12 Jan
2025

The Gospel at a River Crossing

Passage: Matthew 3

“Whenever my soul feels weary and dry, and the demands of life so disturbs and discourages my heart that I feel sapped of any spiritual energy or consolation, one quiet moment in God’s presence always makes me open the Scripture and begin with the Gospel for myself before I ever attempt to share or teach.” – Yong Lee

SERMON OUTLINE:

  • People of God
  • Kingdom of God
  • Coming King

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Describe something you have had to prepare for? What was needed in the process of preparation?

Read Matthew 3. What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in this passage? What phrases stand out to you that help shape your understanding of God’s character and your identity as a child of God?

The people of God had gathered at the Jordan before entering the promised land. In this passage a new generation of people had gathered and were to witness the inauguration of a greater Exodus. In verses 7-12 John the baptist was addressing Israelites, the people of God, including the Pharisees and Sadducees. In verse 9 John challenges their trust in being descendants of Abraham. What are we prone to trust in apart from the saving work of Jesus? (Family of origin/parents’ faith, education, success, meaning/purpose, money?) Where do you tend to look for comfort?

What rhythms or practices regularly help you remember to trust in Jesus?

Later in Jesus’s ministry he would explain In John 10:9, “I am the gate/door whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go  out, and find pasture.” Jesus is the way for us to be included in the kingdom of God. What do you notice about the way Jesus begins his ministry with his baptism that helps paint a picture of what the kingdom of God is like? What do you see and hear?

John the baptist is an example to us of “preparing the way for the Lord” – preparing ourselves and others for the presence of God. In what ways does John prepare the way for the Lord? How does his example challenge or encourage you in preparing the way for the Lord today and this week? Consider verse 8.

PRAYER

Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?

Isaiah 9:2 / “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”