Family Bible Study - Third Sunday of Advent

Gospel Passage
Matt. 11:2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent
word by his disciples 3 and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look
for another?" 4 And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf
hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6
And blessed is he who takes no offense at me." 7 As they went away, Jesus began to
speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to
behold? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 Why then did you go out? To see a man
clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses. 9
Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who
shall prepare thy way before thee.' 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of
women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Questions for discussion:

1. Jesus says, “Blessed is he who takes no offense at me,” which means that he
is happy when people are not embarrassed to talk about him. Do you ever feel
silly or ashamed to tell people how good Jesus is?

2. Jesus listed a lot of miracles that he did. Why do you think he did this?
(Hint: see in your Bible, Luke 4:16-21). Was he telling John, do you think, that
he was the Messiah?

3. Why do you think Jesus said that the least in God’s kingdom is greater even
than St. John the Baptist? (Hint: see in your Bible, John 3:5-6).
used with permission - Fr. Roger Landry