Hidden Christmas - Joy
The incarnation reveals your belief.
Let’s dive in the deep end right away. What are some ways Christians’ professed beliefs do not match their actions?
Read: Matthew 1:18
Why do you suppose God sent a baby rather than a general, an emperor, or a powerful person who could take charge and made an immediate difference?
Put yourself in Mary’s shoes. What might it have been like to live her experience?
Read: Matthew 1:19-23
What must it have been like to be Joseph?
Matthew quoted Isaiah to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. All the gospel authors did this in their biographies of Jesus. Yet for most first-century Jews this was not enough to convince them of Jesus’ divinity. Why were they so resistant to the idea of Jesus as God? In what ways are we?
Read: Matthew 1:24-25
It took a dream to convince Joseph, but once he was convinced he was completely obedient. What will it take to convince us to live obediently?
Prayer: Pray John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.” Ask God to grow your love for him so big that you’re motivated to obey.