Lesson 21: Preparation for the October 1st Study

We have a bit more to cover in chapter 40, but will begin to turn our attention to chapters 41-46.  We won't specifically go line-by-line, so simply  read through these chapters with a pen and paper handy, and here is what I suggest you look for.  God, through Isaiah, is going to tell the people certain kinds of things they are going to need to know as they head back to the Land and face quite a number of obstacles. 

So #1:   See how many of these things you can find.  

As I went through these chapters myself, I was struck by how many of these things apply to us, the Church, as we bear witness to the gospel of grace in the face of apathy and opposition.  

And #2:  See how many New Testament promises you can identify that apply to us, addressing the same kinds of issues faced by the Jews many centuries ago.  

I think you will find that God's plan for mankind has been much more consistent than we realize.  

In His grace,

Kevin

Lesson 20: Preparation for the September 24th Study

(Since we didn't meet last week, this remains the prep for the 24th of September)

As we move into the final portion of the book (chapters 40-66) we will find not only great prophecy regarding the future, but also tremendous application for the present.  Let's see if we can find some as we focus upon chapter 40 in the week ahead. 

If we continue to develop the idea that I introduced last Wednesday, we are looking at chapter 40 as revelation to Israel at the time they are preparing to return to the Land from their exile in Babylon.  The destruction of the nation and the exile of the people will naturally cause them to question God's love for them and His attitude toward them.  God addresses this in many ways in chapter 40 (and the chapters that follow), see if you can identify at least three ways in which He encourages the hearts of the people.  (Consider the entire chapter.)

     1. 

     2.

     3.  

Let me give you one more thing to ponder.  Isa 40:3-5 is typically attributed to John the Baptist and his message about the coming Messiah.  Can you think of any other application that can be made given Israel's current circumstances, i.e. exiled from her homeland.  

Lesson 19: Preparation for our September 3rd Study

Memory verse:  Isa 6:3

In order to be prepared for this week's study read Isaiah chapters 38-39.

Chapter 38 is about Hezekiah's illness and recovery.  His prayer of thanksgiving is very moving.  But then in chapter 39 a number of strange things happen that I have pondered for many years.  (It might help you to get the full picture to read 2 Kings 20:12-21 as well.)  Give some thoughts to the following questions and see what you think:

1.  Are there some things worse than dying young?

2.  Are there some things more important than peace and security at the close of life?

3.  What does it mean to leave a "legacy"?

Lesson 18: Preparation for our August 6th Study

Our memory verse:  Isa 6:3

We are going to continue in Isaiah chapter 6 this coming week with an emphasis on verses 8-13.  This can be a very perplexing passage.  To prepare for it, think through the following:

1.  Did Isaiah receive a desirable task?  Explain your reasoning.

2.  What clue do we have that Isaiah was not looking forward to the ministry God had called him to?

3.  What kind of application can we make in our day?  After all, we live in a nation that appears to no longer be particularly receptive to the Gospel--is there reason for us to persevere against opposition in our day?

Lesson 17: Preparation for our July 30th Study

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

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

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?