God Planned, Part 4: God’s Plan to Prepare the Way

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Isaiah 40:3-5
“In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD;
          make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
          every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
          the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
          and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Matthew 3:1-6
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
          “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
                    ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
                    make straight paths for him.’”
John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Repent…

…for the kingdom of heaven…

Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

Colossians 1:19
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him…

…has come…

…near.

 

Small Group Questions

1. How has your approach to Christmas changed over the years? In what ways do you feel the need to prepare differently for Jesus this Christmas?
2. What do you think are the most common misconceptions about repentance? Why do you think repentance has such negative connotations attached to it?
3. Jesus talked more about the Kingdom of God more than anything else. Why do you think that is? What does that mean for you this Christmas season?
4. What’s something Jesus is inviting you to let go of this Christmas season? What’s something he’s inviting you to pick up?
5. Who is God putting on your heart to invite to Christmas Eve this year?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?