Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are His child, God has made you His heir. GALATIANS 4:4-7 NLT

⚫ WHEN YOU MESS UP YOUR CHARACTER, 11/29/20 I OFFER CORRECTION

... the father of , and Jesse the father of King . David was the father of , whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram ⚫ WHEN YOU MESS UP YOUR PATH, I KEEP the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the MY PROMISE father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father This is the genealogy of the Messiah the son of David, of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers the son of : Abraham was the father of , Isaac at the time of the exile to Babylon. :5B-11 NIV the father of , Jacob the father of and his brothers… MATTHEW 1:1-2 NIV

⚫ WHEN YOU MESS UP YOUR DEVOTION, I BRING SALVATION ⚫ WHEN YOU MESS UP YOUR PAST, I PICK UP

THE PIECES After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Judah the father of and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Perez the father of , Hezron the father of , Ram the Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of , father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father Nahshon the father of , Salmon the father of , of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother mother was Ruth… MATTHEW 1:3-5A NIV of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for Messiah. MATTHEW 1:12-17 NIV us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children. And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to NEXT WEEK: call out, “Abba, Father.” This Study Guide is designed to 4. Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Here’s another messy list of a broken past. How does God’s grace triumph over our sin and brokenness? Paul help you apply Sunday’s message. mentions being “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified” — how does Join one of our message-based this work of God help heal us? Community Groups to do this study together. To get connected, email [email protected]. SERVE others: ______

Read Romans 5:17-21. As we consider Jesus’ lineage, how does this LESSON AIM: The aim of this lesson is to appreciate and passage demonstrate God‘s grace to us? How does understanding appropriate God’s promises. grace help us to minister to those who are still struggling with sin?

Opening Prayer: Let’s invite God to meet with us. SPREAD hope: ______

Read John 1:14-17. How can we spread God’s hope during the holidays SHARE life: through the revelation of God’s great grace? ______

Have you ever researched your own family tree? Is there a family member in your past that you found particularly interesting? PRAYER: As many of our celebrations and traditions are interrupted by the pandemic, many are desperately searching for hope. Let’s pray for opportunities to share the hope of Jesus with others. What else can we be praying for? STRENGTHEN faith: ______

1. In Sunday’s message, we explored Jesus’ lineage and discussed November 29, 2020 how many of His ancestors would be considered messy. What encouragement does this offer those that come from less than perfect families? How can this encouragement be especially valuable during the holidays?

2. Among Matthew’s genealogy, we find Tamar. Take turns reading Genesis 38:6-30. What does Tamar’s story teach us of God’s sovereignty and grace? What significance does this have in being part of Jesus’ story?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. How does this passage correlate with Get a copy of this Study Guide and other message Matthew 1:1-17? How is Jesus‘ genealogy an example of God resources at www.twincities.church choosing the foolish of the world to shame the wise?