LESSON



LESSON 5DECEMBER 31, 2023SUBJECT: The Faith of the Wise MenDEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 49:1-6BACKGROUND: Micah 5:2-4; Matthew 2:1-12LESSON: Matthew 2:1-12MEMORY VERSE: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 NIVLESSON AIM: To inspire us to seek and worship the Christ the King faithfully.INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDY OUTLINEI. THE SEARCH OF THE WISE MEN: MATTHEW 2:1-2Where was Jesus born? What other great king was from this town? Locate on a New Testament map. Matthew 2:1a; Luke 2:4The meaning of Jesus’ birth town Bethlehem means “house of bread”. How does this name relate to one of Jesus’ chief titles? John 6:35aWhy was it necessary for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem? Micah 5:2Why were Jesus' parents in Bethlehem? Luke 2:1-6Who was the king at the time of Jesus' birth? Give a brief biographical sketch of this king. (There are seven kings by this name mentioned in the Bible. This king is known as the Great. He died in 4 BC.) What does this let you know about the birth of Jesus? Matthew 2:1bWho searched for the Christ Child? Where did they come from? Where did they first stop in Judea? Why do you think so? Matthew 2:1cWhat is the meaning of "magi"?What was the inquiry of the wise men? What inspired their search? What was the purpose of the search? Matthew 2:2Why do you think the wise men were so intent on worshiping a Jewish king?II. THE INQUIRY OF THE KING: MATTHEW 2:3-8What was the reaction of the king and Jerusalem to the wise men? Matthew 2:3Whom did Herod consult about the newborn Messiah? What information was he seeking? Matthew 2:4What was the reply of the religious leaders to Herod's inquiry? Matthew 2:5-6 (Micah 5:2)Why did Herod summon the wise men to his palace? What reason did he give for wanting to find Jesus? Matthew 2:7-8What was Herod's hidden agenda? Matthew 2:13III. THE WORSHIP OF THE WISE MEN: MATTHEW 2:9-11How were the wise men guided to the Christ Child? Matthew 2:9What caused the wise men to rejoice when they left the king's palace? Why do you think so? Matthew 2:10Where did the wise men find Jesus? How did it differ from where the shepherds found Him? Matthew 2:11a; Luke 2:15-16 (It is believed Jesus was about two years old when the wise men visited Him.)What two notable things did the wise men do when they found the Christ Child? Matthew 2:11bcWhat three gifts did the wise men give Jesus as expressions of adoration and praise? Discuss the meaning of each. (The Wise Men presented Gold, a symbol of Christ’s Kingship, Frankincense, symbolizing His Priesthood, and Myrrh, symbolizing His eventual death.) Matthew 2:11cHow do worship and giving to God coincide?IV. THE DEPARTURE OF THE WISE MEN: MATTHEW 2:12Why didn't the wise men return to Herod as requested? Matthew 2:12What warning did Joseph and Mary receive after the wise men departed? Matthew 2:13Where did Jesus' parents take Him to escape Herod? What prophecy was fulfilled? Matthew 2:14-15What did Herod do when the wise men did not report back to him? Matthew 2:16abHow old would this have made Jesus? Matthew 2:16cSUMMARY AND DISCUSSIONWhat most impress you about the magi (wise men)?Does the Bible tell us how many wise men visited Jesus? What is the common accepted number? Why do you think so? (Matthew 2:11)Why do you think most nativity scenes place the wise men at the stable along with the shepherds? Is this scene correct? Matthew 2:11; Luke 2:8-20How would you characterize Herod?How did the wise men and Herod respond differently to Christ?What is the meaning of Christmas to you?The wise men were Gentiles. The shepherds were Jews. What does this reveal about Jesus' mission for humanity?What kinds of stars are available today to help us find Christ? Philippians 2:15 ................
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