SESSI MIDWEEK EVENT
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MIDWEEK EVENT SESSION 4 1 ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11 WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM TOGETHER AS A SINGLE, DIVERSE FAMILY. As we saw in our recent session, sin divided people both geographically and spiritually. Jesus undoes the sin-curse by bringing people back together. One way He does so is by uniting them all into a single, glorious family. Sons and daughters from every corner of the globe come together to form the church (Isa. 43:6-7). Having both Jews and Gentiles in God’s family (Hos. 1:10-11) indicates the glorious diversity of God’s gathered people. 2 ISAIAH 43:6-7; JEREMIAH 32:37-41 WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM UNDER A SINGLE, LOVING AUTHORITY. If the sin-scattered people of God reunite as a family, they share a common Father: God Almighty (Isa. 43:6-7). He whom we made our enemy reconciles us to Himself to be our Father and authority; as such, He wields all his attributes for our benefit: His wisdom, His mercy, His justice, His compassion, and His strength all come together to bring him joy in doing us good (Jer. 32:37-41). 3 ISAIAH 43:6-7, 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33 WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM WITH A SINGLE, GLORIOUS PURPOSE. Another detrimental effect of the sin-curse was humanity’s division of purpose: we each went our own way and pursued our own selfish purpose (Isa. 53:6). Yet, when Jesus gathers his people together, He unites them in a common purpose: to enjoy God’s glory (Isa. 43:6-7; 1 Cor. 10:31-33). This midweek study will explore the concept of reunification. Use the following main points, Scriptures, teaching/ discussion ideas, and questions to help students dive deeper into the context of the Bible for this session. SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11; JEREMIAH 32:37-41; ISAIAH 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33 ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE • SIN AS REBELLION Because the Bible portrays people as responsible beings, called to respond in faith and obedience to God’s revelation, the Bible often portrays sin in terms of defiance and rebellion toward God the King. Isaiah 1:2 is one of many passages that describes sin in terms of rebellion against God: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” Seen in this light, sin is personal and willful disobedience, the raising of a clenched fist toward the One who made us. CHRIST CONNECTION God responded to the people’s act of rebellion in building the tower of Babylon by confusing their language, forcing them to scatter. Many years later, God would respond to the source of all our rebellion by providing Jesus. At Pentecost, God tore down the language barrier, bringing people from every tongue, nation, and tribe together in Christ Jesus.
Transcript of SESSI MIDWEEK EVENT
MIDWEEK EVENTS E S S I O N 4
1 ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11
WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM TOGETHER AS A SINGLE, DIVERSE FAMILY.
As we saw in our recent session, sin divided people both geographically and spiritually. Jesus undoes the sin-curse by bringing people back together. One way He does so is by uniting them all into a single, glorious family. Sons and daughters from every corner of the globe come together to form the church (Isa. 43:6-7). Having both Jews and Gentiles in God’s family (Hos. 1:10-11) indicates the glorious diversity of God’s gathered people.
2 ISAIAH 43:6-7; JEREMIAH 32:37-41
WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM UNDER A SINGLE, LOVING AUTHORITY.
If the sin-scattered people of God reunite as a family, they share a common Father: God Almighty (Isa. 43:6-7). He whom we made our enemy reconciles us to Himself to be our Father and authority; as
such, He wields all his attributes for our benefit: His wisdom, His mercy, His justice, His compassion, and His strength all come together to bring him joy in doing us good (Jer. 32:37-41).
3 ISAIAH 43:6-7, 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33
WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM WITH A SINGLE, GLORIOUS PURPOSE.
Another detrimental effect of the sin-curse was humanity’s division of purpose: we each went our own way and pursued our own selfish purpose (Isa. 53:6). Yet, when Jesus gathers his people together, He unites them in a common purpose: to enjoy God’s glory (Isa. 43:6-7; 1 Cor. 10:31-33).
This midweek study will explore the concept of reunification. Use the following main points, Scriptures, teaching/discussion ideas, and questions to help students dive deeper into the context of the Bible for this session.
SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11; JEREMIAH 32:37-41; ISAIAH 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33
ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE • S IN AS REBELLION
Because the Bible portrays people as responsible beings, called to respond in faith and obedience to God’s revelation, the Bible often portrays sin in terms of defiance and rebellion toward God the King. Isaiah 1:2 is one of many passages that describes sin in terms of rebellion against God: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” Seen in this light, sin is personal and willful disobedience, the raising of a clenched fist toward the One who made us.
CHRIST CONNECTION
God responded to the people’s act of rebellion in building the tower of Babylon by confusing their language, forcing them to scatter. Many years later, God would respond to the source of all our rebellion by providing Jesus. At Pentecost, God tore down the language barrier, bringing people from every tongue, nation, and tribetogether in Christ Jesus.
MIDWEEK EVENTS E S S I O N 4
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1 ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11
WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM TOGETHER AS A SINGLE, DIVERSE FAMILY.
READ ISAIAH 43:6-7.
HOW DID SIN SCATTER GOD’S PEOPLE ALL OVER THE EARTH? HOW DOES SIN DIVIDE US FROM EACH OTHER IN WAYS OTHER THAN GEOGRAPHY?
IN VERSE 6, WHAT DOES GOD CALL THE PEOPLE HE GATHERS? IF WE ARE HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WHAT IS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER? HOW THEN SHOULD WE TREAT EACH OTHER?
READ HOSEA 1:10-11.
IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, WHAT PEOPLE-GROUP WOULD ONCE HAVE BEEN CALLED, “NOT MY PEOPLE”? (THE GENTILES) WHAT DOES GOD CALL THEM NOW?
WHAT OTHER DIVISIONS DOES GOD BRING TOGETHER IN HIS DIVERSE FAMILY?
2 ISAIAH 43:6-7; JEREMIAH 32:37-41
WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM UNDER A SINGLE, LOVING AUTHORITY.
READ ISAIAH 43:6-7 & JEREMIAH 32:37-41.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES A FATHER EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY FOR AND OVER HIS CHILDREN?
HOW DOES GOD EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY FOR AND OVER HIS CHILDREN IN THIS PASSAGE?
WHAT DOES GOD PROMISE TO DO FOR HIS GATHERED PEOPLE IN VERSE 39? HOW DID JESUS FULFILL THIS PROMISE BY SENDING THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST?
3 ISAIAH 43:6-7, 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33
WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM WITH A SINGLE, GLORIOUS PURPOSE.
READ ISAIAH 43:6-7 & 53:6.
WHAT DOES ISAIAH MEAN BY SAYING THAT WE EACH TURNED TO OUR OWN WAY? HOW DOES SIN PROMPT US TO PURSUE OUR OWN PURPOSES RATHER THAN GOD’S OR THE GOOD OF OTHERS?
FOR WHAT PURPOSE DOES GOD CREATE AND GATHER HIS PEOPLE? WHAT MIGHT IT LOOK LIKE TO LIVE FOR GOD’S GLORY?
READ 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33.
THINK OF SOME DIFFERENT PLACES YOU WILL BE THIS COMING WEEK. WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE TO “DO EVERYTHING FOR THE GLORY OF GOD” IN THOSE PLACES?
HOW DOES PURSUING THE GLORY OF GOD ALSO BENEFIT OUR NEIGHBOR (VV. 32-33)?
HOW COULD WE LIVE FOR THE GLORY OF GOD IN A WAY THAT WOULD BENEFIT OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS? IN A WAY THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE LOST?
