Breaking Ground
Have you been baptized? If so, what was your baptism like? What was most meaningful about that experience? If not, why haven’t you been? Have you ever considered being baptized?
The Dig
This week, we celebrated Baptism Sunday & reflected on the meaning of this critical Christian Sacrament.
Begin by reading Mark 1:1-11. Here, before Jesus begins his ministry, he receives a vision where God’s Spirit descends & calls him “God’s beloved” with whom “God is well pleased.”
How does this scene impact you? What language or imagery sticks with you the most? Why?
Notice, this statement of belovedness & favor is spoken over Jesus before he’s done anything to earn it.
Why is that significant? What does it tell us about God?
Like with Jesus’ own ministry, the Church has historically viewed baptism as a ritual that marks the beginning of someone’s discipleship journey rather than its completion or end.
Why do you think the Church uses this ritual to mark the beginning of someone’s discipleship journey? How does this change how we think about & respond to participating in this sacrament?
Throughout the New Testament, we’re told that, through Jesus, we’re also invited to become God’s children. As such, through baptisms, we can hear belovedness spoken over us by God at the beginning of our Christian journey as well.
Do you believe that God’s first word to you is that you’re beloved & someone He delights in?
Where do you still try to earn your belovedness rather than accept it as a divine gift? How does that impact how you see yourself, others, & God?
How might adopting this statement as your foundational identity to begin each day change the way that you think about yourself, others, & God? How would it impact your decision-making & choices throughout the day?
How can we better remember & live from this truth in our everyday lives? How might reflecting upon our own baptisms help us do so?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Mark 1:1-11 & then reflect on your own baptism story & experience (if you haven’t been baptized, then consider signing up to be at MYE3.org). What led you to be baptized?
- How did partaking in that sacrament impact you? How have you changed since you underwent it?
- What about your experience of baptism do you wish to hold onto more in this season of your life? How can you practice doing so?
Journal about how this prayer practice makes you feel this week. Share your experience with your group next week.
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
November 9th: Join us next Sunday as we begin our new series Selling Jesus!* Please see mye3.org for details.