Founding Word: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John: Session 3

Our 3rd Bible Study at Founding Word covers what many of us think of as part of the Christmas Story: the appearing of a mysterious star over Bethlehem that led the Magi (aka) "The Wise Men" to Jesus' home. While many of us enjoy seeing three wealthy men bearing gifts before a manger on our Christmas cards, this strange event actually took place much later, possibly as much as 2 years after the manger scene. The coming of the Magi into Israel literally shook up the entire kingdom and even rattled King Herod. In this study, we will cover the politics of Israel during the reign of Herod and why the sudden appearance of the Magi was so disturbing to the people. We will also get into the significance of "gold, frankincense and myrrh" because those three forms of gifts tell us a lot about WHO the Magi thought Jesus really was. The Magi probably knew much more than we give them credit. And then for fun, we will also get into the supernatural physics of "the star" that appeared over Bethlehem. In closing, we will go over Jesus' first reported confrontation with religious leaders. He was only 12 years old at the time and even then he had them spinning in circles.

40 Minutes
March 6, 2009

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SESSION NOTES	MATTHEW	MARK	LUKE	JOHN	RELATED PASSAGES
The Awesome Irony Of Jesus' Dedication.			Luke 2:21-24
The Surprise Encounter And Prophecy Of Simeon In The Temple.			Luke 2:25-35
The Encounter And Testimony Of Anna In The Temple.			Luke 2:36-39
The Politics Of Israel During The Reign Of Herod & The Troubling Arrival Of The Magi.	Matthew 2:1-3
King Herod Asks The Bible Scholars Of His Day Where The Messiah Was Prophesied To Be Born.	Matthew 2:4-6				Micah 5:2
Herod Attempts To Manipulate The Magi.	Matthew 2:7-8
The Supernatural Physics Of "The Star" Over Bethlehem.	Matthew 2:9-10
The Significance Of Gold, Frankincense And Myrrh.	Matthew 2:11				Isaiah 60:1-22
The Magi Heed A Divine Warning To Not Report Back To Herod.	Matthew 2:12
Joseph, Mary & Jesus Flee To Egypt Upon An Angel's Warning Of Herod's Attempts To Kill Their Son.	Matthew 2:13-15				Hosea 11:1
Herod Orders The Death Of All Male Children In Bethlehem Who Are 2 Years Of Age Or Younger.	Matthew 2:16-18				Jeremiah 31:15
After Herod Dies, Joseph, Mary & Jesus Return From Egypt Into Nazareth Of Galilee.	Matthew 2:19-23				Isaiah 11:1 Isaiah 49:7 Isaiah 53:3 John 1:46
The Childhood Of Jesus: Strong In Spirit & Filled With Wisdom.			Luke 2:39-40
The Passover Feast That Jesus Attended At Age 12.			Luke 2:41-52