Matthew 2:1-6  (HCSB)Wise Men Seek the King2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”           3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he asse...  Read More

Matthew 1:18-25  (HCSB)The Nativity of the Messiah18 The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.20 But after he had considered these thin...  Read More

JESUS THE SAVIOR IS WORTHY OF WORSHIPMatthew 1:1-17  (HCSB)The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The historical record of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:From Abraham to David2 Abraham fathered Isaac,Isaac fathered Jacob,Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers,3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar,Perez fathered Hezron,Hezron fathered Aram,4 Aram fathered Amminadab,Amminadab fathered...  Read More

INVITATIONApply the TextPeople must repent to enter the kingdom of God.Following Jesus will require personal sacrifice.Jesus’s call means following His example and ministering to others.There is strength in numbers as followers of Jesus. How can your group encourage and hold one another accountable as you seek to follow Jesus as His disciple?Jesus calls us to follow Him. Following Jesus as a disci...  Read More

In what area of ministry is God calling you to? How is God letting you know to help there? In what ways can you improve your ability to serve thereIsaiah the prophet wrote 700 years before Jesus but it came true exactly the way it was prophesied. What do you think about that? Is there any natural explanation for that?What would the odds be for just a few prophecies to randomly come true?In what wa...  Read More

Isaiah 9:4-7  (HCSB)4 For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor,just as You did on the day of Midian.5 For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.6 For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us,and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderfu...  Read More

Isaiah 9:1-3  (HCSB)Birth of the Prince of Peace9 Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.2 The people walking in darknesshave seen a great light;a light has dawnedon...  Read More

Matthew 4:23-25  (HCSB)Teaching, Preaching, and Healing23 Jesus was going all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 Then the news about Him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to Him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed...  Read More

Matthew 4:18-22  (HCSB)The First Disciples18 As He was walking along the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen.19 “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people!” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, ...  Read More

JESUS CALLS PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIMMatthew 4:12-17  (HCSB)Ministry in Galilee12 When He heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew into Galilee.13 He left Nazareth behind and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:15 Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,along the sea road, beyond the Jordan,Gal...  Read More

AFFIRMATIONAPPLY THE TEXTBelievers are called to demonstrate obedience through baptism by immersion.We can rely on Scripture to find strength and resist temptation.We can trust God’s faithfulness without demanding miracles.We must acknowledge God alone as worthy of our worshipThere is strength in numbers. How can your group members support and encourage one another as they face life’s temptations?...  Read More

JESUS’S WORDS HAVE AUTHORITYMatthew 7:1-6 (HCSB)Do Not Judge7 “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look,...  Read More