after? In your groups share how you got your name?

 

 

 

Bible Study

 

 

 

OT Name Changes

 

Gen 17:5               ___________’s name was changed because _____________

 

Gen 17:15                         __________’s name was also changed because __________

 

 

 

 

God Wants Us?

 

John 10:3                         Who is the shepherd? ________________

 

                                     Who are the sheep? _______________________

 

 

 

 

 

But Does God Know Our Name? Really? Everyone?

 

Psalm 147:4        He knows every ____________ by name.

 

Isaiah 40:26        And not one is ___________.  He surely knows our names as well!

 

What’s Our Name Anyway?

 

Can a name ever become “bad”?    YES      NO      I don’t know

 

How does our name look to God? _________________________

 

Our alias’ are: __________, __________, __________, ____________, _______________

 

 

 

The Name Game


Can we change our names by ourselves?       YES        NO         I don't know

 

2 Chronicles 7, 14       God expects us to ___________ ourselves and _____________.

 

 

 

The Game Plan


Joel 2:32 OR Acts 2:21        Call upon who? _________ He will ___________ us!

 

 

 

God's Game Plan


Acts 22:16     Galatians 3:27     Titus 3:507

Through Jesus, we now can carry His _________ name and share His ____________________. 


Acts 4:7-12          By whose power do we receive a new name? ________________

Our new alias' are: ___________, _________________, ____________,

                          

                                                   ____________, _________________, ___________.

 

 

 

But It Doesn't End Here …


Gen. 17:9              God expects us to keep our part of the ____________________.

                                    What is our part? ________________________________________

Daniel 12:1          What if we don't?  Our name won't be in the _________________________


Rev. 20:15            Then what happens?  We will ________________.

 

 

 

So… A Name Change Requires a Life Change Too!

 

Story:

 

Alexander the Great had taken over the entire known world and he was in his favorite room basking in his greatness when suddenly armed guards opened the chamber doors and dragged in another solder.  The soldier laid on the ground at the feet of Alexander the Great.  One of the guards, a centurion approached Alexander and said, “Alexander, sir, this man does not deserve to be in your army.  He has been a disgrace to all soldiers by his conduct, lack of teamwork and insubordination to authority. He has not lived up to the standards of a soldier in your army.  He has been disloyal and has brought shame to his unit.   He should be dishonorably discharged and punished immediately.  For a moment there was quiet in the room as Alexander pondered what to do.  He eventually looked down at the man and said, “Soldier, what is your name?” The soldier leaned his head back, looked up at Alexander and said, “Alexander, sir.”  Alexander the Great look sternly at the man and quickly retorted, “Soldier, you either change your name or change your ways.” 

 

Like the soldier, what do we need to do?

 

You either ________   your   ________ OR ___________ your _________.

 

 

 


And God Gives Us the Power to Do That, Too!

Philippians 2:5-11       Because of Jesus, who is actually exalted?  ____________________

 

Proverbs 18:10             We now have special privileges.

 

 

Not only does God give us a new nametag
at baptism, He also helps us to keep it clean.

 

 

 


Baptism Water Olympics

 

Created by Glen Dawursk, Jr. --  www.yuthguy.com

 

Rules:

There will be about 7-9 people on each team.  The teams must choose people from their group for each competition.  All members of the group must participate in at least one competition.

 

Points will be given for each competition as: 5 for first, 4 for second, and 3 for third and 1 for everyone else who participates.

 

Competitions:

 

·             Water scrub: (One Person)

Each person is given a half-cup of water, a toothbrush and 3-5 painted pieces of plastic.  The object is to clean the paint off the plastic pieces first.  Water cups can NOT be refilled.

 

·             Squirt Gun Bulls-Eye: (One Person)

Each person will get two individual squirts at a bulls-eye target.  Practice squirts count.  The closest person after the second round wins.

 

·             Penny Drop: (One Person)

Each person will be given 4-5 pennies.  Each will be dropped into a pickle jar filled with water.  The object is to get the penny to land in the glass at the bottom of the jar.

 

·             Squirt Gun Race: (One Person)

Each person is given a filled squirt gun.  A twine is stretched across an area.  On the twine is a key chain.  The object is to be the first person to squirt the key chain to the other side.  The players cannot move past the start line and squirt guns cannot be refilled.

 

·             Water Balloon Toss: (Two People)

Two members from each team will toss a water balloon to each other at the direction of the ref.  The farthest distance without popping determines the winner.  Dropped balloons count as a loss.

 

·             Water Relay: (Two People)

Two members from each team are given spoons.  A cup of water and one team member is put at the start line and the second team member and an empty cup is at the end line.  A piece of tape is stretched through the middle.  The first and second team members meet in the middle.  The first team member takes hi/her spoonful of water and pours it into the second team member’s spoon.  The second person empties his/her spoon into the empty cup.  The process continues until the timer buzzes.  The team with the most water in the end cup wins.

 

·             Water Bowling: (One Person)

A set of 3-5 empty milk cartons are at the end of a sheet of plastic.  One member of each team will get three water balloon rolls to knock down the milk cartons.  If the balloon pops, the throw is a gutter ball.  Best score after the three rolls is the winner.

 

 

 

In Building Baptismal Scavenger Hunt

Glen Dawursk, Jr.  – www.yuthguy.com

 

Click here to download this file.

 

Leader’s Guide

 

1.      Hide and tape down the following Items. 

2.      Include a card with the correct number under the item.

 

Question

Item

Code

1) Something that symbolizes NEW LIFE

Picture of a Baby

6

2) A symbol for baptism

A Shell

15

3) The Holy Spirit’s Animal at Jesus’ Baptism

Feather

18

4) What a baby wears at baptism

A Baby’s Baptismal Gown

7

5) Something that could serve as a baptismal font

A bucket

9

6) The symbol of a Christian

Fish

22

7) Something possibly from John the Baptist’s Coat

(camel) Hair

5

8) Something the symbolic color of baptism

Something red

14

9) The “stuff” combined with the word at baptism

Water

5

10) What John had around his waist

Belt / Leather

19

11) What John ate for breakfast

Picture of Grasshopper

19

 

 

3.      When the youth have completed the scavenger hunt.

4.      Write the following phrase on the board: “Baptism gives us ________________.”

5.      Have the youth count out the letters of the alphabet and determine which letter is for which code number.  The code numbers spell out the word: FORGIVENESS.

6.      First youth to come up to the board and fill in the space wins the scavenger hunt.

 

 

Youth’s Handout

 


In Building Baptismal Scavenger Hunt

Glen Dawursk, Jr.  – www.yuthguy.com

 

1.    Answer the question or clue by finding the “hidden” item. 

2.    Write down what the item is and the number under it.

3.    DON’T move, change or take any clues.

4.    When you are finished, return to the meeting area.

 

Question or Clue

Item

Code

1) Something that symbolizes NEW LIFE

 

 

2) A symbol for baptism

 

 

3) The Holy Spirit’s chosen animal at Jesus’ Baptism

 

 

4) What a baby wears at baptism

 

 

5) Something that could serve as a baptismal font

 

 

6) The symbol of a Christian

 

 

7) Something possibly from John the Baptist’s Coat

 

 

8) Something the symbolic color of baptism

 

 

9) The “stuff” combined with the word at baptism

 

 

10) What John had around his waist

 

 

11) What John ate for breakfast