Preparing for Sunday – Matthew 3:1-12 | Summit Woods Baptist Church

January 26th, 2012

Read Matthew 3:1-12.
Make a list of everything you learn about John the Baptist.
What was John’s relationship to Jesus?
Why was he baptizing?
What were the characteristics and main ideas of his preaching?
What is the difference between John’s baptizing ministry and Jesus’ baptizing ministry?

From what you see from John’s preaching, what are the indicators of genuine repentance?
In what ways do you see these indicators of genuine repentance in your own life?
Why does Matthew emphasize this account regarding John the Baptist? Why is it important in knowing who Jesus is and what he came to do?
What are the two results of the Holy Spirit’s work when the Messiah comes (vv11-12).
What should we do with a passage about John the Baptist’s message? How should this passage impact us today?

Of what is the Lord calling you to repent? What will this look like in your life in light of what you have seen? Spend time in prayerful reflection and commitment before the Lord?
To what degree do you use the message of repentance in your conversation with those who need Christ? What keeps you from talking more about repentance with others? How can you discuss repentance in a way that expresses the spiritual urgency and also demonstrates a heart of love and compassion?
Pray that this Sunday’s service will encourage, convict, and equip those who attend.
Pray for those who will be leading the service: Dawson Bryant, music; Brett Harris, Scripture reading, and prayer; Bret Capranica, teaching. Pray also for the instrumentalists, ushers, sound and media persons, and greeters. Pray that their service to the body will be helpful for people engaging with God in a significant way without unnecessary distraction.
Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will sing, preparing your heart and mind to sing them together with the entire church. Download those you do not have so you can continue to build and listen to a library of songs we regularly sing at Summit Woods.

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