Lesson 1: Joseph and Mary

Introduction: In this lesson we will examine the lives of Joseph 
and Mary, the parents of Jesus. It had been prophesied that, 
"... the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call 
His name Immanuel" (lit. "God with us") (Is. 7:14).  About seven 
hundred years after the prophesy was spoken, it was fulfilled.  
Mary was chosen by God to give birth to the savior of the world, 
Jesus Christ.  Joseph was not the actual father of Jesus but he 
plays an important role as the head of the family of Jesus.


I. Joseph
   A.  The son of Jacob (Mat. 1:15; of Heli ?, Lk. 3:23).  
       1. Descendent of David (Mat. 1:20; Lk. 2:4).
       2. A Carpenter (Mat. 13:55).
       3. A "just man" (Mat. 1:19).
       4. Lived in the city of Nazareth in Galilee (Lk. 2:4).
       5. Supposed father of Jesus (Mt. 13:55; Lk. 3:23;4:22; 
      Jn. 1:45; 6:42).
   B.  Mental distress when he discovered Mary was with child, 
       Mt. 1:18-25.
       1. Betrothed (espoused: engaged to be married) to Mary 
      (1:18).  Unfaithfulness     during engagement period was 
      considered adultery (Dt. 22:25,28).
       2. "before they came together": They were not yet married 
       and therefore there had been no consummation.
       3. The child was of the Holy Spirit (1:18).
       4. Joseph was a just or upright man and did not want Mary 
      to suffer the humiliation of public exposure and so 
      wanted to put her away privately (1:19).
       5. An angel appeared to Joseph and explained that the child 
      conceived in her was of the Holy Spirit in fulfillment 
      of the prophesy of Is. 7:14. (Mt. 1:20-23).
       6. Joseph did as the angel commanded and took Mary as his 
      wife (1:24).
       7. Joseph had no sexual relations with Mary until after 
      Jesus was born (1:25).
   C.  Joseph received divine guidance.
       1. Commanded to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod's desire to 
      destroy Jesus, Mt.2:13,14.
       2. Commanded to return to the land of Israel after Herod's 
      death, Mt. 2:19-21.
       3. Warned to return to Galilee because Archelaus, the son 
      of Herod, was ruling in Judea in his father's place, 
      Mt. 2:22,23.
    
Principles:
     1. Man can be confident that God will fulfill His promises.
     2. God chooses just men and women to fulfill His purposes.
     3. We must faithfully obey God's commands even though we may 
    not fully understand them.
     4. Husbands must love their wives and be considerate of them.       
      
II. Mary
   A. Infancy Narratives (Mt. 1,2; Lk. 1,2).
      1. Visited by the angel, Gabriel,  Lk. 1:26-38.
     a. "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; 
         blessed are you     among women!" (1:28).
     b. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor 
         with God" (1:30).
     c. Declaration of God's intent for her, (1:31-33).
     d. Mary's question, "How can this be, since I do not 
        know a man?'
     e. Answer: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you..." 
        (1:35).
     f. "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me 
         according to your word" (1:38).
      2. Mary visited Elizabeth, Lk. 1:39-45 (See Lesson 2).
      3. The song of Mary, Lk. 1:46-55.
      4. The birth of Jesus, Lk. 2; Mt. 1.
      5. Flight to Egypt and return, Mt. 1:13-23.
   B. Mary and her other sons sent for Jesus, Mk. 3:31-35.
      1. "Who is My mother, or my brothers?" (3:33).
      2. "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My 
      sister and mother" (3:35).
   C. Mary at Cana, when Jesus turned water into wine, Jn. 2:1-11.
      1. Mary turns to Jesus and expects Him to help (2:3).
      2. Mary commands servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." 
     (2:5).
   D. Mary at the Cross, Jn. 19:25-27.
      1. Jesus said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 
     (19:26).
      2. Jesus told disciple to care for his mother, (19:27).
   E. Mary with the disciples in Jerusalem following the ascension 
      of Jesus, Acts 1:14.

Principles:
     1. We like Mary need to rejoice in God our savior (Lk. 1:46).
     2. The mercy of God is on those who fear Him (Lk. 1:50).
     3. God scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts 
    (Lk. 1:51).
     4. God fills the hungry with good things, and the rich he 
    sends away empty (Lk. 1:53).

III. Mariolatry: Doctrines taught by Roman Catholic church 
     concerning Mary.
   A. Immaculate Conception: doctrine that Mary was born without 
      inherited sin, therefore Jesus could be born sinless. 
      (Pope Pius IX, Dec. 8, 1854).
   B. Perpetual Virginity: doctrine that Mary had no sexual 
      relations with a man and had no other children besides Jesus.
      (Pope Vigilius, 553 A.D.).
   C. Sinless: doctrine that Mary never sinned. (De Natura et 
      Gratia, 36)
   D. Assumption of Mary: doctrine that she was assumed body and 
      soul into heaven (Pope Pius XII, Nov. 1, 1950).
   E. Mediatrix: "As Christ is the one Mediator between God and 
      men so Mary is the one 'mediatrix' between Christ and all 
      those whom He has redeemed" (The Question Box, p. 294).

Questions:
1.  Be ready to explain the importance of the genealogies in 
    Mt. 1:1-17 and Lk. 3:23-38.  Why are they different?
2. What other children did Mary and Joseph have?  What were their 
   names?
3. Why did Joseph want to put Mary away privately?
4. How many times did Joseph receive divine guidance?  How many 
   times did he follow that guidance?
5. List the promises fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
6. Describe Mary's and Joseph's attitude toward the events 
   described in this lesson.
7. Explain Jesus' statement concerning His family in Mk. 3:31-35.
8. What happened to Mary following the ascension of Jesus?
9. Be ready to discuss the Roman Catholic doctrines which concern 
   Mary.  Give scriptures    which support or deny these doctrines. 
  

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