"Ancestry 101"
A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.
After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others.
Rank the following list of hobbies you think are the most popular today.
What are your hobbies not listed above?
You might be surprised to learn that, according to some sources on the Internet, Ancestry is the second most searched hobby (gardening is the #1). Not all “most popular” things are accurate, but is there an interest in our ancestors and the family tree? Why do you think it might be?
Think about your ancestors. How far can you describe your lineage? Who are the most notable people in your family tree? Even if tracing family history is a hobby, remember that God's family is bigger and more diverse than what we might typically think of as a family tree.
The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.
Then participants are to ask:
The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah
1 This is the genealogy[a] of Jesus the Messiah[b] the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,Isaac the father of Jacob,Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar,Perez the father of Hezron,Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab,Amminadab the father of Nahshon,Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,
Think about that the fact that the women Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and "the wife of Uriah" (Bathsheeba) are listed in Jesus' genealogy. What do you think "inclusion" means to us, personally and as a church?
When considering the lineage of Jesus, why does Matthew highlight specific figures? Jesus' family tree includes good, bad, complicated, and surprising characters. For example, David was known for his bravery in defeating Goliath, but he also made mistakes like killing an innocent man, Uriah, because he lusted for Bathsheeba. Asa, towards the end of his life, didn't follow God's ways and suffered from a severe illness. Uzziah's pride led to his downfall. Jotham was a good king, while Ahaz was not so good. Hezekiah ruled with righteousness, but Manassah was mostly evil during his reign. What does this mean about God's redemptive plan?
The concept of adoption is subtle in Matthew 1:1-16 but explicit in Ephesians 1:4-6. Adoption was always the plan!
How big is your world? Consider how Paul described the family of God in Galatians 3:26-29, and explore how you might enlarge your world today.
A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.