Discussion Guide: The Gospel of Matthew – Part 2

Let us examine the Scriptures like the Bereans who 'received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.'" Acts 17:11 (NIV)

May 2, 2004: “The Gospel of Matthew Part 2” by Pastor Kimber Kauffman, Senior Pastor College Park Church. Pastor Kimber continued his series on the Gospel of Matthew with today’s focus on the birth of Jesus Christ as recorded in Matthew 1:18-25.

Shhhhhhhh….He’s coming! The Messiah is coming. Throughout history, at each birth of a son, everyone would ask, “could this child be the one, that will deliver us?” Could he be the one who will crush the head of Satan as foretold in Genesis 3:15? Yes, proclaims Matthew. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he recalls the events that occurred when God the Father sent his son into the world through a miraculous birth of a child, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and given the name of Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

As Pastor Kimber pointed out so passionately, Jesus saves us from the dominion of our sins, that sin no longer need reign in our lives, nor be our master.

Discussion Questions:

As we read the passage of scripture from Sunday’s message, let us consider the impacted that the person of Jesus Christ has had, and is having, on our lives.

1. Before we get started, let us each ask of ourselves, (1) are you among those that the angel of the Lord described as “his people,” and (2) have you been saved from your sins? On what basis do you proclaim this truth in your life?

2. As a child of God, born of the Spirit through professed faith in Jesus, what difference does it make in your life, of being saved from your sins?

a. What experiences have you had in overcoming sin?

b. What do you find yourself doing differently?

c. What dominates your life today?

d. Do others see Christ day-by-day, moment-by-moment, in your life?

e. Whenever you desire to do something differently, as a result of Christ being in your life, in what ways does the Devil, and the powers of darkness, attempt to lead you astray?

f. What can you do about it the next time such attempts are made?

3. What is Christ doing right now?

4. What would you like to begin doing differently as a result of tonight’s discussion? (As an aid to help remind you of your desire, write it down on a 3x5 card. Write down a scripture passage that you’d like to meditate upon to help you focus on God’s word and draw upon his indwelling presence as situations arise in your life.)

As we conclude this evening, let’s spend some time in prayer and deal with any unconfessed sin in our lives that may be keeping us from experiencing the peace of God that passes all understanding. Let us enter the throne of grace and lift one another up as we share our shortcomings and our hearts desire to live our life for Him.