Who You Are Matters

January 16, 2022

Luke 3:21-38

²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

²³ Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,

the son of Heli, ²⁴ the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, the son of Melki,

the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,

²⁵ the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,

the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,

the son of Naggai, ²⁶ the son of Maath,

the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,

the son of Josek, the son of Joda,

²⁷ the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,

the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,

the son of Neri, ²⁸ the son of Melki,

the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,

²⁹ the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,

the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, ³⁰ the son of Simeon,

the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,

the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,

³¹ the son of Melea, the son of Menna,

the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,

the son of David, ³² the son of Jesse,

the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,

the son of Salmon,[d] the son of Nahshon,

³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,[e]

the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,

the son of Judah, ³⁴ the son of Jacob,

the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,

the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,

³⁵ the son of Serug, the son of Reu,

the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,

the son of Shelah, ³⁶ the son of Cainan,

the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,

the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,

³⁷ the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,

the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,

the son of Kenan, ³⁸ the son of Enosh,

the son of Seth, the son of Adam,

the son of God.

Read Luke 3:21-22

1. Compare Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism with that of Matthew (Matt. 4), Mark (Mark 1) and John (John 1:24-34…kind of). What elements of the narrative remain the same in all 4 accounts? What are some of the differences from one gospel to the next? Does it trouble you that the four accounts are not exactly the same? Why or why not?
2. What are some of the advantages of having four different gospels, each providing an account of Jesus’ life and ministry in a distinct, unique way?
3. Jesus was perfect and without sin. Why do you think he was baptized?
4. If you have been baptized, what did that experience mean to you? What do you remember most about it?
5. If you have not been baptized, is there a specific reason why not? What questions do you have about baptism that would be helpful for you?

Read Luke 3: 23-38

1. This is an intimidating list of names! How many of the names do you recognize from the Old Testament?
2. Of all the things Luke could have included in his account of Jesus’ life and ministry, why do you think he took the time and trouble to include this genealogy?
3. How far back can you recall your own family history? What do you know or remember about those long-ago family members?