ON THE MOVE - Jesus in Bethlehem pt. 1

SCIPTURES
Micah 5:2-5a | 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. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world. And he will be the source of peace.

Matthew 2:1-6 | Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He [King Herod] called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”


DISCUSSION

1. What location is prophesied in Micah, about 700 years before Jesus was born?
2. How is this location described in Micah and Matthew?
3. How is the promised Messiah (Jesus) described in both passages?
4. Bethlehem was just a small village. Do you ever feel like you’re from too small of a town, school, or family to be important? How does God want to use you in your town, school, or family?
5. Micah says Jesus’ origins are in the distant past. What does that mean? (Read 2 Timothy 1:9-10a).