Incarnation #3 (Advent 2023) – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   December 7, 2023

The Virgin Birth

Matthew 1:1824

INTRODUCTION:  Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus focuses on Joseph’s perspective and connects several dots through his usage of the Old Testament. Dr. Don Carson helps us to understand the significance of Matthew’s use of the OT. He writes, “Quite apart from the five remarkable quotations from the Old Testament found in these two chapters, the narrative itself makes some important points. Two stand out.

First, the birth of Jesus Messiah is presented as a stunning combination of the extraordinary, even the miraculous, along with the humble and plain, even the cruel and macabre. On the one hand, the conception itself owes everything to the supernatural intervention of God; and at every stage God’s Son is protected by God’s special initiative and direction. After all, guidance by angels appearing in dreams is rather rare in the New Testament—but it occurs five times in these two chapters! This Child was special, the fulfillment of Old Testament promises, the Saviour of His people, brought here with a divine commission. But on the other hand, He was born into a humble home and forced to flee His native land. His birth precipitated the savage murder of other young boys; and His parents were finally forced to settle in despised Galilee.

Second, there is an unmistakable contrast between the enthusiasm of the Gentile Magi and the reception afforded Jesus by His fellow Jews and by the half-Jewish monarch Herod. At best, the Jewish authorities were apathetic about the news, more concerned about political peace than determining the truthfulness of the claims the Magi made. The religious authorities had accurate scriptural knowledge, but no heart to seek out the kind of Messiah who was hidden in a village. By contrast, the Magi came from a considerable distance and began their search from doubtful premises, but they found the Savior, presented their gifts, and gave Him homage. Matthew, writing from his perspective after the cross and resurrection, perceived that the Magi worshiped better than they knew. They thus joined the Gentile women who made up part of Messiah’s lineage, and anticipated the time when this Messiah would command His followers to make disciples of every nation (see 28:18–20).”[1]

 

It might be overly simplistic to say that the birth of Jesus was the most significant moment in history. It certainly was. But, we only come to realize that once we experience God’s lavish grace and love through salvation. In the virgin birth, God himself endeavored in the act of new creation and made a covenant with himself that would not be broken on behalf of humanity. But God did not go about his plan of redemption apart from humanity. He did it clothed in humanity (yet did not sin) and humility. God himself became human, being born of a woman and living life as part of their human family for the next 33 years. As we look at Matthew’s account of the virgin birth, we come to see that faithfulness comes from a regular life of purposeful responsiveness.

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As a group, share about a time when you were positively impacted by someone else’s purposeful responsiveness. What happened, and how did it impact you? What impression was left on you? Did it change the way you lived?

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions.

  1. When you consider the humility of Jesus’ birth, what stands out to you about God’s character?
  2. When you consider the incarnation (God becoming human), how important is it in life of Christian belief? (I.e., Mildly – Interesting, but not crucial. Sort of – I can see its importance in the story, but not in salvation. Critical – I can see its importance in the story and in salvation.) As you think about it, consider the action of God performing an action of new creation, how much more beautiful is it that he humbled himself and became human (without sin)?
  3. How does the virgin birth teach about God’s responsiveness to our great need?
  4. When you look at your life, what role does the value of purposeful responsiveness play?
  5. What is one step that you can take this week to increase in that value?

 

 

 

[1] D. A. Carson, God with Us: Themes from Matthew (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2009), 15–16.