A simple carpenter from Nazareth packs his things by night, ready to run and take on himself a disgrace that is not his. The story is told by Joseph son of Jacob himself, leading us through meetings at the well, three months of separation, and the news that shattered every ordinary dream he had (Matthew 1). Behind it all runs a question older than he is: where, in fact, is God? Listen to this story told from the inside and see the answer Joseph found over a manger in Bethlehem.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Matthew 1:18-24 Joseph, called a righteous man, decides to divorce Mary quietly. According to the sermon, what three options did he have, and what does his choice reveal about his character?
- The angel tells Joseph, "Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife," and recalls the prophecy of Immanuel. What might that name have meant to people who had not heard a prophet for 400 years and lived under Herod's rule?
- In the sermon Joseph asks, "So where is God anyway?" In which situations of your life does that question feel most real to you?
- Joseph says that seeing God in the manger did not make faith easier, because this baby cried and teethed like any other. What moves you about God becoming an ordinary human being whom people could invite to dinner and even argue with?
- Joseph adopted Jesus, and through Jesus he himself was adopted into God's family. How does knowing you can be a son or daughter of God change your everyday life?
- The sermon ends by asking whether you will invite Jesus into your story and acknowledge Him as your King. In what specific area this week do you want to invite Him to give it a new direction?
