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Q4. Read Matthew 8:5-13; 21:33-44; 22:2-13; 24:14; and 28:19. What do they have in common? What relation does the visit of the wise men have to Matthew's theme of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles? How should we be applying this mandate in our own lives? God sent His prophets to His chosen children and they refused to accept His word for them and to wait foe His annointed Son whom He also sent,so He turned to the Gentiles and offered His Son to them as their Saviour. It is the same theme in a differant time it is still God's gift to the gentile people His Son as their Saviour. We need to committe our lives to God make Jesus our Savior and accept Him as Lord and not turn to the worldly lives that so many chose. We need to take God at His word and know that what He says He can and will make come to pass.

Q3. (Matthew 2:11b) Why was it appropriate for the Magi bring gifts to the Christ-child? How does the extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude? What kinds of gifts are appropriate for us to bring? They were coming to pay homiage to a King, who would also give an even greater gift to them their own salvation. Their extravagance shows thay were in awe of Him and they truly believed that He was the real King of the Jews as the word of God had promised. We can't bring a gift worthy of what Christ has done for us the only thing we can bring is a repentant heart and a desire to live holy lives as His servants and His flock.

Q3. (Matthew 2:11b) Why was it appropriate for the Magi bring gifts to the Christ-child? How does the extravagance of their gifts reflect their heart attitude? What kinds of gifts are appropriate for us to bring? They were coming to pay homiage to a King, who would also give an even greater gift to them their own salvation. Their extravagance shows thay were in awe of Him and they truly believed that He was the real King of the Jews as the word of God had promised. We can't bring a gift worthy of what Christ has done for us the only thing we can bring is a repentant heart and a desire to live holy lives as His servants and His flock.

Q2. (Matthew 2:11a) What do we learn from seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus? What was the significance of this for them? How can we emulate this kind of worship? That no one is exempt from serving the Lord and that as scripture state every knee will bow it is our choice like them we can kneel in worship or later kneel is obediance as judgement is rendered. The significance forthem is that as scholars of the heavens they were very wise in that they were also knowledgeable of God's word through His prophets and had came a long way to worship His Son their Saviour. We can emulate this by allowing our worship of God to guide us to serve Him and toteach other by allowing them to see how far we are willing to go to serve the onetrue God.

Q1. (Matthew 2:1-2; Numbers 24:17) What is the significance of the Star of Bethlehem that the Magi saw? Why do you think the Magi came to find the Christ-child when they saw the star? In what way was does prophecy prefigure this event? Matthew 2 1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Numbers 24 17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. It is a fulfilling of Prophecy as stated in Numbers but it also shows that the word of God was alreading spreading across the nations and country. They had heard of the King to be born and went to see Him and worship Him. They had to be wise and knowledgeable men and also very religious. It was prophecied that a Sceptre would rise out of Isreal and Jesus fulfilled this and also the King of the Jews.

Q5. (Luke 2:17-20) Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation. Which of these responses to the Good News are present in your life? In what manner do they show themselves? If some are missing, why? What can you do to recover these responses? I think that they all do to some extent but most assuredly not enough. I would liketo bebetter at telling others. I am not a talking person by nature usually only speak when spoken to so there is a hendrance there that I hope to someday ove come. Meditation could improve also as my mind often seems to wander to trivial stuff instead of scripture. I think that they show themselves in our actions and attitude. As we live our daily lives if they are a real and living part of our lives then when we deal with other they show through. The ones that are missing are probably due to the sinful nature that lives us. As we learn to give up control to the Holy Spirit then they can become more real in our dealings with others. To recover them I think remains like I said above the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We need to turn control over to Him and as we study toshow our selves approved thenthe outward sign will become apparent.

Q4. (Luke 2:11) What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels? What does each mean? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.'" (2:10-11) Saviour, He will free all people from their sin and destroy death, and take them to live with Him foever. Christ, Messiah, He is the Holy one of God, the onewho alone fulfills prophecy and is the living Son of God. Lord, He is supreem power, in Him everthingwasmade and without Him nothingwas made that waas made. He is God andLord of all, the Creator and living word that spoke all things into being. He is the protector and shepard of His people and the caregiver of all life. It tells us that He wassent to all people and not just the Jews even though they where the chosenpeople of God. Jesus came to saveus all and bringus into a new relationship with God.

Q3. (Luke 2:7-8) Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making? It is to show that God cares for all people the same even the lowest. He came thatall people could find peace through His might and mercy. He is born in a manger to fulfill the prophecy that wasspoken of God years before ansos with itpeople would recognize that God has spoken truth to them andthat He is truly withHis people. He came to live the life of servant that all the poor and feearful people of the earthcould know and recognize Him as their Lord and Saviour. God ismaking the point that He is with all people notjust those who are wealthy as the Jews had believed. He came in the flesh that al people could be saved.

Q2. Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? Any examples from your life? Extra Credit: Argue for or against this proposition: "Being a consistent Christian causes more hardships than just going with the flow." I would think any four day journey would behard on a woman who is nine months pregnant and expecting any day from experience I know what that time was like for my wife with all the modern days improvements for Mary it had to be a real struggle. Pleasure is never an indication that we are in God's will, pleasure is in the mind and our God deals with our spirit through His Spirit. He does promise to give us pleasure while we follow Himonly to get us through. Yes, I struggle every day with putting away the desire for pleasure that are pulling at my mind trying to pull me away from where I know in my heart a I need to be to be some where that I haveno reason to go. Being a Christian is to follow Christ and that is an every day struggle, He told the disciples that even their faimly would turn against them why should we be any differant we deal with non believers in our ddaily life like they did and although here in the USA we can't be killed for our faithwe canbe ridiculled and turned agains if we try and win other to Christ. Satan has not been taken out yet and until he is there will be struggles trying tofollow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Q1. (Luke 2:1-2) Why does Luke name the rulers in 2:1-2? What point is he making? Luke is a Doctor and it is important to him that he is accurate and truthful. He is writing to a person of importance and wants him to be aware of all the things surronding what he is writing about. He there fore most place something to identify time and place of the events about which he is speaking. He want anyone who read his letter to be able to relate to where he is talking about along with when. He is also fulfilling prophecy by mentioning the events surronding Jesus's birth.

Q5. (1:24-25) What does Joseph accepting Mary as his wife say about his character? What is the significance for prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus"? It says that He was a compassionate man, He was a devote man, He believed in and obeyed God when the Angel spoke to him so he was righteous. The name Jesus made Him the Son of God, the Son of David made Him King of the Jews. The people who believe know that as Son of God, He was the Messiah to come and as the Son of David He alone had been promised to be King of Israel for ever. His thrown would be an everlasting thrown.

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? They were fulfilled when Mary a young virgin girl gave birth to th Son of God, after the Holy Spirit concieved in her the Baby Emmanual, God with Us and He was born to sae His people from their sins.

Q3. (Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Why do you think the angel gave the name to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph independently? But the significance of God's insistence that he be named Jesus is not to honor a national hero, but because of the meaning of the name: "Yahweh saves."15 I had known that one of the gospels says that the name given to Jesus was Emmanual,God with us,but this is the first time I have heard that the name Jesus meant Yahweh saves, thanks Pastor. I think that the angle gave it to both Joseph and Mary so that they would realize how important it was to God that they do as He commanded them. They were both Godly people and by both getting the same message they would know for sure that it was God speaking to them.

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? I don't believe she had any options, she was a believer in thepromises of God and His angle had toldher to not fear. She had answered in favor of doing God's will therfore she had madeher chose and theonly thing left was to trust that God had her best intrests already planned. He only option was to trust God. He showed that He also was a God fearing man and true believer that he chose to do God's will above his own desire. He chose to put her away quitely showing compassion and mercy that only comes from a true love of God. He had a spirit that only the Holy Spirit can give to love even when our minds tell us to strike out at the ones who hurt us. Joseph chose to allow God His place in judging not takeing it apon himself.

Q1. What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? What experiences would this have exposed him to? He would have learned all the skills and duties of a carpentar, but I think He would have learned a lot about people. How to deal with those who aren't honest as well as those who were under hardship and needy. He would have learned to be kind and generous with family and friends as He grew and become more knowledgeable of the trade of carpentar. He also learned that as the Son of God He alone would carry the burden of the sins of His people.

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"? In the physical sence as a woman she was chosen of God while a virgin to become the mother of Jesus as God had the angel to speak to her. They are appropiate because she chose to accept that God was capable of doing just as He said he would do. We tend to she her as a normal woman not the chosen Mother of Christ, we don't accept that God in His power could take a virgin and make her the Mother of Christ.

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"? In the physical sence as a woman she was chosen of God while a virgin to become the mother of Jesus as God had the angel to speak to her. They are appropiate because she chose to accept that God was capable of doing just as He said he would do. We tend to she her as a normal woman not the chosen Mother of Christ, we don't accept that God in His power could take a virgin and make her the Mother of Christ.

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? What can we learn from her response for our own lives? In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When we respond to God, what do we consent to? It is the fact that she is ready to do as Her God tells her to.She is submitting to God's will no matter what the cost to her life she know that God is in charge and capable of doing what He says. That we must be willing to submit with out question to God's plan for our life. It was informed consent because she was willimg to submit with out any disbelief. She had faith that God could do all the things that the Angel told her He would do. We usually consent to ok Lord as long as it don't cost me anything or I have to give up something I will be your servent. When we are right with the Spirit we submit completely willing to live the life that Jesus has prepared for us.

Q3. (Luke 1:35) What does the virgin conception teach us about Jesus' nature? How central is the doctrine of the virgin conception to the Christian message? It teaches us that His nature is human and devine. He is both man and God, He filled the purpose that the Father pledged for Him that He would live as man and then die for the sins of the world. It is center most to the Chrisstian message that Jesus would be born and that He would die and be raise to new life and that we would be freed if our sin and be able to live and reign with Him. With the virgin birth Jesus would be just another man and have a sinful nature not the Son of God most High like the Angel Gabreil proclaimed.

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? 18And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? I can see where Zacharias would doubt being old myself, well past the child bearing years he must have been full of doubt but being a priest He should have been well aware of the power of His God but he didn't so God showed him that He was in control and things would be as He said. Mary also had doubt in that she had never known a man but she at the same time knew in her heart that her God was well able to do anything that He said He would do.

Q1. (Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become Gabreil said that He would be Holy the Son of the Most High God, He would become King and rule from the thrown of David and that His kingdom would never end.

Q4. (Psalm 34:18-22) What encouragement does David give to the brokenhearted? What does it mean that God "redeems" you? How can we avoid condemnation according to Psalm 34:22? That God is near to them and all they must do is call out to Him. He is their deliverer and protector. God redeemes us from our sin through the death of Jesus we are passed into life when we deserve death. Only through God's grace and mercy can we have hope in Jesus that our sin debt is paid in full and that God removes them as far as the East is from the West. By drawing near to God through study and prayer we can be remove from our condemnation, we can have new life in Christ and a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Q3. (Psalm 34:1-3) Why should we praise God continually? What are barriers to continual praise? What does continual praise do to our spirit? How are you training yourself to praise continually? So tht it become a way of life for us we are told in scripture that we are in all thing to give praise to God. He is our maker and creaator we owe Him our all. The barriers for me is the everyday struggles of life, the worry, and fears of the day, I tend to want to please man before giving praise to God, I try to remind myself but often fail. Praise is our hearts lifts and strengthens our spirit and draws us closer to God. Just trying to remind myself that in all thing I am to give God praise even in my times of struggle and for me this some times is hard to bring myself to do. I forget that I am the Lords and everything around me I owe to Him.

Q2. (Psalm 118) What does "the stone the builders rejected" (verses 22-23) have to do with the Messiah? What do verses 25-27 have to do with the Messiah? Jesus the Messiah is the start of the church He is the head, as the corner stone is the start of a house Jesus is our start toward God the Father. He is the way the truth no one comes to the Father but by Him. We must accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour just as a good builder must accept the best stone for the corner, with out Jesus we are nothing. 25Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. 27God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar The Messiah is our link to God the Father as in the verses of the corner stone. Here we seek the Lord for our own prosperity, we praise the one who come in the name of the Lord and we thank God whom has shown us the true light His Son Jesus and broken and bound the sin that keep us apart from Him.

Q1. (Psalm 100) What is the predominant emotion in Psalm 100? How does this psalm make you feel emotionally about God? What are the reasons for praise given in verses 3 and 5? What are the commands in this psalm? It is an emotion of joy, jublation, giving praise to God our creator. It give you a feeling of His love and mercy and of belonging to His family, being a part of His creation that gives Him praise. The reasons for giving praise is because He is our Creator, He is our Lord and Saviour. He alone is worthy. The commands are to enter into His Courts with praise. Make a joyful noise, give thanks,serve Him with gladness, Know that He is God.