The Life of Christ Lesson 1 Luke’s Preface/Dedication & John’s Introduction – Luke 1:1- 4; John 1:1-18 The Genealogy of Jesus - Matthew 1-17; Luke 3:23-38 Prophecy of Birth of John the Baptist – Luke 1:5-25 Annunciation of the birth of Jesus – Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 Mary’s visit to Elizabeth – Luke 1:39-56 Birth and early life of John the Baptist – Luke 1:57-80

Life of Christ – Lesson 1 KNOW – Key facts to be remembered (FOUNDATIONAL) The two genealogies – the purpose of each Prophecies of the coming of the Messiah Who Jesus is? God’s plan unfolding. Part of God’s eternal plan. When? Miraculous conception of Jesus Purpose and audience of Matthew and Luke’s gospels. Purpose of Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies.

Life of Christ – Lesson 1 DO (or DON’T) Learn the lessons of faith Grow in our fait Learn the scriptures Pray – persist Make yourself useful Value of each day Be aware of our adversary Worship God Persist in prayer. Grow our faith

Life of Christ – Lesson 1 TEACH (Doctrine) Jesus is both divine and human Jesus is the Messiah, He who fulfilled all prophecy – the rightful King The fullness of time Worship of Mary – God alone is to be worshipped. Honor respect and praise from Zecharias and Mary Knowledge is key to salvation Role of Jesus in creation – all came through Him Looking to the new covenant Doing that which is honorable and right in the sight of God (a to do also) Who is Jesus – God and man. who is to be worshipped?

The Life of Christ – Lesson 2 The birth of Jesus Presentation in the temple Visit of the wise men Flight to Egypt and return to Jerusalem Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem at age 12 The Life of Christ – Lesson 2

The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-20 Time frame – “Those days” – 6 months after the birth of John the Baptist. (Luke 1:5ff) Reign of Caesar Augustus Quirinius was governor of Syria Context – decree issued to take a census (lit. a writing down of an official list) of the “inhabited earth.” “It may have been the first of periodic empire-wide registrations which took place approximately every fourteen years over the next two centuries.” (Caldwell) Purpose was likely for the assessment of taxes (Luke 20:22-25; 23:2) The city of David (polin Dauid) is identified as Bethlehem (bēthleem; “house of bread”). Bethlehem was small but of rich heritage. David’s original family home was there (see 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-20) and Ruth married Boaz there after moving from Moab with Naomi (Ruth 1-4). Bethlehem was a village located between six and seven miles south of Jerusalem’s temple mount. It was sometimes identified as Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2). Today the small city has a population near ten thousand inhabitants and is called Beth Lahm.

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) “Each to his own city …”, Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea since he was the “house and family of David” (Luke 1:27). 85-90 miles on foot or perhaps by donkey (Mary 9 months pregnant). Did Mary also have to register (verse 5)? Or did she come because Joseph couldn’t leave her alone at this stage of her pregnancy? Regardless, she had to come to fulfill prophecy, (Micah 5:2). Mary also was of the family/lineage of David as we have previously established (Luke 1:27; 3:31). Mary went with Joseph while pregnant obviously close to her “due date.” The city of David (polin Dauid) is identified as Bethlehem (bēthleem; “house of bread”). Bethlehem was small but of rich heritage. David’s original family home was there (see 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-20) and Ruth married Boaz there after moving from Moab with Naomi (Ruth 1-4). Bethlehem was a village located between six and seven miles south of Jerusalem’s temple mount. It was sometimes identified as Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2). Today the small city has a population near ten thousand inhabitants and is called Beth Lahm.

The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) “The days were completed for her to give birth” (verse 6) Miraculous conception but birth followed natural processes and time frames from there. More importantly, “the days were completed” should be understood to more than just the completion of the nine month period of a pregnancy. “The days were complete” in terms of God’s promises and prophecies to provide a Messiah who would provide the redemption for man’s sins. Since Genesis 3, man has needed a Savior. Now at the “fullness of time,” the Savior of the world has been born. Galatians 4:4. It was now time for Jesus to humble Himself by taking the form of a bondservant. Philippians 2:8-9; 2 Corinthians 8:9 The city of David (polin Dauid) is identified as Bethlehem (bēthleem; “house of bread”). Bethlehem was small but of rich heritage. David’s original family home was there (see 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin at Bethlehem (Gen. 35:16-20) and Ruth married Boaz there after moving from Moab with Naomi (Ruth 1-4). Bethlehem was a village located between six and seven miles south of Jerusalem’s temple mount. It was sometimes identified as Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2). Today the small city has a population near ten thousand inhabitants and is called Beth Lahm.