Conversations with Jesus Week 8: John The Baptist

Small Group Discussion Guide
Series: Conversations with Jesus

Week: John the Baptist and Expectations

Opening Prayer
Begin your time by inviting God to guide your discussion and open your hearts to His truth.

Icebreaker: Unrealized Expectations
Have you ever had an expectation that didn’t turn out the way you thought it would? Maybe it was a project, a vacation, or even a conversation. How did you respond when reality didn’t meet your expectation?

Scripture Reading:
Read Matthew 11:2-6
Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think John expected Jesus to do as the Messiah? How did Jesus’ actions challenge those expectations?
2. How do you think John felt sitting in prison, hearing about Jesus’ ministry but not seeing the justice or kingdom he had anticipated?
3. Have you ever found yourself questioning God when He didn’t meet your expectations? What was that experience like?

Scripture Reading:
Understanding John the Baptist’s Role
Read Matthew 3:7-12 – John preached about judgment and repentance, expecting the Messiah to bring fire and justice.

Discussion Questions:

4. Why do you think John had such strong expectations about what Jesus would do?
5. What does Jesus’ response to John’s question reveal about God’s way of working in the world versus human expectations?

Expectations vs. Reality in Our Faith
We often have expectations for how God should act in our lives. Like John, when things don’t go as we planned, doubt can creep in.

Personal Reflection & Discussion:

6. Think of a time you felt disappointed by how something turned out. How did you reconcile your faith with that disappointment?
7. What practical steps can we take to trust God even when we don’t understand His plans?

Living with Open Hands
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Application:

8. What does it look like to live with an open-handed faith—one that follows God without placing expectations on the outcome?
9. How does an open-handed faith help us when we…experience trials--experience silence from God--experience good things?
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11. How can we encourage each other to trust God’s bigger picture, even when life doesn’t go as expected?
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Closing Challenge & Prayer
This week, reflect on an area where your expectations have led to frustration, doubt, or disappointment. Take time to surrender it to God, asking Him to give you peace and trust in His plan.  Close in prayer, asking God to give each person a heart that trusts in His plans over their own expectations.