Incarnation #1 (Advent) – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   November 23, 2023

God’s Long Faithfulness

Isaiah 7:1-25 & Jon. 1:4-14

 

INTRODUCTION:  Advent is a season where we take time to both remember the coming and birth of Jesus and look forward to his second coming. In this, it is a season of paradoxical postures. To simply look back only treats God’s intervention with a sense of nostalgia. As if he had once worked on man’s behalf, and we are to simply plug on through this broken existence forever. And, to only look forward is to treat the second coming of Jesus with a naive hope. Why? Because we look forward without remembering all of the ways God has fulfilled his promises and so we can look forward with a confident hope. If we don’t look back, our forward hope is nothing more than a wish without substance. In the passages for this week, we meet king Ahaz (Isa. 7), who was in a serious bind, and God offers to save him. Yet, Ahaz rejects God in favor of his own plan. So, God still makes a promise to save and send a sign. Then in John 1, we read about the fulfillment of that promise made to Ahaz some 700 earlier. Ahaz’s decision would plummet his people and future generations into darkness. But, when Jesus would come, he would bring a light that the darkness could not and cannot overcome. No matter how grim life seems, with God, we never lack for hope.

 

GETTING STARTED – As a group, talk about important rhythms or practices that help you to connect with the real meaning of Christmas and the firm hope we have in God.

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

 

 

 

Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions.

  1. When you look at Ahaz’s story, what stands out to you? And, what can you relate to? I.e., Have you ever in a time of stress, struggled to trust God? Etc.
  2. When you hear God’s offer to Ahaz, give him a sign “as deep as Sheol and high as heaven,” what does this offer teach you about God’s character?
  3. How have you seen God show up and be faithful in your suffering or in difficult times?
  4. The season of Advent is both a season of remembering and anticipation. Over the next month, spend some time in your day to do both. This could be in the morning, over lunch, or in the evening. Take 10-15 minutes and consider the following questions: (Also – You can talk about these with your group.)
    1. How have I enjoyed God today or in the last 24hrs?
    2. What am I learning about God?
    3. What is something that I am trusting God for?
    4. What is one fruit of the Spirit that I desire to grow in? (cf. Gal. 5:22)