Birth of Jesus Christ

Discussion Questions: “Birth of Jesus Christ”

1.    Test your current knowledge:  Joseph has four dreams before and after Jesus is born. They are all in the book of Matthew, chapters 1 & 2. In what verses are they described? (It is not expected you know all of them yet)

1.    Joseph’s first dream: _____________________________________

2.    Joseph’s second dream: __________________________________

3.    Joseph’s third dream: ____________________________________

4.    Joseph’s fourth dream: ___________________________________

2.    The Angel Appears to Joseph: (Read the verses outlined in red: Matthew 1:18-25). In verse Matthew 1:19, what does it mean when Joseph wanted to “put her away secretly?” and why would he do that? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.    Joseph’s First Dream:  What five things did the angel of the Lord inform or command Joseph he must do?

1.    ______________________________________________________

2.    ______________________________________________________

3.    ______________________________________________________

4.    ______________________________________________________

5.    ______________________________________________________

4.    The First Prophecy Fulfilled:  In Joseph’s first dream, an angel appears to Joseph in his first a dream, who was the prophet and verse, Matthew is referring to?  _________________

And how is the prophecy fulfilled?  

(1) ________________________________________________________

(2) ________________________________________________________

(3) ________________________________________________________

(4) ________________________________________________________

5.    The Birth of Jesus Christ:  (Read the verses outlined in blue: Luke 2:1-7). In Luke 2:3-4, why did Joseph have to return to Bethlehem?  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.    The Second Prophecy is Fulfilled, referring to the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.  Who and what verse are Matthew 2:5-6 and Luke 2:4-6 referring to?  ________________________ How is the prophecy fulfilled?

(1) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(2) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(3) ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.    In Luke 2:7 Luke states Jesus was her first born.  What other siblings did Jesus have from Mary?  _______________________________________ 

8.    What word(s) or indications refer that Jesus was born in a stable?  ___________________________________________________________

9.    The _________ Appears to the Shepherds:  Read the verses outlined in green: Luke 2:8-20

1.    Who did the shepherds hear for the first time of the birth of Christ the Lord?  _________________________________________________

2.    What did they do after they heard it? ______________________________________________________

3.    What did they need to do to confirm what they heard?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.                The Circumcision of Jesus:  (Read the verses outlined in orange: Luke 2:21), if Jesus was born without sin, why did He still need to be circumcised? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11.                Jesus Presented in the Temple – The Purification (Read the verses outlined in black: Luke 2:22-24). In Luke 2:22-24, in order for Mary to complete her purification, what must she bring to the temple? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.    Where is this written in the Old Testament?  ______________________________________________________

12.                Simeon Sees God’s Salvation – Simeon Prophecy is Fulfilled. (Read the verses outlined in gray: Luke 2:25-35).  In Luke 2:26, how does the prophecy get fulfilled?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13.                Simeon declares four prophecies for Jesus and his mother Mary.  What are they? 

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________

14.                The Second Witness to the Redeemer (Read the verses outlined in light blue: Luke 2:36-38). Luke 2:36-38.  

1.    Who else bears witness to the Redeemer?  ___________________

2.    And why does there need to be two witnesses? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15.                The Magi Visit from the East:  Have someone read: (Read the verses outlined in purple: Matthew 2:1-12)  In Matthew 2:1-2,

1.    Why did the wise men that come from the East? ______________________________________________________

2.    And what were they seeking? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

16.                In Matthew 2:3-6, Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes to help him find out where the Christ was to be born.  Who was the prophet and were is it written in the Old Testament where the Messiah would be born?   _____________________________________________________

17.                In Matthew 2:7-8, what was Herod’s plan of deception?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18.                In Matthew 2:11, What gifts did the wise men present to Jesus? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19.                Why did the Magi return to their homeland in a different route?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

20.                Joseph’s Second Dream:  (Read the verses outlined in yellow: Matthew 2:13-15).  In Matthew 2:13, Joseph’s second dream, why does Joseph “Arise” and take Mary and Jesus and leave Bethlehem. And where do they go?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21.                Third Prophecy Might be Fulfilled: In Matthew 2:14-15, what is the third prophecy and how might it be fulfilled? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22.                Massacre of the Innocents:  (Read the verses outlined in light green: Matthew 2:16-18).  What is the Massacre of the Innocents in Matthew 2:16-18?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23.                Fourth Prophecy Fulfilled: Where is the verse Jeremiah refers to and what is its significance to the children being massacred? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24.                Joseph’s Third Dream – The Return to Nazareth:  (Read the verses outlined in dark red: Matthew 2:19-21).  What is Joseph’s Third Dream in Matthew 2:19-21?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25.                Joseph’s Fourth Dream – Fifth Prophecy Might be Fulfilled:  Read verses outlined in dark blue Matthew 2:22-23 and Luke 2:39-40).  In the fifth prophecy, if Herod was dead, why was Joseph afraid to go to Judea and reside in Bethlehem?  Is there a prophet that refers to this prophecy?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________