John the Baptist: The Lords Best Man

Guest Speaker: Bro. Shane Kirkwood

TYC 2013

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Dear 2013 TYC Attendees and Staff,

The 2013 Texas Youth Conference committee wishes to send love and
greetings, in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord, to all those who will
be in attendance at this years TYC. The Texas Youth Conference is set up and
established upon a few basic principles. First, we pray everyone in attendance will hear
the word of God through personal reading, discussion groups and classes lead by our
guest speaker. Second, we hope all in attendance will advance their ability to speak the
word of God through discussion groups and general conversations during recreational
time. Finally, our fervent desire is that the culmination of hearing and speaking Gods
word will be that all attendees become better doers of the word, and not hearers only.
The Texas Youth Conference is bringing together believers of The Gospel from
around the globe. The goal of our week is to build fraternal bonds amongst our young
people that will last throughout all ages, if it is the will of our Heavenly Father. At the
very core of building a love that binds our hearts and minds to our fellow believers is
the Word of God. Rightly, the Psalmist declares this by saying, unless the Lord build
the house they that labor, labor in vain. The joy of so many of your Texas brethren,
many of which will not get the privilege of attending the camp, is the knowledge that so
many young people come to our camp and share in uplifting discussions about the
Word of God. In the initial stages of building the camp, the motivation that pushed the
hearts, minds, and bodies of our dedicated builders was uplifting camps like the one we
will, Lord willing, have in just a few short months. Time, money, and hard labor were
freely given so regularly. Very often the hard work was done with smiles on our faces,
and laughter in our hearts. The hard work often seemed like we were getting to play a
weekend long game. We are certain the reason it seemed so fun was our ecclesial
family in Texas could see a glimpse of the benefit our attendees would get through
camps centered on the word of God. We pray and hope that through you our joy will
continue to be filled.
We would like to give you some things to remember as you embark on your
studies for TYC 2013. While this introduction has been compiled by the committee, the
questions in the five sections of this workbook are questions that our speaking brother,
Shane Kirkwood, has requested that we consider each day in our discussions. We
know we are late in getting these out but please do the best you can to read through
and think about these questions before the camp.
Hearing the Word of God:
Paul, while exhorting the ecclesia at Rome, declares So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17, KJV). Your personal Bible
study is the best way for you to listen to God. Our topic this year is John the Baptist:
The Lords Best Man. Thus, it is always a good idea to begin your studies by rereading
things pertaining to the life of the person we are studying. Any stories involving John
the Baptist will get us all thinking about the same topic and this will help drive our
discussions in awesome directions. Just some examples of passages you may try
rereading before the camp are listed on the next page.

Luke 1-7, Luke 9, Luke 16, Luke 20, John 1-5, John 10
Matt. 3, Matt. 4:12,13, Matt. 9:13-15, Matt. 11, Matt.14, Matt.16:13-15, Matt.17:12-14,
Matt.21:24-27, Mark 1, Mark 2:17-19, Mark 6, Mark 8:27-29, Mark 11, Acts 1, Acts
10, Acts 11, Acts 13.
This list is by no means comprehensive or exhaustive. While youre reading try to ask
yourself why we suggested you read those particular passages. Did you need to read
more or less than we suggested for an understanding of how John the Baptist fit into the
story? Did we miss any key passages that you should have also read? Finally, we
would suggest taking time to look up any interesting words, marginal references or key
prophecies that John the Baptist either fulfilled or partially fulfilled. Most of you are
outstanding Bible students so delve deep into this subject, and you will come up with
even better ideas than we could. If you are new to Bible study or feel you are shaky at
starting a study like this try to get together with other people to read and discuss the
passages before the camp. If you need assistance in any way with your studies feel
free to contact the committee through our email address which is on the website. The
more study you can put in before the conference will help our discussions and ultimately
our lives.
Speaking the Word of God
Part of the responsibility of a faithful believer is to bear fruit. This can mean
several things, but one meaning is that we have a privilege and responsibility to share
our knowledge of Gods plan with others.
Psalm 40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a
rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even
praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed
is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as
turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast
done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto
thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering
and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the
book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my
heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not
refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my
heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy
lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. 11 Withhold not thou thy
tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually
preserve me. 12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have
taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of
mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. 13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O
Lord, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that

seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish
me evil. 15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha,
aha. 16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy
salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. 17 But I am poor and needy; yet the
Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
Clearly this passage has a distinct Messianic prophetic tone, but it should also be
applied to all believers. We should all seek God, and love his salvation so much that we
declare continually The Lord be magnified. Last year our study was Angels and we
saw from Psalm 34:7, 8 that The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that
fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the
man that trusteth in him. This should be reason enough to want our speech to be
seasoned with the word of God, but let us look through just a few more passages. God
speaking through the prophet Malachi states, Then they that feared the Lord spake
often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of
remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought
upon his name(Malachi 3:16,KJV). Surely we want our names, and the names of our
brethren, to be written in a book of remembrance. More specifically, we should desire
that this book of remembrance is the Lambs book of life from which we will be given
eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Part of this task of learning to preach the
word of God involves providing a physically and emotionally safe atmosphere where
most feel able to share their experiences for the purpose of edifying one another. In
other words, we want TYC to be a place where all in attendance feel free and
encouraged to discuss the word of God. Think of TYC as a practice ground for
preaching. The letter to the Hebrews teaches us how to approach every ecclesial event
we attend, but especially when we break bread:
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us
hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that
promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching(Hebrews 10:22-25).
Just as Jonathan loved David, after witnessing Davids faith in Yahweh to deliver him
from Goliath, so we can gather strength when we hear the faith of our fellow believers
in dealing with lifes trials. Thus we encourage every attendee to talk about the word of
God, and our lives, with one another. These discussions should be attempts to
generate conversation that is acceptable and pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
Sometimes in life we get accustomed to attacking one another to win a discussion. This
is a trained reaction we have learned in our interactions with the world around us. Part
of this behavior is good and should be encouraged. We must be thinking critically about
the things we hear and see. We must, as scripture boasts of and encourages the small
ecclesia at Berea, receive the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11, KJV). However, we must

learn to reprove and correct out of love, not simply to prove someone else wrong. We
must also learn to accept constructive criticism when we are wrong, for this will help us
become better believers.
Living the Word of God
James encourages us to be doers of the word and not hearers only. While the camp is
an opportunity to be in a spiritual oasis from the world around us, it is also a chance for
us to preach the truth by action and example to the community around us. While
travelling to and from the camp we can touch the lives of those we come in contact with
simply by being polite, courteous, and respectful. These qualities are things
Christadelphians should possess and they are qualities that many in this world are
viewing as weaknesses. Choose to stand apart and in so doing people will be more apt
to listen to you when you try to preach the truth to them. If we are rude to the world
around us then they will definitely not want to hear what we have to say about the truth.
This week is a chance to practice what we preach, and if we can behave this way for a
week then we can choose to go back to our homes and ecclesias continuing to live this
way.
May our Heavenly Father prosper our attempts to help each other live as faithfully
devoted servants to Him! We pray the Grace of our Heavenly Father be with you all in
your studies and journeys, Even so Come Lord Jesus, Amen.
With Love in Christ Jesus,
The TYC Committee

Study 1 Night without vision.

Discuss the impact of the 400years silence and the changes in the nation of Israel.
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How do we stiffen our neck and harden our hearts against God today?
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3. What are the consequences? Biblical examples?
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Can we always see them?

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How do we, like Israel take Gods word for granted? If so, in what ways is this seen?
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How can we better appreciate His word?
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What is mechanical worship?

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How do we keep our worship genuine?
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Discuss the phrase from Malachi lay it to heart.
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What should it mean to us?

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10. In what ways ought we be looking for the word of God?
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Do you think the outward form of our worship is important?
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Why have we tended to concentrate on form?
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How do we balance these things?
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What scriptures tell us that God cares about us even when we dont think He does?
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What does He want for us?
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Additional Space for your own thoughts or questions generated from study 1!
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Study 2 the prophet of the Highest

Zacharias and Elizabeth were blameless before God. Many people today say they
are good people (just ask them!). What is the difference between living a good life and
a Godly life? Give a biblical definition.
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What other births in Scripture were miraculous?
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i.

Discuss the reasons for them and the way they changed events at the
time.
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Find places in Scripture that talk of the right side of the altar. What is the
significance?
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What makes a person great in the sight of God?
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How many people are called great in scripture?_____________________________


Look at the Nazarite vow in greater detail Num 6. Is there any connection to us?
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Discuss the principles of separation and how they apply today. What other scriptures
talk about this?
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What was the spirit and power of Elijah?
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John prepared himself in the wilderness in his youth.
i.
Explore the significance of wilderness in scripture.
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ii.
How do we create a wilderness to learn in?
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Notes:
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Study 3 the Voice crying in the wilderness

In what way is the world of John the Baptist similar to ours?
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What are the dangers of a self-righteous attitude?
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What comments did Jesus make about selfrighteousness?
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Why is it so easy to be self-righteous and how do we overcome it?
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John spoke of 3 baptisms water, holy spirit and fire. What do these relate to?
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Threshing and winnowing are biblical themes. Where are they found and what is the
idea behind these?
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All flesh is grass! What a powerful statement! Why so important?
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Discuss other passages that clearly relate to our mortality.
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How should this change us?
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How do we demonstrate to people that God cares for them and wants to save them?
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How can we prepare the way now?
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John the Baptist knew his mission Write your own mission statement.
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Study 4 Behold the lamb of God

Compare the characters of the following people:
Jesus Elisha
Jesus

Elisha

John Elijah
John

Elijah

Herod Ahab
Herod

Ahab

Herodias Jezebel
Herodias

Jezebel

2. Bringing others to Jesus practical and effective witnessing. Discuss.

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John was a critic of his society and its aspirations. How do we separate ourselves
from this worlds thinking without being unavailable to others?
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How was grace seen in the life John compared to the religious leaders of Israel?
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He (Jesus) must increase I must decrease. A great creed to live by. What are the
steps to achieving this?
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Look at belief, confession and baptism in scripture and discuss the importance of
each of these steps.
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What does this teach us about how we should think of ourselves?
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8. Give examples of others in scripture who confessed their sins and how it helped
them.
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Discuss Searching ones heart with quotes to support.

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Notes:
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Study 5 A burning and a shining light

Find passages in Isaiah that relate to Jesus ministry
(Particularly in reference to Matt 11v5-6)
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How does the bible say we should best cope with our own doubts when they arise?
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Discuss strategies for this problem in the current age.
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Discuss Matt 11v11-19. What is its relevance to us?
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What does scripture say about holding a grudge and what are the consequences?
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Herod suffered from status anxiety and paid the price. How does this affect us today
and what steps can we take to overcome this problem?
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Read Jesus words about John in John 5v35 Compare with Phil 2v15-16 and discuss
ways of achieving this.
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John helped prepare people to receive Jesus at his first advent. What did Jesus say
about looking for and preparing for his return?
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John was Jesus best man what does the bible say about the future marriage to
come?
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