Just Teach Sheets – Children December Week 2 2025

Parent/Guardian/Catechist – Just Teach Sheet

December Week 2 (2025)
Theme: Advent & Preparation
Focus: John the Baptist – Getting Ready for Jesus
Audience: Children (Ages 7+, First Holy Communion Prep)

Weekly Goal

The child learns that John the Baptist helped people get ready for Jesus by calling them to say sorry for their sins and to live good lives.
They begin to understand that preparing for Jesus means cleaning our hearts — being kind, truthful, and prayerful.

What You’ll Need

This sheet

A children’s Bible

A candle or Advent wreath

Paper and crayons

Opening Prayer (Say Daily)

Lord Jesus,
I want to get ready for You.
Help me to listen to Your Word
and to follow You with all my heart.
Like John the Baptist,
help me make straight the way for You.
Amen.

Day 1 – Who Was John the Baptist?

Say aloud:
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin.
Before Jesus began teaching, John told everyone, “Get ready! The Lord is coming!”
He wore camel’s hair, lived in the desert, and told people to change their hearts.

Luke 3:3–4 – “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”

Mini Homily Reflection:
John didn’t tell people to get ready for a party — he told them to get ready for a Person.
He wanted their hearts to be clean so they could recognise Jesus when He came.

Ask:

What does it mean to “get ready for Jesus”?

If Jesus came to our house today, what would we do to welcome Him?

Practice:
Draw John the Baptist by the river, pointing toward Jesus.
Write: “Prepare the way of the Lord!”

Day 2 – Say Sorry and Start Again

Say aloud:
John said people should be sorry for the wrong things they’d done and stop doing them.
That’s what “repent” means — to turn around and start again.

Matthew 3:8 – “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.”

Mini Homily Reflection:
When we say sorry and try again, our hearts become clean — like sweeping out a room to welcome a guest.

Ask:

Why is it important to say sorry to God?

Is there something I can say sorry for today?

Practice:
Help your child say a short prayer:

“Jesus, I’m sorry for ___. Please help me to do better.”

Day 3 – Be Kind and Fair

Say aloud:
When people asked John what they should do, he said:
“Share with others. Be honest. Don’t be greedy.”
He wanted people to show their love for God by loving others.

Luke 3:10–11 – “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none.”

Mini Homily Reflection:
Being kind and fair is the best way to show that you belong to God.
That’s how we get ready for Jesus — by doing what’s right.

Ask:

What’s one way you can share this week?

Who might need some kindness today?

Practice:
Do one small act of kindness for someone in your family or school — secretly if you can!

Day 4 – John Points Us to Jesus

Say aloud:
John’s job was to prepare the way — but when Jesus arrived, John pointed everyone to Him.
He said, “Look! The Lamb of God!”

John 1:29 – “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Mini Homily Reflection:
John teaches us that life isn’t about being the most important person — it’s about leading others to Jesus.

Ask:

How can you show others Jesus this week?

What could you say or do that helps someone feel loved by God?

Practice:
Make a paper arrow or sign that says, “This way to Jesus!” and hang it near your prayer space.

Day 5 – A Clean Heart for Christmas

Say aloud:
John taught that the best way to prepare for Jesus is not by decorations or presents — but by having a clean heart.
We clean our hearts by praying, forgiving, and loving.

Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

Mini Homily Reflection:
Christmas is more beautiful when your heart is ready for Jesus to be born in it.

Ask:

What makes your heart feel close to Jesus?

What makes it feel far away?

Practice:
Tonight, light your Advent candle and pray:

“Jesus, please make my heart ready for You.”

Weekend Wrap-Up – What We Learned

  • John the Baptist helped people get ready for Jesus.
  • Getting ready means saying sorry and trying again.
  • We prepare by being kind, fair, and prayerful.
  • The best Christmas gift is a heart that’s clean and loving.

Reflection prompts:

“I can get ready for Jesus by…”

“John the Baptist teaches me to…”

Prayer Prompt or Journal Space

“Dear Jesus,
Thank You for John the Baptist.
Help me to listen, to be kind, and to keep my heart clean for You.”

Encourage your child to draw Jesus smiling as John points toward Him by the river.

Apologetics for Parents

Q: Why do we hear about John the Baptist in Advent?
→ Because he prepared the way for Jesus — and Advent helps us do the same.

Q: Why did John baptise people?
→ His baptism showed repentance — a promise to start again. Jesus later gave us a new baptism that gives grace.

Q: How can families “prepare the way” at home?
→ Pray together, forgive quickly, share with others, and talk about kindness before Christmas.

Catechism Extension

CCC 523–524 – John the Baptist as the last prophet of the Old Covenant.

CCC 1427–1430 – Repentance and conversion.

CCC 2657 – Hope and prayer in waiting for the Lord.