New Testament in a Year – Matthew 1

The Genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17)

Understand It

• Whose genealogy is Matthew tracing? (1:1)
• What prominent ancestors of Christ are mentioned? (1:1)
• Who is listed first in the various sections? (1:2, 6, 12)
• What significant women were ancestors of Christ? (1:5-6, 16)
• Who is the only person in the record who is listed with his title? (1:6)
• How does Solomon figure into the genealogy? (1:6)
• The genealogical record is divided into what three periods? (1:17)
• What span of time does the genealogical record cover? (1:17)
• What important event and three people are used as a basis for marking the generations? (1:17)
• How many generations are cited in all? (1:17)

Apply It

• What actions do you need to take (or choices do you need to make) this week so that your descendants look back on your life as something to live up to and not something to live down?
• How can you encourage a friend who is struggling in relationships with parents and/or children?

The Birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25)

Understand It

• What happened to Mary while she and Joseph were engaged? (1:18)
• What do you think Joseph initially thought upon hearing this news about his bride-to-be? (1:18-19)
• What positive character qualities did Joseph possess? (1:19)
• How did Joseph plan to handle this delicate situation? (1:19)
• How was Joseph’s ancestry significant? (1:20)
• Why did Joseph change his plans to divorce Mary? (1:20)
• If Joseph wasn’t the actual father of Christ, who was? (1:18, 20)
• What did the angel command Joseph to name the child and why? (1:21)
• What significant mission in life would Mary’s child have? (1:21)
• Why is Mary’s virginal conception of Christ significant? (1:22-23)
• What does Immanuel mean? (1:23)
• How did Joseph respond to the angelic message? (1:24)

Apply It

• What difficult, hard-to-swallow command of God do you need to obey today?
• How will you respond the next time someone begins to tell you a juicy bit of gossip?