Step 1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson – Personal Testimonies from last week’s study and Reflection: What did you and your brother or sister or parents fight about? How would you try to get your way? At family reunions, what subject (politics or religion) is bound to start an argument?
Step 2: Hear – Read: John the Baptist’s Testimony About Jesus. John 3:22-36.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- Given the different ideas about Baptism, what do you think had happened at the river? What do you think the certain Jew had said (v. 25)? How would you have felt if you had been one of John’s disciples at this point?
- Ref John 1:19-23. How does John the Baptist respond (vv. 27-30)? Why does this complaint continue? How can this apply to people today? What is the point of the allegory or story about the bride and bridegroom? What does John’s responses tell you about him?
- What facts about Jesus does John bring out in verses 31-36? What distinguishes the Son of God from others? What do these verses reveal about the relationship of Father and Son? Why is John’s joy full?
- How does the phrase rejecting the Son stand in contrast to what belief really means?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- Consider verse 27. What have you received from heaven? How do you use what you have received?
- How would you explain your relationship to Christ? How can you apply verse 30 in your own life?
- How do you obey the Son (v. 36)?
Step 5: Reflect: The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…
