KEY SCRIPTURE
- Matt 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”
- Acts 2:37-48, 41
- John 4:1-2
- Luke 11:37-38
- Acts 19:4-5
START TALKING
- Before hearing this message, how would you have defined baptism? What role did you think it played in the life of a Christian?
START SHARING
- Why do you think it’s important to understand the biblical context of baptism – even to the point of understanding that the word “baptism” was originally a more commonplace word (sunk, dip, drown, etc.)?
- If baptism isn’t an act of “being saved,” but more of a “public declaration of a new association,” how does this change the way you view the process of deciding to follow Jesus?
- For many people in our culture, faith has been “privatized.” At the same time, many of us declare our association with sports teams, politics, and social issues pretty freely. Why do you think it can be easier to be public and honest about those beliefs and preferences than it is about deciding to follow Jesus?
- One feared interpretation of “public declaration” is that you have to be loud and obnoxious. How do you personally find a balance between a public association with Jesus and feeling like you have to interject Jesus into every conversation?
- In what ways do you need to rethink what it means to publicly declare your association with and following Jesus?
START LIVING
- If you have been baptized, take a few minutes to tell the story of when, how, and why you made that decision.
- If you haven’t been baptized, April 17 is the perfect opportunity to make the “public declaration of a new association.” Just let us know if you are interested or have any questions.
WORSHIP SET
Commonway is now in the Bible App! By using the Bible App Events, you will be able to stay in step with the entire Sunday experience and take it with you throughout the week. That means you’ll learn and remember more at church, have a convenient place to look back during the week, and have easy, one-tap ways to take action on next steps in getting connected or involved with the Commonway community. Learn more on the blog: www.commonwaychurch.com/now-commonway-is-in-the-bible-app/
