Starter: (In pairs)
Describe a time when you received a really important message.
Describe the feelings you had and the long-term effect it had on your life.
Worship:
Use verses from Is 42 as a basis for adoration and thanksgiving.
Read Gospel Passage Aloud.
Imagine your feelings as John during this reading.
Personal Focus (Personal reflection on the passages / commentary & questions)
Commentary:
Jews never submitted to baptism. That was a rite of entry for sinners, outside Judaism, who wanted to confess their sins and become Jews. For the first time in their history some Jews realised their own sin and their own need of forgiveness as a nation. It was a unique movement of penitence and search for God.
This was the moment Jesus had been waiting for and in his baptism he identifies himself with the people he came to save.
'This is my beloved Son' is a quotation from Psalm 2:7. Every Jew accepted this as a description of the coming Messiah.
'In whom I am well pleased' is a quotation from Isaiah 42:1 which is a description of the Suffering Servant who would save the nation.
In this moment Jesus has the value and purpose of his life confirmed and he is reassured that he is loved and will be empowered by the Spirit, which is the presence of God.
Personal Focus Questions
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. Which verse in these readings speaks to you?
What is God saying to you?
2. In what ways do you bring justice, light or hope into the world[Is 42:5-6]?
3. Relate a recent incident in your life when you felt God's love.
Do you believe God is well pleased with you now (v17)?
Personal Focus Questions
(Share your reflections in triplets /pray for each other.)
Life Focus (Discuss in whole group)
1. At the beginning of this New Year what do you think God is saying to us as a Church
through these passages?
2. What practical outcome is there from our reflection?
Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
Group Memory Time.
Are there actions we agreed to do that still need following up on?
Review Time
What has been especially helpful in this meeting?
What would you like to do differently next time?
Prayer Time
You could look at one of the baptism services and have a reflection on it.
