The God Who Comforts (Study Questions)

Here are the discussion questions that accompany my message from this past weekend at Eastbrook Church entitled “The God Who Comforts.”

Discussion Questions

1. Read Isaiah 40 out loud to begin your study.
2. Our topic for this week is: “The God Who Comforts.” In Isaiah chapter 40, the prophet Isaiah speaks about the restoration that will come after the destruction of Jerusalem and exile of God’s people. Read through Isaiah 39, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33, and 2 Kings 25 in order to get some background on the situation during Isaiah’s time with King Hezekiah and the future exile of Jerusalem and Judah that he is speaking about.  (You may want to consult a Bible timeline to understand how these events fit together.)
3. Isaiah 40:1-11 is structured around three ‘voices’ or people who are speaking into specific situations. What are the three voices saying or told to say? Why would these things be important in the midst of a difficult situation like the exile?
4. Verses 12-26 provide a powerful series of contrasts between God and other things. Examine these verses and make a list of what God is like and what God is not like.
5. There are many times that we are tempted to complain about our difficulties. Isaiah speaks to this in 40:27. What are some difficult situations in which you were tempted to complain? What are some things the Israelites could complain about from captivity and exile?
6. What does Isaiah tell us about strength, weariness, ourselves and God in verses 28 through 31?
7. Isaiah 40 is one of the few Old Testament passages referenced by nearly all of the Gospel writers (see Matthew 3:1-3; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 3:4-6). If Isaiah was foretelling God’s future comfort, what are the Gospel writers trying to tell us?
8. In what difficult situation in your life do you need to experience the comfort of the Lord God? You may need the prayer of others for this. Find a friend who will pray for you or submit the prayer request to the church: http://www.eastbrookchurch.org/prayer-request/. If you are in a small group, ask for prayer for this specific situation.
9. How have you grown in understanding the God’s comfort through this study? Identify one practical way you will respond to this week’s study and sermon. Write it down, reflect on it, and put it into practice this week. If you are in a small group, discuss this with one another.