Advent: Behold Jesus - Jesus is Our Hope

OUTLINE:

1. Faithful (Matthew 1:1)

2. Family (Matthew 1:2-5)

3. Forgiveness (Matthew 1:6)

4. Forever (Matthew 1:7-17)

QUESTIONS:

1. (Matthew 1:1 Abraham and David) The Bible is the story of God’s faithfulness. He tells us what He is going to do, then He does it. Where have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life? Where are you struggling to trust His faithfulness?

2. (Matthew 1:1-5 Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth) God takes outsiders and makes them insiders. Where has your sin made you feel like an outsider? What things do you do to try to be an insider? Do you believe that God is proud of you in Christ, that He is not ashamed of you? (Hebrews 2:11)

3. (Matthew 1:6) Matthew intentionally avoids using Bathsheeba’s name, instead he calls her ‘Uriah’s wife,’ forcing us to remember the whole story of David’s sin and forgiveness. How does David’s forgiveness give us hope? What sin are you hiding that needs healing? Where are you trying to earn God’s approval? (Psalm 51)

4. (Matthew 1:17) Matthan shows up. The only thing we know about him is that he is connected to Jesus. Where are you trying to build a legacy for yourself apart from Jesus?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Matthew 1:1-17

NEXT WEEK:

Matthew 1:18-25