Teaching Plan

Session 49: John the Baptist

Biblical Truth: God provided a messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah.
Fanning the Flame Question: When was the last time you found yourself in the minority, working against the majority?

Large Group
Show “Play All” for session 49 on the DVD. If you want to lead a discussion after each section of the video, show “The Spark,”
“Fanning the Flame,” and “Combustion” separately. As an alternative, replace “Combustion” by using “Story Outline, Session 49”
to present the story of Luke 1:5-25,39-45,57-66. If desired, distribute copies of “Listening Guide 49” to the students to complete
during “Combustion.”

Small Groups
(Note: Questions or activities that are more appropriate for younger youth or for older youth are marked by “YY” or “OY”
respectively.)
Preparation: Listen to “John the Baptist” by playing this CD in any CD player. Read Luke 1:5-25,39-45,57-66 and “Background
for the Bible Passages, Session 49.”
1. Show “Time Line 49” and point out where today's story fits.
2. Lead students to read Luke 1:5-25,39-45,57-66 in their Bibles. Review the story.
3. Lead students in a discussion of Luke 1:5-25 by asking the following questions:
• What kind of people were Zechariah and Elizabeth? (YY)
• What was important about the lineage and character of Zechariah and Elizabeth? (OY)
• How did the fact that they had no children affect them?
• Why was it significant that the angel appeared while Zechariah was burning incense in the temple? (OY)
• What was the startling message the angel brought to Zechariah?
• What was to be the character and purpose of the child sent to Zechariah and Elizabeth?
• Why did Jesus need a forerunner?
• Think about the animated segment of the video today. How hard is it for people to break away from their usual way of
looking at things? In what ways was John’s message going to revolutionize the way people looked at life and their
relationship with God?
• What happened to Zechariah because of his unbelief? How long would it last?
• Do you ever doubt what God can do in spite of the evidence of His power? (OY)
• Why did Elizabeth feel she was disgraced before news of the pregnancy was known?
4. Lead students to discuss Luke 1:39-45 by asking the following question:
• Who visited Elizabeth and what message had she received from the angel Gabriel? (Don't dwell on Mary too much as this
will be covered in next session.)
• What happened when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting?
• Why was this significant?
5. Lead students to discuss Luke 1:57-66 by answering the following questions:
• What group of people planned to name Zechariah’s and Elizabeth's son?
• What was significant about the name Elizabeth gave and Zechariah wrote down about their son?
• What happened after Zechariah wrote down the name of the child?
• What became the talk of the town as news spread of this child?
• Who prepared you to accept Jesus?
• Why is it important to be a godly role model as a Christian?
• What impact does a godly home have on a child? (OY)
• How can you begin now to prepare a godly home for your future?
• From the Scripture, we learned that John would be a delight to his parents. What words do you think your parents use about
you and your relationship with them?
• If you were the only Christian in your family, how could you be a forerunner for Jesus to your family members?
• John's life made an impact on all those he contacted. How can your life make a difference in your circle of influence?
• How does keeping our lives focused on Jesus keep us from becoming caught up in the temptations of this world?
• What is the most important lesson you have learned from this study of John the Baptist?

© 2005 LifeWay Press®. Fuel: Igniting New Life with God’s Story 2.1. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America.
Options
1. Inform the students that they will each be creating a chart. Distribute “Abilities and Gifts.” Using the handout, instruct the
youth to list their abilities and gifts, and describe how each one could be a starting point to prepare others for Jesus. (OY)

2. Give each student a copy of “Announcements.” Instruct them to describe what information is included in each announcement
and why it is necessary for that type of announcement. (YY)

3. Give each student a copy of the “NAME Acrostic” and instruct them to write down words starting with each letter to depict
why any name is important. After completion, instruct youth to write the name they go by as an acrostic, and write down words
starting with those letters to depict why their name is important.

Continue
Hand out copies of “Exploring the Bible Daily 49.” Direct students to write questions or insights as they read.