Our God, Gracious and Mighty

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1) With the New Year, it can be tempting to feel guilt for the past year’s “performance” and a desire to do more (i.e. resolutions). Often these resolutions can be driven by legalism ultimately resulting in failure to live up to our man-made laws. How can we usher in 2016 resting in God’s grace rather than legalism? How can we as a Community Group encourage each other in living under grace rather than legalism?

2) Throughout the book of Isaiah (and the rest of the Old Testament), we read of Israel’s repeated failure to trust God despite their experience of countless miracles. It can be easy for us to look at them with frustration (“How do you not see?”). Spend some time humbly reflecting on how you might be committing the same error. What greater miracle is there than the message of the Gospel that we have all heard and read of in God’s Word? In light of the grace we have been shown in the Gospel of Christ, how do we reject God with our attitude of entitlement, faithlessness, unbelief, legalism?

3) In v. 27, we read of God’s promise to Israel that “his burden will depart from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; and the yoke will be broken because of the fat.” We ultimately see this fulfilled in Jesus’ words: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28, 30). As a member of Christ’s body, do you experience this promise being fulfilled in Christ? How do you see/feel this freedom in your life already? What is the ultimate end of the fulfillment of this promise?

4) In v. 20, Isaiah prophesies of a time when “the remnant of Israel…will no more lean on him who struck him, but will lean on the LORD.” What remnant do you believe Isaiah is speaking of? Do you see glimpses of this promise fulfilled in the church? How is this ultimately fulfilled in Christ?

5) So far in Isaiah, we have read repeatedly of God’s wrathful anger toward Israel. What is your reaction to this might that God displays? What hope does it give you that this same mighty God tells us that He is forus, and that He desires to see us reconciled to Him? Does it give you confidence in Him and His faithfulness to His promises to save His people?