Living Waters: Baptism Across the Christian World

Join Laura for a splashy, globe-trotting adventure in “Living Waters: Baptism Across the Christian World.” From Greek origins to Jesus’s own river baptism, we explore how Christians everywhere use water as a symbol of washing away mistakes and starting fresh.

In This Episode

• What Is Baptism?
• Discover how the word “baptizo” means “to immerse,” why water symbolizes new life, and how Jesus’s own baptism set the example for nearly 2,000 years of Christian practice.
• Guided Imagination
• Take a “River Walk” in your mind—feel the warm sun, hear the water lap, and imagine stepping into living waters surrounded by family and friends.
• Movement Moment: Water Stretch
• Stand tall, reach like a fountain, wave your arms like ocean currents, then jump in place as if splashing into a puddle. Let your body flow like water.
• Water Friendship Bridge
• Cross into Islam’s Wudu, Judaism’s mikvah, and Hindu ritual baths to celebrate how many faiths use water for cleansing and renewal.
• Baptism Detectives Game
• Match three characters to their baptism traditions (Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic) using clues.
• Baptism Science Challenge
• Turn your kitchen or backyard into a mini-lab with three experiments:

1. Color water to stand for “sins,” then add a drop of bleach to make them vanish
2. Soak dirty pennies in lemon juice until they shine
3. Dip a sin-doodle in a Ziploc bag to watch it disappear by refraction

• Download full instructions in our free Baptism Science Experiments printable.
• Belief Backpack
• Pack away three treasures from today’s journey:

1. Community – belonging to a supportive faith family
2. Fresh Starts – knowing every day holds a new beginning
3. Kindness – letting our compassion flow like water

• Story Time: Jesus’s Baptism
• Experience John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River, hear the dove descend, and listen as God’s voice proclaims “You are my beloved Son”
• Sneak Peek & Wrap-Up
• Take a 4th of July break, then dive into “What Goes Around: Exploring Karma”.

Laura’s Book List

• My Baptism Book (Board Book Edition)
• By Sophie Piper, illustrated by Dubravka Kolanovic
• https://amzn.to/4jWHrcc
• A tender introduction for little ones, filled with simple prayers, blessings, and warm reflections perfect for reading aloud.
• Baptized in the Water: Becoming a Member of God’s Family
• By Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Anna Kazimi
• https://amzn.to/4jKCO4w
• Lyrical text and vibrant art celebrate infant and adult baptisms across cultures, showing how we all belong to God’s family.
• A Kid’s Guide to Baptism
• By Terry Glaspey
• https://amzn.to/3FWgdEj
• An interactive workbook of activities, reflection questions, and drawing pages that make preparing for baptism personal and fun.
• Baptism: For Kids and Parents
• By Jacob Riggs
• https://amzn.to/3SKNKV5
• A warm, conversational guide with discussion prompts, helping families explore the meaning and joy of baptism together.
• Baptism: Three Views
• By David F. Wright et al.