John 1:6-8, 19-28
Lead in: The moon is not the light. It reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, John was not the light. He reflected the light of the one to come. Like John the Baptist, we can be a light that dispels the darkness. Prompt: As you go about your life, where do you encounter darkness in yourself or in life around you?
Prompt: Where is it in your life that you could dispel darkness by letting the light of Christ shine through you?
Lead in: When interrogated by the Pharisees, John the Baptist told them that he was neither the messiah nor Elijiah nor a prophet. So they asked, “Why then do you baptize?” He told them, “I baptize with water, but one mightier than me will baptize with the Holy Spirit, one whose sandal I’m not worthy to loosen.” As he interacted with the Pharisees, John demonstrates honesty, humility and courage.
Prompt: Who in your life models well the character traits of honesty, humility and courage.
Prompt: Where in your life is it hardest for you to be honest with yourself?
Prompt: Where in your life is it hardest to be humble or courageous?
Lead in: John the Baptist speaks of the one to come who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. The action of the Holy Spirit can be described in two ways, as an outpouring of the Holy Spirit or the release of the Holy Spirit. The first emphasizes the Holy Spirt as a gift that is poured out upon us. The second emphasizes the Holy Spirit as a gift that is called forth within us. How ever we describe it, the goal is the same, to allow the power of the Holy Spirit to act in our lives.
Prompt: What is your experience of the Holy Spirit? Is it more an outpouring of the Spirit or more a release of the Spirit, or has it been both?
Lead in: In I Thessalonians 5, Paul tells us, “In all circumstances give thanks.” That seems impossible, but then we see people who live happy lives even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Prompt: What change in attitude would it take to be grateful even when it seems there’s nothing to be grateful for? Do you know anyone like that?