Prepare the way of the Lord

Matthew 3:1-12

Key verse: 3:3

This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Read verses 1-3.  What was the message of John the Baptist?  According to his message, why is repentance necessary?  What does Isaiah’s prophesy tell us about John’s mission, and the purpose of repentance?

Look at verses 4-6.  What was John’s lifestyle like?  How did people respond to him?  How are confessing sins and baptism related to repentance?

See verses 7-10.  What did John say to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were coming to be baptized?  What does it mean to produce fruit in keeping with repentance?  What excuse did the religious leaders make for not baring good fruit?  Yet why is imperative to bare good fruit?  

4.  Read verses 11-12.  What did John say about Jesus?