Welcome to another rich and exciting week of exploring the life and teachings of Jesus Christ! I hope you have learned some new and fascinating truths about Jesus this past week as we have delved into his childhood and family home life. We also explored the very beginning of his earthly ministry with his baptism, temptation in the wilderness, and his proclamation in his home town to be the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 61.

Before I continue, I want to share with you some personal news. We have had a miracle in our family this week, and I want to give all praise and thanks to God! My beautiful daughter gave birth to a precious little boy, Isaac, several days ago. He was only 2 pounds, 12 ounces, and he was 8 weeks early. The entire pregnancy was full of setbacks and obstacles, but God has been with them the whole way. Isaac is already making lots of progress and seems to be thriving for a preemie. It’s just going to take some time for him to continue developing. It is obvious to all that God has his hand in all of this and is touching this sweet little boy. Thank You, Lord!

I rushed to Fresno, California to be with her, and I’ll be staying here for awhile. Because I am here and not home, I do not have the time to summarize each day of study as I typically do, so today’s post will be more brief than usual. However, I cannot add to the beauty of Beth Moore’s teaching. I encourage you to journal your own summaries and glean all you can from each day of this anointed and powerful study!

On Day 1, we learned that Jesus came not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. We also studied three different Old Testament rites that Jesus fulfilled as we witnessed his mother and father bringing him to the Temple, the rites of circumcision, redemption, and purification. Pertaining to circumcision in particular, Colossians 2:9-15 explains how Jesus came and fulfilled a very different kind of circumcision for believers, a circumcision of the heart!

Another truth that stands out to me is that Christ became poor for our sake so that through his poverty, we might become rich. (2 Cor. 8:9). He grew up in a common, ordinary Jewish family. He did not have wealth or nobility on this earth, but that is so that he could make the way for us to inherit the riches of eternal life.

Day 2 is where the margins of my study book are crammed full of notes as I listed things we can learn about Jesus from having an understanding of Jewish culture at that time. He was the son of a carpenter which indicates he was a common, blue-collar worker, was hard working and skilled, and he likely was an apprentice to his father. He had 4 brothers and some sisters which indicate some expected personality traits of a first born in a large family. The people of his home town were astonished at Jesus’ teaching which also indicates that they expected him to be ordinary. It gave the impression that he must have blended in with the community, or they would have expected him to become a great teacher.

Jesus’ family went to the synagogue regularly which indicates that they were active in the Jewish community and adhered to Jewish traditions. He was likely well trained in Jewish Law and had much Scripture memorized. He probably had a lot of schooling in Old Testament writings as a boy. According to Deut. 6, his was likely a disciplined family that made the teachings of God an intrigal part of their home life. There is much more, and I hope you have had a blast making these discoveries!

One point that also stands out to me from our second day of study is when we looked at the difference between asking questions of God and questioning God. I believe it is all about motive. Are we seeking clarification for the purpose of deeper understanding and obedience? Or are we steeped in doubt and acting as if we know more than God? Are our questions asked with respect and reverence? Grounded in faith? Trust? A worshipful and submissive heart? It is OK to question if our motives are in the right place. Just never lost the respect and reverence of a Holy and omniscient God!

Day three continued the inferences we can make about Jesus from the small bits Scripture gives us alongside what we know about culture and history. This time, we looked at his physical appearance and possible personality traits. This brings up one of my pet peeves. Jesus was not Caucasian, and he was also not a spaced out hippie as some movies portray him. He was Jewish and most definitely looked it. That means that he most likely had dark, olive skin, very dark eyes, and dark hair, had a beard, and maybe even a prominent Jewish nose! Beth gives more details about his clothing and other cultural facts that I found very interesting!

On Day 4, we read about his baptism and temptation in the wilderness right before the launch of his ministry.  The greatest truth I see is that Jesus endured every type of temptation known to man and came out of it 100% victorious so that we can also be victorious! He used Scripture as his offensive weapon to defeat the enemy, and we have the same weapon with which we can also defeat the enemy. We just need to know the Word so we can use the Word!

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NIV

We concluded on Day 5 by taking a detailed walk through each statement in Luke 4:18-19 that Jesus gave of himself, which was taken from Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 61. Jesus is the fulfillment of this very prophecy! Let’s wrap this up by taking a look at his words that are essentially Jesus’ “job description.”

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 NIV

Week 2 Discussion Questions

ICE BREAKER: Since we will be talking about Jesus’ childhood and family this week, let’s go back into our own. What is one of the most unique traditions in your family, either in your childhood or currently?

He says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 NIV

 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ…” Colossians 2:11 NIV

 On Day 1, we learned that Jesus came not just for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. We also studied three different Old Testament rites that Jesus fulfilled as we witnessed his mother and father bringing him to the Temple, the rites of circumcision, redemption, and purification. Pertaining to circumcision in particular, Colossians 2:9-15 explains how Jesus came and fulfilled a very different kind of circumcision for believers, a circumcision of the heart.

QUESTION 1: How should our spiritual circumcision offer proof that we are different than the persons we originally were?

Coming to his home town, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. Matthew 13:54 NIV

 QUESTION 2: On Day 2, we explored all we could find out about the life of Jesus as he was growing up in a typical Jewish home. What are some of the inferences in Matthew 13:54-58 regarding a typical home life for Christ? What are some things you learned about his childhood?

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2 NIV

 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 NIV

 QUESTION 3: On Day 3, we made inferences from Scripture, culture, and history about the physical characteristics and personality of Jesus. Scripture does not give specifics, but from what the Bible does reveal, we can learn some things about Jesus. For example, as a carpenter’s son, Jesus would have had some physical strength, a strong work ethic, and some skills in carpentry. Or, as a Jewish man, Jesus would have had some physical traits that are consistent with that nationality. Make a list of some of the physical characteristics as well as some personality traits that we can infer from Scripture about Jesus.

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Luke 4:1 NIV

 QUESTION 4: If you were doing a character study on Satan (from Luke 4:1-13), what could you learn about him?

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19 NIV

 QUESTION 5: Let’s have fun and be a bit creative. Based on Christ’s description in Isaiah 61:1-3 and Luke 4:18-19, what would have been a good name for His ministry?

Homework for the Week

1. Please work on the five days of homework in Week 3, “The Way and Life,” pp. 55 – 77.
2. (Optional) View Beth Moore’s video. (This is not required because of the cost. The study can be completed without the videos.) Here is a link to the viewer guides with the answers if you are unable to view the videos.
3. Attend a small group meeting in our Heart to Heart Facebook group.
4. Scripture of the week:

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

Have a blessed week of study, and may you fall head over heels in love all over again with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

God bless!