*note: following is the outline I used for my message.

How do you get to know someone?? (allow for students to respond)
Over the next few weeks we're going to take a close look at who Jesus is and what that means to us.

When I meet someone new I try to get to know them by asking questions. (list general questions)
We can also know a lot about someone by looking at their family, culture and geography
For us, as Americans, it's a little different. We live in such a mixed society and culture that people move all the time and people from all over the world come here to live. This has given us a mixed and mashed culture/society over our 200+ year history.

 

In Jesus' day people were very much connected to their family, heritage and where they live. You could tell a lot about someone by looking at those few things.

 

To get to know Jesus a little more let's start out by checking His lineage or family Tree

Matthew 1:1 – lists genealogy ~ Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah …. King David … Joseph, Jesus
Rod from the stem of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1), Lion of the tribe of Judah, root of David (Rev 5:5)
Jesus grew up in a town of roughly 500 and spent the vast majority of his time with his parents.
As far as we know historically, he didn't play video games and didn't watch cartoons. :)

Mary – faithful and obedient to God
Luke 1:38 – Mary called herself the Lord's servant

Joseph – Righteous and honorable man as well as obedient
Matthew 1:19 – Joseph was righteous Man
Mary was betrothed to be Joseph's wife. This was far more binding than a modern day engagement. It could only be broken by a divorce. During the Betrothal period unfaithfulness is considered adultery. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant he wanted to take care of things quietly instead of putting her out in public.

Matthew 1:24 – Joseph did as God told him

We see in Luke 2:39,40 that Jesus grew up strong and wise. He marveled the teachers in the Temple in Jerusalem. All the while Mary and Joseph were searching all over for him. There were loving and caring parents.

We even see that Jesus was obedient to his parents. He didn't have the sin nature in him so he never rebelled against his parents or God.