Meet John the Baptist

• Bibles

• Distribute Bibles and arrange the class into four groups.
• Assign each group one of the Scripture passages about John the Baptist.
• Have the students read and prepare to report on their Scripture passages.

Luke 1:5-25 (the announcement of John the Baptist's birth)
Luke 1:39-56 (Mary's visit to Elizabeth and the Canticle of Mary)
Luke 1:57-80 (the birth of John the Baptist and the Canticle of Zechariah)
Luke 3:1-18 (the preaching of John the Baptist)

• Ask each group to report on its Scripture passage.
• Discuss our own Baptism and our call to witness to Christ as John the Baptist did.

Say:
John the Baptist baptized with water and prepared the way for the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit. When we were baptized in Jesus' name, we received the gift of the Holy Spirit. We were given the responsibility to live as Christ's disciples. What is one of our responsibilities as a Christian disciple? (to give witness to Christ)

How did John the Baptist give witness to Christ? (by telling what kind of person Christ would be and by letting the people know how to prepare for him)

How can giving witness to Christ be a good way for us to prepare for his coming? (We would be living the way God wants us to.)

• Discuss the message of John the Baptist and our call to repentance during Advent.

Say:
During Advent, we are also called to repent and to change our lives to prepare the way for Jesus. We take the time to examine our lives to see if we are giving witness to Jesus in the things we say and do. We take the time to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• If there will be opportunities to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the parish during Advent, provide the young people with information about these opportunities. You might also review the preparation and celebration for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.