GSG: John the Baptist

GSG: John the Baptist [∞]

Group Study Guide: John the Baptist as a Picture of Christ

Scripture Passages:

• Mark 1:2-6
• Matthew 3:1-6
• Luke 3:1-6
• John 1:19-23

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Opening Discussion:

• How does John the Baptist’s role help us understand Jesus more clearly?
• What does it mean to prepare the way for Christ in our own lives?

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Part 1: Observing the Passage

Read Mark 1:2-6, Matthew 3:1-6, Luke 3:1-6, and John 1:19-23 aloud.

Common Elements in All Four Accounts:

1. John the Baptist as the Forerunner – All four Gospels introduce John before Jesus, emphasizing his role in preparing the way. (Mark 1:2-4, Matthew 3:1-3, Luke 3:2-4, John 1:23)
2. A Voice Crying in the Wilderness – Each account cites Isaiah 40:3, identifying John as the fulfillment of prophecy. (Mark 1:3, Matthew 3:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23)
3. Baptism and Repentance – John calls people to repentance and baptizes them as a sign of renewal. (Mark 1:4-5, Matthew 3:2,6, Luke 3:3, John 1:26)
4. Wilderness Setting – John’s ministry takes place in the wilderness, symbolizing a new beginning and a return to God’s promises. (Mark 1:4, Matthew 3:1, Luke 3:2, John 1:23)
5. John’s Appearance – Mark and Matthew describe John as wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts, portraying him as an Elijah figure. (Mark 1:6, Matthew 3:4)

Key Differences Between the Accounts:

Feature	Mark 1:2-6	Matthew 3:1-6	Luke 3:1-6	John 1:19-23
Prophetic References	Combines Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1	Focuses on Isaiah 40:3 and John's call to repentance	Expands Isaiah’s prophecy to include Gentiles	Focuses on John’s testimony rather than his message
Main Message	Short and action-oriented	Calls for repentance because the kingdom is near	Provides historical context for John’s ministry	John identifies himself as “the voice in the wilderness”
John’s Interaction with Leaders	Briefly mentions religious opposition	Calls out the Pharisees	Grounds John’s ministry in history and prophecy	Focuses on John’s response to questions from religious leaders

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Part 2: Understanding the Picture of Christ

1. John as a Forerunner of Christ

• How does John’s role in preparing the way for Jesus reflect our calling as believers?
• What obstacles today prevent people from recognizing Christ’s arrival in their lives?

2. John’s Baptism and Jesus’ Death

• How does John’s baptism symbolize Jesus’ future work on the cross?
• How does baptism represent a transition from the old covenant to the new?

3. John as a Voice in the Wilderness

• Why is the wilderness significant in biblical history?
• How does Jesus fulfill what John starts in the wilderness?

4. John’s Response to Being Questioned

• What does John’s refusal to claim the title of Elijah or the Messiah teach us about humility?
• How can we point people to Christ rather than seeking recognition for ourselves?

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Part 3: Applying the Message

• In what ways can we prepare the way for Christ in our families, communities, and workplaces?
• How do John’s words about repentance apply to modern believers?
• What lessons can we learn from John’s humility in pointing others to Christ?

Challenge for the Week:

• Identify an area where you need to prepare your heart for Christ’s work.
• Reach out to someone who may feel distant from God and encourage them in their faith journey.
• Reflect on what it means to be a “voice in the wilderness” in today’s world.

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Closing Prayer:

Thank God for sending messengers like John the Baptist to prepare the way for Christ. Ask for a heart that is ready to receive Jesus and a willingness to lead others to Him.

Memory Verse:

“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” – Isaiah 40:3