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1. Read verses 1-2. What do the names of the political and religious leaders whom Luke mentions tell us about the political situation in the times of John? About the religious situation?

2. How did John prepare himself to challenge his times? What did it mean that the word of God came to him? Think about the difference the word of God makes--1Pe 1:23-25; Heb 4:12; 1Sa 3:1,7,21.

3. Read verses 3-6. Where and why did John preach a message of repentance? What does Isaiah 40:3-5 tell us about John's ministry? About the nature of repentance? How will all mankind see God's salvation? How and why did the people respond to John’s preaching of repentance? (7a)

4. Read verses 7-9.How did the religious leaders respond (Mt 3:7;Isa 29:13)? What did they think about themselves? How and why did John rebuke them?

5. Read verses 10-14. What does the fruit in keeping with repentance mean to each person? How can you apply this to yourself? How can we prepare our hearts for the word of God to come upon us?