Florida Bible Institute
Level Three
Lesson Three
Page 1 of 3 Pages


                                                                        Jesus Christ The Early Years - In Ministry Part I

Scripture Reading: The Gospel of Mark

Memory Verses: I Corinthians 10:13 and Hebrews 4:15

Introduction: We studied the birth of Jesus, and His early years growing from infancy to adulthood prior to His entering His ministry. The scriptures leave much about His early years shrouded in secrecy, but, given what we know of His nature, His Divinity, we can safely draw some conclusions.

Now we turn our attention towards His ministry, to discover more about the One who redeemed us by His own blood from the power of Satan, sin and death.

I. His Baptism

1. Read Matthew 3:13 - 17. Now explain your understanding of why Jesus was baptized:

2. Compare Matthew 3:14 with John 13:6. How do these two scriptures relate to each other.

3. Compare Matthew 3:16 with John 1:29 - 34. What is the significance of this event?

II. His Temptation Experience.

1. Read Matthew 3:13 - 4:1 What truths in these scriptures are applicable to our walk with Jesus?

2. Explain Matthew 4:1.

3. Read Matthew 4:2 - 3. What do these scriptures teach us about Satans strategy?

4. What do you think Satan was trying to accomplish by his challenge to Jesus in Matthew 4:6?

5. What truth do you learn from Matthew 4:8 - 9 concerning Satan?

6. Note the replies of Jesus to each temptation He faced in Matthew 4:4; 4:7 and 4:10.

7. Read Luke 4:13. How does this truth from the Word of God apply to the life of the Believer today?

8. Read Matthew 4:11. How does this scripture apply to the life of the Believer today?

Conclusion: Often in our zeal we get ahead of God, without the necessary knowledge or anointing. Jesus spent thirty years waiting for God the Fathers perfect timing for Him to enter His ministry and complete His mission on earth. Thirty quiet, silent years in Nazareth - waiting!

The great spiritual experience of the Holy Spirit descending upon Him in anointing and, of hearing the voice of God the Father speaking from heaven confirming that He was indeed His Son, was followed by severe testing by the enemy.

You will often find yourself as a child of God, going from a wonderful spiritual experience with God to a time of great testing in your own wilderness experience. Do not be discouraged, and do not think defeat. Rather, look down and see the foot prints of our Savior who has walked the same ground, and then, look up at His exalted position in heaven now, and know, that you cannot lose because, ...greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (I John 4:4)

Amen!!