redeemed – Harmony Bible

Week 8 | Section 9

Joseph (like Zechariah) was a righteous man, and he too had a wife who was blessed with a child, Jesus the Son of God. Perhaps we all know the details of this story but many choose to question the veracity of Mary’s virginity. Like Joseph, some logically think, there must be another man involved. However, if we believe that his paternal father was of human decent, it changes the Gospel forever and denies the testimony of the Apostle John who wrote, “…the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Friends, we hope that you too can accept these words today for in them, by the grace of God, lie the keys of freedom for all humanity.

Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now¹ the birth of Jesus Christ² was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged³ to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant⁴ by the Holy Spirit.⁵¯⁶ 19 Joseph, her husband,⁷ being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.⁸ 20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord⁹ appeared to him in a dream,¹⁰ saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid¹¹ to take to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.¹² 21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus,¹³ for it is he who shall save his people¹⁴ from their sins.” 22 Now all this has happened, that it might be fulfilled¹⁵¯¹⁶¯¹⁷ which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son.¹⁸ They shall call his name Immanuel;” which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”¹⁹ 24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him,²⁰ and took his wife to himself; 25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.²¹

Group Dialog:

What rights ad responsibilities were given and expected of you and your siblings?
What questions remain for you when considering Jesus’ birth, his divine nature and purpose?
Open the Scriptures and a dialog about the nature of sin, and the need for redemption, and reconciliation and the role of the Savior.
What characteristics and behaviors of Joseph do you find most compelling?
If you’ve had divine inspiration or exhortation in a dream, would you share the experience and forth coming lessons with the group?

Learning Objectives:

reasoning, righteous decision making process, openness to the Holy Spirit, Divinity of Jesus, Salvation from sins, God with us.

Study Notes:

Week 2 | Section 2

As we continue our chronological study through the Gospels we turn to the Gospel according to John and read his prologue. John’s style of writing is unique as is the voice of every Gospeler¹ John highlights: the deity of Christ, and the important distinction of our own humanity and the existence of God the Creator:Created, Incarnation.²

Scripture:
John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning³¯⁴ was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him. ⁵¯⁶ Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him⁷ was life, and the life was the light of men.5 The light shines in the darkness,⁸ and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. 6 There came a man, sent⁹ from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe¹⁰ through him. 8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. 9 The true light¹¹ that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.¹² 10 He was in the world,¹³ and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own,¹⁴ and those who were his own didn’t receive him.12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe¹⁵ in his name: 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.14 The Word¹⁶ became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ” 16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth¹⁷ were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.¹⁸

Study Notes: