Matthew 3
“‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:19-20 (p. 760)
- Baptism Shows My New Life.
“And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.” Galatians 3:27 (p. 891)
- Confess my sins.
“Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. ‘I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,’ he said, ‘so why are you coming to me?’” Matthew 3:13-14 (p. 734)
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” Acts 3:19 (p. 832)
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 (p. 941)
- Get on mission.
“But Jesus said, ‘It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.’ So John agreed to baptize him.” Matthew 3:15 (p. 734)
“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his public ministry.” Luke 3:23a (p. 782)
- Identify with God’s people.
“After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.’” Matthew 3:16-17 (p. 734)
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Ephesians 2:19 (p. 896)
My Next Step This Week:
_____ I will get baptized.
_____ I will identify who I will baptize.
Series Memory Verse: “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.” Psalm 139:1 (p. 476)
Small Group Questions
One Thing: Baptism Shows My New Life.
Series Memory Verse: “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.” Psalm 139:1
Bible References: Matthew 3:13-17
CONVERSATION STARTER
// Do you remember the first baptism you ever saw or was there a baptism you witnessed that has stuck with? What made it stand out to you and what meaning does it have for you?
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
“Baptism,” as the word, comes from the Greek, bapto, or baptizo, or baptein, which means to wash, to immerse, or to dip. It can also mean “to overwhelm” such as in suffering. It is worth noting that baptism had already existed in Jewish culture during Jesus’ time. Jesus takes baptism, an already common practice and gives it new meaning. Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, baptism symbolizes our new life found in Jesus and dedication to following Him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
// Read Matthew 3:13-15a (p.735). In this passage, John doesn’t understand why Jesus should be baptized, but Jesus tells him: “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.”
- Why is it important that Jesus is baptized?
- Who was Jesus’ baptism for?
// Read Acts 3:19 (p.832) This is the first step in our relationship with Jesus, that we to confess our sins.
- What does it mean to confess our sins? Who do we do this to?
- What does it feel like to be forgiven and start with a clean slate?
// Read 1 John 1:9 (p.941). Jesus wants us to be able to live life to the fullest in His Grace.
- How is Jesus able to forgive our sins?
- What should our reaction be to this?
// Read Matthew 3:15 (p.735) and Luke 3:23a (p.782). The first passage shows that not only Jesus was obedient to God as we mentioned above, but also John, when it is explained to him. The second is significant as it shows that Jesus had experienced life before commencing His public ministry which He came for.
// Read Matthew 3:16-17 (p.735). God affirms Jesus both verbally and visually.
- Why was this important?
- Why is it important to affirm people who are in ministry or on mission?
// Read 1 Corinthians 12:27 (p.877) and Ephesians 2:19 (p.896). Both these passages point out when we follow Jesus, we become part of something bigger than ourselves: God’s family and we have a role to play.
- How do others know you are a follower of Jesus?
- What changes can you make in your life to make it more apparent you are a child of God?
NEXT STEP
____ I will get baptized.
____ I will identify who I will baptize.
DIGGING DEEPER
Read our memory verse Matthew 28:19-20 (p.760). This is known as the Great Commission. With regard to our next step this week, where do you fit in here?
Read Acts 1:36-41 (p.831-832). This passage takes 10 days after Jesus’ commission to the disciples. 3,000 baptisms in one day. It is unlikely the 12 apostles would have done all the baptisms, that’s why we believe followers of Jesus can baptize anyone who has accepted Jesus into their hearts.
There are a number of other passages in Acts where we read about people believing and being baptized, here are a few to look at: Acts 8:34-39 (p.837) Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch; Acts 9:10-19 (p.838) the baptism of Saul (Paul) by Ananias; Acts 10:47-48 (p.840) Peter and Cornelius – the first baptisms of non-Jews; and Acts 16:13-15 (p.845) Paul and Lydia.
What we see from these passages is each situation was unique, but each was the same – people believed in Jesus and were baptized – and some did the baptisms.