The Birth of Our Savior, Part 1
Matthew 1:18-25
[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19] And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [20] But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
[23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). [24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, [25] but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What is betrothal? How is it different from our conception of engagement?
2. How do both Matthew and Luke clearly affirm the virgin conception/birth? Why is it an important element of Christian theology?
3. What does it look like to center our homes on the doctrine of the Incarnation at Christmas time? What are some of the substitutes and distractions we face?
4. Why is Joseph described as “just”? How does this reinforce God’s preservation of a remnant?
5. Why must Joseph be in the line of David? Where do we see Mary’s lineage back to David as well?
6. What is the significance of the name “Jesus”? How does Christmas remind us of our greatest need?
References: Deuteronomy 22:23-29; Luke 1:34-35; John 1:1-3, 14; Genesis 6:9; Luke 2:25; Luke 1:6; 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Genesis 3:15; 12:3; Luke 3:23-38; Romans 1:3; Luke 1:31; Isaiah 45:21; Acts 4:12; John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:15; Galatians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Ephesians 1:7.