This Life Group season runs from September 15 – December 8, 2024.
- You can’t understand the New Testament without the larger Testament that came before it. The Old Testament consistently and regularly points towards the coming of Jesus. As a group make a list of the big moments in Old Testament history that foreshadow the coming of Christ.
- When Elijah (“My God is YHWH”) hands over the ministry to Elisha (“My God saves”) this leads to Elisha working to end an evil dynasty and bring back faithfulness to a broken kingdom. Obviously this did not work as exile comes to Israel. But Elijah will return. Read Malachi 4:5-6. God promised Elijah again. What hope for real change does this passage bring?
- Elijah does return in the form of John the Baptist. Now Elijah (“My God saves”) ushers in the ministry of Jesus (“YHWH saves/is salvation”). Read Matthew 11:1-18. How does the return of Elijah mark a new day for God’s Covenant people?
- John and his disciples have doubts due to misaligned expectations. How does Jesus use their doubt to reorient their focus on what God is doing through Jesus?
- What do you think this reorientation does to the confidence and trust of John and his disciples?
- Have you had moments like John and his disciples? In what ways has God changed your expectations to align with his reality?