Matthew's Genealogy of Christ: STEP Program Application

Matthew 1:1-17 (NIV): "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah."

Bible Study Approach: No Rush

Reading Matthew 1:1-17 in one rushed sitting can drown us in names, turning a divine lineage into a tedious list. The negatives are stark: mental overload from 42 generations, shallow engagement missing the stories behind each name, and spiritual disconnection as we race past God’s faithfulness. Slow down to absorb the significance of this genealogy—God’s promise unfolding through flawed humans to bring the Messiah. This isn’t about finishing fast; it’s about what resonates with you.

Small Segments

• Example: These verses trace Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to David, through exile, to Christ—a roadmap of redemption.

• Method: Break it into focus points:

  • Verse 1: The introduction ties Jesus to Abraham and David, anchoring God’s covenant.

  • Verses 2-6: Early fathers like Abraham, Isaac, and Judah show promise amid imperfection.

  • Verses 7-17: Kings, exiles, and ordinary men lead to Jesus, revealing God’s sovereignty over history.

Slow Reading

• Technique: Read each segment slowly, contemplating the implications. “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah”—what does this reveal about God’s deliberate plan? Ponder how Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth—outsiders—fit into Christ’s line.

• Mental Imagery: Visualize Abraham’s call, David’s reign, or the exile’s despair—see the thread of hope weaving through generations to Jesus.

Meditation: Focused Meditation

• Verse Repetition: Meditate on “Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Consider the promise of salvation in your life, the faithfulness of God across time.

• Process: In a quiet place, repeat this phrase, letting the idea of God’s plan—redemption, purpose, grace—resonate within you.

Scene Visualization

• Imagination: Picture the generations: Abraham’s starry promise, David’s crown, Zerubbabel’s return from exile—all leading to a manger. See the Messiah’s arrival as the culmination.

• Application: Put yourself in this story. How does Jesus’ lineage change everything for you? Reflect on how God’s faithfulness pierces your doubts, bringing purpose to your chaos.

Prayer: Application to Life

• Lesson Activation: Pray for God’s faithfulness, seen in Matthew 1:1-17, to guide your daily path, trusting His promises despite your flaws.

• Confession and Request:

  • Struggles: Confess areas where you’ve doubted God’s plan, living as if His promises don’t reach you.

  • Past Mistakes: Reflect on times you’ve ignored His faithfulness or chased your own path, asking forgiveness and renewal.

  • Future Guidance: Seek wisdom to live as part of His story, honoring the Messiah’s arrival with your choices.

• Bold Requests:

  • Testing Faith: Ask for opportunities to trust God’s timing, to share His faithfulness in dark places, and to stand firm in His redemptive plan.

The Pitfalls of Overloading vs. the Power of STEP

Reading Matthew 1:1-17 all at once drowns us in names, risking exhaustion and boredom, stripping away its power. We miss Tamar’s courage, David’s failures, and Zerubbabel’s hope, leaving us disillusioned or proud of our speed. But STEP transforms it. Small segments yield deep insight—God’s grace through sinners. Meditation embeds hope, and prayer fosters intimacy, turning a list into a living testament. Through this method, Matthew 1:1-17 becomes not just a genealogy but a lesson in God’s unwavering love, drawing us closer to Him.