“The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES DAY 1: Meet the Cousin of the King: John the Baptist Matthew 3: Pave the Way for the King In Matthew chapters 1 and 2 we learn about Jesus’ ancestry and birth which detail His qualifications to be the King. In chapter 3, we learn about Jesus through John the Baptist. Little detail is given in the Bible about close family members of Jesus but we do learn some things about John the Baptist. Matthew 3 gives us information about this cousin of Jesus. If you will recall, John is Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth’s, son. Jesus would later say this about John in Matthew 11:11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist”. Clearly, John is a man worth getting to know! R RECEIVING God’s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 3:1-17 Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 3: 1-6 E EXPERIENCING God’s Word 1. Verse 1 tells us John’s two job titles, what are they? 2. What is the main message in John’s preaching? (v.2) 3. John the Baptist has been called the last of the Old Testament Prophets, why does that title fit him in light of Malachi 3:1? How is John “paving the highway” for the arrival of the Messiah? 4. Describe what John wore and how did this signify he was a prophet? Read 2 Kings 1:8 and Zech. 13:4 what do these two verses tell you about John’s clothing choices? © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 3 • Day 1 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES 5. List what John ate. Then read Lev. 11:21-22 and 1 Samuel 14:25-26 what does this tell you about his food choices and where they would be found? 6. Why did people come to John to be baptized? A ACTING on God’s Word Part 1 John’s call to action in Matthew 3 still applies to us today! His voice was crying out, encouraging people to repent, turn from their sins and prepare for eternity. How are we heeding this good advice? Do you have a time set apart each day for quality time in prayer? How much of your daily prayer time is spent in the practice of repentance? Are you asking for repentance throughout the day as sin interrupts your walk with the Lord? Repenting is an essential piece for a healthy, vibrant walk with the Lord, but are you also turning away from the sin you are repenting of? If you’re not turning away what is holding you in that sin? Ask the Lord for victory over it. He has already overcome it for you. What sin is God asking you to repent of today? If you do not have a daily prayer plan. Talk to your small group leader and she will help you to develop a plan. You will be richly blessed as you commune with the Lord. © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 3 • Day 1 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES Part 2 John’s lifestyle (both clothing and food) demonstrate simplicity. The more possessions we have the more we need to care and maintain those things. Do you feel anchored to this life through the things you own or want to obtain? What does Matthew 6:19-21 have to say about this issue? D DELIGHTING in God’s Word I am so grateful for the ability to repent freely to the Lord. When my sins are weighing me down, it is such an awesome privilege to confess them and ask to be forgiven, knowing He will wash me whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). Praise Him today for the gift of forgiveness! Close in Prayer NOTES © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 3 • Day 1 “The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 DELIGHTING D ELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE in the STUDY L ORD SERIES BIBLE STUDY SERIES DAY 2: John Addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees: Matthew’s Account Matthew 3: Pave the Way for the King The Pharisees were a legalistic, separatist group who strictly, but often hypocritically kept the law of Moses and the written and unwritten tradition of the elders. The Sadducees were worldlier and politically minded and were more theologically unorthodox. These two groups usually did not combine forces, yet in Matthew 3:7, we find them united, coming to John to check out what he is doing in the wilderness. Let’s go have a riverside seat by the Jordan and listen to what John has to say to these men. R RECEIVING God’s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 3:1-17 Today’s Scripture Focus: Matthew 3: 7-12 E EXPERIENCING God’s Word 1. What does John call the Pharisees and Sadducees and why? 2. John is opposed to baptizing. Why? 3. Read John 8:31-41. What do these Jews and the Pharisees and Sadducees have in common? What about their heritage do they think will save them? © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 3 • Day 2 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES 4. Look at verses 5-7 and describe the heart conditions of the two groups of people emerging. Which group do you identify with more closely? 5. In Matthew 3:10, what point is John trying to make with his ax and tree analogy? What is coming for those who do not repent? 6. Read Acts 19:1-7 how is the baptism of the “One who is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire” different from John’s baptism? 7. A winnowing fork is a figure of speech often used in the Bible to indicate judgment see Jer. 15:7). In verse 12 we see John use the analogy of a winnowing fork and wheat. What message is he really trying to send to these unrepentant Jews? Fill in the chart below with whom each item represents. Winnowing fork Threshing floor Wheat in barn Chaff Unquenchable fire Represents: Represents: Represents: Represents: Represents: Jesus © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 3 • Day 2 DELIGHTING in the LORD BIBLE STUDY SERIES A ACTING on God’s Word Why is it dangerous to believe that something you have done or the Christian heritage you have received is good enough to merit heaven? What is necessary to gain access to heaven? Are you producing fruit that John suggested that was absent in the Pharisees and Sadducees? If so, what does that look like? How are you cultivating the fruit of holiness and a repentant heart? Have you considered that God thinks you are like wheat? Wheat is a resource for making food. You have spiritual food that you can offer starving people who do not know Christ. What does that look like in your life? Are you being wheat (or as we will read in Matthew 5:13-16 = salt and light)? D DELIGHTING in God’s Word What a blessing to know that I do not have to be chaff that is thrown into the fire someday. I can choose to be wheat. Salvation is always available to the non-believer and repentance only a prayer away. Have you recently stopped to consider the blessing of your salvation? Praise Him for entrusting you with His gospel of hope. Close in Prayer © Calvary Chapel Chester Springs Matthew • Chapter 3 • Day 2 Part 2 John’s lifestyle (both clothing and food) demonstrate simplicity. The more possessions we have the more we need to care and maintain those things. Do you feel anchored to this life through the things you own or want to obtain? What does Matthew 6:19-21 have to say about this issue? “The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his temple.” Psalm 27:4 D DELIGHTINGELIGHTING in in the the L LORDORD BIBLEBIBLE STUDY STUDY SERIES SERIES DAY 3: John Addresses the Pharisees and Sadducees: Luke’s Account Matthew 3: Pave the Way for the King Throughout the gospels there are often several accounts of the same event. Matthew gives the account of John the Baptist reprimanding the Pharisees and Sadducees and so does Luke. As is typical of Luke, he gives more details about the event. Let’s check it out. R RECEIVING God’s Word Open in Prayer Read Matthew 3:1-17 Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 3:1-20 E EXPERIENCING God’s Word 1. Luke gives us a time frame to place this event, probably 25-26 AD based upon the rulers of the time period. Luke mentions who the high priests were at this point, who are they? Why do you think Luke mentions these two specific people and in the next phrase states that the Word of God came to John the son of Zechariah and not to them? What does this say about the Jewish Priesthood at that time? 2.