Advent: Born to Dwell With Bible Study FellowshipSample

Joseph’s Dream

Let’s imagine ourselves in Joseph’s place. Consider the facts. Weigh the options. What would you think and do? As Matthew reveals, God does not leave Joseph in a confused state based on conventional assumptions about Mary’s pregnancy. God intervenes; He communicates the truth directly.

Matthew tells in verse 20 that “an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream.” God graciously steps into Joseph’s confusion with clear directions. His message through the angel leaves no doubt: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus Christ: God With Us

Do you hear how God explains Christ’s Advent to Joseph? God is drawing you to marvel at Christ’s Incarnation through this study of His Word. Do you hear how God’s truth calms Joseph’s fears? Joseph knows from Holy Scripture that the Messiah would be born of a woman, but no one had known when and through whom until now.

Let’s review how Scripture tells the story of Jesus Christ—who He is, how He works, and what He has planned for humanity.

God the Son has always existed. – He participated with the Father and Holy Spirit in creation. (1)

God the Son humbled Himself to take on human form. – Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born a baby. He lived a perfect life and died a death He did not deserve on behalf of sinners. He rose from the grave, proving His power over sin and death. (2)

God the Son entered humanity to save us. – Christ accomplished and secured the eternal salvation of every believer who puts their faith in Him. He ascended to heaven and sits now at the right hand of the Father, interceding for believers. (3)

God the Son will come again. – One day, Jesus Christ will return to earth to judge the world. His people will dwell with God forever in our eternal home. For all eternity, praise for God’s Son will resound in heaven. (4)

Who can solve humanity’s greatest need? Only Jesus the God-Man could satisfy God’s holy and just demands on our behalf. Only God’s promised Savior paid for our sins. Jesus came as ‘the Way.’ He delivers God’s people from death to life. Because of Jesus, the Holy Spirit indwells believers, giving new life that makes people a new creation. (5)

Live by Faith

We see how God’s favor poured out on Joseph comes with immediate practical challenges and a personal call to faith. What would you have done? Matthew reveals a few verses later that Joseph accepts God’s call to walk this unique, incomprehensible path that can only be followed by faith. We learned through Luke 1:38 that Mary had also answered God’s call: “I am the Lord’s servant. … May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).

Are you trusting God with what you cannot explain or understand about Christ’s Incarnation and work? Do you live by faith day-to-day through Jesus’ everlasting salvation? If not, what’s holding you back?

Questions

1. Why does God’s message through the angel begin with, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid” (Matthew 1:20)?
2. What current life circumstances reveal your need for God’s comfort and instruction, and how is God meeting those needs through this study?
3. Read Matthew 1:20 in several Bible translations, if possible. What is made clear about God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through this portion: “because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”? What words of praise do you have for God in response?

Related verses:

1. Self-existent Creator: Gen 1:1-2, 26; Col 1:15-16; Heb 1:2
2. Humbled Himself: Matt 26:64; Mark 16:9; Phil 2:5-11; 1 John 1:1-2
3. Entered humanity: Acts 2:32-33; Romans 8:34-39
4. Heavenly praise: Rev 22:1-5
5. New creation: 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 2:20