What exactly was the doubt in John’s mind? Do you find a clue to this perplexity in 3:16, 17? What is the significance of Jesus’ reply?...

v1–10. What are the characteristics of the centurion’s approach to Jesus? What can he teach us about a right attitude in prayer?...

v37–42. What sort of attitude towards the faults of others does Jesus prescribe, and why? What positive actions are commanded here?...

v20–26. Contrast Jesus’ picture of a blessed life with the world’s idea of happiness. Why is a Christian happy in such circumstances?...

We read of two more encounters with the scribes and Pharisees. What is the deeper issue? What is the principle here on Sabbath...

These verses record two encounters with the scribes and Pharisees. What were the grounds of their growing opposition to Jesus? And what...

Compare the faith of the leper with that of the friends of the paralytic. Of what was the former uncertain? And how did the latter...

Put yourself in the place of Simon. Trace the development of his attitude to Jesus in the successive phases of the story. In what ways is...

What two facts about Jesus particularly impressed the people in the synagogue? Note also the even more discerning testimony of the demons...

v16–21. Jesus speaks to the people of Nazareth, his own home town. What does his use of Is. 61:1, 2 teach them of his mission? Why is the...

The temptation came immediately after the revelation of 3:22, and at the start of Jesus’ ministry. What light does this throw on the...

In this genealogy, which names stand out to you? What do you know about them? What can you conclude about Jesus’ earthly ancestry from...

What, according to the preaching of John, are the cause (v7–9, 16, 17), nature (v8, 10–14), and outcome (v3, 15–17) of repentance?...

v49. What was the consequence in his life of Jesus’ unique relationship to God? In what way does this truth apply to us, as sons of God?...

What did the appearance of Jesus mean to Simeon and to Anna? What, according to verses 30–32, was to be the scope of his work?...

What may we learn from the circumstances of our Saviour’s birth, and the status of his first worshippers? What do the angel’s message and...

The song of Zechariah may be divided thus: v68–70, thanks to God for the coming of the Messiah; v71–75, the purpose of the Messiah’s...

What does Mary’s song reveal about: (a) the character of God (esp. v49-50), and (b) His way of working among men (v51–53)? How were these...

v31–33, 35. List the features of the person and mission of the promised child that can be discerned in the words of the angel....

What was the mission assigned to John the Baptist? What was to be the nature of his greatness (verse 15)? cf. v76, 77. What was the cause...