Chris Cloud
Matthew 1:18-25
- Put yourself in Joseph’s position, would you have reacted any differently to Mary’s mysterious pregnancy? How does Joseph’s resolve outlined in verse 19 speak to his character?
- When have you, like Joseph, had life not go as planned? How did this make you feel? Did it impact your relationship with God?
- Joseph’s resolve quickly evolved as soon as God got involved, but that didn’t make the path ahead of Joseph any easier. When God has closed doors and / or opened new ones for you, are you quick to adjust to these new plans or do you push back?
- Pastor Kevin led us to Isaiah 55:8-9 (give it a quick read), do you find this truth about God faith-building or frustrating? Why?
- In light of Isaiah 55:8-9, we know we won’t have all the answers. In these times of considering amidst confusion, what steps can we take to move toward hope and not doubt?
- One definition of the Greek word used for “considered” in verse 20 is “agitation of spirit”. Sometimes the confusion we feel leads to agitation as we work through a problem. Do you think God is okay with our being agitated at his plans? How might we properly address this agitation with God?
- Pastor Kevin noted that the angel of the Lord offered Joseph no proof or evidence, but he offered hope. What was the hope offered to Joseph? How does this hope carry you forward in your own times of confusion?
- Verses 22-23 tell us that the virgin birth was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy some 700 years earlier (Isaiah 7:14). How does the truth that God keeps his promises and that all the prophetic words of the Bible will be fulfilled impact how you handle times of confusion?
- Isaiah 7:14 says “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and hear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”. This name Immanuel means God with us, and it speaks to the character of the son to be born, not a literal first name. How has God been Immanuel in your life?
- God called Joseph to a hard thing, he must have known that, but verse 24 shows us that he immediately obeyed. Do you find this level of faith difficult in times of confusion?
- In whatever confusing situation you presently find yourself, what step of obedience is the Lord calling you to take?
