The Gospel Project at Home: John the Baptist in Prison
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Read Scripture
Read all or parts of Matthew 11:2-19; 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 3:19-20; 7:18-35 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.
Preschool Bible Story Video
Elementary Bible Story Video
Talk About Scripture
If you’re ever in Lebanon, Kansas, you’ll find a monument that marks the geographical center of the United States. The stone pyramid monument is like a giant signpost telling you, “This is the center.”
John the Baptist prophesied about the coming of Jesus. John gave his life to being a messenger who prepared the people for the Messiah. But at the end of his life, while John was in prison, he wondered if Jesus truly is the Messiah.
John sent messengers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we’ve been waiting for?” And Jesus responded by telling John the Baptist of the miracles He was doing: healing the sick, helping the hurting, and bringing hope to the broken. These were the markers, the signs that showed Jesus is the promised one.
Even strong believers like John had doubts. God welcomes our questions and helps us find answers. Just like the marker in Kansas shows the center, Jesus' actions were signs that pointed to who He is. We can look to His words and deeds to understand God's plan. When life feels uncertain, remember Jesus is the center of everything. He is our constant, our guide, and our Savior.
When faced with suffering, John was reminded that Jesus is the Messiah who had come to bring the good news of salvation. Followers of Jesus will face troubles, but they have hope: Everyone who trusts in Jesus for salvation will live in His kingdom forever.
Pray: Dear Jesus, thank You for being the center of our lives. Help us trust You, even when we have questions or doubts. Thank You for the signs You've given us to know You better. Amen.
Learn Scripture
Preschool Scripture Music Video
Elementary Scripture Music Video
Family Prayer
Mornings: Take a moment to thank Jesus for being the center of our lives. Colossians chapter 1 tells us that all things were made through Him and for Him. Ask God to help you trust Him today, even when things feel confusing or unfair.
Evenings: Think back over your day and notice any moments when you felt worried, scared, or unsure about the things that were happening. Ask Jesus to help you with those doubts and fears. And ask Him to help you trust that He is always with you, even in hard or confusing situations.
Family Activities
For Fun: Prompt each family member to write 2–3 statements on separate sticky notes about who God is and what He has done. (God heals the sick. God is with us. God sent Jesus to save us from our sin.) Put these sticky notes around the house or in the car to remind the family this week that God is who He says and can do all that He has promised. Remind your child that the stories we learn about God and all His promises are meant to reassure us that He is with us even in uncertain times.
To Serve: Contact a local prison chaplain to organize a donation of care items or Bibles. As a family, work to gather the items and package them accordingly. Write encouraging notes and letters for the inmates to remind them that He loves them and wants to have a relationship with them through Jesus. Pray over the care items and letters, then take the appropriate steps to pass them along to inmates through the chaplain.
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