1. MARK 1:1-7

2. "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.” Luke 7:28

3. John was ferociously committed to the mission that God called him to

4. “For ’everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” Romans 12:13-15, ESV

5. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

6. Discuss Think of a few specific people in your life and the sin they are entangled in. Discuss how preaching repentance to them is good news rather than a forcing a dead doctrine down their throat.

7. John was never about John

8. So John’s disciples came to him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’

9. It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:26-30

10. “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Mark 10:42-44, ESV

11. Discuss To whom to you point?

12. "He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth." Luke 1:15

13. MARK 1:1-7