The Greatest Story Ever Foretold: Pt 4

Matthew 2:13-23 (NLT)

13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

FOUR WAYS THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS IMPACTS US TODAY:

1. Jesus came to save us from our sins.

Matthew 1:21 (NLT)

21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 4:17 (NLT)

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

2. Jesus is a threat to earthly kingdoms.

3. Jesus endures as the true King.

4. Jesus calls His people to faith-filled obedience to Him.

SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: The Christmas story is the good news that Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ In Matthew 2:13, Joseph obeyed God’s command immediately, even in the face of danger. What does his response teach us about trusting God during uncertain times?

▶ Matthew 2:16-18 highlights Herod’s opposition to Jesus’ kingship. How can we guard against resisting Jesus’ rule in our own lives?

▶ Read Matthew 1:21 and Matthew 4:17. How does understanding that Jesus came to save us from our sins change how we view ourselves and others?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.

Jesus is looking for faith-filled obedience. What step of obedience is God asking you to take even if it feels costly?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Pray for hearts that are sensitive to God’s leading, courage to obey Him, and boldness to be faithful messengers of the good news, even when faced with challenges.