details Mark shared about Jesus.
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
10 As soon as he came up out of the water,
he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.11 And a voice came from heaven:
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”
12 Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness.
13 He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan.
He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him.
Mark said Jesus came up out of the water,
which describes a baptism by immersion.
Emphasize that baptism is not required for salvation,
but it serves as an act of obedience, an outward symbol of inward devotion to Christ.
Encourage a few volunteers to share what they remember about their baptisms.
Share that you are available to talk with any adult who has questions about being baptized.
verses 10-11
this is a time when all three members of the Trinity were revealed in Scripture.
Affirm that the Father took pleasure in the Son’s baptism.
Note that this was another way Mark validated Jesus’s claim as Messiah and Savior.
explain the nature of Jesus’s temptation.
we are often most vulnerable to temptation after a close experience with God.
Jesus withstood Satan’s temptations perfectly.
Review these points from this week's Bible passage:
Encourage the group to use the Daily Exploration on pages 17-19 to go deeper into God's Word.
Close in prayer, asking God to help you keep your focus on Jesus this week.
Reinforce the session by reflecting on how knowing Jesus as Messiah brings joy to your life. Contact the group by email or text, encouraging them to express their joy in Jesus this week.