Luke Discovery Bible Studies
LUKE 3:7-20
LOOK BACK
Since our last meeting how did you obey God and what happened?
Are you praying for lost family and friends?
How can we pray for you? (Pray after each person shares)
LOOK UP
Read the passage aloud.
Luke 3:7-20 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
Read it again.
Retell the story.
Act it out.
Scene 1 — John Warns the People
Narrator:
Many people came to John to be baptized in the river.
Crowd:
John, baptize us!
John:
You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to escape the coming judgment?
Produce fruit that shows true repentance!
Do not say, “We have Abraham as our father.”
God can raise children for Abraham from these stones!
The axe is already at the root of the trees.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Scene 2 — The People Ask What to Do
Crowd:
What should we do then?
John:
Anyone who has two shirts should share with someone who has none.
Anyone who has food should share with the hungry.
Scene 3 — Tax Collectors Ask
Tax Collector:
Teacher, what should we do?
John:
Do not collect more money than you are supposed to.
Scene 4 — Soldiers Ask
Soldier:
And what should we do?
John:
Do not take money from people by force.
Do not accuse people falsely.
Be content with your wages.
Scene 5 — John Points to Jesus
Narrator:
The people wondered if John might be the Messiah.
John:
I baptize you with water.
But someone more powerful than I is coming.
I am not worthy to untie his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
He will gather the wheat into his barn,
but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Scene 6 — John Confronts Herod
Narrator:
John also rebuked King Herod for his evil actions.
John:
Herod, what you are doing is wrong!
Narrator:
But Herod put John in prison
Discussion Questions
Observation
What did John say God was about to do to trees without fruit?
What did John say people must show if they truly repent?
What examples did John give about how people should live?
Who did John say was coming after him?
What would the Messiah do that John could not do?
3. Meaning
Why do you think John spoke so strongly to the people?
What do you think “fruit in keeping with repentance” means?
Why do you think people asked John, “What should we do?”
What is different between John’s baptism and what Jesus will do?
If John spoke to our village today, what kind of fruit do you think he would ask for?
What is one change God may be asking you to make in your life?
Who can you share this story with this week?
How can we obey what we just learned?
Memory Verse: John 3:8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Read it together.
Repeat it together.
LOOK AHEAD
Who will you share what you have learned with this week?
Who is ready to be baptized and begin following Jesus?
What group of people need a new house church?
PRAY AND GO MAKE DISCIPLES!