Date: June 29, 2025
John the Baptist: A Faith That Challenges Others
The Point: Faith stands unwaveringly on the truth.
Get Into the Study
After reading and discussing The Bible Meets Life, draw attention to The Point: Faith stands unwaveringly on the truth. Share the following as one example.
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) recently held their annual meeting in Dallas. One of their resolutions was an attempt to bring biblical truth into our culture.
Their resolution called for overturning the ten-year-old Supreme Court ruling, “Obergefell vs. Hodges,” that legalized gay marriage because it violates God’s design for marriage and family. A reversal of the Supreme Court’s decision wouldn’t in and of itself amount to a nationwide ban. Thirty-six states have already legalized same-sex marriage.
Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College, used verses from Genesis, then from Ephesians, Psalms and Deuteronomy, to write the resolution on “restoring moral clarity through God’s design for gender, marriage and family.” Further, the resolution calls for laws that affirm marriage between one man and one woman.
Southern Baptist delegates, known as “messengers,” overwhelmingly approved the measure following little debate on the resolution’s language. The delegates agreed that our culture is wrongly trying to redefine marriage. They believe that legal rulings that deny the biological reality of male and female are fictional and undermine the truth of God’s design.
Despite the denomination’s hardline conservative views, scores of independent polls suggest gay marriage has a broad and ever-growing support among a majority of U.S. citizens. The resolution was denounced by scores of human rights activists and organizations.
Information from this post was gathered from:
- https://apnews.com/article/southern-baptists-meeting-sexual-abuse-jennifer-lyell-8ebb5246978918f46d243d6ce2d9f4a5
- Adrian Ashford & Matt Kyle, “Vote Sets Sights on Gay Marriage,” The Dallas Morning News, Jun 11, 2025, 1A, 8A.
- https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/11/Southern-Baptists-Convention-resolution-gay-same-sex-marriage/4691749663433/
- https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2025/06/11/southern-baptist-repeal-same-sex-marriage-based-in-louisville/84149690007/
Get Into the Study (Option from Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a video clip showing a famous physician from the movies or TV. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Study the Bible (Option for Daily Discipleship Guide Leader Guide)
Use this activity to aid in your discussion of subpoint 3: In the face of adversity, faith moves us forward.
Before playing the song, encourage the group to take note of specific phrases that are faith-building and encouraging to them—phrases that would help them press on through trials and challenges. Draw out practical ways the truth about God can strengthen our ability to walk through trials with faith.
Live It Out
Before discussing Live It Out, use this story as an example of sharing the good news of Jesus.
A simple children’s Bible lesson hit Raul Rodriguez with a truth that was amazing — like nothing he’d ever heard. Rodriguez sat in silence as he listened to a pastor read 2 Corinthians 5:17 during a Backyard Bible Club lesson attended by his children: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
If anyone needed a new start, it was Rodriguez, but it didn’t seem possible. He’d battled a fierce drug and alcohol addiction for years, leaving him suffocated and hopeless. At one point, his wife and children even left him. Change didn’t seem possible.
But when Rodriquez heard that verse, he prayed, “God, if you can change me—if you really can change people—please change me.” And that day he gave his life to Christ. He almost immediately began telling everyone who would listen about Jesus. Soon Rodriquez began experiencing victory over his addictions; his relationships began to heal!
A year after Rodriquez was saved he attended the annual Hombres de Impacto—a Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC) men’s event that offers worship, fellowship, and equipping — and he hasn’t missed one since. He is now an ordained minister and evangelist, even leading an evangelism workshop at SBTC’s Empower Conference this year. His desire is to see men fully embracing the truths of living for Christ.
Continue with inviting any volunteer to share a recent time when he shared truths about Jesus. Close with the bullet points under Live It Out.
Information from this post was gathered from: https://www.texanonline.net/articles/sbtc/change-agent/
Carole Waina wrote these Leader Extras. Carole is a retired teacher and veteran writer for LifeWay. She loves traveling, walking, cycling, reading, and being with family. She and her husband are active at First Baptist in Celina, Texas.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When have you had great news to share and couldn’t wait to share it?
- Who in your family is best at telling hard truths?
- When did you first realize that being an adult wasn’t as fun as it looked?
- Who’s your favorite physician from movies or TV?
Matthew 3:1-6
- Why is it important for us to help prepare the way of the Lord in others’ lives?
- How does your faith make you stand out from the world?
- What are some specific stories or tactics you find especially helpful in evangelizing?
- How has technology changed our ability to share our faith over the last few years?
Matthew 3:7-10
- What attitudes can help us become comfortable with addressing hard truths while sharing our faith?
- How has verbal encouragement from others helped you do difficult things?
- What kind of “fruit” will grow from the life of someone who is truly repentant?
- What are some ways we can each discern if we are walking out of a life of repentance?
- What does “fruit” of repentance look like in today’s world?
- Who do you know who effectively addresses hard truths?
Matthew 3:11-12
- What are some things believers might mistakenly point to other than Jesus when presenting the message of faith?
- Why must the message of faith include Jesus’ judgment as well as His love?
- How can we identify if we have centered our religious thoughts and activities on ourselves, or on Jesus?
- What actions or decisions can guard us from embracing a spiritual life that’s about what we want instead of who Jesus is?
- What do you appreciate about the ministry of John the Baptist?
- What are some lessons we can learn from the ministry of John the Baptist?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
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