To automatically fill in the blanks, click the blue check next to the fill-in field. A Baptism Unlike Any Other A Strange Dude And A Stranger Baptism Matthew 3:1-17/ Isaiah 40:3/ Malachi 4:5-6/ Luke 1:17, Matthew 11:13-15 & 2 Kings 1:7-8/ Matthew 22:36-40 How is John’s baptism different from our baptism? John’s baptism was a public testimony of . Our baptism is a public testimony of . If Jesus was sinless, why did He need to be baptized by John? It was the first step in becoming . It was the first step in Jesus’ . Four Things To Take Home 2 Timothy 3:16-17/ Judges 10:6-16/ Proverbs 4:18/ 2 Timothy 2:24-26/ Proverbs 27:14 There is nothing Jesus that He for us. Obedience matters even when it doesn’t . Power and clarity always obedience. Ministry always starts with with people, not at them or them. The best way to connect with North Coast is through the Connection Card. If you watched online or attended in person, let us know! https://my.northcoastchurch.com/connectioncard. DISCUSSION GUIDE These questions are designed to help groups discuss the weekend teaching while building relationships with each other and applying God’s Word to our lives. May 17, 2025 | Matthew 3:1-17 WARM UP People traveled 25 to 70 miles on foot just to hear John the Baptist. Have you ever taken a long trip just to see or hear something important? What was it, and what made it worth it? What stood out to you from this weekend’s message? As we wrap up this Life Group year and break for the summer, what are you grateful for from your time together? Is there something you learned this year or a way that you’ve grown? KNOW IT Read Matthew 3:1-17 again and notice how different people responded—John, the crowds, the religious leaders, and Jesus Himself. People traveled long distances to confess their sins and be baptized. What does that show us about their spiritual hunger? What might it look like today to go “out of our way” to respond to God? When Jesus chooses to be baptized, He’s stepping into obedience even though He had no sin to confess. What does that example mean for how we approach obedience in our own lives? The moment of Jesus’ baptism ends with the Father saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” How might hearing “You are my beloved child” from God change the way we understand our identity? How can we live from that same sense of being loved and accepted by God? SHARE IT If you have been baptized, can you share your baptism story? What led you to make that decision? In the sermon, Larry pointed out that Jesus began His ministry not by preaching at people, but by identifying with them. Have you seen someone model identifying with others before preaching to them? How did that impact you? LIVE IT Jesus’ baptism was an act of obedience—not because He needed to repent, but to “fulfill all righteousness.” He obeyed before anyone fully understood why. Have you ever taken a step of obedience before fully understanding the reason why? What happened? Larry reminded us that there’s nothing Jesus asks us to do that He didn’t first do for us. This week we will take Communion as a way to remember His full obedience—even to the cross—and to recommit ourselves to follow Him with the same surrender. As we prepare to take Communion, take a moment to reflect: Where is Jesus inviting you to follow Him in deeper surrender or renewed obedience today? COMMUNION Jesus wants us to remember what He has done for us and that He is here to walk through life with us. That’s why He told the disciples at the Last Supper to keep coming together and taking Communion. Communion is about remembering all that Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. It’s through His sacrifice that we receive His grace and mercy. This week, your Life Group will wrap up by doing what the disciples did – taking Communion together. To get ready for this, read the following verses and think about Jesus’ commitment and work in your life. Jot down a few thoughts on how each verse impacts you. Romans 5:7-8 John 15:12-17 1 Corinthians 11:23-27 Take Communion with us this week! If you are not in a Life Group and would like to take Communion with us, see northcoastchurch.com/communion to follow along.