Alison
Originally posted on Etsy ↗Item was perfect for the classroom activity
Assembly video coming soon.
We’ll add a step-by-step demonstration here.
Photos from the Etsy listing. View original Etsy listing ↗
Accordion Bible story book
Jesus’ Baptism Accordion Bible Story Book
4.0 out of 51 reviewA printable accordion Bible story book based on Jesus’ Baptism. Children colour the story sections and fold the strip into a concertina book for retelling. Story focus: John baptizes people in the Jordan River. John is surprised but obeys. God’s voice says, “This is my Son, whom I love.”
- Suggested ages
- 6–10 years
- Activity time
- 25–40 min
- Difficulty
- Easy–moderate
English
Age, time and difficulty are planning guides. Check the preparation notes for adult help.
$4.15 USD
One-time purchase
Digital download · No physical item shipped
What’s included
- Printable accordion-style story sections for colouring and folding
- 5 numbered story sections (listed as “Page 1” onward; physical PDF page count unverified)
- Scenes stated in the listing: John baptizes people in the Jordan River; Jesus comes and asks to be baptized too; John is surprised but obeys; As Jesus rises from the water, a dove appears; God’s voice says, “This is my Son, whom I love.”
Your download files
- JesusBaptism_Matthew3_.pdf: 2 pages
File inventory and page counts checked against the originals. Page counts include any instruction pages. Please check the preparation notes before printing for a group.
Getting ready
Age & adult help
The activity combines a sequence of pictures with concertina folding and story retelling.
Prepare or join long strips and demonstrate each fold. Read the story text aloud if needed.
What you’ll need
Printer, paper, colouring pencils or crayons, scissors. Glue or tape may be useful for joining strips.
Time & preparation
One accordion book, including colouring and folding. Teaching time is additional.
Age is an editorial estimate for the motor and reading demands of this format. Difficulty, completion time and suggested tools are planning estimates, not build-tested.
Check the file before you print for a group, and allow for any extra help the kids might need.
Printing tipsThe story behind the craft
Bible passage: Matthew 3:13–17
Jesus comes to John at the Jordan to be baptised. As Jesus comes out of the water, the Spirit descends like a dove and a voice from heaven calls him God’s beloved Son.
Main takeaway: Jesus’ baptism reveals his identity as God’s beloved Son.
As you open the story book
Open the folds gradually, using the revealed sections to retell the account.
Distinguish John, Jesus, the dove and the voice from heaven. Read the passage alongside the pictures rather than treating every symbol as a separate character.
An adult can read one section while a younger child points to its picture. Older learners can close the book, retell it and reopen it to check the sequence.
Questions to explore
- Who baptised Jesus?
- What happened as Jesus came out of the water?
- What does the voice tell us about Jesus?
Common questions
What files are included in this download?
The download is a 2-page PDF: JesusBaptism_Matthew3_.pdf. This is the English edition. You print the files yourself; physical supplies are not included.
How do I fold the five story panels?
Colour the numbered story sheet. Fold upwards on the dotted line with the pictures outside, fold the left and right sides towards the centre, then fold the cover and panel 5 as shown in the illustrated guide. This is a folded picture book, rather than five separate PDF pages. The pictured scenes include: John baptizes people in the Jordan River; Jesus comes and asks to be baptized too; John is surprised but obeys; As Jesus rises from the water, a dove appears; God’s voice says, “This is my Son, whom I love.”.
Which pages should I print, and at what size?
The original PDF pages are A4 landscape. JesusBaptism_Matthew3_.pdf: print page 2 for each learner or group. Page 1 is the assembly guide, which can be shared. Print single-sided. On US Letter paper, select Letter and Fit or shrink to the printable area; the originals are not separate Letter-sized files.
What supplies and preparation does this need?
Paper and colouring pencils. An adult can demonstrate the centre folds and read the five panels aloud. The supplied method uses folding rather than glued-on picture strips.
What help might children need with this activity?
The main demands are following five pictured events and making the centre folds. Demonstrate the folding and read the captions aloud for children who need help. Younger children can colour and retell using a book an adult has folded.
Reviews
4.0 out of 51 review
