<p> Sermon Discussion Guide – December 15, 2013 Sermon Title “A Not So Simple Introduction” Scripture Matthew 1.1-25 (NIV)</p><p>Key Verse(s): When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. – Matthew 1.24-25 (NIV)</p><p>Summary: As we continue in the Advent season, we meet the earthly father of Jesus, a simple carpenter named Joseph. We have no recorded words of Joseph, but we know he was called by Gabriel in a dream to take Mary home as his wife – Mary who was with child conceived by the Holy Spirit! Joseph, whose lineage goes all the way back to Abraham, Jacob and King David, was afraid but obeyed what the angel told him.</p><p>Discussion Starters: How do you think Joseph felt when Gabriel told him the news of his fiancée being pregnant, knowing it wasn’t by him? Have you ever faithfully obeyed when you felt God calling you to do something? Even when it caused you discomfort, pain or ridicule? How did you feel, knowing God was using even your pain for His glory? </p><p>Read and Discuss Unless otherwise noted, scriptures have been researched and referenced based on the New International Version (NIV); however any translation is perfectly acceptable to use for discussion.</p><p>Matthew 1.1-16 – If you have seen this passage (or passages like this before), how many times have you skipped over it (them) because you could not imagine that they would be significant to you?  On Sunday, Pastor Jacob told us briefly about a few people in the lineage of Jesus who were, for lack of a better term, really bad people! Even the people we admire in scriptures (David, Abraham, etc.) were sinners, too. Why is it significant that God chose normal people to be in the blood line of Jesus? How does knowing this make you look at this passage differently?</p><p>Genesis 22.1-18 – This passage shows Abraham’s incredible faith manifested in his obedience to God. Abraham’s testing is difficult to comprehend, and though Joseph’s story is different, how is their faith and obedience similar? What did each of them face from the world and society if they chose to obey? What good came out of these stories? What good might come out of our stories if we choose to obey God?</p><p>Exodus 4.12-17, 4.27-31 – As important as Joseph’s role was in the Christmas story, he is often not as highlighted as Mary or others are. He wasn’t Jesus’ biological father; we have no recorded words of him, and yet – think of how the life of Jesus would be different without Joseph. On Sunday we heard how valuable it is to merely stand alongside someone in a role of simple support or comfort. And as for the Exodus verses, let’s be honest - who gets credit for leading the Israelites to the Promised Land? And yet who was standing next to him doing as much work (and all the speaking!)? The stories of Aaron and Joseph are very different, but how are the two men similar? In what way is God asking you to stand alongside someone this season? Will you obey, even knowing you may not receive earthly credit or honor? Sermon Discussion Guide – December 15, 2013 Sermon Title “A Not So Simple Introduction” Scripture Matthew 1.1-25 (NIV)</p><p>Prayer for this season: Dear God, during this season of Advent, teach us how to wait expectantly for the simple, yet beautiful birth of Jesus. Teach us how to simplify this season so we might encounter you in a deep and meaningful way. Give us patience like Zechariah, willingness like Mary and courage like Joseph. Thank you for Jesus, The Reason for this season. Amen.</p>