Lesson 5 – An Angel Visits Joseph

Just as the angel proclaimed to Joseph that Mary would bear an infant who is the Son of God, the Savior, so God proclaims to us in His Word that this same Jesus is our Savior from sin and death.

Note: Lesson 4 is not used

Opening

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

This lesson will use the Bible, the Bible Exploration Guide and the Lesson 5 Leaflet from the Student Pack. The front cover shows how the artist sees an angel visiting Joseph. Also paper and pencil will be needed.

We can only imagine what Mary's betrothed husband, Joseph, thought and felt when he first found out Mary was pregnant and it wasn't his baby.

 There are eight things that Jesus’ birth will bring:

• Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12).
• John the Baptist, a voice calling in the wilderness, preceded Jesus (Mark 1:3). Jesus used His voice in His ministry.
• Jesus is King of the Jews, according to the Wise Men and people on Palm Sunday (Matthew 2:2; John 12:12--13).
• Jesus gave a new covenant in His blood in the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:20).
• He is the Lamb of God (John 1:29), sacrificed on the cross for our sins,
• And the new High Priest, who opened the way of heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16).
• Jesus is Emmanuel, which means "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).
• He came to earth as a baby, born to set us free from sin and death (Luke 2:7).

 Prayer:  Almighty God, You provided a home for Your Son, Jesus, to grow up in and an earthly father to nurture Him. Thank You for adults You give us to guide and help us. Bless them and keep us all in Your grace and mercy. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

God Speaks

In this lesson we read about Joseph, Mary's betrothed, and how he reacted when he found out she was pregnant.

Follow the directions under Joseph’s decision on page 2 of the lesson leaflet.

Read Matthew 1:18-25, and answer the questions.

What words describe Joseph? "A just man”

Write Joseph's three thoughts in the thought bubbles. (1) Mary is pregnant; it's not my baby. (2) l'm not willing to shame her. (3) l will divorce her quietly.

Because Mary was pregnant and Joseph knew the baby wasn't his, he thought she committed adultery with another man. A just man, Joseph loved the Lord and lived by the Law of Moses. The law gave two options for adultery: death or divorce (Deuteronomy 22:23-24; 24:11-4).

Joseph decided to show mercy and divorce Mary. This showed he loved Mary anyway, forgave as God forgave him, and valued the baby's life.

Write the angel's four messages in the speech bubbles. (1) Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. (2) The baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. (3) It's a boy. (4) Call Him Jesus. He will save His people from their sins.

The angel repeated some information Gabriel gave Mary. Read Luke 1:31.

 Put a check by messages given to both of them. Check bubbles 2, 3, and 4.

God promised King David that the Messiah would come from his family. Matthew shows Jesus' family connection to David through Joseph's ancestors.

The genealogy in Matthew 1 differs dramatically from the one in Luke 3. Some scholars say Luke traces Mary's family since she also was of the house of David. Her lineage is actually more important since Joseph was Jesus' legal father but not his biological one.

Since angels had revealed the same messages to both Mary and Joseph at separate times, it probably confirmed to them that God was at work and the messages were true.

The angel said to name the son Jesus, since He would save His people from their sins. Jesus means "Savior."

As a faithful Jewish man, Joseph waited for the coming of the Messiah. He probably never expected his messianic hopes and betrothal to Mary to merge in a message from an angel. This God-sent message changed Joseph's life and the lives of all who believe in Jesus.

In the two Bibles, summarize points the prophet made. (1) The virgin will conceive a son. (2) They shall call His name Immanuel.

What does Immanuel mean? God with us.

How does Immanuel perfectly describe Jesus? Jesus, God's Son, literally took on flesh, becoming God who lived with us.

On the footprints, write the four actions Joseph took.  (1) Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded. (2) He took on Mary as his wife. (3) He refrained from sexual intercourse with Mary until after she gave birth. (4) He called the baby Jesus.

We Live

What does confess mean? Too admit a fault or a crime; to acknowledge something reluctantly, perhaps because one feels ashamed or embarrassed; and to declare a religious belief.

Read Romans 10:9-10 on page 4 of the leaflet.

So what does this passage say are the most important things to believe, and why? If we believe that Jesus is Lord (God) and God raised Jesus from the dead, we are saved from sin, eternal death, and the power of the devil.

What's the difference between believing and confessing? We believe in our heart and confess with our mouth.

When and how do we confess our faith in Christ? We confess faith in Christ whenever we speak what we believe, such as when we are baptized, take confirmation vows, say the Apostles' Creed in worship, pray, or tell others about Jesus.

Read the Fourth Petition of the Lord's Prayer on page 4 of the leaflet and the following questions and answers.

How does God provide these things for us? He works through people, governments, organizations, and other groups to provide for us.

How can depending on God for daily bread and thanking Him for those gifts become a confession of faith? When we pray before meals with nonbelievers, we confess our faith in God and thank Him for His gifts. We can also tell others about how God cares for us and confess our trust in Him.

Read Joseph: Mystery Man on pages 12-13 of the Bible Exploration Guide.

As God told Joseph, He sent His Son to save us from our sins. God wants all people to receive this gift by faith in Christ.

Closing

Listen to "Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love".

Prayer: Dear Jesus, we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that You are the Son of God, l our Savior, who takes away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us and forgive us in Your name. Abide with us, dwell with us, never leave us. In Your name we pray.  Amen.