God's People Among The Nations

God's people among the nations: Isaiah 13-23

     Introduction

     God of Israel, Lord of the Nations (13-14 & 21)

     An Oracle Concerning Jerusalem (22)

     But you don't know what they did to me (19)

Discipleship group questions

Launching questions

• Identify a time when God did something - whether in your own life or in the life of someone close to you - that was unexpected and caused you discomfort. Why was it uncomfortable?
• Read Isaiah 13:19-22 and 19:18-25. What do you remember most from the teaching on Sunday?

Encourage

• We spoke a lot this past Sunday about how God is Lord of all the nations. What are some areas in your life that seem out of control and chaotic? How does the truth of God's sovereign rule and reign over all things impact your posture toward these things?
• Where is there chaos within your immediate context, culturally speaking, and how might the truth of God's sovereignty encourage and assist you as you seek to engage the mess?

Challenge

• Who are you afraid to engage with and call to task for their unfaithfulness? Why is this the case? How might the truth that God is Lord of all push you to enter into difficult conversations?
• Reread Isaiah 19:18-25. Egypt and Assyria are enemies of God's people, yet they are named among the faithful by God himself. As you look around the church (locally and globally), what sort of people do you find it hardest to identify with as brothers and sisters? Why?
• Read Philippians 2:1-18 - As you look at yourself, and how you live your own life, think about others, spend your money, and use your resources, where are you being influenced more by how the culture operates (whether by the culture of your political party, ethnicity, or the popular culture of our day), rather than by the Gospel’s call to suffering and sacrifice?