February 2, 2020

Matthew 3:13-17

1. Pastor Nate began by highlighting the importance of the baptism of Jesus as it is the first action taken by Jesus in his public ministry & also serves as a type of coronation ceremony as Jesus is King. How important was the baptism of Jesus in your understanding of the ministry of Jesus prior to considering the passage more intently on Sunday?

2. We then looked at Matthew 3:13 & saw the peculiar…John is to baptize Jesus. It was said that Jesus was baptized: in obedience to God the Father, to identify with the sinners he came to save, to serve as an example for those who would follow Christ, & as an act of symbolism of the reality of death & life seen in baptism. Which of these reasons help you further understand the importance of baptism & why?

3. One of the interesting aspects of this passage is seen at the end of Matthew 3:15 as John consented. Pastor Nate said, “The basis of our obedience to Christ is not in our fully understanding the commands of Christ, but the basis of our obedience to Christ is in Christ’s authority as King.” How does seeing obedience as a matter of Christ’s authority impact the way we view our disobedience?

4. Then we moved into Matthew 3:16 & the baptism of Jesus as well as the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus. We heard from Isaiah 61:1 that this act fulfilled a messianic prophecy & served as a visible sign that publicly confirmed Jesus is Messiah. As we study the Bible & see the various connections that highlight the identity of Jesus, how do these connections give us confidence concerning Jesus? Why is it so central to the Christian to have confidence in the identity of Jesus as Messiah?

5. Finally, in Matthew 3:17 we read that God the Father speaks…revealing the Triune God. Here are some passages to help unpack the doctrine of the Trinity: Genesis 1:26; Genesis 19:24; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 6:8; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 26:39; John 1:1–2; John 10:30–33; John 14:16–23; John 17:5; Romans 8:9; Romans 8:26; Romans 15:16–30; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21–22; Ephesians 2:18; 1 John 2:1. Based on these passages, what can be said concerning the doctrine of the Trinity & the nature of God?

6. Pastor Nate ended with 2 questions: When is the last time you joyfully considered God’s love for you despite you? (Psalm 107:43) & Have you been baptized? (Matthew 28:20) Take time to walk through these questions together as a group.

***BAPTISM CLASS: Feb 9 after 2nd Service, BAPTISM SUNDAY: Feb 16***