Session 2: Crisis of Repentance Scriptures: Matthew 3:1-12 and 2 Peter 3:8-9 Background: John the Baptist was a great prophet and forerunner to Jesus. His preaching in the desert and his wild description matched the promise of Isaiah 40:3 “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.;” John the Baptist’s description of wearing camel’s hair, a leather belt, eating locusts and wild honey are hints about his role. The Jewish people believed that the great prophet Elijah would return as a sign God’s coming Kingdom and new world order. Elijah was described as wearing camel’s hair and a leather belt, so describing John this way would tell people that God’s Kingdom was coming near. John the Baptist got his name because of his practice of baptizing people as a sign of their repentance and preparation for the coming kingdom. Baptizing and water immersion (dunking) were commonly used in Jewish cleansing rituals. The difference about John’s baptism was that it was a ‘once and for all’ action that prepared the individual for the promised kingdom. John the Baptist’s role call to repent and turn back to God was a sign that not only showed John’s significance but also the one would bring in the new Kingdom of God: Jesus. Sermon Reflection: 1. What was something you want to make sure you remember that came from the sermon this week? 2. What challenged you about this sermon? Was there anything you felt like you needed to rethink or something you were called to do? 3. Was there anything that was confusing or distracting to you that you weren’t sure about? Questions from the Bible: In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:1-2) 1. Why is repentance a necessary preparation to be ready for God’s coming kingdom? Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:6) 2. How is this baptism similar or different from your own experience of baptism? Are there ways that the purpose is similar? How are they different? But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:7) 3. Why do you think John the Baptist was so harsh with the religious leaders that came to where he was baptizing? What do you think ‘produce fruit in keeping with repentance’ means? And do not think you can say to yourselves ‘we have Abraham as our father’… The ax is at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:9-10) 4. The Jews believed that by their heritage as Abraham’s descendants and following the law that they were protected from God’s wrath. How is John the Baptist’s message different? What does this say about who needs to repent? But after me will come one who is mor powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11) 5. How is the baptism ‘the one who is to come’ (Jesus) offers different/greater than John’s baptism? Can you find other passages that mention the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Questions for Growth 1. How is repentance a gift or opportunity? 2. Are there obstacles you face that keep you from repenting? What are they? 3. Is there anything that you have as a ‘security blanket’ that keeps you from believing you need to repent (for example: religious heritage, following rules, giving, comparing yourself with others, etc.)? 4. How might believing that ‘repentance is needed for all’ change the way we see and treat other people? 5. What would change about your life right now if you embraced the call to repent? YouVersion Reading Plans/Resources (Review Highlights, Verse Images, Memorizing, discussion, etc.) https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/17268-king-of-kings-an-advent-plan-by-new-life-church https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/838-jesus-i-need-you-part-2 1. Question for Discussion – what are you reading in the Word this week? Lifesharing/Prayer time • How are you doing spiritually? How have you experienced God’s grace and presence in your life this week? • Have you done all the good you could and avoided all the evil you could this week? • How have you taken advantage of what’s available to you to grow in your relationship with God? • Is there anything specific you have been feeling this week that God is calling you to do? • How can we as a group best pray for and support you? .