Sunday: Joseph’s Dream — Matthew 1:18-25
In a dream an angel told Joseph that Mary’s condition was not caused by a man, but through the Holy Spirit (v. 20). The Child Mary carried in her womb was a unique Child, for He would be a Son whom Joseph should name Jesus, for He would save His people from their sins. Joseph must have remembered the promises of God to provide salvation through the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-37). The unnamed angel also told Joseph that this was in keeping with God’s eternal plan, for the Prophet Isaiah had declared 700 years

Primary Text: Matthew 2:1-23

Memory Verse: And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Introduction:
What events of your childhood do you remember? Do you recall a particular birthday? Do you remember a time of serious illness? Do you have memories of an exciting vacation or family trip? Is your first day of school a vivid reminiscence?

My fondest memories as a child growing up include many

Sunday: The Wise Men — Matthew 2:1-6
One of the unexpected themes in this passage is that men who were not Jewish were searching for the King of the Jews. Anyone could have looked up into the sky and seen the bright star. Yet, it was the “wise men from the East” (v. 1) who followed it desiring to seek out the newborn King to worship Him. The Jewish religious leaders were also fully aware of the prophecies about the Messiah, yet none of them were looking for Jesus (John 1:11). What a challenge this gives to us, God’s people:

Primary Text: Matthew 3:1-12

Memory Verse: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12

Introduction:
John, the Baptist, was the son of Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin (Luke 1:36). While working in the Temple at Jerusalem,

Sunday: John’s Ministry Launched — Mark 1:1; Luke 3:1-2
The word “gospel” means “good news.” The arrival of Jesus in the scene is the good news everyone had been waiting for; it was the good news of the Christ (the Messiah). The promised, anointed Savior of men had finally come. God gave the calling of preparing the people for this great news to John. John had lived in the desert since his youth (Luke 1:80). He likely was already aware of his calling because his father had been aware of it from before John’s birth. But now, being prompted by

Primary Text: Luke 4:1-13

Memory Verse: “Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Luke 4:7-8

Introduction:
A Christian writer of early times (Origen, 185-254 A.D.) wrote that we shouldn’t think of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as four distinct gospels, but as one gospel told in four ways. Each gospel presents a different perspective on the life of Jesus and we need all of the approaches to get

Sunday: John Baptizes Jesus — Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-23; Mark 1:9-11
There are three significant aspects of Jesus’ baptism. By opening the heavens, God publicly declared that Jesus’ baptism was not a display of repentance, but was an identification with sinners and was pleasing to the Father. When the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove, the entire Godhead was revealed at that moment. And when God, His Father, spoke from heaven all who witnessed the event knew that Jesus wasn’t just another man being baptized, but that He was the Son of God.

Monday: Tempted in the Wilderness #1

Primary Text: John 3:1-36

Memory Verse: Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:5-7

Introduction:
A large part of this lesson deals with Nicodemus, a man that was perhaps one of the finest in the Jewish nation. He was a teacher, a Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin (the

Primary Text: John 1:1-18

Memory Verse: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3

Introduction:

The Apostle John used “logos,” the Greek term translated “word” in English, tying the identity of the Lord Jesus Christ to the preexistent Word of God. Greek philosophers used “logos” to refer to “reason,” which was believed to be the force structuring the universe. Philo, a Hellenized Jewish philosopher born in Alexandria,

Scripture Text: Luke 16:1-13
Memory Verse: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. 2 Timothy 3:14
Lesson Aim: To review the significant points from the quarter’s lessons.

Key Points
-	We can be good stewards only by God’s grace.
-	A victorious life can be obtained through faith.
-	Walking in authority is a matter of position, posture, and preparedness.
-	When people and things are lined up properly, the Spirit of the Lord can move freely.
-	The pulse of one’s relationship with God is