2026
The Word of God Came
Passage: Luke 3:1-15
“There are only two kinds of people – those who say ‘Thy will be done’ to God or those to whom God in the end says, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell choose it. Without that self-choice it wouldn’t be Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it.”
— C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce
OUTLINE:
1. The Word of God is the water
2. We are the Tree
3. The Fruit is our repentant lives
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Share a place that’s outside that fills you up with wonder and encouragement. What is it about that place in nature that is good to you, what effect does it have on you, and how do you enjoy it?
Read Luke 3:1-15. What does this passage show you about God’s character and about being his follower? What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in this passage?
In verses 1-2 several powerful, important political and religious leaders are named, but notably the word of God comes to John in the wilderness. As we enter a new year, it is helpful to remember that the word of God has come to us. Consider your present habits and rhythms. How are you currently and regularly receiving God’s word? What is working well and what are the challenges you face?
As we consume the word of God, we are given opportunities to repent or turn from our ways of living to God’s truth and his ways. In this passage, John the baptist gives several ways we can turn toward faithful living: 1) from casual to committed (3:9), 2) from the past to the present (3:8), 3) from being tight-fisted to open-handed (3:10-14). How do these ways of turning provide an invitation to you for faithful living this week, this month, this year? Consider answering for yourself, your family, your community group, our church.
In Luke 3:15, we are told that the people who heard God’s word from John were “waiting expectantly” and wondering about the Messiah. We know John was a messenger pointing to the truth Messiah: Jesus, our Savior. In Jesus we are fully known and perfectly loved. In what ways can you continue to turn to Jesus and delight in this truth this week? Who can you share this truth of Jesus with? On the heels of celebrating Christmas, we too are waiting expectantly for the second Advent when Jesus will return again. How might this passage equip and help us to wait well for Jesus to return?
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?
Luke 3:2 “the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness”