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HOW DID YOU SEE GOD THIS WEEK AS YOU FOLLOWED HIM?

WHAT DID GOD SAY IN HIS WORD?

Opening Question:

What’s the weirdest way you’ve ever heard from God? How do you know it was Him?

God began telling people about the arrival of his Son Jesus in Matthew chapter 2. Let’s read our passage from Sunday again together:

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men 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 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.

Reflect Together:

How did the wise men hear about the new king of the Jews? What does that tell us about the way God can communicate with people who don’t know Him yet?

How do you think the chief priests and scribes felt when Gentile pagans showed up looking for the Messiah? What does the inclusion of these wise men tell us about God’s plans for Jesus? Was he only meant to be a king of the Jews?

WHAT DID GOD SAY TO ME THROUGH HIS WORD?

The wise men saw a star and took a long, dangerous, costly journey while the chief priests and scribes had Scripture but stayed home and didn’t see Jesus. Does Scripture often motivate you to take new steps in following God? What does move you to take new steps of obedience?

The main point of this passage is that Jesus is the king God had promised for both the Jews and the whole world. Do you often think of Jesus as your king? Why or why not? What kind of difference ought Jesus’s kingship make in your life?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?

Consider together how you regularly engage God’s revelation in Scripture. If your regular study of God’s revelation does not move you to action, what changes could you make to read it in a more meaningful way?

Consider together whether your lives serve as evidence that Jesus is your king. If there are parts of your life that you aren’t submitting to Jesus as king, or aren’t affected by his rule in your life, consider how Jesus’s rule ought to make a difference. Take some time to submit in those areas to him.