Questions:

Comprehension: What does the passage say? What are the facts? What does it tell us about God?
Interpretation: What does the passage mean? Why did the events happen the way they happened?
Application: How can I apply what I’ve learned to my life? What about me needs to become more like God?

1. Vs. 1-6. Preparing for the King

Comprehension: How did John prepare the way for Jesus? Explain.

Interpretation: Why do you think God chose John for this job? Explain.

Application: How can you prepare the way for Jesus to be King of your life? Be specific.

2. Vs. 7-9. Removing Old Kings

Comprehension: How did John expose the peoples idolatry (their functional “kings” and “kingdoms”) in these verses?

Interpretation: Why do you think John called the people a “brood of vipers”? What were they doing wrong? Explain.

Application: What are some functional “kings” or “kingdoms” in your own life? Identify and confess those.

3. Vs. 10-17. Pursuing a Life of Repentance

Comprehension: John gives specific actions for the people to take in their pursuit of repentance. What are those?

Interpretation: Why do you think those actions are important when it comes to repentance? Explain.

Application: What specific steps you can take, personally, to pursue repentance and remove those old “kings” and “kingdoms”? Be honest and specific.

4. Sermon Application (for breakouts):

Conviction: How has this Scripture (or this Sermon) challenged you personally? Be specific.

Character: What about you needs to change in light of what you’ve learned? Be honest and specific.

Competence: What is your plan for change? Share with the group what you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and when you are going to do it. Leaders – Write everyone’s plan down in a journal and come back to it next week during breakouts.