For Reflection/Discussion: What is Advent and why is it important? Why is it important to remember that Advent is not about the coming of Christmas but about the coming of Christ— past, present, and future? Who was John the Baptist? What part does he play in the New Testament? In what ways did the lives and ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist overlap? What was Jesus' opinion of John? What was the content of John's preaching? How do you define or think of sin? What is the difference between sin and sins? What evidence of sin's power do you see in the world? In your own life? What is repentance? Why is repentance a necessary but not sufficient part of our salvation? Why do we tend to be more aware of other peoples' sins than our own? In what way does that ironically demonstrate our sin and need for forgiveness? What part do you believe that you have to play in the plan of God?

For Reflection/Discussion: Why might John have been mistaken by some people as the Messiah? How did John respond to those who wondered if he was the Messiah? As we saw in our last series, Jesus makes seven great "I Am" statements in the Gospel of John. Here John makes an important statement that begins with the words "I am not…" Why is it important for us to know, as John knew, that we are not the Messiah and that that role is reserved for Jesus? What is one way to identify paintings of John the Baptist? How does that visual clue reinforce the big idea in this message?

For Reflection/Discussion: What is our common calling as Christians? How do you magnify Jesus in your life? What others ways might you do so? In what ways can ambition, jealousy, social posturing, control, and ego compromise our ability to magnify Christ? Why is participating in worship an irreplaceable part of magnifying Jesus? What lessons can we learn from the example of John the Baptist? How can you magnify Christ more during the busy holiday season?