The Gospel of MatthewA Primer for Discipleship

David May

Ken Lyle

Felisi Sorgwe

France Brown

Carey Froelich

Michael Godfrey

Mike Harton

Ronny Marriott

Dallas, Texas

BaptistWay Adult Bible Teaching Guide®

The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship—Adult Bible Teaching Guide

Copyright © 2011 by BAPTISTWAY PRESS®.

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BAPTISTWAY PRESS® is registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in lessons 1–3

and the Christmas lesson are from The Holy Bible, New International Version

(North American Edition), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the

International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in lessons 4–13 are from the

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education

of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked nasb is taken from the 1995 update of the

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © The Lockman Foundation

1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995.

BAPTISTWAY PRESS® Leadership Team

Associate Executive Director, Baptist General Convention of Texas: Steve Vernon

Director, Education/Discipleship Center: Chris Liebrum

Director, Bible Study/Discipleship Team: Phil Miller

Publisher, BAPTISTWAY PRESS®: Ross West

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Printing: Data Reproductions Corporation

First edition: December 2011

ISBN–13: 978–1–934731–82–6

3

How to Make the Best Use of This Teaching Guide

Leading a class in studying the Bible is a sacred trust. This Teaching Guide has been prepared to help you as you give your best to this impor-tant task.

In each lesson, you will find first “Bible Comments” for teach-ers, to aid you in your study and preparation. The three sections of “Bible Comments” are “Understanding the Context,” “Interpreting the Scriptures,” and “Focusing on the Meaning.” “Understanding the Context” provides a summary overview of the entire background pas-sage that also sets the passage in the context of the Bible book being studied. “Interpreting the Scriptures” provides verse-by-verse comments on the focal passage. “Focusing on the Meaning” offers help with the meaning and application of the focal text.

The second main part of each lesson is “Teaching Plans.” You’ll find two complete teaching plans in this section. The first is called “Teaching Plan—Varied Learning Activities,” and the second is called “Teaching Plan—Lecture and Questions.” Choose the plan that best fits your class and your style of teaching. You may also use and adapt ideas from both. Each plan is intended to be practical, helpful, and immediately useful as you prepare to teach.

The major headings in each teaching plan are intended to help you sequence how you teach so as to follow the flow of how people tend to learn. The first major heading, “Connect with Life,” provides ideas that will help you begin the class session where your class is and draw your class into the study. The second major heading, “Guide Bible Study,” offers suggestions for helping your class engage the Scriptures actively and develop a greater understanding of this portion of the Bible’s mes-sage. The third major heading, “Encourage Application,” is meant to help participants focus on how to respond with their lives to this message.

4 The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship

As you begin the study with your class, be sure to find a way to help your class know the date on which each lesson will be studied. You might use one or more of the following methods:

In the first session of the study, briefly overview the study by identifying with your class the date on which each lesson will be studied. Lead your class to write the date in the table of contents in their Study Guides and on the first page of each lesson.Make and post a chart that indicates the date on which each lesson will be studied.If all of your class has e-mail, send them an e-mail with the dates the lessons will be studied.Provide a bookmark with the lesson dates. You may want to include information about your church and then use the bookmark as an outreach tool, too. A model for a bookmark can be downloaded from www.baptistwaypress.org on the Resources for Adults page.Develop a sticker with the lesson dates, and place it on the table of contents or on the back cover.

Here are some steps you can take to help you prepare well to teach each lesson and save time in doing so:

Start early in the week before your class meets. 1.

If your church’s adult Bible study teachers meet for lesson overview 2. and preparation, plan to participate. If your church’s adult Bible study teachers don’t have this planning time now, look for ways to begin. You, your fellow teachers, and your church will benefit from this mutual encouragement and preparation.

Overview the study in the 3. Study Guide. Look at the table of con-tents, and see where this lesson fits in the overall study. Then read or review the study introduction to the book that is being studied.

Consider carefully the suggested Main Idea, Question to Explore, 4. and Teaching Aim. These can help you discover the main thrust of this particular lesson.

Use your Bible to read and consider prayerfully the Scripture pas- 5. sages for the lesson. Using your Bible in your study and in the class session can provide a positive model to class members to use their own Bibles and give more attention to Bible study themselves. (Each writer of the Bible comments in both the Teaching Guide and the Study Guide has chosen a favorite translation. You’re free to use the Bible translation you prefer and compare it with the translations chosen, of course.)

After reading all the Scripture passages in your Bible, then read 6. the Bible comments in the Study Guide. The Bible comments are intended to be an aid to your study of the Bible. Read also the small articles—“sidebars”—in each lesson. They are intended to provide additional, enrichment information and inspiration and to encourage thought and application. Try to answer for yourself the questions included in each lesson. They’re intended to encour-age further thought and application, and you can also use them in the class session itself. Continue your Bible study with the aid of the Bible comments included in this Teaching Guide.

Review the “Teaching Plans” in this 7. Teaching Guide. Consider how these suggestions would help you teach this Bible passage in your class to accomplish the teaching aim.

Consider prayerfully the needs of your class, and think about how 8. to teach so you can help your class learn best.

Develop and follow a lesson plan based on the suggestions in this 9. Teaching Guide, with alterations as needed for your class.

Enjoy leading your class in discovering the meaning of the Scripture 10. passages and in applying these passages to their lives.

Note: The time of the first release of these materials includes the Christmas holiday. To meet the needs of churches who wish to have a Bible study lesson specifically on the Christmas Scripture passages during this time, a Christmas lesson is included.

Adult Online Bible Commentary. Plan to get the additional adult Bible study comments—Adult Online Bible Commentary—by Dr. Jim Denison

How to Make the Best Use of This Teaching Guide 5

6 The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship

(president, Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, and theologian-in-residence, Baptist General Convention of Texas). Call 1–866–249–1799 or e-mail baptistway@texasbaptists.org to order Adult Online Bible Commentary. It is available only in electronic format (PDF) from our website. The price of these comments is $6 for individuals and $25 for a group of five. A church or class that participates in our advance order program for free shipping can receive Adult Online Bible Commentary free. Call 1–866–249–1799 or see www.baptistwaypress.org for informa-tion on participating in our free shipping program for the next study.

Adult Online Teaching Plans. An additional teaching plan is also avail-able in electronic format (PDF) by calling 1–866–249–1799. The price of these plans is $5 for an individual and $20 for a group of five. It is avail-able only in electronic format (PDF) from our website. A church or class that participates in our advance order program for free shipping can receive Adult Online Teaching Plans free. Call 1–866–249–1799 or see www.baptistwaypress.org for information on participating in our free shipping program for the next study.

FREE! Downloadable teaching resource items for use in your class are available at www.baptistwaypress.org! Watch for them in “Teaching Plans” for each lesson. Then go online to www.baptistwaypress.org and click on “Teaching Resource Items” for this study. These items are selected from “Teaching Plans.” They are provided online to make lesson preparation easier for hand-outs and similar items. Permission is granted to download these teaching resource items, print them out, copy them as needed, and use them in your class.

IN ADDITION: Enrichment teaching help is provided in the internet edition of the Baptist Standard. Access the FREE internet information by checking the Baptist Standard website at www.baptiststandard.com. Call 214–630–4571 to begin your subscription to the printed or elec-tronic edition of the Baptist Standard.

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Writers of This Teaching Guide

Felisi Sorgwe, writer of “Bible Comments” for lessons one through three and the Christmas lesson, is assistant professor of Christianity in the School of Theology at Houston Baptist University, Houston, Texas. Dr. Sorgwe is also pastor of Maranatha International Church, Houston. A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States, he received two master’s degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Ph.D. in Religion from Baylor University.

France Brown, writer of “Teaching Plans” for lessons one through three, is assistant academic dean and professor at the College of Biblical Studies—Houston, where he teaches Bible interpretation, biblical teach-ing, and expository preaching. He travels nationally and internationally to teach and preach. He has served Baptist churches as preaching pastor, Christian education pastor, and evangelism minister. France gives leadership to the Christian Education Ministry at the New Providence Baptist Church, Houston. He is a graduate of Blinn College (A.A.), Texas A & M University (B.A.), and Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.).

David May wrote “Bible Comments” on lessons four through eight. Dr. May serves as professor of New Testament at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee, Kansas. He is also a frequent lecturer and teacher in Baptist congregations in the Midwest. He focuses his writing on articles and essays related to social and cultural contexts of the first-century world. In addition, he is a board member of the Baptist journal Review & Expositor. He holds the Ph.D. degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Michael Godfrey, writer of “Teaching Plans” for lessons four through six, is executive director of True Course Ministries, Inc. (serving clergy and churches), and president of True Course Living, Learning, and Leading, LLC (serving business professionals), both based in Robinson, Texas. He also serves as a part-time lecturer in Christian education and leadership

8 The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship

at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. He earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Psychology from the Baylor University School of Education.

Carey Froelich wrote “Teaching Plans” for lessons seven and eight. Dr. Froelich is minister of education, First Baptist Church, Baytown, Texas, focusing on discipleship and administration. He has served Baptist churches in Texas and Louisiana for more than forty years. A gradu-ate of Houston Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he was the first person to be awarded the degree of Doctor of Education Ministry, graduating from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2002. Carey and his wife Kaye have three married children and six grandchildren.

Ken Lyle wrote “Bible Comments” for lessons nine through thirteen. Dr. Lyle is professor of Greek and New Testament at Logsdon Seminary, The Logsdon School of Theology, at Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas. Ken has served churches in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Texas. As part of a Baptist General Convention of Texas partner-ship, he has taught courses at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary in Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Mike Harton wrote “Teaching Plans” for lessons nine, ten, and the Christmas lesson. Dr. Harton lives in Midlothian, Virginia, and is an educational consultant and life coach. He is a member of First Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. A veteran curriculum writer, he has served in many significant ways in Baptist life.

Ronny Marriott wrote “Teaching Plans” for lessons eleven through thir-teen and also the Adult Bible Study Guide for these lessons. Dr. Marriott is pastor of First Baptist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas. He holds the Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship

How to Make the Best Use of This Teaching Guide 3

Writers for This Teaching Guide 7

Date of Study

U N I T O N E

Learning Who Jesus Is

LESSON 1 _______ The Birth of Jesus the Messiah Matthew 1:18—2:15, 19–23 11

LESSON 2 _______ God’s Beloved Son, Baptized by John Matthew 3 23

LESSON 3 _______ Called to Follow Jesus Matthew 4:12–22 34

U N I T T W O

Learning from Jesus

LESSON 4 _______ The Distinctive Life of Disciples Matthew 5:1–16 45

LESSON 5 _______ Live By Jesus’ Interpretation of God’s Will Matthew 5:17–48 57

LESSON 6 _______ Show Your Faith This Way—Not That Way Matthew 6:1–18 69

LESSON 7 _______ Trust God and Stop Worrying About Things Matthew 6:19–34 81

10 The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship

LESSON 8 _______ Make the Right Choice Matthew 7:1–27 91

U N I T T H R E E

Further Instructions on Genuine Discipleship

LESSON 9 _______ Face the Radical Nature of Discipleship Matthew 8:18–22 102

LESSON 10 _______ What Jesus’ Disciples Do Matthew 9:35—10:15, 24–31 113

LESSON 11 _______ Believing Means Following Matthew 16:13–17, 21–26 124

LESSON 12 _______ Be Genuine, Show Grace, Be Humble Matthew 23:1–12 135

U N I T F O U R

Following Jesus’ Command

LESSON 13 _______ A Command, Not a Suggestion Matthew 28:16–20 145

CHRISTMAS _______ Going to BethlehemLESSON Luke 2:1–20 155

How to Order More Bible Study Materials 165

Lesson One

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

FOCAL TEXT

Matthew 1:18—2:15, 19–23

BACKGROUND

Matthew 1—2

MAIN IDEA

The circumstances of

Jesus’ birth show that he

is the Messiah and thus

worthy to be followed.

QUESTION TO EXPLORE

How do the circumstances of

Jesus’ birth show him worth

following as his disciple?

TEACHING AIM

To lead the class to identify

from the circumstances of

Jesus’ birth why Jesus is worth

following as his disciple

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UNIT ONE

Learning Who Jesus Is

12 Unit One: Learning Who Jesus Is

BIBLE COMMENTS

Understanding the Context

The Gospel of Matthew can be seen as a primer, a basic instruction book, emphasizing discipleship, what being a follower of Jesus truly means. The fact that this was a conscious purpose that Matthew had was recog-nized early by Christians.

Matthew, who was writing primarily to a Jewish audience, began with the genealogy of Jesus. He was seeking to answer the question, Who is Jesus? Matthew showed in the genealogy that Jesus was the Son of David, just as the Jews had expected the Messiah to be. He noted that “there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, four-teen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ” (Matthew 1:17).1 He then went on to narrate the miracu-lous events that surrounded Jesus’ birth. Matthew intended to show that these miraculous circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Scriptures about the Messiah and so identified Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. If Jesus was the Messiah, then he was worth following.

Matthew and Luke are the only Gospel writers who gave us birth narratives of our Lord. Interestingly, they dealt with different aspects of the birth narratives. Luke narrated the angel Gabriel’s announcement of the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary; the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of Judea; the announcement of Jesus’ birth by a host of angels to the shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields at night; and the shepherds’ visit of the baby in a manger. Matthew, on the other hand, narrated how an angel of the Lord appeared to a bewildered Joseph in a dream; how the magi, led by the miraculous star, went to Jerusalem looking for the Child-King so they could worship him; the reaction of Herod the Great; the flight of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus to Egypt; Herod the Great’s dispatch of soldiers to massacre the male babies in and around Bethlehem; and Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus’ eventual return to the land of Israel. The significance of this difference is that Matthew and Luke present us with different pieces of the puzzle, and we are the richer for it.

Lesson 1: The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 13

Interpreting the Scriptures

The Miraculously-Conceived Jesus (1:18–25)

Joseph’s bewilderment (1:18–19). Thanks to Matthew, we are able to see how difficult it was for Joseph, who was engaged to be married to Mary, to accept Mary’s miraculous conception of Jesus. The fact that Joseph was bewildered by Mary’s miraculous pregnancy makes the story more believable than it would have been if he had simply accepted it. It shows the difficult position in which Joseph found himself.

Joseph was sure he was not the father of this unborn child, for he and Mary had not slept together. Matthew is careful to point out that Joseph was a righteous man. Matthew here gives us a glimpse into Joseph’s char-acter. Because Joseph was a righteous man, he did not want to openly accuse Mary of having broken the engagement bond, which would have resulted in her being stoned. In those days in Israel, the engagement bond was for all practical purposes as strong as the marital bond (see Deuteronomy 22:22–24). For Joseph to dissolve the engagement, he needed to give Mary a divorce letter, and he decided he would give her such a letter privately to spare her the public humiliation and stoning.

The angel’s assurance (1:20–21). An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph to assure him that Mary had not slept with a man. Instead, Mary had conceived by the Holy Spirit. The angel said that Joseph should hap-pily proceed with his plans to marry Mary. The angel also gave a name to the unborn child. He was to be named “‘Jesus,’ because he would save his people from their sins.” The name “Jesus” means he saves. Our Lord would later say of his mission on this earth, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10); “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13); and “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him” (Matt. 26:24).

Fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (1:22–23). Matthew pointed out that the virgin birth of our Lord was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s proph-ecy (see Isaiah 7:14). Matthew was beginning a theme to which he would return again and again, namely, that the events in our Lord’s earthly ministry were to fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.

Joseph’s response (1:24–25). True to the character that Matthew had described in verse 19, Joseph, on waking up from sleep, did exactly as the angel had commanded him. He stopped entertaining any thought

14 Unit One: Learning Who Jesus Is

about divorcing Mary, and he still did not sleep with her as they awaited the birth of Jesus.

The Intriguing Visit of the Magi (2:1–11)

Matthew recorded one of the mind-boggling events that took place when Jesus was born, namely, the visit of the Magi to Jerusalem.

2:1–2. The Magi from the East mysteriously appeared in Jerusalem, asking to be directed to the one who had been born king of the Jews. They said that they had seen his star in the east and had come to worship him. This can be seen as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the conversion of the Gentiles (see Isa. 2:2–4; 60:1–6).

2:3. Herod the Great, who had gone to great lengths to get the Roman Senate to declare him “king of the Jews,” was reigning from Jerusalem at this time. He was greatly troubled to hear of someone who had sup-posedly been “born king of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2). Herod the Great was the head of what would turn out to be a ruling family from Idumea (or Edom). The Herods were, therefore, not Jews, but they had endeared themselves to the Romans, the colonial masters of the land of Palestine at that time.

2:4–6. Herod the Great called in the religious leaders of the people to inquire of them where the Messiah, the Christ, was to be born. The reli-gious leaders quoted Micah’s prophecy (see Micah 5:2), saying that he was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea.

2:7–8. Herod secretly and cunningly asked the Magi to know when they had first seen the star, and then he sent them on to Bethlehem. Concealing his less-than-honorable intentions, Herod the Great instructed the Magi, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” (Matt. 2:8).

2:9–11. The Magi were once again led by the star from Jerusalem to the house where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were. It is interesting, but mislead-ing, that nativity scenes in churches commonly have the shepherds and the Magi all going to see Baby Jesus in a manger in a stable. What the

Lesson 1: The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 15

Bible says is that the shepherds “found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger” (Luke 2:16), whereas the Magi found them in a house. Evidently, they did not remain in the stable any longer than was absolutely necessary!

Another clear distinction that the Bible makes, but is easily missed, is that while the shepherds went to see the baby, the Magi went to wor-ship him (compare Luke 2:16–17 with Matt. 2:11). Also, while the Bible does not mention gifts that were given by the shepherds who had hur-ried to see the baby still in the manger, it clearly refers to the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that were presented by the Magi (Matt. 2:11). The Bible does not refer to the Magi as kings, and neither are we told how many of them there were. The tradition that they were kings must have obviously come from some active imagination, while the notion that there were three of them must have come simply from the three types, not necessarily the number, of gifts that the Magi presented.

The Miraculously-Protected Jesus (2:12–23)

The Warning to the Magi (2:12). The Bible tells us that God warned the Magi not to return to Herod the Great. Having been warned, the Magi did not just avoid returning to Herod the Great in Jerusalem, but they went back home by another route altogether.

The Flight to Egypt (2:13–18). As the Magi left Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, urging him to get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. They should remain there until Joseph received word to return to the land of Israel. The angel told Joseph plainly that Herod the Great would seek to kill the child.

Joseph obeyed (2:14). He took Mary and the child Jesus, and they fled during the night to Egypt. This could very well mean that Joseph made sure they left on the very night that he got the warning from the angel.

They stayed in safety in Egypt while Herod the Great, on realizing that the Magi had avoided him, sent soldiers to massacre male babies two years old and under in and around Bethlehem in a calculated attempt to eliminate Jesus (2:15–18). Egypt, where God had used the patriarch Joseph to preserve the Israelites, would be where the child Jesus would stay in safety.

16 Unit One: Learning Who Jesus Is

The Return to the Land of Israel (2:19–23). After the death of Herod the Great, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph, while they were still in Egypt, informing him of the fact that Herod the Great had died and that it was now safe for them to return to the land of Israel (2:19–20). The family returned to the land of Israel, but when Joseph learned that Archelaus, who was as ruthless as his father, Herod the Great, was now the ruler in Judea, he was afraid to go to the province of Judea. After yet another warning in a dream, they went north to settle in Nazareth in Galilee, where Jesus would grow up (2:12–23).

Focusing on the Meaning

The circumstances of Jesus’ birth show he was no ordinary child. Anyone who refuses to acknowledge the miraculous elements in the circum-stances of Jesus’ birth is not being true to himself or herself. Matthew is saying that all these circumstances point to the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, thus showing that he was, and is, worthy to be followed.

You can learn to live as Jesus’ disciple by learning from Joseph’s example. Note the number of times Matthew tells us in these accounts that Joseph did exactly as he had been commanded. After an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream when he was contemplating divorce, we are told that he woke up from his sleep and did exactly as the angel had commanded him (see 1:24–25). When an angel of the Lord appeared to him in another dream warning him to flee to Egypt, he got up, pos-sibly that very night, and fled to Egypt (see 2:14). When an angel of the Lord told him Herod the Great had died and so returning to the land of Israel was safe, he went back with the family (see 2:21). Finally, when he was warned to go and settle in Galilee, he did accordingly (see 2:22–23). When the Lord commands you, do it.

Lesson 1: The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 17

TEACHING PLANS

Teaching Plan—Varied Learning Activities

Connect with Life

Prior to class time: 1.

Place a blank index card in each learner’s chair.a.

Write the following study overview on markerboard or flip b. chart for all to see:

The Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship

Unit 1. Who is Jesus? (Matt. 1—4)

Unit 2. Learning from Jesus (Matt. 5—7)

Unit 3. Further Instructions on Genuine Discipleship (Matt. 8—10, 16, 23)

Unit 4. Following Jesus’ Command (Matt. 28:16–20)

As learners arrive, direct them to select a partner and have them 2. pray for each other. Each learner should share a prayer need, and each learner should pray for the other. Wait for about eight minutes or so, and then pray for the class.

Inform learners that today we begin a study of the Gospel of 3. Matthew as a primer for discipleship. Explain that the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. His gene-alogy, fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, words, and works, serve as messianic credentials. One of the major purposes of the Gospel of Matthew is to instruct believers in how to be faithful fol-lowers of Jesus (see Matt. 28:19).

Summarize the entire study using information in “Introducing The 4. Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship” in the Study Guide (or enlist in advance a class member to provide the summary).

18 Unit One: Learning Who Jesus Is

Using the overview written on the markerboard or flip chart, high-light the focus of each unit of the study.

Refer to and read the Question to Explore and the Study Aim for 5. Lesson 1 from the Study Guide.

Direct learners to reflect on their favorite Christmas memory and 6. why it is so special to them. Instruct them to write these thoughts on the blank index cards (see step 1). Have learners form groups of two or three people and share their special Christmas memory. Allow some learners to share their memories with the entire class. Inform learners that today we will explore the first Christmas and see what made it so special.

Guide Bible Study

Summarize briefly Matthew 1:1–17, using information in the first 7. paragraph under “Surprise! (1:18–25)” in the Study Guide and the “Understanding the Context” section in this Teaching Guide for support.

Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 1:18–25. Direct learners to form 8. groups of three to six people. Learners are to discuss the character of Joseph (1:19) and develop a group summary of 1:18–25 in twenty to thirty words. Allow time for some groups to report their sum-maries. Note the differences between the group summaries.

Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 2:1–12. Direct learners (in their 9. groups) to list and discuss the characteristics of Herod and the Wise Men. Allow time for some groups to report their findings. Relate Matthew 2:1–12 to Isaiah 2:2–4 and 60:1–6 (see information under “Which Way to the Baby” in the Study Guide and “Bible Comments” in this Teaching Guide).

Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 2:12–15, 19–23. Explain how 10. Jesus came to be from Nazareth as well as the function of the state-ment, “He will be called a Nazarene” (2:23; see information under “On the Road Again” in the Study Guide). Direct learners (in their groups) to develop a group summary of 2:12–15, 19–23 in twenty to thirty words. Allow time for groups to report their summaries.

Lesson 1: The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 19

Encourage Application

Refer to and review “Coffee Shop Case Study” in the 11. Study Guide. Instruct the learners to consider the questions from Rashida in the case study. Give time for reflection. Allow for learner response.

Preview the Study Aim for the next lesson.12.

End the lesson with prayer.13.

Teaching Plan—Lecture and Questions

Connect with Life

Prior to class beginning: 1.

Place a copy of the lesson handout in the chair of each learner a. (a copy can be downloaded from “Teaching Resource Items” for this study at www.baptistwaypress.org.) The lesson handout is the partially completed outline of the lesson. A copy of the lesson handout as well as a completed lesson outline is available in “Teaching Resource Items” for this study at www.baptistwaypress.org. Learners should be able to follow along more attentively with the lesson if they fill in blanks while you teach and interact with them from the completed outline.

Write the overview from step 1b in “Teaching Plan—Varied b. Learning Activities” on markerboard or flip chart for all to see.

Begin class with prayer. 2.

Use the following illustration, “GPS,” to begin the lesson: 3. A Texas family of four drove their SUV to the Grand Canyon for

vacation. Their journey took three days and 1,500 miles. They expe-rienced a flat tire in New Mexico and a fender bender in Arizona.

When they reached the Grand Canyon, David, the six-year-old, asked, “Dad, have you been here before?”

His dad answered, “No, son, I haven’t.”

20 Unit One: Learning Who Jesus Is

David responded with another question, “Then how did you know how to get here and not get lost?”

To this, the dad answered, “Well, I relied on the GPS.”A GPS (global positioning system) is a navigation and position-

ing tool that lets you know where you are and instructs you on how to get to where want to go. The Christian life can be described as a journey. Many times it’s tougher than a three-day, 1,500 mile drive. During the course of our journey, sometimes we get lost, get off track or simply don’t know which way to go or what to do. Thank God for the Gospel of Matthew.

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s long-awaited Messiah. His genealogy, fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, words, and works serve as Jesus’ messianic credentials.

One of the major purposes of the Gospel of Matthew is to instruct believers in how to be faithful followers of Jesus. Here, God pro-vides a global positioning system that helps us know where we are on our spiritual journey and gives instruction and encouragement in how to get to where we need be. This focus on discipleship is seen in Matthew 28:19 (read).

Summarize the entire study using information from “Introducing 4. the Gospel of Matthew: A Primer for Discipleship” in the Study Guide. Highlight the focus of each unit of the study.

Refer to and read the Question to Explore and the Study Aim for 5. Lesson 1.

Guide Bible Study

Refer to the 6. Study Guide and “Bible Comments” in this Teaching Guide to understand, clarify, and explain biblical material through-out the lesson.

Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 1:18–25. Direct learners’ atten- 7. tion to the lesson handout that focuses on “Surprised!” Encourage the class to add “The Messiah Is Here” to their lesson outlines.

Summarize the nature of the relationship between Joseph and 8. Mary (1:18–19). Ask question 1 from the Questions section of the Study Guide.

Lesson 1: The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 21

Explain the angel’s message in 1:20–21. Relate 1:22–23 to Isaiah 9. 7:14. Summarize the message of 1:24–25.

Ask question 4 from Questions in the 10. Study Guide.

Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 2:1–11. Direct learner’s attention 11. to the lesson handout that focuses on “Which Way to the Baby?” Ask the class to add “In Search of the Messiah” to their lesson handout.

Ask the following questions: 12. What is the significance of the Magi or Wise Men seeking Jesus? Why was Herod troubled? Why was “all Jerusalem” troubled? Summarize 2:9–11.

Enlist a volunteer to read Matthew 2:12–15, 19–23. Direct learn-13. ers’ attention to the lesson handout that focuses on “On the Road Again.” Ask the class to add “Preservation of the Messiah” to the handout.

Explain the significance of Jesus going into and out of Egypt (2:15) 14. and to Nazareth (2:23).

Ask question 2 under Questions in the 15. Study Guide.

Encourage Application

Instruct learners to identify three facts from this passage that affirm 16. Jesus as the Messiah, thus making Jesus worthy to be followed. Give time for reflection. Allow for response.

Ask learners to consider the following question: 17. How will you cel-ebrate the birth of Jesus differently as a result of this study? Give time for reflection. Allow for response.

Preview the Study Aim for the next lesson.18.

Close in prayer.19.

22 Unit One: Learning Who Jesus Is

Lesson Handout

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

Matthew 1:18—2:15, 19–23

The circumstances of Jesus’ birth show that Jesus is the Messiah and thus worthy to be followed.

Surprise! _________________________ (1:18–25)I.

Parents of the Messiah (1:18–19)A.

Purpose of the Messiah (1:20–21)B.

Prophecy of the Messiah (1:22–23)C.

Presentation of the Messiah (1:24–25)D.

Which Way to the Baby? ___________________ (2:1–11)II.

Pursuit of the Messiah (1–8)A.

Praise for the Messiah (9–11)B.

On the Road Again . . . : _____________ (2:12–15, 19–23)III.

Messiah in Egypt (12–18)A.

Messiah in Nazareth (19–23)B.

N O T E S

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in lessons 1–3 and the Christmas 1.

lesson are from

The Holy Bible, New International Version (North American Edition), copyright © 2.

1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan

Publishing House.