Queen's Road Cell

 1. Luke gives a vivid sense of John's character through dialogue. what did John tell the people to do? 3:3 - repent 3:8 - to behave in ways that showed repentance and not to take their spiritual security as ethnic Jews for granted. John's appearance and message ( 2 Ki 1:7- 8, Mat 3:4 ) was very similar to that of Elijah's (Mal 4:6) 2. What reasons did John give for the instructions listed in question 1? 3:3 - so that their sins would be forgiven 3:4-6  - to prepare the way for the Messiah, for all to be saved 3:7-9 - their Jewishness is not special in the eyes of God (cf. Jn 8:38-39). Judgment is here and those with lives not in accord with God will be destroyed.   3 a) John did not tell the tax collectors or soldiers to change jobs, but he did tell them to 'produce fruit in keeping with repentance' (3:8). What did he say? (see 3:12-14) These were the most hated people in society: soldiers were representatives of a foreign occupying power. Tax collectors were co...

 11. What do you learn from 2:21-40 about.. Jesus' mission (2:39-35) He was to bring salvation to all the p eo ples, both Gentiles and Jews.(Is 9:2, 42:   How people responded to Him (2:28. 38) They blessed and thanked God for Him. They told of Him to all who were waiting for the salvation of Jerusalem. 12.What does 2:40-52 reveal about... Jesus' identity (2:49) He is the son of God Jesus' character (2:40, 43-47, 49, 51-52) " strong, filled with wisdom" Inquisitive and having deep understanding about spiritual things, focused on His unique identity as the Son. Submissive to parental authority, Growing in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.cf. the description of the John the Baptist (1:80 "the child grew and became strong in spirit")   13.a) What does Luke say about the content of the good news in 1:5-2:52 (see 1:11-17, 26-35, 50-55, 68-79, 2:11, 14. 30-32, 34-35)  The good news turns people to God (1:16), to unite families (1:17) , and t...

  9. Why did God have His Son born in the circumstances described in 2:7, rather than in a royal or at least comfortable, household? (see Luke 6:20, 9:58, 22:27; 2 Cor 8:9)   The verses tell us that Jesus was poor and came to serve. He upended the world's idea of 'blessing' as being rich. This indeed is the pattern of all God's working in the Bible. He chooses the small and insignificant (Dt 7:7-8), like king David (1 Sa 16:11) and peasants in Galillee  to exalt and to accomplish His great and wise purposes. 10. What does 2:1-20 reveal about: Jesus' identity (2:11) 'Saviour' (cf. 1:47, Jn 4:42) 'Christ' - the Messiah, the Anointed One. (cf. Jn 1:41, 4:25) - empowered for ministry. 'The Lord ' (cf. Acts 2:36; 2 Cor. 4:5; Phil. 2:11) How people and angels reponded to his coming (2:8-20)  The angels were 'praising God' The shepherds were filled with great fear. They quickly went to look for the baby, told Mary and Joseph what the ang...