Gospel of Matthew 1:1-4:11

Video for the week of March 13-19

 


Discussion Questions (Click for a pdf of the Discussion Questions)
Jesus Presented (Matthew 1:1-4:11)

1. Genealogy – Matthew begins his Gospel by telling tracing Jesus’ lineage for us, letting us know that he is descended from Abraham. He is opening with a retelling of where Matthew came from in order to tell us where he is going. As you think of your own genealogy, what does it say about your family, about your lineage, about who you are as a child of God? What does Jesus’ lineage tell us about who he is.
2. “All this took place to fulfill” – this is a classic phrase used by the writer of the Gospel of Matthew as he points out the variety of ways that Jesus is fulfilling the prophecies. Why do you think this is important? What do you think this tells us about Matthew’s view of Jesus’ place in the world?
3. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight.” How did John the Baptist prepare for the way of the Lord? How do we continue to prepare for him today?
4. As we hear of Jesus’ temptation, his fasting for 40 days and 40 nights, what do you think would have been his greatest temptation? What would be your greatest temptation? Hunger? Testing God? Power? Worshipping evil?