#30SecondBible: Isaiah

The Most Significant Influence

By Sarah Griffith Lund

Of all the prophets of the Hebrew scriptures, Isaiah is the one that most significantly influences the prophetic imagination of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the book of Isaiah that is quoted the most in the New Testament and it is one of the longest books of the Hebrew scriptures. We see in the words of Jesus the reflection of Isaiah when he says that the Lord has anointed me, has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and to bind up the brokenhearted.

  1. What does it mean to be anointed by God?
  2. What is the good news that oppressed people in our world today need to hear?

God’s Love Is For Everybody

By Sarah Griffith Lund

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined. This is the good news according to Isaiah. David Burke, biblical scholar, he says that in Isaiah we learn that God does not discriminate. God does not discriminate based on class, race, language, power, credentials, status, achievements, or faith. But God’s love is for everybody.

  1. When was a time you went from walking in darkness to seeing a great light?
  2. Why do you think the church tends to discriminate even though God’s love is for everybody?

These Two Worldviews

By Keegan Osinski

In Isaiah we see the coalescing of influences from both the histories of the Northern Kingdom of Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The heritage of the Northern Kingdom placed a high priority on obedience to God and keeping God’s law, while the Southern Kingdom took great pride in God’s promise to always be on their side. The prophet Isaiah holds these two worldviews together, encouraging the King to remember God’s promise and be confident in it, and yet not to be lax in following God’s law.

  1. In your experience, what happens when two different worlds collide?
  2. Which kingdom do you resonate with more: the Northern Kingdom who believes in obedience and keeping God's law or the Southern Kingdom who believes that God is always on their side? Why?

A Promise Or A Threat

By Keegan Osinski

In chapter 7, Isaiah’s prophecy comes in the form of a child—a son whose name has a double meaning: God with us. Is this a promise or a threat? It is a comfort to God’s people that God will always be with you, you will not be alone. And yet, it’s an unsettling call to action. God is here, among you. How will you behave? How will you treat God’s people in God’s presence?

  1. Do you behave differently when you know you are being watched? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think: is "God with us" a promise or a threat? Why?

See the complete #30SecondBible series

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