The Wonder of Christmas Part 1

TALK-IT-OUT

Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group. Encourage your group to pull this post up on their own device to follow along.

Main Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”).

Opening Question: What stands out to you about this event in scripture? OR what questions do you have about this scripture?

Introduction to the Book of Matthew: Matthew is the first book of the New Testament, which is placed most likely because of the way it creates a natural bridge between that and the Old Testament by starting with a genealogy that shows Jesus' heritage and that he is a descendent of King David. Matthew’s purpose throughout the book is to show that God has kept his ancient promises to Israel through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus is shown as reliving the story of Israel—going down into the Jordan River, facing temptation in the wilderness, gathering twelve disciples as twelve new tribes, ascending a mountain to deliver a new Torah, etc. The author highlights the idea of Jesus as a new Moses by collecting his teachings into five long speeches. These are marked off by some variation of the phrase "When Jesus had finished saying these things." Just as the Torah had five books, Matthew presents five major sections. At the beginning of the book, Jesus is given the name Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” At the end, Jesus sends his followers into the world with the promise that surely I am with you always. You can read more by clicking HERE. 

TALK-IT-OUT: What are some of the promises of God?

Scripture Context: The purpose of Matthew sharing the story of the virgin birth was not to convince us of the virgin birth but more to show how scripture was fulfilled by the virgin birth. The main prophesy predicting the virgin birth comes from Isaiah 7:14, which was written roughly 700 years before Jesus' birth. You can also go all the way back to Genesis 3:15 to see how God's plan for salvation from the beginning was to come from a man born of a woman. The name of Jesus literally means "salvation." Immanuel, which was prophesied as a word which people would use to describe the promised Messiah, means "God with us." This is similar to Isaiah 9:6 which says that the son who will be born, the Messiah, will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. All of these terms are important because it declares that Jesus is not just a man but he is one with God himself as part of the Holy Trinity: Father. Son, and Holy Spirit. 

TALK-IT-OUT: Does it amaze you that the prophecies about Jesus were foretold over 700 years before his birth?

POINT 1: GOD CAME DOWN.

TALK-IT-OUT: When you consider Jesus walked this earth and knew exactly what it was like to face the trials and challenges of humanity, does it help you to approach him on a more personal level?

POINT 2: SINNERS ARE SAVED. 

TALK-IT-OUT: When did you first experience salvation? Describe that moment. 

POINT 3:  HURTS ARE HEALED.

TALK-IT-OUT: What hurts, habits, or hangups are you wanting healing over? 

POINT 4: HUMANS HAVE HOPE.

TALK-IT-OUT: How can you get better in your daily life at remembering that you have hope?