Family Discussion of Today’s Text
When reading this passage for the day, do not place the emphasis on John’s call to repentance, but on his expectation of One who is coming from God; One so great that John is not worthy to tie his shoelaces; One who will baptize us with the Holy Spirit; and, yes, One who will judge us.
John’s sense of expectation might be compared to the way an eight-year-old would feel if Michael Jordan were coming to coach her basketball team, or if she were going to study with a New York ballet company. Joy, excitement, fear of higher standards, and hope for what she could become as she works with some of the best instructors in the world, would be all rolled up together. Expectantly, she would practice harder to be ready. With this as a frame of reference, children can sense John’s excitement that God is coming to live among us; they can understand John’s insistence that we get ready by working harder to live up to God’s standards.
CHILDREN: What famous person would you like to meet? Why? What would you have to do to be like them?
YOUTH: Do you remember the last time you weren’t prepared for school? How did it make you feel? Do you think you are prepared to explain yourself to God?
ADULT: When was the last time you made an honest confession to God? Not just an ‘Oh, sorry!’ What does it take to be truly repentant to God?