The Wild Baby

Passage

Luke 1:57-80

Sermon Summary

The birth of John the Baptist, and his father Zechariah's prophecy about him, raises a question: Do we really need John to prepare us for Jesus? Luke suggests we do. Zechariah assures us that God is fulfilling his ancient promises to Israel through the coming of Jesus, which is a huge, cosmic plan with all nations in view. John's specific role of calling people to repentance prepares us to hear the Good News of Jesus' forgiveness, cnaming our real problem and inviting us to a better, fuller, more beautiful life.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. What has been your impression of John the Baptist in the past, and how did the sermon affect that impression?
3. What questions or issues can make it hard for you to believe that the Gospel is True true, forever true?
4. Where have you seen "watermarks of providence" in the Biblical story, assuring you that God is working out a huge, cosmic plan?
5. Are you more like to confess sins of commission or of omission? Why?
6. How can you imitate the ministry of John the Baptist, "preparing" people to hear and receive the good news?
7. Name a Biblical character you would like to hang out with in eternity, and why.

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for  __________ (anything and everything, however big or small!)
• Forgive me, Jesus, for __________ (any failure to follow his pattern for the church)
• Change me, Lord, in ___________ (area of my life that needs sanctification)

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley

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