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connectingtoLIFE LESSON 2 CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS Sabbath What about your message back to God? How Thursday JANUARYJANUARY14142017 Read John 1. can you communicate that to Him? Read Matthew 28:19. od the eternal Son became incarnate in esus came to show people what God is GJesus Christ. Through Him all things were Monday J like. But when Jesus returned to heaven, the fathers God created, the character of God is revealed, the Read John 3:16. His work here wasn’t finished. He left His peo- salvation of humanity is accomplished, and hat does the life of Jesus tell us about ple—His church—behind to continue showing the world is judged” (Seventh-day Adventist Wwho God is and how God thinks and the world what God was like. chose for His Son Beliefs, God the Son). feels about us? Scripture Story: 2 Samuel 7; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:21-38. As Christians, we don’t always do the greatest Commentary: Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 70; The Into the Story passage from John 1 de- Think of three stories from Jesus’ life that you job of that. But it’s sobering to reflect that “your The Desire of Ages, chapter 2. scribes how Jesus came to be God’s message know and like. Write a very brief summary of life may be the only Bible some people will ever Key Text: Luke 3:22. to this world. John uses metaphors to describe each in the boxes below (see example). Then, read.” What’s one practical thing you can do Jesus. Jesus is the Light. Jesus is the Life. for each one write what you think that tells us today that will help someone else see what the Jesus is the Word. about God. God you worship is like? PREPARING TO TEACH save us from our sins. (Respond) Jesus What does each of those images tell us about feeds Friday Jesus? 5,000 Read Isaiah 6:8.

I. SYNOPSIS III. EXPLORE cornerstone connections people. Light ______s you think about Jesus’ coming to The story of Jesus’ birth recorded in Matthew and God the Father, Seventh-day Adventist Beliefs Life ______God can A earth and what that reveals to us about Luke includes the genealogy of Jesus. However, when no. 3: “God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Word ______do a lot God, what is your response? Write a short let- with a the story of His birth is told, the genealogy is often Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just ter-prayer reflecting your feelings. Use the sen- little. overlooked. No doubt the Bible writers did not intend and holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and What else could you compare Jesus to? What tence starters below if they help. for the reader to skip over this important information. abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The quali- does that comparison mean to you? God is con- Dear God, The details of Jesus’ background are critical to under- ties and powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit cerned. Sunday When I think about Jesus coming to earth to standing the plan of salvation. Listing the ancestry of are also those of the Father.” (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. show us what You are like, it makes me feel Read Romans 5:8. Jesus underscores the fact that He was indeed the 110:1, 4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; ook back at the What Do You Think? por- Tuesday ______long-awaited Messiah, the Son of David. In the 17 dif- 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.) ______L tion of the lesson. What’s your favorite way Read John 1:14. ferent verses in the New Testament where Jesus was cornerstone connections ______. to send messages to people? ccording to the Flashlight passage from referred to as the Son of David, it was meant primarily TEACHING 8 AThe Desire of Ages, Jesus came to earth I want to tell You that ______to refer to His messianic title as the Old Testament Sometimes how you send a message depends on not just to demonstrate God’s love to people ______prophesied concerning Him. I. GETTING STARTED what it contains. MSN may be great for chatting on this planet, but to those watching on other, ______. There are many relevant talking points in this idly with friends, but if you want to say something unfallen worlds. Imagine you are a sinless lesson. For example, by highlighting some of the char- Activity that requires a lot of thought, you may want to angel watching the drama unfold as God the Because of Jesus, I think You are ______acters in Jesus’ family tree who had a questionable Refer the students to the What Do You Think? compose an e-mail or a handwritten letter. Some Son comes to earth as a human being. What do ______background you may wish to emphasize God’s char- section of their lesson. After they have completed it, of us find it easier to express deeply personal you think your reactions might be? What con- ______. emotions in the written word, while others always clusions would you draw about God? acter of love. No matter how grievous our sins, if we grade the quiz and have each student share briefly prefer to speak face to face. repent God is willing to include every one of us in His their family history. Here are the answers to the quiz: Wednesday family. 1. 1900; the siblings were not born yet in 1880, For God’s ultimate message of love to His ead the verses in the Punch Lines section and by 1910 they were probably not living with their earthly creation, only one kind of “Logos” Rof the lesson. What can you learn from II. TARGET parents. would do. God had already communicated for each of these verses about Jesus’ purpose in The students will: 2. Grandma; start with your relatives. The biggest hundreds of years, speaking through prophets, coming to earth? • Recognize that God is in control of our world’s regret family historians report is that they didn’t inter- Bible writers, and the Temple worship service. this week’s reading* history as seen in the genealogies of the ancient world. view relatives when they could. But no secondhand method would do for telling Isaiah 9:6 ______The Desire of Ages (or Humble (Know) 3. First cousin once removed. humanity that God loved them enough to die Matthew 1:21 ______Hero), chapter 1. Feel touched by God’s love to send His only 4. The baptismal record, because it was recorded for them. Only God Himself in human form Luke 2:10, 11 ______• Son into our world to save us. (Feel) when the event occurred—the closer the record to the could do that. John 14:8, 9 ______*Humble Hero is a special adaptation of The Desire of Ages, created by the Ellen G. White Estate and Pacific Press. Get more Be willing to share the realization that God sent event, the more reliable. information about it at http://www.cornerstoneconnections.net/ • article/191/about-us/conflict-of-the-ages-companionbooks#.URl His Son into our world to reveal His love for us and to As an alternate way to introduce the topic, instruct hF1rBO9s. By following the weekly reading plan, you will read at least one book of the Conflict of the Ages Series each year. 19 www.cornerstoneconnections.net www.cornerstoneconnections.net

CCLTG text B1 2017.indd 19 7/17/16 1:59 PM CCLTG text B1 2017.indd 20 cornerstoneconnections 20 first. listed was it why know you’ll genealogy, Jesus’ feat, butonceyouunderstandtheimportance of book. Reading through the list can seem like a difficult Jesus whoiscalledChrist”(Matthew1:1-16). Joseph thehusbandofMary,whomwasborn Matthan, andMatthanbegotJacob.AndJacob Achim begotEliud.EliudEleazar,Eleazar Azor. AzorbegotZadok,Zadok Achim, and begot Abiud,AbiudEliakim,andEliakim Shealtiel, andShealtielbegotZerubbabel.Zerubbabel after theywerebroughttoBabylon,Jeconiahbegot the time they were carried away to Babylon. And Josiah. JosiahbegotJeconiahandhisbrothersabout Manasseh, ManassehbegotAmon,andAmon Ahaz, andAhazbegotHezekiah.Hezekiah begot Uzziah.UzziahJotham,Jotham Jehoshaphat, JehoshaphatbegotJoram,andJoram begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Asa begot of Uriah.SolomonbegotRehoboam,Rehoboam king begotSolomonbyherwhohadbeenthewife Jesse, andJessebegotDavidtheking. by Rahab,BoazbegotObedRuth, and NahshonbegotSalmon.SalmonBoaz Ram begotAmminadab,AmminadabNahshon, Tamar, PerezbegotHezron,andHezronRam. and hisbrothers.JudahbegotPerezZerahby Isaac, IsaacbegotJacob,andJacobJudah Son ofDavid,theAbraham:Abrahambegot Matthew’s introductiontoHisGospel: your reader’sattentionfromthestart,let’slookat Illustration the SonofGod? human ancestorstorecognizethatultimatelyJesusis 3:22. WhyisitimportantwhenwelearnaboutJesus’ genealogy ofJesus?Reviewthepowertext,Luke Gospel. WhydidMatthewstarthisaccountwiththe his started Matthew way the on reflect to them invite to you).Afterthestudentssharetheirstatements, book (givethemtheoptionoftextingassignment each studenttowriteacatchy,grippingopener There “The bookofthegenealogyJesusChrist, Now thatyouknowhowimportantitistograb Share thisillustrationinyourownwords: you have the first two sentencesinMatthew’s

fulfilling the requirement for inheritance of the throne the of inheritance for requirement the fulfilling Jesus descendedfromDavid throughbothparents, isthat know to isimportant What ancestry. different since itwasagainstthelaw tomarryapersonfrom indicates thatshewasfromthehouseofDavidaswell, since Joseph was a faithful Jew his marriage to Mary was anadoptioninJoseph’sancestry. In eithercase, opposed to his Others explainthatitisJoseph’slegalgenealogyas Luke. SomescholarsarguethatitisMary’sgenealogy. was indeedtheMessiah,SonofDavid. of JudeainthedaysHerodking” (Matthew 2:1) establishing thefactthatthisbaby“borninBethlehem was notonlycaptivatingbutalsoveryimportant. show thatthisAnointedOnecamefromtherightline this rabbiwhospokewithunrivaledauthority—and loved that.ToestablishtheidentityofMessiah— his bookinthemannerthathedid.Peoplewouldhave back toAaronfromthetribeofLevi. prove thatyouwereinalineofdescendantsdating if youwantedtobeapriestinJesus’day,had depend ontheirmemoryofgenealogies.Forexample, ing, vocationalcredibility,andpropertyrightswasto stand- financial status, legal establish to way only the they didnotkeepwrittenrecords.Thismeantthat cess itwiththem. students, usethefollowinginyourownwordstopro- Out oftheStoryforTeachers hours justrecitingthenamesofancestors. Middle Easttherearetribalnomadswhocanspend I am; I’ll tell you about my people.” Still today in the would conclude,“I’mnotjustanomad.Askmewho from onegenerationtoanother.Hearingthelists,they names. Thisgavepeopleasenseofidentity,passing One oftheirfavoritemethodsstorytellingwaslisting stories. tell and fire the around sit would people night Imagine theirworld:noipads,ipods,TV.At Bridge totheStory STORY THE TEACHING II. There issomedisputeaboutJesus’genealogyin From thebeginningofhisGospel,Matthewis So it’s not surprising that Matthewwould begin Jesus livedin an oral culture. For the most part, After youreadthe In ancientIsrael,peoplevaluedgenealogies. In yourownwords,explain: biological genealogy, given that there www.cornerstoneconnections.net Into theStorysectionwithyour 7/17/16 1:59 PM

✁ been shocking to any reader in the ancient world. “It is the exception, rather than the rule, to find Tips for Top-notch Teaching women named in Hebrew genealogical lists. Even Connecting the Dots so, Matthew refers to them incidentally rather than The lesson this week offers an ideal oppor- RABBI 101 specifically as genealogical links. The fact that tunity to help students connect the following the names of such honored women as Sarah and dots: Rachel are omitted suggests that the four women Connecting David and Jesus • mentioned were probably in each case included Connecting the Old Testament and the • because of unusual circumstances. It is likely that all New Testament four—Thamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bath-sheba—were Connecting ordinary women and God’s • of Gentile origin. Herein lies an implied rebuke to extraordinary grace Jewish exclusiveness, and a tacit recognition of the Connecting the story of David and the • fact that Jesus belongs to the Gentiles as well as to birth of Jesus the Jews. Connecting the ancient world and the • “With the exception of Ruth, scandals were modern world attached to the names of all these women. A merely Take advantage of this chance to help stu- human historian might have chosen to pass over their dents get a wholistic perspective of the bigger names in silence for fear that the honor of the Messiah story. By connecting the story of Tamar to David be tarnished. But Matthew specifically quotes the to Jesus to today the young people can gain a cornerstone connections Master as saying to the Pharisees that He came deeper appreciation for the story of salvation. not ‘to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’ (Matthew 9:13, KJV). It may be that Matthew, himself a publican and therefore sometimes classed with har- through Joseph, and fulfilling the prophecy of being lots (see Matthew 21:31, 32), found in his heart a ten- the seed of David through Mary. der place for others who were generally shunned as living beyond the pale of respectability” (The Seventh- Sharing Context and Background day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 278). Explore with the students the stories of the women that Matthew includes in the opening paragraph of his book. Explain to the students how the inclusion of these women in the lineage of the Messiah would have

Teaching From . . . Refer your students to the other sections of their lesson. • Key Text: Luke 3:22. Desire of Ages. Ask what relationship they see Invite students to share the key text with the between the statement and what they have class if they have committed it to memory. just discussed from Out of the Story. • Other Eyes • Punch Lines Ask them how the quotes in Other Eyes con- Point out to your students the verses listed vey the point of the story in this lesson. in their lesson that relate to this week’s story. • Flashlight Have them share the verse that spoke most Read the Flashlight statement, pointing out directly to them and allow them to explain why that most of the time it is from the commentary they chose it. on this week’s story found in the book The

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CCLTG text B1 2017.indd 21 7/17/16 1:59 PM realreal.solid.stories.solid.stories LESSON 2 III. CLOSING passed down from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Judah. The ultimate blessing, our inheritance of eternal Activity life, will be the Deliverer who will come from this line. Close with an activity and debrief it in your own The spies informed Rahab that they were coming words. back and that Jericho would be destroyed. They told CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS Give each student a scarlet ribbon. Wrap each one her that she and her family would be spared if she JANUARYJANUARY14142017 individually and let them open the present at the end of hung a scarlet cord out her window. The scarlet cord class. See the summary below to connect the ribbon would be a sign to them, and she would be saved. with the stories in this study. Close with an appeal to This scarlet cord became the symbol of her freedom. accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Thanks to Rahab’s great faith, the lives of those in her Scripture Story: 2 Samuel 7; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:21-38. household were spared, and they joined themselves to Commentary: Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 70. Summary the people of Israel. The Desire of Ages, chapter 2. Consider the scarlet ribbon that weaves its way “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus through the genealogy of Jesus: into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison Tamar gives birth to twin boys. One of them reach- around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet the fathers God chose for His Son es his hand out first, and the midwife ties a scarlet robe on Him” (Matthew 27:27, 28). Indeed, the scarlet cord around his wrist. In this way they could identify robe is a symbol of our inheritance. It is a symbol of the firstborn—indicating which boy would receive the our blessing. And it is a symbol of our salvation. inheritance. You see, there is a blessing that is being cornerstone connections cornerstone connections 9

© Thinkstock 2016 keykeytext “After“You are she my had beloved given Son;him ina drink,You I flashlight amshe wellsaid, pleased.” ‘I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have fin- “The Pharisees had gathered close about Jesus as He answered the question of the (Luke 3:22) ished drinking’” scribe. Now turning He put a question to them: ‘What think ye of Christ? whose son is Remind the students about the reading plan that will take them through the He?’ This question was designed to test their belief concerning the Messiah—to show (Genesis 24:19, NIV). inspired commentary of the Bible, the Conflict of the Ages Series. The reading that goes with this lesson is The Desire of Ages (or Humble Hero),* chapter 2. whether they regarded Him simply as a man or as the Son of God. A chorus of voices *A special adaptation, Humble Hero, has been created by the Ellen G. White answered, ‘The Son of David.’ This was the title which prophecy had given to the Mes- Estate and the Pacific Press Publishing Association. Get more info about it at www. cornerstoneconnections.net. siah” (The Desire of Ages, p. 608).

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CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS JANUARYJANUARY14142017

Scripture Story: 2 Samuel 7; Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:21-38. Commentary: Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 70. The Desire of Ages, chapter 2. the fathers God chose for His Son cornerstone connections

answered, ‘The Son of David.’ This was the title which prophecy had given to the Mes-

siah” (The Desire of Ages, p. 608).

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CCLTG text B1 2017.indd 23 7/17/16 1:59 PM Boaz begot Obed punch lines by Ruth, OUT Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was begot David the king. OF THE betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the what Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting do you think? “David the king begot Solomon by her STORY to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. who had been the wife of Uriah. . . . Here’s a quiz to see how well you know genealogy: And Jacob begot Joseph the husband “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the 1. You have the names of three siblings born between 1884 of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who Why do you think God tells David that He will be a Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, and 1887 and need to know the names of their parents. Which is called Christ.” father to his son and will punish him when he does wrong? do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is census would be the best one to start with? Do you think this is a promise or a threat? (See Proverbs conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:18-20). ___ 1880 ___ 1900 ___ 1910 INTO “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry 3:12 and Hebrews 12:3-11.) 2. The best place to start your genealogical research “And He said to them, ‘How can they say that the at about thirty years of age, being (as is . . . Christ is the Son of David?’” (Luke 20:41). was supposed) the son of Joseph, ___ Internet ___Grandma ___the library THE the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, 3. Your grandfather’s sister’s daughter is your . . . “But He was wounded for our transgressions, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, ___ great-aunt ___ second cousin STORY He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastise- the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, How does the knowledge that God loves you too much to allow you to ___ first cousin once removed ment for our peace was upon Him, and by His the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, continue to do wrong and harm your relationship with Him, others, and 4. You found several records that give your stripes we are healed. “I will be his Father, and he the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, yourself give you hope as you face life’s difficulties? ancestor’s birth date. Which source is most shall be My son. If he commits the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have reliable? cornerstone connections iniquity, I will chasten him with the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, turned, every one, to his own way; and the ___ 1834 baptismal record the rod of men and with the blows the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” ___ 1850 census of the sons of men. But My mercy the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, (Isaiah 53:5, 6)). ___ 1902 death record shall not depart from him, as I took the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Scan through the genealogies (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38). it from Saul, whom I removed from Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of before you. And your house and Melchi, Circle all the people who have stories with which you are familiar. your kingdom shall be established the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, forever before you. Your throne shall the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, Star the names of the people whose story you know very well. did you be established forever.” the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, Both Matthew 1 and Luke 3 contain genealogies of Jesus. Read through each know? “The book of the genealogy of the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, one and note how the two lists are similar and how they are different. For Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, example, when the genealogies arrive at David, they split with David’s sons: cornerstone connections here are 17 verses in the the Son of Abraham: Abraham the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, “Nathan,” who is on Mary’s side, and “Solomon,” who is on Joseph’s side. 10 New Testament that describe 11 begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, Jesus as the “Son of David.” further and Jacob begot Judah and his the son of Mattathah, the son of Similarities: But how is it possible for Jesus brothers. Judah begot Perez and Nathan, the son of David, the son of to be David’s “son” if David lived Zerah by Jesse, approximately 1,000 years before insight Tamar, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, . . . Jesus? Matthew 1 outlines the genealogical Perez begot Hezron, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, proof that Jesus was a direct descendant of David “Caesar Augustus is made and Hezron begot Ram. the son of God.” Differences: through Joseph, Jesus’ legal father. Ram begot Amminadab, the agent for the fulfillment of The genealogy in Luke 3 gives Amminadab begot (2 Samuel 7:14-16; Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38) Jesus’ lineage through His God’s purpose in bringing the Nahshon, mother, Mary. Thus, Jesus is and Nahshon begot mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She a descendant of David, both Salmon. Why do you suppose they are different? through Joseph by adoption is of the lineage of David, and the Salmon begot and Mary by blood. Boaz by Son of David must be born in David’s Rahab, city” (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 44).

CCLTG text B1 2017.indd 24 7/17/16 1:59 PM Boaz begot Obed punch lines by Ruth, OUT Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was begot David the king. OF THE betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the what Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting do you think? “David the king begot Solomon by her STORY to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. who had been the wife of Uriah. . . . Here’s a quiz to see how well you know genealogy: And Jacob begot Joseph the husband “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the 1. You have the names of three siblings born between 1884 of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who Why do you think God tells David that He will be a Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, and 1887 and need to know the names of their parents. Which is called Christ.” father to his son and will punish him when he does wrong? do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is census would be the best one to start with? Do you think this is a promise or a threat? (See Proverbs conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:18-20). ___ 1880 ___ 1900 ___ 1910 INTO “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry 3:12 and Hebrews 12:3-11.) 2. The best place to start your genealogical research “And He said to them, ‘How can they say that the at about thirty years of age, being (as is . . . Christ is the Son of David?’” (Luke 20:41). was supposed) the son of Joseph, ___ Internet ___Grandma ___the library THE the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, 3. Your grandfather’s sister’s daughter is your . . . “But He was wounded for our transgressions, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, ___ great-aunt ___ second cousin STORY He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastise- the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, How does the knowledge that God loves you too much to allow you to ___ first cousin once removed ment for our peace was upon Him, and by His the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, continue to do wrong and harm your relationship with Him, others, and 4. You found several records that give your stripes we are healed. “I will be his Father, and he the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, yourself give you hope as you face life’s difficulties? ancestor’s birth date. Which source is most shall be My son. If he commits the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have reliable? cornerstone connections iniquity, I will chasten him with the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, turned, every one, to his own way; and the ___ 1834 baptismal record the rod of men and with the blows the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” ___ 1850 census of the sons of men. But My mercy the son of Joannas, the son of Rhesa, (Isaiah 53:5, 6)). ___ 1902 death record shall not depart from him, as I took the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Scan through the genealogies (Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38). it from Saul, whom I removed from Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of before you. And your house and Melchi, Circle all the people who have stories with which you are familiar. your kingdom shall be established the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, forever before you. Your throne shall the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, Star the names of the people whose story you know very well. did you be established forever.” the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, Both Matthew 1 and Luke 3 contain genealogies of Jesus. Read through each know? “The book of the genealogy of the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, one and note how the two lists are similar and how they are different. For Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, example, when the genealogies arrive at David, they split with David’s sons: cornerstone connections here are 17 verses in the the Son of Abraham: Abraham the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, “Nathan,” who is on Mary’s side, and “Solomon,” who is on Joseph’s side. 10 New Testament that describe 11 begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, Jesus as the “Son of David.” further and Jacob begot Judah and his the son of Mattathah, the son of Similarities: But how is it possible for Jesus brothers. Judah begot Perez and Nathan, the son of David, the son of to be David’s “son” if David lived Zerah by Jesse, approximately 1,000 years before insight Tamar, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, . . . Jesus? Matthew 1 outlines the genealogical Perez begot Hezron, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, proof that Jesus was a direct descendant of David “Caesar Augustus is made and Hezron begot Ram. the son of God.” Differences: through Joseph, Jesus’ legal father. Ram begot Amminadab, the agent for the fulfillment of The genealogy in Luke 3 gives Amminadab begot (2 Samuel 7:14-16; Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-38) Jesus’ lineage through His God’s purpose in bringing the Nahshon, mother, Mary. Thus, Jesus is and Nahshon begot mother of Jesus to Bethlehem. She a descendant of David, both Salmon. Why do you suppose they are different? through Joseph by adoption is of the lineage of David, and the Salmon begot and Mary by blood. Boaz by Son of David must be born in David’s Rahab, city” (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 44).

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Sabbath Luke 3: the human lineage of Jesus’ ancestors person who is not ashamed of sinners. See, he Read John 14:11, 12. and His divine origins that position Him as even puts them in his family tree.’” he qualities and powers exhibited in the equal with God. How is this important to our TSon and the Holy Spirit are also those of understanding of who Jesus is? Have you ever felt like Jesus was ashamed the Father” (Seventh-day Adventist Beliefs, of you? The next time you feel that you ______God the Father). have disappointed Jesus, read Matthew 1 ______and remember that there is no sin that would ______In a small group of friends, discuss the fol- cause Jesus to love you less. His love knows no lowing: boundaries. His family tree is loaded with bad Tuesday apples like you and me—and that’s precisely • How far back in your family history can Read Matthew 16:13-16. why He came! you go with knowing something about your fter reading the Flashlight section reflect ancestors? Aon the question that Jesus put to the Phar- Friday • What is your family story? How does your isees: “What think ye of Christ? whose son is Read Romans 8:15. family history color that story? He?” Compare this question to the question that t is in the Gospel of Matthew where we are • What are the benefits of studying your family Jesus asked His disciples in Matthew 16:13: Itold that the soldiers put a scarlet robe on history? “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Jesus’ body. Toward the end of Jesus’ life Mat- • What are the benefits of studying the family thew is saying, “Now you see the scarlet thread history of Jesus? Is this the same question? Explain. in the One who took on all of our sins. It is a • Numerous genealogies are listed in both the ______sign of salvation, a symbol of grace, weaving all Old Testament and the New Testament. Why ______the way to a bloodstained cross. There’s room do you think the writers of the Bible were so ______in the family for you. Will you accept Jesus’ in- careful to include these lists? What can we Consider what the following verses say about vitation to join His family?” learn from them? the identity of Christ and then complete the ______sentence: ______Matthew 16:16—Jesus is ______John 3:16, 17—Jesus is ______cornerstone connections Sunday John 10:30—Jesus is ______12 Read 1 John 4:9-12. Colossians 1:13-23—Jesus is ______atthew’s genealogy of Jesus would have Msent shock waves through the com- munity because of his inclusion of women. Wednesday In the ancient world women did not establish ead the three texts included in the Punch bloodlines. They had no legal rights. They were RLines section. How do Matthew 1:18-20 treated as property. What was most explosive, and Isaiah 53:5, 6 answer the question that however, had to do with which women Mat- Jesus poses in Luke 20:41? thew included (see Matthew 1:3, 5, 6.). ______What do these women have in common? What ______is Matthew trying to tell us by mentioning these women in the bloodline of Jesus? What does this tell us about Jesus? Thursday this week’s reading* Read Matthew 28:19. eflecting on Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus, The Desire of Ages (or Humble Monday Hero), chapter 2. Read John 3:16. RMartin Luther once said, “It is as though ead the Key Text and explain the signifi- God intended for people to hear this genealogy *Humble Hero is a special adaptation of The Desire of Ages, created by the Ellen G. White Estate and Pacific Press. Get more cance of the two genealogies included in and say to themselves, ‘Oh, Christ is the kind of R information about it at http://www.cornerstoneconnections.net/ article/191/about-us/conflict-of-the-ages-companionbooks#.URl- hF1rBO9s. By following the weekly reading plan, you will read at least one book of the Conflict of the Ages Series each year. 26 www.cornerstoneconnections.net

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