Rekohu

Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? The initial fulfilment of Isaiah

Q3. (Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Although the name Jesus was very common at that time, it was the meaning of it that was important

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? Mary had very few options. Women did not hold any status in Jewish society. She could not marry another man, because of her perceived

Q1. What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? Woodworking skills, choosing timber, using and maintaining tools, the value of perseverance, patience, precision. What experiences would this have exposed him to? Contract negotiations and barter, dealing with different people from different socio-economic groups. Dealing with everyone from the poor to priests. His father

He would have learnt to use and care for tools properly. The skills of choosing and working with wood. Negotiating contracts with customers, bartering. Designing and constructing items. Patience, as working with primitive tools is hard and time-intensive. He may have visited many different homes with his father, to discuss contracts. Ethics and honesty. With Joseph being such an honest, upright and honourable man, he would have passed both his moral and religious beliefs on to his son. They would have attended the synagogue for prayers, and listened to scholars speaking. He would have experienced the satisfaction of doing a job well, and seeing satisfied customers. sue:)

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Elizabeth had called her

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? That she is the Lord

Jesus is of the same nature, same essence, one substance as God. [homoousios] God in the flesh, incarnate, made real. It was necessary for him to be born of a human woman so he could experience our life and pain, and to die as a human. That Jesus is 100% human and 100% God. This is the central message of the doctrine of the virgin conception. That Jesus as begotten, not made, from the substance of the Father. It fulfils the Old Testament prophecies. That we must have faith in God and his miracles. That the Christian faith revolves around this fact. sue:)

"'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'" (1:34) Seeing I know not a man(ginosko). Mary

1. Mary will become pregnant. V:31 2. She will give birth to a son. V:31 3. The child must be given the name "Jesus". V:31 4. The child will become a great person. [megas] V:32 5. He will be called the Son of the Most High. V:32 6. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. V:32 7. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. V:33 8. His kingdom will never end. V:33 9. He is the Holy One. V:35 10. He will be called the Son of God. V:35

Hi all. I live in the Waitakere area, in Auckland, New Zealand. I've been a "seeker" for all of my adult life, and it looks like Jesus has finally found me. A couple of very good friends, one in Australia, and one in California, who were struggling in their own faith, began talking to me, and in encouraging and questioning them, I found my own way to Christ. During the month of November, I found a church with a very supportive pastor to attend a couple of weeks ago, been to two JAM Bible Study classes (joining just in time before they finished for the year), and made the decision to get baptised. My reading pile has grown exponentially, and included in my study are a couple of on-line "training-wheel" sites, including this group. While my husband and children are more than a little bemused by this, they are being very supportive. blessings to all, and hope you enjoy learning about Advent as much as I will. sue:)