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Educator Guide

John the Baptist Bible Study Guide

Second Temple · 5 BC – 29 AD (34 years)

Forerunner of the Messiah; preached repentance and baptized Jesus in the Jordan.

From the family tree

Parents
Zechariah (priest), Elizabeth
Dates
5 BC – 29 AD (34 years)
Era
Second Temple

Teaching prompt

Why does Jesus call John 'more than a prophet' ()?

Reflection

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

Points to Jesus

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

Discussion questions

  1. What does Gabriel say John will do, and how does it echo ?
  2. What does John say when he sees Jesus, and what does that title mean?
  3. How does Jesus describe John, and what does He say about the kingdom John points to?

Scripture

Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.