The Gift of Quiet in a Chaotic World

Read Matthew 3:13-17 and Matthew 4

• What stood out to you most after reading these passages in the Bible?

Reflect on these questions

• Jesus was baptized in the wilderness; He fasted in the wilderness; He resisted the Devil’s temptation in the wilderness. Why do you think all of these things took place in a wilderness (a deserted, desolate, solitary, and quiet place)?

• The public ministry of Jesus began after He got baptized, fasted, and resisted temptation in private. What conclusions can we draw from this truth? How can these things apply to our lives as Christians?

Respond with faith in action

• Matthew 4:1 says that the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, a quiet place of solitary strength. How might the Holy Spirit be leading you into more effective quiet time with Him?

Where is God? Bible Study

Read Matthew 1

• What stood out to you most after reading this chapter in the Bible?

Reflect on these questions

• The geneaology in Matthew 1 breaks tradition with other ancient geneaologies by mentioning four women who were a part of the legal ancestry of Jesus (through Joseph). Those four women are listed below. What are some reasons they may have been included in Matthew’s genealogical account?

  • Tamar, who bore twin sons to her father-in-law at the end of a scanadal-ridden story (Genesis 38).

  • Rahab, a former prostitute, who helped aid the Israelites and whose family was spared from the collapse of Jericho as a result (Joshua 2; 6:22-23).

  • Ruth, a Moabite who followed her mother-in-law to Israel after the death of her husband. She later married Boaz. (The book of Ruth).

  • Bathsheba, who was formerly married to King David’s loyal solider, Uriah. She eventually gives birth to Solomon, the next King of Israel.

• The name Immanuel means God with us. What do you think it means to be close to God?

Respond with faith in action

• Joseph and Mary went on a long journey before and after the birth of Christ, taking many steps in faith.

  • Where do you think you are in your journey with God? (Are you still exploring faith? Are you ready to follow Jesus? Are you living for Him?)

  • What’s one step you can take in faith to follow God a little more closely?

John 3: Bible Study

Read John 3

• What stood out to you most after reading this chapter in the Bible?

Reflect on these questions

• Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. As a Pharisee, things like peer pressure, societal expectations, image or status might have made it difficult for Nicodemus to seek Jesus. Have any of these things ever made seeking Jesus difficult for you?

• Why did Jesus use birth as a metaphor for the way he saves and changes people?

Respond with faith in action

• The chapter ends with John the Baptist telling people that Jesus must increase, and that he (John the Baptist) must decrease.

  • What do you think that means?

  • How can you apply this principle to your own life?

Note: We did not have a regular Worship Service on Sunday since we met a Paul Meyer Park, so this Discussion Guide is not connected to a sermon.

Above and Beyond: Bible Study

Read Luke 5

Reflect on these questions

• What stood out to you most after reading this chapter in the Bible?

• What’s one thing in this chapter that inspires you to believe in Jesus and/or love Him more deeply?

• Luke 1:1-4 reveals Luke’s intent in writing his gospel account, which ends with: “...that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Luke wanted us to be certain that Jesus really is “the Christ of God.” (Luke 9:20.) With that purpose in mind, why do you think Luke included the content we find in Luke 5?

Respond with faith in action

• Think about the qualities or characteristics of Jesus revealed by this chapter. (His personality, His heart, His mindset, etc.) What’s one thing about Jesus that you find most compelling? How can you practically imitate Jesus in that regard?