Bible Study Notes 1/20/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Advent / Winter Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem:

Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 6

 20 Jan.  2026

Lesson 5 — Matthew 3:1-12, NLT:

Our journey from Bethlehem takes us from Nazareth where the Scriptures says Jesus grew in physical development and wisdom The Scriptures are silent on the life of Jesus from the age of 12 until His 29^th or 3oth year. In this lesson we are reunited with the fulfilment of prophecy again. The Prophet Isaiah had proclaimed the coming of a great Messenger, who would proclaim the imminent ministry of the Messiah. That divine task fell to John, the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, to whom he was born in their elder years. Mary, the Scriptures inform us, was a relative of Elizabeth and travelled 100 miles to a hilly region of Judea to visit her. John was born about 3 months before Jesus, The Scriptures mention his birth, but we see him only in a compelling ministry. He preached a powerful message of repentance, which pronounced the imminent ministry of the Jesus and the Kingdom.

Verses & Explanations for Matthew 3:1-12, NLT:

Observe     Interpret     Apply

(Verses 1-2): Prophecy fulfilled beyond Bethlehem.

(Verse 3): The Messenger pronounces the Messiah.

(Verses 4-6): A Ministry of confession and repentance.

(Verses 7-8): A strong warning to the insincere.

(Verses 9-10): A rebuke of religious complacency.

(Verses 11-12): Preparation for the Messiah’s Ministry.

Key Verses:

Matthew 3:1-2, NLT

¹ “In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, ² ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.’

Matthew 3:3, NLT

³ The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for Him!’

Matthew 3:4-6, NLT

⁴ John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.  ⁵ People from Jerusalem and from all of Judea and all over the Jordan Valley went out to see and hear John.  ⁶ And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Matthew 3:7-8, NLT

⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. ‘You brood of snakes!’ he exclaimed, ‘Who warned you to flee the coming wrath?  ⁸ Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

Matthew 3:9-10, NLT

⁹ Don’t just say to each other, We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham. That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones.¹⁰ Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 3:11-12, NLT

¹¹ I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon and is greater than I am – so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’ ¹² He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then He will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into His barn but burning the chaff with never ending fire.”

Luke 1:41, KJV

⁴¹ “When Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.”

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!    

1. “Your word is a lamp to my feet  and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105