19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Colossians 1:21-22 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

John 1:24-28

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Romans 12:6(a) We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

John 1:29-34

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

Hebrews 7:27 - Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

SHARE

What has been the biggest compliment someone ever gave you? Why did it

impact you so much? Did the compliment bring a sense of identity or a sense of

pressure to “live up to it?"

WHO AM I?

Read: John 1:19-23... Q: How does knowing who we are in Jesus give us

freedom from needing to “prove” who we are to others? How does John the

Baptist’s response (“I am not the Messiah”) show humility and clarity about who

he is? Why do you think John refused to take credit or elevate himself, even

though he had an incredible calling?

THE LAMB OF GOD

Q: Which of the Old Testament “lamb” images (Passover lamb, Abraham’s

lamb, guilt offering, Isaiah’s lamb-led silently to the slaughter, etc.) resonates

most deeply with you — and why? How does focusing on Jesus as “the Lamb

of God who takes away the sin of the world” impact the way we see Him?

BECOMING

Read: Romans 12:6... Q: What pressures do you feel define yourself: (what you

do, what you have, or what others think of you)? How does remembering who

God says you are (loved, chosen, forgiven, complete) help you resist those

pressures? What plays the biggest role in holding you back from living out your

divine design? (Fear, comparison, doubt, shame, never discovered?)

NEXT STEPS

Pray together and for one another. Express thanks to God for sending The

Lamb. Rest knowing who God says you are matters most!