Our memory verse: Isa 6:3
This week we want to investigate Isaiah chapter 6, and so to begin, read through the chapter.
1. The first issue I want you to consider is the placing of chapter 6's content at this point in the book of Isaiah. For the most part, the narrative flows from chapter 5 right into chapter 7. So why is the content of chapter 6 inserted at this location?
2. What kind of king was Uzziah? (You can find amplifying information in 2Chron 26 and 2Ki 14-15.)
- What kind of mental/emotional state do you think Isaiah was in at the time of Uzziah's death.
- What message, or lesson, could God be teaching Isaiah regarding ministry?
3. Many have commented on chapter 6 as being Isaiah's call to ministry--or some kind of renewed call. If so, what "stages in ministry" can you extract from the text?
See you on Wednesday
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Lesson 16: Preparation for our July 23rd Study
Note: the next time we will be in Isaiah will be on the 23rd of July. On the 16th, we will have guest speakers, Hans and Jennifer Anderson, who are missionaries with ECMI in Spain.
Memory verse: Isa 30:15
Read Isaiah chapter 14. At first reading, this is part of a larger section documenting God's judgment on the pagan nations around Israel, and supports our theme that God is sovereign over the nations. However, right in the middle of the chapter, in verses 12-15, is a section that should catch our attention. For although some of it aptly describes the attitude of godless kings, there is also that which does not seem to apply. For example, which of the godless kings "fell from heaven"?
Theologians have long attributed this portion of Scripture to be descriptive of Satan. If true, it gives us insight into His rebellion against God. (You can gain additional insight by reading Ezek 28:11-19.) Considering this to be a real possibility, please ponder the following:
1. If God has seen fit to give us information about Satan in Isa 14, why did he tuck it away in the middle of a chapter about the Babylonians?
2. What do you think this might have taught the Jews of Isaiah's day, and what (if any) application can be made today?
After enjoying our missionary guests, see you on the 23rd.
Kevin
Memory verse: Isa 30:15
Read Isaiah chapter 14. At first reading, this is part of a larger section documenting God's judgment on the pagan nations around Israel, and supports our theme that God is sovereign over the nations. However, right in the middle of the chapter, in verses 12-15, is a section that should catch our attention. For although some of it aptly describes the attitude of godless kings, there is also that which does not seem to apply. For example, which of the godless kings "fell from heaven"?
Theologians have long attributed this portion of Scripture to be descriptive of Satan. If true, it gives us insight into His rebellion against God. (You can gain additional insight by reading Ezek 28:11-19.) Considering this to be a real possibility, please ponder the following:
1. If God has seen fit to give us information about Satan in Isa 14, why did he tuck it away in the middle of a chapter about the Babylonians?
2. What do you think this might have taught the Jews of Isaiah's day, and what (if any) application can be made today?
After enjoying our missionary guests, see you on the 23rd.
Kevin
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Lesson 15: Preparation for our July 9th Study
Our memory verse: Isa 30:15
We have seen how the book of Isaiah teaches both the truth that 1) God is sovereign over all nations; and 2) He desires for us to live lives dependent upon Him and the truths of His Word. We are currently in the middle of investigating what it means when Hab 2:4 says, "My righteous ones will live by faith." We are going to spend one more week trying to deepen our understanding of faith. To do so, consider the following questions.
1. What does it mean when Scripture says, "By grace are we saved, through faith. . ." (Eph 2:8-9)
2. I think it very likely that you know someone who, as best you could tell, placed their faith in Christ as their Savior, and then some time later seemed to lose all interest in Christianity. What do you think happened? See if you can list more than one possibility.
3. The verb "to believe" is used more than 100 times in the Gospel of John. See John 2:23 for an example. Now read Jn 2:24-25. Nearly every commentator you will read on this passage will state that these people were not "true" believers or they had "false" faith. Does that seem consistent with John's use of "believe"? In other words--does John every talk about the concept of false faith? Are there any other possible explanations for Jn 2:24-25 that come to mind?
We have seen how the book of Isaiah teaches both the truth that 1) God is sovereign over all nations; and 2) He desires for us to live lives dependent upon Him and the truths of His Word. We are currently in the middle of investigating what it means when Hab 2:4 says, "My righteous ones will live by faith." We are going to spend one more week trying to deepen our understanding of faith. To do so, consider the following questions.
1. What does it mean when Scripture says, "By grace are we saved, through faith. . ." (Eph 2:8-9)
2. I think it very likely that you know someone who, as best you could tell, placed their faith in Christ as their Savior, and then some time later seemed to lose all interest in Christianity. What do you think happened? See if you can list more than one possibility.
3. The verb "to believe" is used more than 100 times in the Gospel of John. See John 2:23 for an example. Now read Jn 2:24-25. Nearly every commentator you will read on this passage will state that these people were not "true" believers or they had "false" faith. Does that seem consistent with John's use of "believe"? In other words--does John every talk about the concept of false faith? Are there any other possible explanations for Jn 2:24-25 that come to mind?
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