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Week 1 Sermon Questions For Groups

December 25, 2022

Week 1 Sermon Questions For Groups

Introduction:

The Old Testament has approximately 350 prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. Although scholars differ on the number, the sheer unlikeliness that one person could fulfill all of these prophecies point to the fact that Jesus is indeed the true Messiah. The prophecies about Jesus can be found throughout the Old Testament. Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension were all prophesied hundreds of years in advance. The only person…past, present, or future…who could fulfill all these prophecies is Jesus Christ.

Something To Talk About:

Jesus not only fits the exact profile of the living God, but He matches the exact fingerprint of the prophesied Messiah in the Old Testament Scriptures. This Christmas season, we can be confident that our faith in Christ being the Messiah is not in vain. These proofs provide evidence of Jesus being the Messiah. Here are just three examples:

  1. Prophecy of the house of David: From Jeremiah 23:5-6 we know He is from the line of King David: “For the time is coming,” says the Lord,“when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name:‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.”Reaffirming that Jesus is from the line of King David, we have this prophecy from 2 Samuel 7:12-13, which was actually spoken by Samuel to King David: “For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.”
  2. Born in a small community: Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 says, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, as we read in Matthew 2:1-6.
  3. The Messiah would be presented with gifts: The Old Testament declared that Gentiles from around the world would come to the Messiah, bearing gifts that actually included gold and frankincense (Psalm 72:10-15; Isaiah 60:1-6). When the Magi from the east visited Jesus, they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor Him. These gifts represented the nations’ desire to use their wealth to worship the Jewish Messiah. Somehow the Magi understood that Jesus was more than a man – even more than a king. Jesus was greater than a man, He was greater than the angels. He was and is the unique and eternal Son of God.

Discussion Questions:

  1. You can find Jesus on every page of the Old Testament: agree or disagree and why?
  2. Jesus is not merely patterned and promised in the Old Testament; He is present. Agree or disagree and why?
  3. Genesis 49:10-12 prophesies a ruler from the line of Judah who will bring about a kingdom of prosperity. Isaiah 9:6 speaks of the birth of a child who will be named “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Micah 5:2 refers to a ruler who will come from Bethlehem. What does that matter to believers today?
  4. What do you make of the prophecy that Jesus will come from the heart of David? What about Jesus will be born in a small community. And finally the Messiah will be presented with gifts.
  5. How many other prophecies can you name?
  6. What do you tell people who don’t believe all these prophecies don’t prove that Jesus is the Messiah?
  7. What part of the service made the biggest impression on you?
  8. What is Jesus trying to tell you this Christmas season?

Take One Thing Home with You:

Jesus Christ fulfilled so many prophecies concerning His birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. These fulfilled prophecies could not have been manufactured in any way. They could have only been fulfilled by the one who is sovereign over all of creation, God incarnate, Jesus Christ. These fulfilled prophecies help to give trust, hope, security, assurance, faith, encouragement, and joy to all who read and understand them. Let these prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus give you hope and life as you trust in Him.