Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: Dec. 6, 2009
Sermon Title: Born to Be Wild
Sermon Text: John 1:6-8 and 19-28
Small Group Text: John 1:6-8 and 19-28
Introduction
Describe a time when you were “in the spotlight.” How did it feel? What would be the advantages of always being in the spotlight? What would be the disadvantages of always being in the spotlight? Though it may not be an intentional thought, most of us organize our lives around a great delusion: “Life revolves around me!” We tend to be the star in the story of our own lives. But James (the half-brother of Jesus) seems to have a better grasp of reality when he observes that our lives are like a fog that appears for a while and then passes away in obscurity (James 4:14). Someone else has defined our lives as dashes on tombstones between our birth dates and death dates. John the Baptist, a major figure in the New Testament Gospels, resolves this question of personal significance by concluding that our lives find meaning in a bigger story than the one we make up for ourselves. In essence, John said, it’s not about me! I play a role in the story of the glory of God. I exist to point the spotlight onto the lead character in the story – and that person is Jesus! There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe (the story of the glory of God). [8] He himself was not the light (story); he came only as a witness to the light (story). [9] The true light (true story) that gives light (a lifeaffirming, eternal story) to every man was coming into the world. John 1:6-9 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " John 1:15
Discussion
1. Read John 1:19-28. In verses 19-22, the Priests and Levites (religious leaders from Jerusalem) interrogate John the Baptist. What do they want to know? (They want to know who he is and by whose authority he leads the people. They know John is playing a “significant role”. They are just not familiar with the story.)
2. What do these questions reveal about how the Priests and Levites think concerning power and authority? (They believed that they themselves constitute the voice of power and authority! This way of thinking places power and authority on a strictly human level: they thought the story revolved around them.)
3. How does John reply? (In verse 23, John says he fulfills prophecy as” the voice of one calling in the desert making straight the way for the Lord…”) See also Isaiah 40:3
4. What does he mean by his reply? (The people were beginning to bestow great status to John (see Luke 3:15). He could have made the story all about himself. Instead he said, it’s not about me. My role is to turn the spotlight on
Jesus.)
5. Review verses 6-9 and 19-28. Who is the main character on which John shines the spotlight? (Jesus Christ – the true light that gives life to every man.)
6. What is John’s part (or role) in the story? (See verse 7. His role is to highlight the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.)
Application
1. In the story of your life, who presently plays the leading role: You? Jesus? Or someone else? 2. If you were able to say, “Its not my story. I simply play a role in the story of the glory of God.” How would that change your response/reaction/behavior in everyday life? 3. Write the following two questions on a card or post-it note and place it where you will see it regularly. Throughout each day for the next week, when you encounter situations or have decisions to make, ask these questions first: • Whose story is it anyway? • How will I play my role in this story to shine the spotlight on Jesus and bring glory to God?
Sermon-Based Curriculum