The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

What is Mark telling us in this 1st line of the gospel? 3 things.

Unit 2 St Mark’s – Jesus’ MinistryLesson 1: Jesus’ Baptism

To describe Jesus’ baptismTo explain its symbolism

Mark’s Gospel is a Drama in 3 Acts

Beginning (baptism,

temptations) & Public Ministry in

Galilee

Journey to JerusalemTeaching his disciples

Passion and death

in Jerusalem

Unit 3 Passion & Death

Unit 2 Jesus ministryUnit 4 Person of JesusUnit 5 Jesus’ relationship with others

Unit 6 Discipleship

1. What does “ministry” mean?2. Mindmap what Jesus’ ministry involved.

This topic is going to be about turning points in his ministry. Change in focus – see flow chart below.

Jesus’ Baptism

1. What was John doing, baptising people? What was his “baptism” about?

2. Copy out the account of what happened when Jesus was baptised by John.

3. Underline the key phrases of what happened.4. On your table, write out the phrase that matches the

explanation. 5. Using your table, explain 4 things that Jesus’ baptism

teaches us about Jesus & explain why. **Why do you think Jesus, being sinless, underwent a baptism for repentance, at the hands of someone less holy than himself?

“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Heaven being torn open

The Spirit descending on him

Like a dove

a voice came from heaven

“You ARE my Son”

“In you I am well-pleased”

“You are my Son, whom I

love; with you I am well

pleased.”

a. To purify himself of any sins b. To make a start to his mission & ministry c. To take our sins as his own d. To be part of a new, purified “people of God”e. To show he is humble and be an example to us

To show that he is John’s disciplef. To share in Jesus’ dying and rising from sin

Jesus: b, c, eChristians : b, d, f

1. Explain why Jesus asked John to baptise him – 2 reasons.

2. Explain why Christians get baptised. 2 reasons.

**What is the most important reason why Jesus got baptised? Why?

Choose 2 correct answers why Jesus asked John to baptise him. (write the letters)Choose 2 answers why Christians get baptised

Label what each part of Jesus’ baptism teaches us

Heaven torn open

Spirit like a dove

Rested on him

Voice

You ARE my Son

In whom I am well pleased

What did each part of Jesus’ baptism teach us?

• Explain what Christians learn about Jesus from the story of his baptism. (3mks)

• Jesus is the Son of God / the voice proves that Jesus is the Son of God / the dove is an indicator of the Holy Spirit / the Holy Spirit is with him / he is beginning his ministry publically / the water is a sign of cleanliness / the water indicates the power of God in history and Jesus is part of this / Jesus had authority.

• Describe what Jesus saw and heard when he was baptised by John in the River Jordan. (3marks)

• Heaven torn open / the Spirit descending / like a dove / voice (from heaven) / ’You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ Don’t need see and heard for L3

‘A voice from heaven is all that is needed to prove that Jesus was sent from God.’Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than

one point of view. Refer to Mark’s Gospel in your answer. 6mks

• Agree• Candidates may refer to the two ‘voices from heaven’ at the Baptism and the

Transfiguration and may quote the words / the voice from heaven is a sign that God approved / tells people that Jesus is important / indicates that he was the beloved Son / at the Baptism God is pleased / at the Transfiguration Jesus should be listened to / the event is miraculous and attention gathering / in Jewish rabbinic tradition a voice from heaven was seen as the most powerful attestation of God’s approval / the voice quotes Psalm 2:7 which gives Jesus Old Testament links.

• Other views• It does not need a voice from heaven / Jesus’ actions and teaching are enough to

show that he was sent from God / that he rose from the dead, performed miracles are enough / His teaching of the kingdom of God indicates that he taught with authority; this was recognised by those around him / some modern Christians believe that they have heard the voice of God which they claim validates Jesus as Messiah.

• (6 marks)