Matthew 3
Questions 1--3
Questions 1--3
1.a.) What do we learn about John the Baptist from verses 1-6?
John preached in the wilderness of Judea; he told the people to repent. John was the one the prophet Isaiah had spoken of. Camel's hair clothes! Ate locusts and wild honey. Baptized people in the Jordan River.
4.) John knew some people might think that being in Abraham's family meant they didn't need to repent and be baptized. Who were these people? (Matt 3:7-9)
The Pharisees and Sadducees.
7.b.) Why might John have responded this way? (Answers may vary.)
Jesus never sinned. He didn't need to repent and be baptized.
Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21
9.b.) What does this passage teach us about God? (Answers will vary)
Jesus is God's Son and Jesus is God the Son. God is One in 3 persons. Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is pleased with Jesus. Anything else?
1.b.) What else can we learn about John the Baptist from Luke 1:14-17?
He was great in the sight of the Lord. He didn't drink wine or other alcohol. He was filled with the Holy Spirit since before birth. He would have the spirit and power of Elijah the O.T. prophet. He would make people ready for the Lord.
5.) Compare John's baptism with the baptism of the One who would come after him (Jesus). (Matt. 3:11)
John baptized with water.
Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
8.) How did Jesus respond to John's question? (Matt. 3:15)
"Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."--Matthew 3:15
9.c.) What stands out to you most in this passage?
(Answers will vary)
Your thoughts?
2.)What did the people do before John baptized them? (Matt 3:6)
Confessed their sins.
6. a.) If you have repented of your sins, how has your life and thinking changed since then?
You may share your response or pass.
9.a.)Circle all references to God as Father, Son and or Holy Spirit in Matt. 3:16-17. "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
"As soon as (Jesus) was baptized, (he) went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the (Spirit of God) descending like a dove and alighting on (him). And a (voice from heaven) said, “This is (my) (Son, whom) (I) love; with (him) (I) am well pleased.' "
10.) Why is it important that Jesus and people can identify with each other? (Answers will vary.)
Take to Heart at the bottom of your page touches on the answer to this question.
3.) What did John say repentance would result in? (Matt. 3:8)
Fruit in keeping with repentance. Anything else?
6.b.) If you have not yet repented, how do you think your life and thinking might change if you did?
You may answer or pass.
9.bb.) Draw a box around the verbs in Matthew 3:16-17
As soon as Jesus [was]Link.V. [baptized]Transitive V., he [went up out] Verb Phrase? of the water. At that moment heaven [was opened]Verb Phrase?, and he [saw] the Spirit of God [descending] like a dove and [alighting] on him. 17 And a voice from heaven [said], “This is my Son, whom I [love]; with him I am well [pleased].Transitive V.” (You may know the parts of speech better than your teacher! Focus on the ACTION, rather than the label.)
11.) Which attributes of God do you see in Matthew 3? Attributes are God's character traits that are always true. (Answers will vary.)
Some of God's traits include: Father, Perfect, Person, Savior.
Bonus! What might be an example of fruit in the Christian life?
The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.--Galatians 5:22
7.a.) How did John initially respond to Jesus' desire to be baptized?
John thought Jesus should baptize him, not the other way around.
9.cc.) Draw a squiggly line under what God said about Jesus in Matt. 3:16-17.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “~This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.~”
Bonus! What does repent mean?
Repent means to make a change of mind, heart, and action by turning away from sin and self-focus and turning to God to obey Him by fully relying on Him.