The Servant and the heart of God: Isaiah 49:1-16                                 

     The Servant and Israel (vv. 1-6)

     The Great Reversal (vv. 7-13)

     A Reasonable Objection / God’s Stunning Response (vv. 14-16)

Discipleship group questions

Launching questions

• Before you jump into the discussion questions, share some ideas on how you might use this Advent season to “keep first things first” and set your eyes on Jesus over the next few weeks.
• Read Isaiah 49:1-16 aloud together. What do you remember most from the teaching on Sunday? What stood out to you as you read through it this time?
• If someone asked you, “Why did Jesus come into the world?”, how would you respond? See if your D group can come up with six distinct answers to that question.

Encourage

• Reread Isaiah 49:14-16. Can you remember a time when you felt especially forsaken and/or forgotten by God? Share what that experience was like for you and how it impacted your faith.
• On Sunday, we said that God’s response in vv. 15-16 to such moments is basically, “If you only knew what I’ve done for you and if you only knew how I look at you, you’d understand that you’re never forsaken, never forgotten.” What do you make of that response? Do you find that comforting? Why or why not?

Challenge

• Read Galatians 6:9 and Romans 5:3-5. What sacrifices are you currently making that seem invisible to God and others? Name them aloud to your group. Now see if you can add to one another’s lists. In other words, what sacrifices do you see one another making that haven’t yet been named? Finish your time by praying for God’s perseverance to meet each of you in the areas you’ve just identified.