Isaiah 54 | From Jerusalem, to Abbotsford, to the Ends of the Earth | 75th

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Life Group Guide QUESTIONS draft

SERMON OUTLINE

GOD’S PROMISE OF EXPANSIVE GRACE

1.       God brings _____ out of _____________ (v.1)

2.       In spite of us, God will not only ______________, but ____________ his tent (vv.2-3)

3.       By god’s grace, the ____________ of our past is _____________ (v.4)

4.       God’s covenant love is _______________ (v.5)

THE PLAIN MAIN THING

The Gospel is God’s costly and covenantal love that transforms our barrenness into fruitfulness, our shame into joy, and our exile into belonging—through Jesus Christ, the true Bridegroom of His people.

TAKING IT HOME

1.       Live _________ grace, not ________ it

2.       Sing, even in your _____________.

3.       _________ the tent, __________ for joy, ___________ the barren

LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

1.        What’s something small that instantly makes your day better?

2.        When you were young, what was the most exciting or unrealistic job you imagined having when you grew up?

QUICK REVIEW

1.        Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

2.        This weekend, Pastor Justin challenged us to “live from grace, not for grace.” How does that perspective change your daily walk with Jesus?

READ SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 54:1-8

1.        How does this passage highlight God’s presence in our world?

2.        What does this passage say about our broken human condition?

3.        How does this passage call me to make change in my life?

DIGGING DEEPER

1.        READ Isaiah 54:1-3. The image of a barren woman implies that the nation of Israel has been negligent in following God. Yet, we’re told that there will be more children and that a bigger tent is necessary.  What is Isaiah trying to communicate?

a.        READ Jeremiah 4:19-22 & 10:19-21.  In Isaiah, the tent expands, but in Jeremiah, it’s destroyed. What caused the collapse? How does God promise to rebuild it? (hint: Jeremiah 30:18-22)

2.        READ Isaiah 54:4-5. God tells His people that they will no longer face “shame” or “disgrace,” even though they haven’t been faithful followers.  What will make that a reality? Why is this significant?

a.        READ Isaiah 40:28-31, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.  Have you ever experienced a season of “shame” or being “disgraced,” maybe even forgotten, and then felt God’s care & embrace? What was that like? What helped you?

3.        READ Isaiah 54:5.  Throughout scriptures, Israel is depicted as God’s bride (OT) and the church as Christ’s bride (NT).  Why is this marriage metaphor helpful (or not helpful) in understanding our relationship with God?

a.        READ Romans 8:31-39.  What makes it difficult for us to fully trust in God’s firm commitment and unshakeable love? Why might it be the same for our neighbors?

TAKING IT HOME

READ Isaiah 54:9-10, 15-17, Hebrews 13:8. As we look at the world around us, and within us, we see quickly that life can be quite difficult. What do these promises of God mean to you? What could they mean to your neighbours? How might you help them see and understand them?

PERSONAL REFLECTION

READ Isaiah 53. Read the prior chapter in Isaiah, a familiar text that we often look at during the season of Lent and Easter.  How does this chapter affect your reading of Isaiah 54? Does anything change in what you understand God to be speaking to the nation of Israel? To our church today? To yourself?