Connect: What is the biggest pondering for you with the Christmas story? Where have you had to trust the Lord when it does not make sense?

Engage: Reread Matt1:18-24 What strikes you as new in this well-known story?

Zach has talked about 3 thoughts in this passage.

      1. We must be willing to be misunderstood.

Have you ever been mis- understood and what was that like for you? Especially if God called you to something that no else understood.
What do you think of the statement God’s #1 goal is not anxiety removal for Joseph or for you?

There is lots to unpack with this statement – Joseph lost his standing in the community.  

He should have followed the law and divorced her. Hard decisions – He knew that He needed to follow the dream that the Lord gave him.

Have you ever had to move forward in the midst hard and what was that like for you? Galatians 4:19 – Where does Christ need to be formed in you?

2. We let go of our conditions.
   A. Joseph traditionally would have given him a family name, but Lord said, “you are to give the name Jesus.’ How do you think Joseph processed the –
   B. “This child will name you. This child will be your king. What an amazing statement. C. C. What conditions do you need to let go of?

   C.S. Lewis quote- The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of – What do you think of this quote?

   Where have you put conditions on God? Where will you trust Him as King?

3. We must respond in Worship.
   A. God has a plan- Can you worship the Lord in that plan, or do you fight it?

   NT Wright – It is not about believing certain things & then doing certain things. It is about worship that is the heart of the Matter, it is also what matters to your heart – it is a birth story not a mathematical equation.

           B. Where do you feel like you are in the birth process with something in your life?
           C. What you worship you will become like. What are you worshipping? Sports?  relationships? Politics? Family? other things?

Apply: What is God inviting you to regarding this message?
Is there something that the Lord is inviting you to confess to Him?