Life Group Questions 12/1/19
Sunday’s Sermon Text
Matthew 1:1–17
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
[1] The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
[2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, [3] and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, [4] and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, [5] and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, [6] and Jesse the father of David the king.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, [7] and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, [8] and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, [9] and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, [10] and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, [11] and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
[12] And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, [13] and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, [14] and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, [15] and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.
[17] So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. (ESV)
Summary: Matthew’s genealogy affirms Jesus as the legitimate heir to the throne of Israel and also, points to his leadership of a new family, the church, in which membership is not based on blood or behavior but faith.
Observing the Text: Read Matthew 1:1-17
How many names are listed in this genealogy? What are the milestone events/people that sub-divide the genealogy?
Which brother who is not in the line of Jesus is mentioned by name? Which three women are mentioned by name?
Interpreting the Text:
In case you didn’t get to share on Sunday, what’s family tradition or ritual that connects you with prior generations (food, holiday, celebration, etc.)
What clues from this genealogy help point to the purpose of Matthew’s gospel?
What is the significance of mentioning Abraham and David in the first verse?
Since it’s not explicit in the text, what are some reasons Matthew might have included these four women in his genealogy?
What is the importance of the Babylonian exile in this genealogy?
If you were to imagine being Jewish in the Ancient Near East when Jesus was born, what are some expectations you might have had regarding the Christ?
How would you describe to a stranger how inclusion in God’s family is not based on blood or behavior (law)?
Applying the Text:
How can you live out the gospel meaning of Christmas cheer this month?
What is God saying to you? What’s your next step?
To Announce:
Giving Tree Gifts Due Sunday- During the holiday season, Help One Child partners with churches and community partners throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties to bring the joy of Christmas to at-risk children. We ask that our church members choose an ornament with a person’s gift request from a local at-risk child, purchase that gift, and then bring it back by December 8! Check out the Giving Tree in the Lobby on Sunday!
This Sat, December 7th serving with PATH 9 AM - 12 PM- We invite you to join members of our Serve the City team to learn about the homeless services nonprofit PATH, help set up apartments in their brand new building, and then mingle with new residents. Meet 290 N. 2nd St. San Jose, CA 95112. Contact Amber Antle if interested.
Member & Prayer Meeting - Put January 8 on your calendar! We’ll gather as a church to pray and discuss what God has for us moving forward! One of the things we plan to discuss is where God is leading us in regards to church planting!
Membership Sunday - If you’re ready to take the step of membership, be sure to fill out the membership application, sign the membership covenant, and tell your Life Group leader! You can contact Fred Mok if you have any questions.