Study Guide for Week of December 11, 2022
This Week's Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10
Crossroads Community Group Guide
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.
B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.
C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: Graves Into Gardens (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)
E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website
F. Review:
- How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
- Who did you invite to the group for this week?
G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):
- What is your best definition of joy?
H. Background Information for this study:
Isaiah was a prophet which means he spoke for God. Isaiah chapter 35 is a prophecy God gave to Isaiah to give to his people during a time of great challange and distress. Their country was falling apart morally and also being threatened greatly by enemies. The followers of God were under great stress as their society drifted away from God.
In the midst of this time of distress God gives a message of hope. The hope focuses on what will happen in the future. It focus on how God will intevenue with a savior to save them and give them joy - true joy. This is a prophecy about Jesus who would open the blind eyes (verse 5-6). Notice how God will bring everlasting joy.
In understanding this chapter remember that Isaiah is using illustrations. For example verse 1 he says the land will be glad. These are word pictures to describe joy.
Second Section: Isaiah 35:5-7: Notice how this refers to the ministry of Jesus.
Section Three: Isaiah 35:8-10: brek this prt down and discuss how it applies today
In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.
J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)
1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.3. What are the details?4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?
K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)
1. What catches your attention in these verses?2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?4. What do you learn about people from the story?5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application
(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.)
M. Prayer Time: Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex
- What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?
M. Prayer Time: Break up into smaller groups of 3-4 - groups of the same sex
- Pray for your group to multiply.
- Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
- Pray for the needs of the members of the group.
N. For Next time: Ask each person the name of someone they will invite to the group for next week.
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