John the Baptist

God's Goodness Leads Us to Repentance

Read Luke 3:1-22

God had a very special purpose for John’s life. He was going before Jesus to announce His coming and prepare the way ahead of time. He was the last of the prophets, and God gave him a special message.  His message was, "Repent!"

Repentance is when we see our sin as God does, have sorrow for it, and turn away from it. Sin is rebellion against God; it is choosing my way over God's way, missing the mark, doing wrong instead of right. The people and leaders needed to turn from their own ways to God's way.  They needed to repent.

John left the wilderness to proclaim God's Word. He knew that God’s goodness leads us to repentance. His ministry was to get the people to see their sin and repent so they would be ready to receive the salvation of Jesus Christ.

When we truly repent and have a relationship with Jesus there will be certain things evident in our lives.  Jesus came to baptize with the Holy Spirit, which produces a change in our nature. We will become different people than we were before, reborn and renewed in Him.  
Family Discussion
  • What was God's special purpose for John's life? (He was going before Jesus to announce His coming and prepare the way for the Messiah) 
  • What was John's message for the people? (Repent) 
  • What does repent mean? (repentance is when we see our sin as God does, have sorrow for it, and turn away from it)
  • Can you be righteous on your own, without God? (No) 
  • If you repent and choose to follow Jesus, what kind of fruit will you bear in your life? (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) 
  • Who helps you to change and be more like Jesus? (the Holy Spirit)                       

Memory Verse
And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. LUKE 3:3
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