What’s Baptism?
Small Group Discussion
Opening Question:
What’s one tradition you grew up with (family, cultural, or religious) that you later questioned or wanted to understand better?
Key Scriptures:
Key Takeaways:
- It’s not a TRADITION; it’s something Jesus TOLD us to do!
- It should not be PUSHED; it’s PERSONAL
- It’s not OPTIONAL; it’s FOUNDATIONAL
- It’s less about CEREMONY; it’s more about IDENTITY
Discussion Questions:
- What surprised you most regarding baptism? Were there any misconceptions you held that were challenged?
- Read Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38 together. How do these verses demonstrate that baptism was central to the early church’s practice? Why do you think Jesus made it such a clear command?
- We mentioned that baptism went from being costly (persecution) to cultural (popular) to coerced (mandatory). How do you see baptism viewed in our culture today? Is it taken seriously enough?
- What are the ‘reasons’ or excuses you’ve used to delay obedience in your faith, and how might those reasons not actually be reasonable?
- How does the concept of repentance as ‘burning and letting go’ differ from simply praying a prayer, and what does true repentance require?
- In what ways have you treated your faith as something private rather than public, and how does this contradict Jesus’ call to be ‘a city on a hill’?
