Community Group Questions: January 21st-27th

January 21st, 2024
by Karissa Smith

Luke 3:1-14

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Questions:

Doctrine - How we Think

John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He emphasized repentance and bearing the fruits of repentance. As you read through Luke 3:1-14, what actions did John identify as fruits of repentance?
Read verse 7 together. Have you tried this approach in calling others to repentance? Do we see other examples of this type of call throughout the Bible (and if so, where?) When is this approach appropriate and when is it not?

Worship - How we Feel

If you had been in the crowd that day, what might your reaction be to verses 7-9? What does John say to those who don’t bear fruits of repentance? Does this raise tensions for you?
Repentance is a “turning away from”. This requires confession of sin both to God and to others. Many of us likely find it a lot easier to confess our sins to God rather than to confess before others. Do you feel that way? Why do you think that is the case? How can we foster within our church and community an environment that encourages public confession and repentance?

Application - What we Do

A primary take away from this week's passage/message was to consider if we are people of repentance. What are ordinary ways that you practice regular repentance? And if you don't have any, encourage one another with ways you can implement this practice.