Study Guide for Week of December 4, 2022
This Week's Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17
Crossroads Community Group Guide
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.
B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.
C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: 10,000 Reasons (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)
E. Five Minute Sermon:
E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website
F. Review:
- How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
- Who did you invite to the group for this week?
G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):
- Where do people look to find peace in their lives?
H. Background Information for this study:
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus. John made clear that he John was not the savior or messiah but that he was preparing the way for Jesus. John's message was one of repentance. Repentance means turning from sin and turning to God. It involves admitting you sinned, confessing your sin to God, receiving God's forgiveness by believing in Jesus alone and following Jesus and living a new life. The referance to how John dressed is meant to show that he was a prophet like Elijah who dressed the same (2 Kings chapter 1:8). Fruit refers to actions or a way of life that shows that you are a new person. Jesus had the same message as John - repentance - see Matthew 4:17. Paul and Peter had the same message also (Acts 2:38). Repentance is the message for today. There is no peace without repentance (Psalm 32 - David's prayer of repentance).
Second Section: Matthew 3:7-12: Why did John challenge the Pharisses?
Section Three: Matthew 3:13-17: What is the significance of this section.
In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.
J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)
1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.3. What are the details?4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?
K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)
1. What catches your attention in these verses?2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?4. What do you learn about people from the story?5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application
(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.)
M. Prayer Time: Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex
- What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?
M. Prayer Time: Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex
- Pray for your group to multiply.
- Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
- Pray for the needs of the members of the group.
N. For Next time: Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
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