Learn the Story of Jesus
Season 3 — Jesus Begins His Ministry
The Kingdom of God Comes Near
Season 3 — Jesus Begins His Ministry: Jesus teaches, heals, calls disciples, and announces the Kingdom of God.
Season 3 — Jesus Begins His Ministry
The Kingdom of God Comes Near
The hidden years were ending.
The Savior now stepped into public view.
Crowds gathered.
Lives changed.
The sick were healed.
Sins were forgiven.
Hope spread throughout towns and villages.
Yet opposition also began growing.
Season 3 explores the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and the announcement of the Kingdom of God.
These lessons reveal how Jesus called disciples, taught with authority, performed miracles, fulfilled prophecy, and invited people into a new way of life centered on God’s Kingdom.
Jesus’ ministry was unlike anything people expected.
Some hoped for political revolution.
Others wanted miracles and signs.
Still others questioned His authority.
Yet Jesus came bringing something deeper:
salvation,
truth,
grace,
forgiveness,
restoration,
and reconciliation with God.
This season explores:
John the Baptist,
the baptism of Jesus,
temptation in the wilderness,
calling disciples,
miracles,
parables,
healings,
and the growing ministry of Jesus throughout Galilee and beyond.
faith,
discipleship,
repentance,
mercy,
worship,
and the Kingdom of God.
Scripture References
Matthew 3–7
Mark 1–3
Luke 3–6
John 1–3
Isaiah 61:1–2
Psalm 23
Understanding the Season
What Does “Ministry” Mean?
Ministry refers to the work Jesus began publicly among the people.
Jesus taught, healed, preached, served, performed miracles, and called people to follow Him.
What Is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God refers to God’s rule, reign, and authority.
Jesus taught that God’s Kingdom was breaking into the world through His ministry.
The Kingdom involved repentance, faith, justice, mercy, forgiveness, healing, and restored relationships with God.
Why Did Crowds Follow Jesus?
People were drawn to Jesus because of His teaching, compassion, miracles, authority, and message of hope.
Many people were spiritually hungry and searching for healing, truth, and restoration.
Why Did Opposition Grow?
Some religious and political leaders questioned Jesus’ authority and felt threatened by His growing influence.
Others misunderstood His mission and expectations about the Messiah.
Key Themes in Season 3
Jesus Calls People to Follow Him
Jesus invited ordinary people to become disciples and participate in God’s Kingdom.
Jesus Brings Healing and Hope
Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed compassion toward the sick, broken, poor, and hurting.
Jesus Teaches with Authority
People recognized that Jesus spoke differently from other teachers.
God’s Kingdom Changes Lives
Jesus called people toward repentance, faith, mercy, forgiveness, and transformed living.
Lessons in This Season
3.1 — John Prepares the Way
John the Baptist calls people to repentance and prepares for the coming ministry of Jesus.
3.2 — The Baptism of Jesus
Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River and publicly begins His ministry.
3.3 — Jesus Faces Temptation
Jesus spends forty days in the wilderness facing temptation and spiritual testing.
3.4 — Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Ordinary fishermen and workers are invited to follow Jesus.
3.5 — Jesus Performs His First Miracles
Jesus reveals His authority through signs, healing, and compassion.
3.6 — The Sermon on the Mount
Jesus teaches about the values and character of God’s Kingdom.
3.7 — Jesus Heals the Sick
Crowds witness Jesus bringing healing, mercy, and restoration.
3.8 — Parables of the Kingdom
Jesus teaches spiritual truth through stories and everyday examples.
3.9 — Faith and Following Jesus
Jesus calls people to trust Him fully and live as disciples.
Understanding Jesus
Throughout this season, readers will continue learning about:
Jewish worship traditions,
synagogues,
rabbis and disciples,
fishing and village life,
Roman rule,
miracles,
parables,
Sabbath practices,
religious leaders,
and daily life during the time of Jesus.
Special connections will also continue through:
Feasts, Festivals, Seasons, and the Jewish Calendar,
and
Feasts and Festivals in the Time of Jesus,
helping readers understand the worship rhythms and sacred traditions surrounding Jesus’ ministry.
Why This Season Matters
Season 3 helps readers understand what Jesus taught and why His ministry changed lives.
The lessons reveal that Jesus came not only to teach information, but to transform hearts and restore people to God.
This season also challenges believers to ask:
What does it mean to follow Jesus today?
Jesus called ordinary people into lives of faith, compassion, obedience, worship, and discipleship.
That invitation continues today.
Connecting to Jesus
Jesus began His ministry proclaiming that the Kingdom of God had come near.
Christians believe Jesus revealed God’s love, truth, mercy, holiness, and salvation through His teaching and actions.
Through Jesus:
the blind received sight,
the sick found healing,
the broken found hope,
sinners found forgiveness,
and ordinary people were invited into God’s Kingdom.
Living the Message
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry reminds believers that faith involves both hearing and responding to God’s call.
This week:
Spend time reading one Gospel story about Jesus’ ministry.
Reflect on ways Jesus showed compassion, truth, and mercy.
Pray for courage to follow Jesus faithfully in everyday life.
Look for opportunities to serve others with kindness and humility.
Remember that Jesus still invites ordinary people to follow Him today.
Reflection Questions
What does the Kingdom of God mean?
Possible answers:
The Kingdom of God refers to God’s rule, authority, salvation, and transforming work in the world.
Why were people drawn to Jesus?
Possible answers:
People were drawn by His teaching, miracles, compassion, authority, and message of hope.
Why did some leaders oppose Jesus?
Possible answers:
Some leaders felt threatened by Jesus’ authority, popularity, and challenges to religious hypocrisy.
What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Possible answers:
Following Jesus involves faith, obedience, discipleship, worship, compassion, and trusting God.
How did Jesus change people’s lives?
Possible answers:
Jesus brought healing, forgiveness, hope, truth, mercy, and restoration.
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God and invited people to follow Him.
Reasons We Believe
Jesus revealed God’s power, compassion, truth, and salvation through His ministry.
Obedience in Action
Respond to Jesus with faith, worship, compassion, and discipleship.
Walk It Out
Read one Gospel account of Jesus’ ministry this week and reflect on how His words and actions still speak into life today.
Continue Learning
Jesus Begins His Ministry:3.1 — John Prepares the Way
The Story of Jesus Begins: 2.9:Jesus Grows in Wisdom
Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights
Feasts, Festivals, Seasons, and the Jewish Calendar
Feasts and Festivals in the Time of Jesus
The hidden years were ending.
The Kingdom of God was drawing near.
Jesus began calling people to follow Him.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.
