Luke 3:1-20

Who were Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod Tetrarch and Philip Tetrarch, Lysanias Tetrarch, Annas and Caiaphas? Why did Luke include these names in his introduction to John’s ministry?

Have a different person in the group read each one of these verses Jeremiah 1:2, Hosea 1:1, Micah 1:1, and Haggai 1:1. Now have someone Read Luke 3:1-2. What do these verses have in common? What kind of link is Luke drawing between the ministry of John the Baptist and the Old Testament Prophets?

What kind of emotions do you feel when you hear that Jesus came with the two-prong mission that brings the blessing of the Spirit to the repentant but the fires of judgment to the unrepentant?

“The tragedy and consequences of sin are not irreversible,” this is good news! Why would it not be considered good news in our current culture?

When John says, “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance”, in context this fruit involves acts of mercy which must be lived out in the world. How does this truth change the way you live your life this week? Does your life normally bear the fruit of repentance? If not what needs to change in your life to bring it in line with God’s word?