Have you ever wondered why God sends angels? In this message, we will discuss the encounter between Joseph and an angel, looking specifically at how Joseph responded to the message and what that means for us.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Matthew 1:18-25. What sticks out to you in the account? Talk about it with your group.

2. Share about a time you received news that you felt ruined or dramatically changed your plans for the future. 

3. Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you felt God was sending you a clear message, whether through angels, experiences, or people?

4. What message from God’s Word have you struggled to believe or follow because it seemed crazy according to our world?

5. Because Jesus has come to reveal God’s message of grace to us, how is He calling us to respond to this message?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Matthew 1:20-24 with your family. 

2. The angel of the Lord told Joseph to marry Mary, even though the people he knew would have told him not to marry her. Is there anything in the Bible that you struggle to believe or follow because it’s different from what the world says?

3. Is it better to listen to God’s Word, or to do what the world says? Why?

4. God’s Word is truth. What is one way you can share God’s truth with someone this week?