Houston shared a story from Bob Goff’s book Love Does about Bob’s encounter with the sacrificial love shown by his Young Life leader, Randy. Do you have any people who have shown you that kind of love? What would you have done if you were in Randy’s shoes?

Read Matthew 1:18-25. What do you learn about Joseph from this passage? What is the angel’s message to Joseph? How does Joseph respond to the angel?

What does it mean that Joseph was “a just man” (v. 19)? What were Joseph’s options for responding to this situation (cf. Numbers 5, Deuteronomy 22:13-21 and Deuteronomy 24:1)? What were Mary’s options?

What is the significance of the angel calling Joseph “son of David” (v. 20)? How does Joseph taking in Mary fulfill the prophecy quoted from Isaiah 7 (vv. 22-23; cf. Isaiah 7:10-17)?

We see Joseph experience three more angelic dreams in Matthew (see Matthew 2:13-14, 19-23). What kind of example does Joseph set for us in his responses?

Read Matthew 27:39-50. How does the meaning of Jesus’ name (God Saves) help us to understand the significance of these encounters on the cross? How can you respond to the saving work of Jesus on the cross?