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Life, Ministry and Identity of Jesus

  1. Lesson One
    Nativity and Early Years (Matthew 1–2, Luke 1–2)
    18 Activities
  2. Lesson Two
    Baptism and the Desert (Matthew 3–4, Mark 1:1–13, Luke 3–4:13)
    18 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    The Ministry of Jesus (Mark 1:21–2:12, Luke 4:14–6:49)
    17 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    The Miracles of Jesus (Mark 5–6, John 2, 20)
    14 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    The Identity of Jesus
    18 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

When crowds come to John for baptism in Luke 3 he greets them in a surprising way: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:7, NIV).

Rather than welcoming these people or promoting baptism for everyone, John emphasizes the importance of a fruitful life of obedience. He warns: “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt 3:10, NIV). When the crowd asks, “What should we do then?” (Luke 3:10, NIV) he offers advice to three different groups.

  1. Carefully read Luke 3:1-14. In the chart in your workbook, fill in the table by recording the commands that John gives to three different types of people.
  1. Continue to reflect on Luke 3:1-14. Why do you think John reacted the way he did when the crowds approached him? What is he suggesting in this passage about the relationship between the rite of baptism and a person’s spiritual life?

Quiz source: F. Scott Spencer, The Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles, 2008, p. 115.