Lesson #25: Preparation for November 12th

We will continue our study in chapters 49-52.

1.  The Jews as a people have many times come through very difficult circumstances--which continue to this day.  They might be tempted to proclaim Isa 49:14, but what great truth does the following text reinforce.  How would you use the New Testament to parallel this same idea?

2.  Isa 51:1-2 give further guidance regarding what should be front and center in the thinking of the Jewish people.  Is this admonition in any way connected to Christianity?

3.  Simply read through Isa 50 and see how many connections you can find to the historical accounts of what happened to Jesus.

See you on Wednesday!
Kevin

Les #24: Preparation for November 5th

(Due to a guest speaker on the 29th--this lesson has been pushed back to the 5th of November.)

The next block of text at which we are going to look is chapters 49-57.  I would like you to get a general overview as we prepare to investigate these 9 chapters.  

1. Begin by reading chapter 53. Put a little pencil mark by every phrase the seems to make reference to something we know about Jesus Christ.  You will be amazed at the number of marks you accumulate.  

2.  From there, just go back to chapter 49 and start reading.  Again, you will be amazed at how often references to Jesus occur and how often those references entail some sort of suffering or humiliation. Why do you think the Jews were expecting only a reigning king?

See on you Wednesday!

Les #23: Preparation for October 22nd Study

We are going to spend one more study in Isaiah chapters 41-46.  This time we want to take a look at another theme that runs through the latter part of the book and is very pronounced in these six chapters.  Furthermore, it once again has significant ramifications for us in our day.  

You may wish to read the entire six chapters again, by as you do, concentrate on the following sections:  Isa 41:22-24, 41:26-29,  42:8-9,  43:9-13, 44:7,  45:1-4,  45:11-13, 46:5-13

1.  What is the major point the Lord is making clear in each of these sections?


2.  How many times has God told us ahead of time what He is going to do, and then done it?  Jot down as many as you can think of.

3.  What ramifications does this have for a correct understanding of prophecy in our day?

See you on Wednesday the 22nd.

October 15th Study

No preparation for the 15th as we will have a guest speaker in the person of Steve Hayes who, along with his family, are missionaries to Russia.  He will have some very interesting things for us as they prepare to return.

Lesson 22: Preparation for October 8th Study

Take a look at the following Scripture as a way of preparing for our next study:

   Isa 41:14     Isa 43:5     Isa 44:2     Isa 44:8

Notice they all deal with the issue of being afraid.  Consider these questions, which we will discuss further on Wednesday night. 
1.  Why might the Israelites have cause to be afraid as they head back to Israel? 

2.  If we continue the line of reasoning we have been developing, why might we, during our day and time, have cause to be afraid?  

3.  In the above Scripture,  in what specific ways does God address fear?  

4.  Is His comfort still applicable today?  Can you add anything to it from the New Testament?  

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.