Preview: The events immediately following the birth of Jesus Christ. This is the first part of a two-part lesson on this subject.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25.
Memory Verse: Isaiah 7:14.
1. Who gave the first announcement of Jesus’ birth? Luke 2:8-11.
2. What sign was to identify Him? What else occurred? Luke 2:12-14.
3. Did the shepherds remain with their flocks? Luke 2:15-16.
Note: John went before Christ to prepare the people for Him; so when Jesus was manifested, there were those who had accepted John’s message and were looking for Him; the Lord Jesus Christ. The wise men or the priests of Zarathustra, usually called the magi, kept alive the sacred fire, the symbol of Ahura-Mazda, in their temples. (The Heritage of the Past, Pg 47). They lived in Persia or the East. It would have been impossible for them to have come that distance in the same night Jesus was born. They did not find Jesus in a manger or in a barn, but in a house.
4. What did they do after their visit? Luke 2:17-20.
Note: The fact that the angel announced the birth of Jesus first to the shepherds is noteworthy. For one thing, the leaders had put themselves in a position to be rejected by refusing John’s baptism. If one will not repent of sin God will not reveal more light.
5. How old was Jesus when He was presented to the Lord? Luke 2:22-24 & Leviticus 12:1-4.
Note: Jesus was thirty-three days old when He was carried to the temple.
6. What happened when Jesus was brought into the temple? Luke 2:25-30.
7. Who joined Simeon in adoring Jesus? Luke 2:36-38.
8. Did God reveal the birth of Jesus to the Gentiles? Matthew 2:1-2.
9. How did that affect the king and the people? Matthew 2:3.
10. Did Herod make an investigation? Matthew 2:4.
11. Did he get an answer? Matthew 2:5-6.
12. Did Herod have a private conference with the wise men? What was he seeking? Matthew 2:7.
13. Did he send them to Bethlehem? What request did he make? Matthew 2:8.
14. What did they see when they left? How did it make them feel? Matthew 2:9-10.
To Be Continued…
Other Lessons* in this series:
The Birth of Jesus: Part 1 of 2
The Birth of Jesus: Part 2 of 2
*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.