Birth of Jesus Christ
Student’s Guide
Quick links in this study:
The Birth of Jesus Christ According to Matthew
Mary and Joseph Betrothal: (Read the verses outlined in red: Matthew 1:18-25).
1. In Matthew 1:18, what does it mean to be betrothed?
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2. What does it mean “before they came together?
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3. At the end of Matthew 1:18, Matthew states, “Mary was found with child of the Holy Spirit.” What makes this pregnancy different from other miraculous pregnancies in the Old Testament?
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4. What prophecy is fulfilled with this verse? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph’s Character and Compassion (Have someone read the verse outlined in red: Matthew 1:19).
5. In verse Matthew 1:19, what does it mean when Joseph wanted to “put her
away secretly?” ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Why would Joseph want to put Mary away?
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Joseph’s First Dream (Have someone read the verse outlined in red: Matthew 1:20-21).
7. How did the angel appear to Joseph? _____________________
8. Joseph’s First Dream: What five things did the angel of the Lord inform or command Joseph he must do?
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________
e. ______________________________________________________
9. What is a Prophecy?
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10. What are the characteristics of fulfilling a prophecy?
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
The Second Prophecy is Fulfilled: The Virgin Birth (Have someone read the verse outlined in red: Matthew 1:22-23).
11. In Joseph’s first dream, who was the prophet Matthew is referring to in Matthew 1:22-23? _________________________________________________
12. In what verse did the profit say “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son and they shall call His name Immanual?” __________________________________________________________________
13. What four elements are required for the prophecy to be fulfilled?
a. ________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________
Joseph Obeys God. (Have someone read the verse outlined in red: Matthew 1:24).
14. What did Joseph do or not do until Jesus was born? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Birth of Jesus Christ According to Luke
The census: (Have someone read the verses outlined in blue: Luke 2:1-2).
15. Why did Caesar Augustus order a decree for a census? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem. (Have someone read the verses outlined in blue: Luke 2:3-5).
16. In Luke 2:3-4, why did Joseph have to return to Bethlehem? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. How far did Joseph and Mary travel while she was pregnant with Jesus from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and how long would it take to travel? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mary delivers Jesus. (Have someone read the verses outlined in Matthew 2:5-6 in purple and Luke 2:6-7 in blue).
18. Where is it written in the Old Testament that the Messiah would be born? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. What are the requirements of the Bethlehem Prophecy?
a. ________________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________________
20. In Luke 2:7 Luke states Jesus was her first born. What other siblings did Jesus have from Mary? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
21. What word(s) or indications refer Jesus being born in a stable? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shepherds Watching Their Flocks: (Have someone read the verses outlined in green: Luke 2:8)
22. Why did they have shepherds living out in the fields at night? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Angel's Message of Good News (Have someone read the verses outlined in green: Luke 2:9-12)
23. How did the angel comfort the frightened shepherds? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
24. How did the angel tell the shepherds how they will identify Christ the Lord? __________________________________________________________________
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The Heavenly Host Praises God (Have someone read the verses outlined in green: Luke 2:13-14)
25. What were the multitude of heavenly hosts? __________________________________________________________________
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26. Why would there be goodwill toward men on earth? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Shepherds Visit Baby Jesus (Have someone read the verses outlined in pink: Luke 2:15-16)
27. If the angel said Jesus was born in the city of David and we are told that the city of David is Jerusalem, then why did Luke state the shepherds would go to Bethlehem? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
28. What did the shepherds need to do to confirm what they heard? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Shepherds Become the First Gospel Messengers (Have someone read the verses outlined in pink: Luke 2:17-20)
29. After the shepherds saw Jesus in the manger, what did they do? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30. Some books and commentators conclude these shepherds were the first preachers of the gospel. What do you think? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Circumcision and Naming of Jesus (Have someone read the verses outlined in orange: Luke 2:21)
31. If Jesus was born without sin, why did He still need to be circumcised? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
32. Where does it say boys need to be circumcised? __________________________________________________________________
33. How did baby Jesus get his name? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________