Dec 25 & Jan 1
Dec 25 & Jan 1
BELONG Share about a favorite Christmas tradition from childhood. What makes this memory special? Have you continued this tradition? Why or why not?
GROW Read Matthew 2:1 and Micah 5:2 together. In what town was Christ born? How does this fulfill prophecy? Consider Matthew 2: 316. Compare and contrast the responses of Herod to that of the Magi. What lessons can we learn from their responses? What is your response to Christ? Read and Matthew 2:1318, Hosea 11:1, and Jeremiah 31:15. How was Jesus sovereignly protected by God? How does this fulfill Old Testament prophecy? i n Luke and in Matthew, what actions showed that Mary and Joseph had faith in God and His plan (see Matt. 1:2425 and Luke 1:28, 1:45 and 1:56)?
REACH In light of Matthew chapter 2, what is the bad news? What is the Good News? In what ways have you been sharing the Good News? Considering chapter 2 of Matthew, in what ways is our culture different from the culture Christ was born into? In what ways is it similar? How did the people of His day respond to His birth? How does our culture respond to Christ’s birth? How might this influence your witness for Christ?
GOING DEEPER Look at Matthew 2:112*. The visit of the Magi is only found in Matthew chapter 2, and not in the other Gospels. For what type audience was the book of Matthew written? What would the story of the Magi communicate to Matthew’s intended audience? What does this story tell you about your own response to Christ? *Suggested Resource: Your group may find it useful to have a Study Bible or Bible Commentary available to answer this question.
