SERIES: FACES AROUND THE MANGER
Lesson 4 of 8
John: The Man Who Cried “Messiah!”

This study relates the life and ministry of John the Baptist in relation to Jesus of Nazareth.

1. This study focuses on John’s importance as related in the Gospel of Mark. Briefly review the material about John found at Luke 1:5-25.

a. What were the names of John’s father and mother?

b. What supernatural events were involved in the birth of John?

c. What Old Testament prophet was mentioned in connection with John’s ministry?

2. Why does Mark consider John’s ministry “the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God”? Who appears to have influenced his view of John’s importance to the appearance of Israel’s Messiah? Cf. Acts 10:37.

3. What was the central message John preached to the people of Israel? How did this put him in the “prophetic tradition” of the great Old Testament prophets?

4. What was the nature and purpose of the baptism John called people to receive? Describe the circumstances of Jesus’ baptism from John 1:19-34.

5. What do you think Jesus meant by his statement about John at Luke 7:28?