In today’s reading we see John speaking to a crowd he had baptized. He has a simple, but powerful message: the kingdom is coming, so bear good fruit. How do you bear good fruit? Love your neighbor. His message echoes the message that Jesus will soon be teaching.

In this reading, John is looking forward to the coming of the Christ and the message He will bring and looks back at what has already been done through the promise to Abraham.

[Luke 3.7-15]

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does John mean when he says that God can raise sons of Abraham from stones?

+ What are the similarities between who comes to John and who will later come to Jesus?

+ How does what John says look forward to what God will do?

+ How does what John says look backwards to what God has already done?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How am I bearing good fruit?

+ How am I bearing bad fruit?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?