Our ministry to the Malayalam-speaking Indians continues, and this past week we studied Matthew chapter 3.
We took a look at the very interesting John the Baptizer and his likely connection to the Essene community, the nature and forms of baptism and its roots in the Jewish rite of miqveh, and the meaning of repentance, which was his basic message.
We also spent time discussing the Kingdom of Heaven, and what that means in its Jewish context, and why that’s vitally important to us as Christians. Also, I shared about who the Pharisees and Sadducees were, and how we’re not that different (doctrinally) from Pharisaism.
Here are our study questions for your consideration:
1. Locate Desert of Judea, Galilee, Jerusalem, and the Jordan River on a map.
2. Terms to define: kingdom of heaven, Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, baptize.
3. When did John the Baptist preach? What does “in those days” mean?
4. What was John the Baptist’s message, and what does it teach us about the kingdom? Why does he say kingdom of heaven rather than kingdom of God?
5. Why would Matthew specifically mention the type of clothing that John wore and the food that he ate?
6. What did the people do when they got baptized?
7. John’s message to the Pharisees and Sadducees was a stunning rebuke. Why would he say such things? Is it ever appropriate to speak to someone like that today?
8. Who was John referring to as the “one who who is more powerful than I?”
9. How does the image of Messiah (the One) of verse 11-12 fit with your image of Jesus?
10. Why would Jesus need to be baptized? Did he need to repent of anything? What does it mean “to fulfill all righteousness?”
11. Compare verse 17 with its parallel passages at Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1. Are there any differences or insights you notice? Does it matter?
Truthseekers is the name of the Bible study group we lead for Malayalam-speaking Indians from various church backgrounds.
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