Community Question: Mary shared with Joseph that her child was God’s child. Joseph was presented with an unexpected situation, but his life expectations set a limit on what was possible. What we see sets our expectations on reality, but there is a world of wonder beyond our own expectations. When things do not go as you expect, how do you respond?
Matthew 1:18-25 as a group and write down what you observe about the passage. Talk about initial observations/questions of the passage as a group and then transition into these questions.
Joseph’s unexpected situation was immersed in tension that could lead to his and Mary’s being outcasts in their society. We live in constant tension between what we expect God to do and what he actually does.
Have you experienced any situations where you felt this tension?
How did you respond?
Joseph’s response could have had a life-threatening result for Mary or a
negative impact on both of their lives. However, Joseph walked through the door of acceptance and remained with Mary, named their child Jesus, and raised him as his father. Mary and Joseph’s trust in God enabled them to accept the situation, which was very hard.
Have you ever faced an unexpected situation where multiple choices could lead to different results?
Is there a situation that you are struggling to accept?
Acceptance: Accepting our situations as that which God is using to bring
great wonder is not always easy. Mary traveled to see Elizabeth and wrote her song during this visit.
How did your expectations impact that decision?
Did your expectations put a limit on what was possible?
Did you try to justify your own desires, or did you trust God?
Joseph had his own plan for his life, but God presented him with a situation that changed everything. Through that change came great wonder.
You might try to justify your own desires and force your own plans, but how can you trust God and see how he wants to show you the path to great wonder?
