(John 3:22-26)
November 8, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
We see the humility of John the Baptist in John chapter 3 as he led more people to follow Jesus. We also learn that Jesus’ gift of eternal life is ours for the taking when received by faith.
In this passage, we read that both John and Jesus were ministering and baptizing people in the same area of Judea. Suddenly, an argument arose among some of John’s disciples and others. They took their dispute to John, saying, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.”
John, however, wasn’t jealous, nor was he worried about those who listened to him one day and went to follow Jesus the next. John knew who Jesus really is and how worthy He is to be followed. John reminded the people of the words he had already spoken: “I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.”
John viewed himself like a friend of the groom at a wedding. It was his duty to stand by, listen for Him, and rejoice greatly at His words. John’s joy was made complete by the ministry of Jesus as Messiah. John spoke with humility: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The beauty of the gospel is that God cast His wrath upon His own Son and granted His righteousness to believers, so that all who trust in Him will receive salvation. Jesus took our sin upon Himself so that we may live forever in right relation to God. John understood Jesus was the promised Messiah, and he lived to declare Christ’s truths.
As you talk about this session with your kids, pray that God would soften their hearts to see that Christ is the only One worth following, the only One with the power to forgive and save. Ask the Lord to show them His offer of everlasting life and His worthiness as the object of our faith.
***Next Week: Jesus and the Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read John 3:22-26 from the Bible.
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Did you know the giant foam finger was invented by a high school student? In 1971, a teenager named Steve Chmelar built a giant hand out of wood and paper to cheer for his school’s basketball team. Years later, it became the big foam finger we see at sporting events today, pointing high into the air, showing support for a favorite player or team.
That’s similar to what John the Baptist did—except instead of a finger pointing to a team, he used his whole life to point people to Jesus. Some of John’s followers were upset that more people were starting to follow Jesus instead of John. But John wasn’t upset at all. He was glad! He said, “I’m not the Messiah—I was sent ahead of Him.”
Then John said something powerful. John said, “Jesus must increase, but I must decrease.”
John knew his job was to prepare the way for Jesus—and then get out of the way so everyone could see the Savior. Just like a foam finger points to someone else, we’re called to use our lives to point people to Jesus.
John pointed people to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. When people believe in Jesus as the Messiah, they receive eternal life and can point others to believe in Jesus too!
Pray: Jesus, help us point to You in everything we do, so others can know You and trust You too. Amen.
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Preschool:
”He was revealed to take away sins, and there is no sin in him.”
1 John 3:51st-5th:
”But you know that Christ came to take our sins away. And there is no sin in him.”
1 John 3:5 (NIRV) -
Mornings
Ask Jesus to help you live in a way that points others to Him today. Pray for a heart that chooses humility and honors Jesus above yourself. How can you point your friends to Jesus today? How does loving them help them see His love?
Evenings
Thank Jesus for the chances you had to show His love today. Ask Him to keep teaching you how to make more of Him and less of yourself. Where did God help you to see His glory today? How did you help others see Jesus today?
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For Fun
Use poster board and other craft materials to make giant foam fingers for each family member. Cut them out and decorate them with messages like Jesus is #1!, He must become greater, or Point to Jesus! Talk about how John the Baptist didn’t try to be the most important—he pointed people to Jesus instead. Share ideas about how you can each “point to Jesus” this week—at school, work, or in your neighborhood.
To Serve
Ask friends and neighbors to help your family host a Bible club in your neighborhood this spring. Plan three or four Bible stories to share with kids, come up with lesson plans and activities, and designate an individual to start gathering supplies. Consider hosting the Bible club in a front yard or nearby park to help other kids learn about Jesus. Remind your family that this is just one of the ways we can point others to Jesus the way John pointed people to Jesus.