Gospel of Matthew - Week 1

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 1:1-25, Jer 23:5-6, Luke 1:26-38

Discussion Questions:

1. In light of what we know about the purposes of the Gospel of Matthew, why do you think Matthew started his memoir this way?
2. What prominent ancestors of Jesus are mentioned? What women are listed? Why do you think they were mentioned?
3. Take a step back from the passage - what does the Birth of Christ, the means by which he became a baby, mean to you?
4. What is the significance of the way Joseph responded to the angel's message? How does our desire for approval or acceptance keep us from doing the right thing sometimes?
5. Thinking "horizontally" as we discussed last week, read Luke's account of the angel's visit to Mary. Is there consistency, are their differences? How do you view the purpose of each account and how each Gospel writer presents it?
6. What else did you learn?