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"Family Line" Matthew 1:1-17

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"Family Line" Matthew 1:1-17 Overview Have you ever researched your family tree? An entire industry has been formed around the idea of people learning more about their family roots. It includes TV shows, DNA kits, internet research, and more. Understanding where we have come from often grants us perspective into who we are. Tracing our family history can grant us a sense of being grounded in our identity (and maybe even give us a perspective on where we are headed). We all have come from somewhere and someone – but what about Jesus? While it is true that He is God incarnate, He is also the descendent of a human lineage – and knowing about that can help us better understand who He is. Getting Started All In the Family 1. Share an interesting fact from your family history. 2. What is your ethnic heritage? How important was that heritage in your family as you were growing up? How about now? 3. If you could graft anyone into your immediate family, who would it be? The Text This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, 7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, 8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, 9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. 12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, 15 Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. 17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. Matthew 1:1-17 (NIV) The Video (optional) “Family Line” – Matthew 1:1-17 - by Kyle Corbin, Nov. 29/20 (view at www.immanuelonline.ca) NOTES:________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Understanding 1. What is the first name given to the babe in the manger in verse 1? What is the significance of this name (see verse 21-23)? 2. What does this first name indicate about the work this child will do (see also Psalm 130:7-8)? How do you see this work foreshadowed in the list of men contained in this genealogy (consider Jehoshaphat (2 Chron. 20:35-37), Ahaz (2 Kings 16), and Manasseh (2 Kings 21:9-18))? 3. Which women are contained in this genealogy (verses 3, 5-6)? What is the significance of their inclusion? NB: Consider again your answers from question #2 (see Gen. 38:13-19; Josh, 2:1; 2 Sam. 11:2-5) and their nationality (Ruth 4:1). 4. How might the inclusion of the women in this genealogy prepare the reader for what is to follow (especially verses 18-19)? 5. What is the second name for the child in verse 1? How would this have been significant in the minds of the readers (see 2 Samuel 7:12-16)? What expectations do the people have for someone with this name (check out Ps. 2;2-9; Matthew 9:27-32, 12:23). 6. What is the third name given for the child in verse 1? Interestingly, Luke has a genealogy of Jesus – and he starts his genealogy with Adam. Matthew starts with Abraham. Why do you think he did that (HINT: Who is Matthew writing his Gospel for?)? 7. What is the significance of this third name (consider Gen. 12:2-3)? What does this third name reveal about the scope of Jesus’ ministry (see also Gen. 22:18 and Matthew 28:19)? Applying 1. Think about the history of your family prior to you being born. How do you think that history has impacted your life? Where do you see God at work in that history? 2. Our own personal history can be a window into God’s activity and purpose for us. Set aside some time to write out your personal spiritual timeline. • This is an exercise which encourages you to identify significant events in your life (and to reflect on what God has accomplished in your life through those events). • Follow the instructions given in “Creating a Personal Timeline” – by Randy Wolff (copy available at...... https://ministrylift.ca/Creating_a_personal_timeline.) • You will need pen, paper, and ideally four different colors of sticky notes for this exercise. • Commit the exercise to God in prayer, asking God to show you His creative handiwork in your reality. • Don’t overthink the exercise (and don’t feel like you have to get it all done in one try – think of this as the start of a project you can add to as you go along or as God brings different events to mind). • At the end of the budgeted time for this exercise, share with others any insights you have gained (about yourself and/or about God’s work in your life). 3. What part of Christ’s lineage, identity, or past work in your life is currently resonating with you the most right now? What implications or lessons will you take with you going forward in your own faith journey? Memory Verse(s) 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 (NIV) Extra Resources v “Family Line” – Matthew 1:1-17 - by Kyle Corbin, Nov. 29/20 (view at www.immanuelonline.ca). Pastor Kyle unpacks the significance of Jesus’ family history as it is detailed in Matthew 1. v “The Gracious King – Matthew 1:1-17” – by John MacArthur (sermon found at www.gty.org, Jan. 15, 1978). MacArthur details how Matthew presents Jesus as the King through whom God’s grace comes. v “The Genealogy of the Messiah” – by Arnold Fruchtenbaum (article at www.jewsforjesus.org, April 20, 2018). This is a detailed article giving one explanation (from a Jewish perspective) for the differing genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke. .
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