Study Guide for

2 Windows:

Baptism & Communion

April 26, 2009

Open Up

Sunshine means dirty windows are more obvious than ever. Tell your group which spring-cleaning chore you dislike the most: washing windows, swapping seasonal clothes, lawn-care, etc. TRANSITION: Dirty windows obscure our vision, and cloudy opinions on baptism can obscure our vision of God’s teaching and blessing.

Dig In

(1) Read Matthew 3:13-17. Jesus chose to be baptized. What might Jesus have meant in verse 15? ADVANCED STUDY: What are some reasons Jesus could have said, “I don’t need to be baptized”? BACKGROUND The New Living Translation wording of verse 15a is “But Jesus said, ‘It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.’”

(2) Read Romans 6:1-7. What spiritual events happen when we are baptized? What physical actions are involved in baptism? What are the symbolic connections between the physical actions and the spiritual dying and rising from the dead? ADVANCED STUDY: Read Hebrews 10:22. What is another example of symbolic connection between a physical aspect of baptism and its spiritual result?

(3) Read Acts 2:36-41 and Acts 8:26-40 and Acts 22:12-16. These stories emphasize several actions and attitudes people experience when they decide to follow Jesus. Discuss with your group all the actions and attitudes: Are there any that are more controversial than the others? Are there any that are more difficult than the others?

Work On

Believers’ baptism in water is a topic the Bible writes about often, and at the same time is a topic over which Christians disagree. Respectfully listen to one another in your group as people share their personal backgrounds and opinions on baptism.

OPTIONAL: If your group has further questions about baptism, please feel welcome to contact Alex or Ethan.

Lift Up

Close with someone reading Ephesians 4:2-6 as a reminder of the humble, gentle, patient, peaceful love we have with each other. Pray for the Spirit to give each person in your group these attitudes this week.

Another Step – Advanced Study

Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 and Isaiah 49:8-10. Isaiah wrote centuries before Jesus, predicting a future time of salvation. Writing nearly two thousand years ago, Paul wrote “now is the time . . . now is the day.” What are reasons people postpone baptism or other significant spiritual next steps? How can we gracefully convey to them, “now is the time”?