MenuFor adult study: "John the Baptist - Part 1"
Paper 135:6
The Urantia Book
The story summary and questions were written in a way that makes it possible to use a New Testament reference in place of the Urantia reference. A selected chapter from a 1932 book, Treasure-House of the Living Religions, supports a spiritual theme that is found within the story. Children will use a one page handout that includes a coloring picture.
Paper 135:6
The Urantia Book
The kingdom of heaven is at hand
Students may read Paper 135:6.1-6 or entire section
Before Jesus began his ministry, John the Baptist came up from the wilderness to preach near the Jordan River. He cried out, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” People flocked to him, and he baptized them in the river. John knew that his work would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Long ago, the prophet Isaiah said the people would hear “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Discussion Questions
Talk about John’s rugged life and manner of speaking. John told people to repent, to turn away from their old way of living. What might we need to turn away from? How does it help that “the goodness of God leads you to repentance”?
Procedure for using the PDF handouts with children
Continue reading about the preaching career of John the Baptist.
🔸🔸
Re: Repentance
48:6.8 Even on Urantia they counsel the human teachers of truth and righteousness to adhere to the preaching of “the goodness of God, which leads to repentance,” to proclaim “the love of God, which casts out all fear.”
91:5.2 ... Confession, repentance, and prayer have led individuals, cities, nations, and whole races to mighty efforts of reform and courageous deeds of valorous achievement.
🔸🔸
New Testament reference
🔸🔸
Chapter 11—Confession and Repentance—p.47
O God! Pardon this stubbornness of ours,
The distant path which our feet have trodden! (Hinduism)
O Wise Lord! If I have offended Thee
deliberately or unknowingly
with my thoughts, words or actions,
if I have been neglectful in my praises and prayers,
I bow to Thee in repentance. (Zoroastrianism)
🔸🔸
