John the Baptist Bible Study Guide

Teaching prompt

Why does Jesus call John 'more than a prophet' (Matthew 11:9)?

Reflection

What does it look like in your own life to 'decrease' so that Jesus increases (John 3:30)?

Points to Jesus

John is the promised messenger of Malachi 3:1 — the voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23). His whole vocation is to point away from himself to Jesus, 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (John 1:29).

Discussion questions

1. Luke 1:13-17: What does Gabriel say John will do, and how does it echo Malachi 4:5-6?
2. John 1:29-34: What does John say when he sees Jesus, and what does that title mean?
3. Matthew 11:7-15: How does Jesus describe John, and what does He say about the kingdom John points to?

Scripture

• Luke 1:5-25
• Luke 1:57-80
• Matthew 3
• John 1:19-34
• Malachi 3:1
• Malachi 4:5-6