Matthew 2

The visit of the Magi

What can we gather about who the Magi were?

 For instance, as they were looking for the "King of the Jews," it is likely that they were Gentiles. But, let's examine them a bit further...

1. Review vs 1. 

-Any idea where they were from? 

-Why would Gentiles from another area wish to worship the King of the Jews?

-What can be said regarding their awareness that this King would be born a King and not that He would become one later?

2. What is the traditional story of the Magi?

For instance, sometimes the Magi are referred to as the 3 kings or the 3 wise men.

-Is there any reference in the Gospels that indicate that they were kings? Any reference that there were 3 of them?

-Are they traditionally called "wise men" because they were able to discern the location of the King? Or, were they deemed wise because of their wish to worship Him as Lord? 

3. King Herod attempts to manipulate the Magi into revealing the location of the King.

-Why is he interested in where the King is? Why would Christ's birth disturb Herod?

-What can we say about his reaction vs the reaction of the Magi?

4. Review vs 6. Those that were familiar with the writings of the prophet Micah would have been aware that the Shepherd of Israel would be born in Bethlehem.

-If you were a Jew during that time, would this information bring you hope? Why?

-What feelings would arise if you were not a Jew?

The Escape to Egypt

An Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and warns him of Herod's quest to kill Jesus. Joseph obediently takes Mary and the baby Jesus to Egypt until the death of Herod.

1. What is the significance of this part of the narrative?

-What is Matthew's motivation for adding it?

-Discuss the parallels between God calling the nation of Isreal out of Egypt and this story.

The Return to Nazareth

After leaving Egypt, Joseph and his family settle in a town called Nazareth. This is a city that is not mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament. (If you also read John 1:45-46, the disciple Nathaniel, notes his displeasure with this city.)

Consider the following: 

Jesus had to flee persecution from the king within days of His birth and landed in a "blink and you will miss it" city outside Galilee...

1. Is this fanfare normally associated with the birth of a king?

2. Why would the God of all Creation step into the world in this manner?

Teacher: Paul Sabino

Matthew 2

Matthew 1

The Genealogy of Jesus

1. Review some of the names noted in the genealogy of Jesus.

-Do some names sound familiar? Discuss some of the history associated with these names.

2. There are 4 women named in Matthew's genealogy. 

-Who were these women? 

At least 2 of these women lived lives of questionable character- Rahab was a prosititute, Bathsheba committed adultery...

-Why were they included in Jesus' genealogy?

3. Review vs 16. Why is Joseph noted as the husband of Mary, but not the father of Jesus?

4. In vs 18, we read that Mary was found to be pregnant.

-If you were Mary, how would you have reacted to this information? 

-What would have been the reaction within her family?

5. Vs 19 indicates that Joseph wanted to deal with Mary's pregnancy quietly.

-What would have been Mary's outcome if Joseph had decided to expose her?

-What does this say about Joseph's character?

6. Review the information that the angel tells Joseph in verses 20 and 21.

-If you were Joseph, how would you respond to this information?

-If you were Joseph, would it be more difficult to believe that Jesus was conceived from the Holy Spirit or that Jesus would save His people from their sins?

-Matthew doesn't record any dialogue that Joseph may have had with this angel. What are some questions that you would have asked?

6. Review vs 22 and 23. 

-Why did Matthew reference a prophet in the Old Testament in regard to the birth of Jesus?

-Why would it be necessary to link Jesus' birth with prior prophesies?

7. Vs 25 indicates that Jesus was born of a virgin.

-Why is this important? 

-What else can we say about Mary from this text? For instance, is there any evidence that Mary was without sin?

Additional reading: Luke 3:23-38

-Discuss some of the differences between the two sections and the genealogies of Jesus.

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 1

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The Book of Matthew

First Look: The coming of the King

The Old Testament prophets told of a coming King- One who would free them from evil tyranny and be a ruler and shepherd of His people. As we open the pages of the New Testament, we begin with the story of this King.

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Going forward, I will try to release the Cornerstone Leaders Talksheet discussion questions one week prior to the service versus a few days before. This decision was based on the feedback of some groups that go over the section a week before the teaching. This small change will allow all groups to use this talksheet as a resource.

Thanks,

Jacob Varghese

Your Move: Renew

As we enter our third year of Your Move, we stand in awe of His deeds. God stirred our hearts two years ago to be part of His vision in sacrificial ways. Join us this weekend at RENEW, a special weekend service of inspiration, encouragement, challenge and celebration!

This week in your connection groups, let's encourage discussion regarding "Your Move:"

1. Why is Cornerstone involved in the capital project that is currently underway?

2. Why is it necessary to sacrificially give to advance God's Kingdom?

3. What are other ways to be involved in this process?

4. Did you get a chance to read the new Intersect magazine? What were some of the stories that you were inspired by?

Remember, God is already moving- what will "Your Move" be?

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Free tickets are being issued in order to achieve equal distribution among services. All services will be in the auditorium.

Childcare is provided for children ages 3 and under for all five services.

Speakers: Troy Nesbitt and Jeff Dodge

Daniel 11-12

The king who exalts himself...

The "one who looked like a man" continues his discussion with Daniel regarding events that will unfold over time. The culmination of these events is seen in the rise of the king of the north, (ch 11: 25-45.)

1. As you read through the first section of Chapter 11, what are some of your thoughts?

-Do you feel these events have already happened? If so, what nations may have represented some of the kingdoms that are noted? (For instance, was China the kingdom from the North? Was it the former U.S.S.R.? Was it the kingdom of Alexander the Great? The Third Reich?)

-Do you feel that these events are yet to come? 

2. In either case, it appears that the king of the North has or will invade the South, vs 29. His armed forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. In the New Testament, Jesus references this leader and indicates that he will erect an "abomination that causes desolation," (Matthew 24:15)

-What is desolation?

-What can anyone do that would desolate God's Temple?

3. Despite the strength of this king, "those who are wise" will instruct many and as a result will be persecuted.

-Who are the wise?

-What will be their instruction for those that will listen?

4.  The king will exalt himself. He will say blasphemous things against the One, True God. Paul, in his second letter to the Thessalonian church identified this man as the "man of lawlessness," (2 Thes 2: 1-13.)

-What would compel this king to exalt Himself above God?

-What will the period of lawlessness look like that he will usher in?

-Will this be the Anti-christ? Has this world seen many men of "lawlessness?" How are we to know when this king will rise?

-If in due time, the king's control will run out, does it matter if we know when he will first show up?

After a time of great anguish, bodies that were dead and buried will rise up- some will go to everlasting life and some will go to everlasting contempt, (12:1-3.) These are the first verses of the last chapter of Daniel.

-What should our response be to the book of Daniel?

-Should we be spending time defining who, what, where or when- or- should we orient our lives to something more purposeful as a follower of Christ?

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Daniel 11-12

 

 

Daniel 10

In the third year of Cyrus, a revelation was given to Daniel. Discuss the context of this passage. It is likely that Daniel was perhaps 80 years old when this revelation occurred.

1. Review vs 2. 

-Why was Daniel fasting for 3 weeks? 

-What can we say so far about Daniel's life and his relationship with God? 

-How would you define his prayer life? Does he pray when problems arise? Is he in on-going communication with God?

-Why does he feel that prayer is the solution to all that he faces?

2. Review Vs 11. Daniel is seen as highly esteemed. 

-What does this mean?

-How does one become "esteemed" by God? 

-Why does God choose Daniel? Is he special in some way that is not defined in the Text?

Through this passage, we see that Daniel is approached by an angel. Daniel's response is one of fear and trembling.

-How are angels illustrated in our society? One example is a chubby little boy angel playing a harp...

-If society's version of an angel is accurate, why is Daniel afraid?

That said, in the Book of Ephesians we learn that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil, (Ephesians 6:12.)

-What does this mean?

-Do you believe that there is a supernatural battle for your soul and for the souls of your loved ones?

-What should our response be to this information?

Teacher: Mark Arant

Daniel 9