Life of ChristLesson 1

Messianic PropheciesRead Isaiah 9 and Micah 5

1. What kind of figure is presented here, as far as the main role is concerned? What distinguished him in this role?

2. What do the names given to the coming King in Isaiah 9.6 reveal of his nature?

3. These verses tells us what the reign of the Messiah is like. How does Matthew 4.12-25 in general and specific ways show us the king in Isaiah 9.1-7?

4. From Micah 5, what little town will the ruler of Israel come?

5. How will this ruler reign over the people of Israel?

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6. How did Jesus fulfill the longings of prophets and the people?

Preview of JesusRead Matthew 1.1-17; Luke 1.1-4, 3.23-38; John 1.1-18

1. Consider the names in the genealogy in Matthew 1 and note how sinful some of them were. How does this chapter indicate that the coming of Jesus was in God’s plan from the beginning? In what ways does it demonstrate that in Jesus Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled? What truths are indicated here concerning his person and work?

2. According to John 1 list all details about the Word.

3. Suppose a friend asks whether Jesus was eternal or was a created being. How could you use John 1 to answer the question?

4. What did John (the Baptist) say about Jesus? Explain.

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Zechariah, Elizabeth and MaryRead Luke 1.5-80

1. Describe Zechariah and his wife. Where was Zechariah and what was he doing when the angel appeared to him? Describe what happened. (what was going to take place, how Zechariah reacted, what happen when he left the temple and when he went home, etc.).

2. To whom did Gabriel appear next? How did the angel greet her? Define “favored” and “blessed.”

3. What did Gabriel say would happen to Mary? What would the child be named?

4. Define this name (See Matthew 1:21,25).

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5. What facts did the angel predict regarding Him?

6. How did Mary react to Gabriel? How did Gabriel respond?

7. What did Gabriel say this would prove about Jesus? What does this show about the purpose of the Virgin Birth?

8. What did Gabriel say about Elizabeth? How does this relate to God’s power?

9. Describe how Elizabeth greeted Mary. How did John react to Mary?

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10. What did Mary say her relationship to God was? What would future people say about her?

11. Who had done great things? Whose name is holy? (Think: Who is being praised here: God or Mary? Who is a humble servant? Who does the verse say should be exalted?)

12. The Magnificat has often been said to be modeled after Hannah’s Song. Read 1 Samuel 2.1-10 and compare it with Luke 1.46-56. What do the similarities tell you about Mary?

13. What name did friends and relatives expect the baby to have? What name did Elizabeth choose? Why?

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14. What did Zechariah say the name should be, and what happened as a result? What prophecy did this fulfill ?

15. For what did Zechariah give thanks?

16. What oath was God keeping? What could people do as result? Compare Luke 1.75 to Acts 3:25-26. What blessing was God about to prove that related to His promise to Abraham? What role would John have in this?

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Come, Worship the King

Oh, He is JehovahOh, King of all KingsOh, He is Almighty

Come, Worship the King

Splendor and majestyPower and authority

Are His from the beginningHis they are and His they evermore shall be

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Life of ChristLesson 2

Jesus’ BirthRead Matthew 1.18-25; Luke 2.1-20

1. What was Joseph and Mary’s relationship? What did that mean? When Joseph learned about Mary being pregnant, what did he consider doing? What stopped him? How long did Mary stay a virgin?

2. Why is Mary’s virginity so important? Besides the fulfillment of the prophecy, why was it an issue? See Romans 5.12 and Romans 6.23. Then look up Hebrews 10.4-5, Hebrews 2.9, 14-17, John 1.29 and Hebrews 10.10-18. Share your findings with your group.

3. Compare what Joseph was told in Matthew about the conception of Mary to what she was told in Luke 1. How do the accounts compare?

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4. What must it had been like for Joseph to go against what everyone would have told him to do, knowing it was what God wanted. How does this impact your Christian walk and your relationship with God? If you are doing God’s will, does it matter what other people think?

5. Examine the character of Joseph as revealed in this passage. What can we learn from his courageous behavior?

6. What did the angel predict about the child? What name would He be given? Explain the meaning of the child’s name. Why was this name appropriate? Can you recall any other passages where this is said?

7. Who joined the angel, and what did they do? In what sense did Jesus bring peace on earth?

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8. What did the shepherds do in response? Who heard about these events? How did they respond?

9. Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds were all told not to be afraid. We are told by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount not to worry. This can be easier said than done. Is this a struggle for you? How do you handle it? If you don’t struggle, then how would you counsel a person with worry or fear? Which passages are helpful?

10. Many know the story of Jesus’ birth, including Linus from Charlie Brown. Read through Luke 1.1-12 and pull out key points. What is so special about this story? Are there any specifics that touch you personally? Spend time in prayer this week thanking God for this story that changed the world.

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Early Years of Jesus ChristRead Matthew 2.1-23; Luke 2.21-39

1. Why did Joseph and Mary take Jesus to the temple? What was the time of purification that was to be observed? What all was required? See Leviticus 12.

2. Who met Jesus and His parents in the temple? What kind of man was he? What revelation had he received?

3. What did he say and do regarding Jesus?

4. What did he say to Mary? What does this mean?

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5. Whom else did they meet? What was she like? What did she say about Jesus?

6. Simeon waited his whole life for the one who would redeem Israel. He praised God for having seen salvation. Thank the Lord for your salvation. Spend some time praying for those you know that need to be saved.

7. Where did the wise men come from and why did they go to Herod?

8. What was Herod’s response to the wise men? What did he immediately do?

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9. Where did the wise men find Jesus? How did they know where to go?

10. What was the wise men’s response when they found Jesus? What did they give to him?

11. The gifts the wise men gave to Jesus were of great value, and an act of worship. How does reading this encourage/challenge you in the gifts and acts of worship you give to your Savior?

12. How did Herod react when the wise man did not return to him? What did he do? What can we learn about Herod’s character?

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13. What prophecy was fulfilled by Herod’s act? Where was this prophecy found? What is the significance of the reference to Rachel and to Ramah?

14. How did the wise men and Herod illustrate the different reactions people have to Jesus? Notice that these reactions began from the time of His birth. Do you see these same reactions from people today?

15. Digging Deeper (Optional) Research Biblical helps and see what you can learn about the wise men mentioned in this chapter. Were these real men, and what kind of men were they, where did they come from, what was their occupation?

16. What was Joseph instructed to do after the wise men visited? Why was it safe to do this?

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17. What did Joseph do in response to the instruction? What further information did he learn when they arrived in Israel? Why would this concern him?

18. What instruction was he then given about where to go next? So where did he take his family, and how did this relate to Old Testament prophecy?

19. We know of God’s sovereignty and how He is in control of all things. This week we have seen how each aspect of Jesus’s early life was planned from the beginning. How does that encourage you knowing that the Lord has your life planned?

20. If you are a Bible marker, look up the passages Matthew quotes and mark them in your Bible. Or make a note as they shed light on the promised Messiah and His life. Matthew 1.23 with Isaiah 7.14. Matthew 2.5-6 with Micah 5.2. Matthew 2.15 with Hosea 11.1. Matthew 2.17-18 with Jeremiah 31.15

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Come Adore The Humble King

Come adore the humble KingLowly in the manger

Fall before His majestyHail the little Savior

Hope, what hope no tongue could tellGod has come with us to dwell

His name is EmmanuelO praise the humble King

Come adore in humble stateHe the song of angels

Join the wise who call His nameAnd with all creation

Who, oh, who would condescendGod unknown now calls us friend

Love that none could comprehendO praise the humble King

Come adore the King who cameTo our world to save us

Born to heal our prideful raceCrown us with forgivenessFall, oh, fall before the one

Who in mercy left His throneChrist the Lord, God's only Son

His glories now we singO praise the humble King

Come adore, come adoreCome adore the King

Bow before, come adoreThe Name above all names

Come…

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Life of Christ

Lesson 3

Jesus’s Growth and Early LifeRead Luke 2.40-52

1. What does Luke tells us about how did Jesus grow up?

2. Why did Jesus and his parents go to Jerusalem?

3. When did Mary and Joseph realize Jesus was not with them on their journey home? How long did it take before they found Him?

4. Where was Jesus when they found Him? What was He doing?

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5. How did Jesus react to his parents when the found Him? What did He say to them?

6. Search the scriptures and put together what Jesus’s life growing up may have been like. Include His family, education, occupation, etc. See Matthew 13; Galatians 1.19; John 7.5; Mark 6.3; John 2.12; Deuteronomy 6.4-7; John 7.15; Luke 4.16, 22-24; Mark 7.31; Matthew 2.23; John 7.53-8.11.

7. How does the chapter end? Where have we seen this before? (This week’s readings)

8. Do a word study on the word treasure from Luke 2.19, 51. The two words in the original text are different. Mary treasured these things. What things did she treasure? What do you treasure about Jesus? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for His Son, Jesus.

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9. We don’t know if Jesus knew who He was fully was, but he saw it to be important to sit among the teachers in the temple listening and asking questions. How often do you question and study what is being taught from the pulpit? Do you tend to just trust what is being said? Do you think it is important to question? What keeps you from this exercise? See Acts 17.11.

10. Do a study on the Feast of Passover. Why was this so important for Jesus and His family to travel to Jerusalem for?

John the BaptistRead Luke 3.1-18; Mark 1.1-18; Matthew 3. 1-12

1. What passage is quoted in Luke 3:4-6? Read Isaiah 40.1-5. What do you discover from the surrounding verses? What is promised in 40.1-2? How is the promise to come according to verses 3-5?

2. Describe John the Baptist. Where he preached. What he announced. What he looked like. Who people thought he was. (See also John 3.27-30).

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3. How did John the Baptist react when he saw the Pharisees and the Sadducees?

4. How did John the Baptist describe Jesus?

5. What did John the Baptist tell people to do? (the crowds, tax collectors, soldiers)

6. How did John illustrate the work of Jesus? Explain the illustration

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7. Why did people think John the Baptist might be the Messiah, Elijah or the prophet? See John 1.19-25; Deuteronomy 18.15-22; Malachi 4.4-6.

8. What blessings of the gospel of Christ were anticipated in John the Baptist’s preaching? As believers we have blessings on earth, but what more do we have to look forward to when Christ comes back for the second time? Praise the Lord for what is to come when we are in the new heavens and new earth.

9. Study Acts 19:1-7. Is the baptism of John still in effect today? Explain how John’s baptism differs from the baptism of the gospel.

10. John the Baptist preached repentance. What is the difference between him telling people to repent and Christ telling people to repent? Or Paul? Is there a difference? Explain your answer.

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11. Using a concordance or Blue Letter Bible look up “repent” in Matthew 3.2. What did you find? In the Old Testament it is often translated as “returning to the Lord.” Read from the following verses and note what you learn about “returning to the Lord.” Isaiah 55.6-9; Isaiah 44.21-23; Jeremiah 3.11-15.

12. Many people believe that the kingdom of Christ will not begin until Jesus comes again. What did John teach about the kingdom? What can we learn about the kingdom from John 18:36, Colossians 1:13, 14?

13. John the Baptist had a purpose in life, and that was to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. As believers, is our purpose similar? Do you find it difficult to stay focused on that purpose? What keeps you from sharing the gospel and the good news of Jesus Christ?

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Life of Christ Lesson 4

BaptismRead Matthew 3:13–17; Mark 1:9–11; Luke 3:21–23

1. In these passages, where did Jesus travel to? From where?

2. How does Matthew 3:1–12 help us understand why John was surprised?

3. According to Luke, what was Jesus doing when the heavens were opened?

4. What two events does Matthew highlight with the word, “Behold”?

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5. What are the three things that the Father said about Jesus.

6. This passage says that the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus at the beginning of His ministry. Matthew recorded this important event to connect Jesus with the Suffering Servant figure in Isaiah.

a. Read Isaiah 49:1–7. What will God commission the Servant to do?

b. Read Isaiah 53:11. How will the Servant accomplish this work?

c. Read Isaiah 42:1–3 and 61:1–3. How will the Spirit of God be involved in the ministry of the Servant?

7. The heavenly voice also declared that Jesus is the beloved Son of God. What is the Son appointed to do according to Psalm 2?

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8. Modalism is a Christian heresy that denies the Trinity. Modalists believe that there is only one person in the Godhead and that He merely appears in different forms. Sometimes He appears as the Father, sometimes as the Son, and other times as the Holy Spirit. What about the gospel passages proves that modalism is a false doctrine?

9. Jesus told John that He had to be baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness.” By this, He meant that, even though He needed no forgiveness, He had to identify with us to be our substitute. He not only had to die for our sins; He also had to live a perfect life for us. When are you tempted to trust in your own good works to earn God’s favor? Did you struggle with this concept when you became a believer?

10. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus to empower Him for ministry. This means that, as a man, He was dependent on the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work of redemption. The New Testament says that we should also be depending on the Holy Spirit for power in our ministries (Galatians 5:22–23). Are you depending on the Spirit in your life? Are you afraid of serving in some way because you are worried about a lack of power?

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TemptationRead Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13

1. Who led Jesus into the wilderness?

2. Why was Jesus led into the wilderness?

3. Complete these sentences regarding the first temptation (Matt 4:3; Luke 4:3).a. When Satan told Jesus to command the stones to become bread, he was tempting Jesus

to sin by:

b. Jesus responded to this temptation by quoting an Old Testament Scripture that taught:

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4. Complete these sentences regarding the second temptation (Matt 4:6; Luke 4:9–11).a. When Satan told Jesus to throw Himself down, he was tempting Jesus to sin by:

b. Jesus responded to this temptation by quoting an Old Testament Scripture that taught:

5. Complete these sentences regarding the third temptation (Matt 4:9; Luke 4:6–7).a. When Satan told Jesus to worship him, he was tempting Jesus to sin by:

b. Jesus responded to this temptation by quoting an Old Testament Scripture that taught:

6. How does this passage provide encouragement to someone struggling with sin?

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7. Christ obeyed perfectly during His temptation, but we still sin every day. Even though we cannot achieve perfection in this life (Philippians 3:12–14), the Holy Spirit is still working in every Christian (2 Cor 4:6; Eph 3:16–20). Discuss with your group how God has given you victory over temptation since you became a Christian.

8. Satan uses the promise of prosperity to entice us to sin. For example, he promised Eve that she would be like God, and he promised the world to Jesus. What is the prosperity gospel? What is wrong with it?

9. As we see in this passage, Scripture is our ultimate weapon to fight temptation. How consistently have you been reading Scripture over the past year? Share your reading plan with your group if you have one. Also, share other methods you use to study or memorize Scripture on a continual basis.

10. Satan twisted the meaning of Psalm 91:11 to tempt Jesus. Summarize Satan’s misinterpretation in your own words. How did this Psalm actually apply to Jesus’ situation? How can you apply this Psalm to your situation?

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Life of ChristLesson 5

The Testimony of John & The First DisciplesRead John 1.19–51

1. John gives us time markers in this section in the form of “on the next day…” Based on these markers, how much time is covered in this section?

2. This section records the testimony of John the Baptist. The Jews had two questions for John. Who are you? And, why are you baptizing? Summarize John’s responses to these questions in your own words.

3. What titles did John and the early disciples ascribe to Jesus in John 1.29–51?

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4. Jesus’ statement in 1.51 alludes to Jacob’s vision in Genesis 28.12. At first glance, it might not be clear why Jesus is alluding to this vision, but the context can help us. Remember that the immediate context is the most important aid we have when interpreting difficult passages. Read John 1.45–51 carefully. Also consider the narrative that immediately follows in 2.1–11, especially 2.11. How does the immediate context help us interpret Jesus’ words in 1.51?

5. In John 1:.1, the priests and Levites asked John if he was “the prophet”. They were referring to Deuteronomy 18.15–18, where Moses wrote of a great prophet in the future. Read this passage in Deuteronomy and list three observations about this prophet.

6. John called the people to “behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” Christianity is unique from every other religion because it directs our attention to someone else for our salvation. We cannot earn God’s forgiveness. Rather, our sin must be carried away by Jesus Christ. When did you first trust in Jesus to take away your sin, and how did your view of Jesus change after your conversion?

7. When the first disciples believed in Jesus, they entered into a teacher-student relationship with Him (1.38). We can’t follow Jesus around on earth in the literal sense, but we are still His students. How are you doing as a student of Jesus? Where do you have room to grow? Share something with your group that Jesus has taught you recently.

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The First Sign: Jesus Turns Water into WineRead John 2.1–11

1. What was the significance of this miracle?

2. John says that Jesus “manifested His glory” through this miracle. How does this statement help us understand the difference between Jesus and Old Testament prophets like Moses or Elijah?

3. How did the disciples respond to this miracle?

4. In John 2.4, Jesus says that His hour had not yet come. He also refers to “the hour” in John 7.30, 8.20, 12.23, 13.31, and 17.1. What was He referring to?

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5. Jesus “manifested His glory” in this first miracle (2.11). This means that He revealed something praiseworthy about Himself. How was the glory of Christ put on display here? How was the glory of Christ displayed on the cross? At the resurrection?

6. John called this miracle a “sign”. Based on the context, what was this a sign of? Do these types of miracles continue today? Why or why not?

7. Digging Deeper (Optional) The glory of Christ is a theme in John (1.14; 2.11). What do the following verses say about the glory of Christ?

a. John 5.41

b. John 8.54

c. John 11.4

d. John 14.13

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e. John 17.5

Cleansing the TempleRead John 2.12–25

1. When did this event occur?

2. What reason did Jesus give for driving the merchants out of the temple?

3. What did the Jews ask Jesus to do? Why?

4. John 12.37–40 says the general response to Jesus’ miracles was unbelief. What does this say about people that demand proof that God exists? Discuss with your group how you could use this text in an evangelistic encounter with an atheist that complains about the lack of evidence for God?

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5. In John 2.24, John says that Jesus did not entrust Himself to the people with superficial faith. On the other hand, He does entrust Himself to those with saving faith. Spend a few minutes in prayer and thank God for giving you saving faith in Jesus Christ.

6. In John 2.16, Jesus accused the people of turning the temple into a marketplace. Even though most churches don’t have people selling oxen and sheep in the lobby, people can still commit this type of sin by coming to church with a consumer or business mentality. Discuss with your group ways that people can take advantage of the church.

7. In John 2.23–25, Jesus did not entrust Himself to the crowds because He knew that their faith was superficial. Discuss with your group how a Christian may know if their faith is superficial or genuine. What are the marks of superficial faith? What are the marks of saving faith?

8. Digging Deeper (Optional) John applied Psalm 69.9 to Jesus in John 2.17. Read Psalm 69. What happened to the Psalmist because of his zeal for the temple? Where else in the New Testament is this Psalm quoted?

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Life of ChristLesson 6

NicodemusRead John 3.1–21

1. Jesus tells Nicodemus that unless one id born of spirit and water that he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What does it mean to be born of water and spirit? See Numbers 19.17-19; Psalm 51.9;Isaiah 32.15, 44.3-5, 55.1-3; Jeremiah 2.13; Joel 2.28-29.

2. Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again to see and enter into the kingdom of God. What was He implying about Nicodemus’ current spiritual condition?

3. In John 3.5, “born of water” refers to cleansing from sin, and “born of the Spirit” refers to the work of the Holy Spirit that produces spiritual life in the believer (often called regeneration). Describe the new birth in your own words.

4. Why did the Father send the Son into the world?

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5. How can you escape the judgment of God and experience eternal life?

6. Humanism is a popular worldview. The Oxford Dictionary says that humanism stresses the “potential value and goodness of human beings.” Compare this belief with John 3:19–21. What does this text say about human nature?

7. The doctrine of the new birth in John 3:3 says that no one can enter into the kingdom of God unless the Holy Spirit gives them new life. Is this a difficult or comforting doctrine for you? Why?

8. In John 3:8, Jesus said, “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” He is saying that you can’t understand or control the Holy Spirit, but you can certainly see evidence of His work in people. This means that every single Christian undergoes a dramatic transformation when they are born again. Have you been transformed by the Holy Spirit? What are the evidences of His work in you?

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John’s HumilityRead John 3:22–36

1. Why did the disciples tell John about Jesus’ popularity?

2. Which verses reveal John’s humility?

3. How does John explain the supremacy of Christ in John 3:31–36?

4. How can you imitate John the Baptist’s attitude in your ministry?

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SycharRead John 4:1–45

1. Why did Jesus ask the woman to call her husband in John 4.16?

2. Based on John 4:23–24, what are the two requirements for worship to be acceptable to God?

3. Which requirement did Jesus accuse the Samaritans of ignoring?

4. What is Jesus’ mission according to John 4:34?

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5. In John 4.28-29, the woman left her water jug to go tell people about Jesus. What prompted her to do this? How did the people react to her testimony and what was the result? How is joy connected to personal evangelism?

6. John says that Jews “have no dealings with Samaritans” (4:9). To help understand why, read 2 Kings 17:24–41, which records the Assyrian conquest of Samaria 700 years before Christ. Based on this account, why do you think the Jews disliked the Samaritans?

7. How did Jesus express His grace and compassion for the woman and the people of Sychar?

8. Who are the “Samaritans” in your life that you are tempted to shun and withhold the gospel from because they are different from you?

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9. How can you worship in spirit but not in truth?

10. How can you worship in truth but not in spirit?

11. Based on John 7:37–39, what is Jesus referring to when He offers the woman living water?

12. What else does Scripture say about the theme of living water.

a. Zechariah 14:8

b. Revelation 22:1

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