3rd Sunday in Lent		March 15, 2020
THEME:	IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
SUB-THEME:	The Humanity of Christ (3)
TOPIC:	His Nativity
TEXTS:	Matt.2:1-12;John7:42

Matt2: 1-12: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men^[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose^[b] and have come to worship him.” ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; ⁴ and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ⁵ They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

⁶ “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” ⁹ After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. ¹² And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

John 7: 42: ⁴² Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”

AIM: To show the nativity of Christ as a further proof of His being a child having an earthly history.

INTRODUCTION:

The nativity of Jesus Christ is the basis of our celebration of Christmas today. Two of the Gospels, Matthew and Luke give the account of His conception and birth. Even though the accounts differ, they both agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during the reign of King Herod; His mother was married to a man named Joseph who was descended from King David and was not His biological father, and that His birth was by a divine arrangement.

STUDY GUIDE/QUESTIONS:

1. In your own words, describe what you understand by the term “Christ’s Nativity.”
2. From the key text of this study, and Jerusalem Pilgrimage experiences (if any), how may you convince somebody about the nativity of Christ?
3. What do the following passages teach about the nativity of Christ? Micah5:2;Matt. 2:1-6;13-18(John7:42)
4. Discuss what we can learn from the nativity of Christ and how it can strengthen our faith.Phil2:5-7.

CONCLUSION:

The Scripture is so clear about the nativity of Christ. Names of cities and other details have been given for any doubter to see and believe. Let us build our confidence in this Man who left His throne above for the sake of our sinful and lost world.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Mysterious! ‘The Immortal’ was born by man.

MEMORY VERSE: John7:42“”Has not the Scriptures aid that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”