2/12 "You MUST Decrease, He MUST Increase"

THIS WEEK'S PLAY LIST: YOUTUBE 

  • THIS WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS   Feb. 6 - 12,   John 3:22-36,
  • NEXT WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS  Feb. 6 - 12,  John 4:43-54,
  • THE FOLLOWING WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS  Feb. 6 - 12,  John 4:1-42,

TEXT:  John 3:22-36, Matt. 3:1-12, Matt. 11:1-6

IN A NUTSHELL: John the Baptist said, “The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Imagine going to a wedding where the groomsman can’t figure out why people are all taking pictures of the bride and the groom, asking him to step back out of the picture. Sometimes, while “being the church” it’s easy to get caught up thinking our face and opinions should be more of the focus. But in the Kingdom of God we are not the star, Jesus is, and the joy is about the relationship of Jesus and the church, not our time to shine. And maybe most importantly our station in life, whatever it looks like, is to rejoice in Jesus and His Bride growing together!

HIS LIGHT AND LIFE:

  1.  Describe John the Baptist. (Matt. 3:1-12 & Check out the link below… “Online Resources”)
  2. Why did it say John was baptizing at Aenon?
  3.  Who and what condition prompted John’s description of a groomsman rejoicing for the groom’s and bride’s celebration?
  4. John 4:31-34… Who all are the “he’s” in these verses?  It switches around a lot, but if we see this it will tell us a lot about our role in the Kingdom as well.
  5. How does John the Baptist sum up his thoughts regarding a disciple’s relationship to Jesus (John 4:36)
  6.  Is it possible John’s statement I MUST decrease was unique to him alone and not a description of what all disciples should do? (Luke 9:23)

HIS LIGHT I N MY LIFE: 

  1. Thinking about John the Baptist’s  circumstances in life, how would you describe your  circumstances and how you can use them to promote the Kingdom's purpose?
  2. How can you use your station in life to help prepare people to meet and turn toward Jesus? 
  3. How do you celebrate Jesus’ relationship to the Bride (the Church?)

OBJECTIVES: To get the worshipper to realize that our call in life is to prepare for, long for and rejoice in Jesus’ and the Church’s relationship to mature. The JOHN intro video talks about what life looks like when you don’t believe in Jesus and what it looks like when you do believe.  When John the baptist believed he fulfilled his role with conviction, he rejoiced as his disciples walk away toward Jesus and finally was martyred for His convictions.

OUTCOMES: For the worshipper to re-imagine their life as it is, however it is, as a supporting role in Jesus’ celebration rather than the one getting all the attention.  Describe your situation, now how can you use it to celebrate Jesus’ relationship with His Church according to His plans, not yours.

BULLETIN BLANKS:

  • “The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”  - John 3:29-30
  • John the Baptist’s role was to prepare people to meet Jesus.
  • John the Baptist’s joy was celebrating the blossoming of Jesus’ relationship with His Bride!
  • What is your circumstance in this life? What is your role in His Kingdom?  What about Jesus and His Bride brings you joy?
  • “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” -  John 3:36

ONLINE RESOURCES

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