OBJECTIVE:

• John 29-34

EXPLORE:

(These are different commentary notes that can be used to explain the context to our students. Feel free to use your own.)

Location

• The following events took place in the small town of Bethany which was an area located east of the Jordan River (John 1:28) 
• Bethany was located in the region of Judea. 
• The following cities and locations were near Bethany: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and the Mount of Olives 

John the Baptist

• Prophecy and Prophets - “Prophecy is bringing a word directly from God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and a prophet was someone, male or female, who brought that word.” 
• John the Baptist was a Prophet who was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth and also the cousin of Jesus. 
• John the Baptist prophesied the coming of Jesus Christ expressing that He is the Savior of the World. 

Baptism

• Water baptism is a “physical act expressing a spiritual truth.” It is saying, in effect, that we are dying to our OLD life and beginning a NEW life. 
• The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not a baptism of water; nevertheless, the believer is just as surely immersed—not in water, but in the Holy Spirit. It is a separate experience from salvation and water baptism, and it is available to all believers. 

STUDENT RESOURCES: 

Map of Jesus’ Ministry 

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: 

Scripture (S)

• Read it together! What details stood out to you in this passage that you may not have noticed before? What context provided stood out to you as well?

Observation (O)

• What is the significance of water baptism to you? 
• Why do you think Jesus wants to baptize us in the Holy Spirit? 

Application (A)

• Have you ever been water baptized before? If not, why? 
• How can you position yourself to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? 

Prayer (P)

• Pray to God for courage and boldness to be water baptized (Matthew 28:19) 
• Pray to God that you would receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! (Luke 11:11-13, Ephesians 5:18) 
• Pray to God that you would receive the ability to pray in tongues - Heavenly Prayer Language (Acts 2:4)