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Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “When were you baptized? Do you remember what it was like? If you have not been baptized, what images come to mind when you hear the word ‘baptism’?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.

What were the people wondering about John the Baptist in Luke 3:15? [The people were wondering if John the Baptist was the Messiah.]
What did John say he baptized with? What did Jesus use to baptize? [“John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16. Emphasis added).]
What significant event happened when Jesus was baptized? [When Jesus was baptized, heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:21-22).]
How could you apply this message of being loved and affirmed by God in your daily lives?
Considering the message and the example of John and Jesus, how do you discern your own calling and mission within the church and your personal lives? What criteria should you use to evaluate whether you are following God's will?
“That’s the promise. Baptism doesn’t mean safety or security. Just ask Jesus. It means presence. It means community. That’s our gift; that’s the joy--for us and then through us to the world. That’s what we have to offer. There are no secret answers, no quick fixes, no easy steps to a better life; there is presence. ‘Best of all,’ John Wesley supposedly said on his deathbed, ‘God is with us’” (Sermon Note, January 12).
- What will you do this week to live out the assurance that God is with you? How can you remind yourself and others of God's constant presence and love?
- How might you integrate this assurance into your community and church activities? How can you embody God's presence and love in your interactions with others?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Pray the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Gracious God, we thank You for the powerful reminder that You are always with us. As we reflect on Jesus' baptism and the affirmation of Your love, help us embrace our identity as Your beloved children. Guide us to live out Your love in our daily lives and to support one another in our journeys. Amen.

Discipleship Ministries staff created this small-group resource with assistance from AI tools.