Mark 1:1-8 (NIV)

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

  who will prepare your way”—

3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

  make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Talk About:

As you prepare for Jesus’ return:

• What barriers to knowing Jesus is God eliminating in your life?
• What holes in your life is God filling in?

What might it look like for Christians to live in ways that joyfully anticipate Jesus’ return?