In this study, you will understand how Joseph's place in the nativity story is much like our own. In life, we encounter circumstances that we would have never chosen for ourselves. At times it can be tempting just to walk away. Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. Exchange your doubt for courage this Advent and Christmas season. Learn to accept and glorify God's will even when circumstances make it difficult to do so. The Leader Guide contains everything needed to guide a group through the four-week study, including session plans, activities, and discussion questions, as well as multiple format options. Explore the life of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ Adam Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton’s congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Walk, Simon Peter, Creed, Half Truths, The Call, The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, John, Revival, Not a Silent Night, Enough, When Christians Get It Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White , all published by Abingdon Press. Learn more about Adam Hamilton at AdamHamilton.com. Faithful Leader Guide Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph By Adam Hamilton Abingdon Press Copyright © 2017 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5018-1411-2 Contents To the Leader, 1. A Carpenter Named Joseph, 2. Whose Child Is This?, 3. Raising a Child Not Your Own, 4. The Journey to Bethlehem, The Rest of the Story, CHAPTER 1 A CARPENTER NAMED JOSEPH Planning the Session Session Goals Through conversation, activities, and reflection, participants will: • Identify what we know about Jesus' earthly father Joseph from the biblical text • Consider what the apocryphal writings say about Joseph • Explore what kind of father Joseph may have been Biblical Foundation When [Jesus] came to his hometown, he taught the people in their synagogue. They were surprised and said, "Where did he get this wisdom? Where did he get the power to work miracles? Isn't he the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother named Mary? Aren't James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas his brothers? And his sisters, aren't they here with us? Where did this man get all this?" (Matthew 13:54-56) Before the Session • Set up a table in the room with name tags, markers, Bibles, and extra copies of Faithful for participants who do not yet have a copy. • Write the heading "Characteristics" on a whiteboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper and display it in the room. • On another whiteboard, chalkboard, or large sheet of paper draw a vertical line to make two columns. Write the heading "Positive" in the first column and the heading "Negative" in the second column. • Have markers and/or chalk available for recording participants' responses to various questions during the session. • If you want to use the "Optional Activity," invite a carpenter to visit your group. The carpenter may be someone who has signed up to take the course or someone in your church or community. Give the carpenter the recommended questions to consider in his or her presentation. These questions are listed with the activity. Let the carpenter know the time and location for the session. Also, ask if the carpenter will need a table or other equipment for the presentation and, if so, have this ready. Getting Started Opening Activities Greet participants as they arrive. Invite them to make a name tag and pick up a Bible and/or copy of Faithful if they did not bring one. Introductions Introduce yourself. You may want to share why you are excited about facilitating this Bible study about Joseph. If you sense that the participants in your group do not know each other well, allow time for them to introduce themselves and share something about their relationship with the church — for example, the name of a Sunday school class or small group to which they belong, a mission project they support, or which worship service they attend. Extend a special welcome to anyone who does not regularly attend your church and invite them to worship at your church if they do not have a church home. Housekeeping • Share any necessary information about your meeting space and parking. • Let participants know you will be faithful to the time and encourage everyone to arrive on time. • Encourage participants to read the upcoming chapter each week before the session and do any "homework" that may be suggested. • You may want to invite participants to bring a notebook, journal, or electronic tablet for the study. Explain that these can be used to