Discussion Questions

Week of: January 12, 2025 // Sermon Text: Luke 3:1-20

Sermon Overview

Jesus has brought God's salvation for all who evidently repent.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 3:1-20

1. Luke begins this chapter (vv. 1-2) with a long introduction of many important people at the time and then transitions to talking about John the Baptist. What do you think Luke is trying to say about the perceived and real importance of these different people and their message?

2. Based on this passage and sermon, what does it mean for a person to repent? (see verses 3; 10-14).

3. Why isn't repentance just doing the right things (like vv. 10-14) to earn God's favor and acceptance?

4. What does John the Baptist's fulfillment of Isaiah 40:3-5 tell us about who Jesus is? Why is this significant?

5. Have you repented of your sin? If so, what did this look like?

6. Is repentance something we do once, when we first become a believer, and then never need to do it again? Unpack what this looks like in your life.

7. Is there a habitual sin in your life right now you need to repent of?

8. Practically speaking, what does it look like for us to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance"?^[1] What fruit have you seen in your own life? What fruit do you see in others in your Gospel Community?

9. Luke 3:10-14 provides us with some concrete examples of how "bearing the fruits of repentance" will show itself in our attitudes toward and use of our money and possessions. Does your attitude toward (and use of) money and possessions reveal "fruits of repentance" in your life? If so, how so?

10. The people of Israel in John's day were tempted to think that, given their spiritual lineage (3:8), they were in a right standing with God, despite their lack of repentance. What are some examples of things we can (in a similar way) be tempted to look to as substitutes for repentance?

(Examples: being good, knowing lots about the Bible, being raised in a Christian home)

11. How did Pastor Brett help us understand the meaning of the end of verse 16, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."? What is a takeaway for us from this?

Prayer

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