God in the Flesh: The Christ Who Was Born (Matthew 1:1-17)

Jesus was born into a true human family and creates a new family.

1. Christ’s Family Tree

2. Christ’s Family Table

3. The Family Christ Creates

Discussion Questions

1. Read Luke 2:48, Mark 3:20-21, Matthew 13:53-58, John 7:1-9. Have you previously given much attention to the difficulty Christ experienced in his own household — rejection and the pain of not being understood? Why or why not? Does thinking about this add to your understanding of Jesus’ lived human experience on this earth? Why or why not?

2. Are family relationships easier or more difficult for you than other relationships? Why? Are you generally more gracious or more critical with those in your own household? Why?

3. Do you ever feel alone or unique about the things that you have to deal with in your nuclear and/or extended family? If so, do you think this is a common human experience? Why?

4. Do you see sinful patterns or weaknesses in your family heritage that you have had to face in your own life? If so, what?

5. How does looking at and considering the weaknesses and sins in Jesus’ nuclear family and family heritage give us hope?

6. Consider how Jesus’ ministry redefines family in Matt. 10:34-47, 12:46-50, 19:29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 8:19-21; Luke 14:25-26; Gal. 6:10, Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 2:11; 1 Pet. 4:17. Also consider how human family remains significant this side of glory: 1 Tim. 3:5, 5:8; 1 Pet. 3:1, 7; Eph. 5:22-6:4; John 4:53, Acts 10:2, 16:34, 1 Cor. 1:16, 7:10-11, 16:15, 2 Tim. 1:5,16, 4:19. What are some practical applications of this? How does this comfort and challenge you?

7. How is God calling you to respond to this sermon on Matthew 1:1-17?