Preparing for Sunday - Isaiah 1-39 (Part 2)

June 6, 2013 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Last week we entered back into our Touring the Old Testament series and the book of Isaiah, specifically, focusing on God's judgment of sin and his confrontation of his own people (chapters 1-12). This week we will focus on chapters 13-39.
Read through or briefly skim through chapters 13-24. What is God doing in these chapters and why? What nations are dealt with? How have they sinned? What will God do and why?
Read or briefly skim through chapters 25-35. What is God doing with the nation of Israel and why? How have they sinned? How are God's dealings with Israel in these chapters different than his dealings with the nations in chapters 13-24?
Read through chapters 36-39. List the specifics of the Assyrians attacks against God. How does God respond? How does Hezekiah respond? What does God do? How is Hezekiah's response different in chapter 39 from his activites in chapters 36-38?
What glimpses of the Messiah have you noticed in these chapters?
What examples of God's glory have you seen?

What do you learn about God that is instructive for your own heart? How would the chapters you have read enlighten you to your own sin and what repentance and restoration will look like?
What confidence should we draw from God's dealings with the unbelieving nations? What warnings should we take from these chapters? What should be our role as God's people toward the unbelieving nations in light of what you learn in these chapters?
Why does God confront our sin and the sins of the nations? What is his ultimate aim and intention in doing so? How does that ultimate aim and intention personally shape you and your responses to what goes on around you?

What sins have been exposed in your own heart as a result of meditating on these portions of Isaiah. Spend time confessing them before the Lord now, reminding yourself of what Christ has done to cleanse you of them.
How would the vision of God painted for us in Isaiah assist you this week in guarding your own heart and behavior against sin? How would it provide you confidence this week? How would this vision of God assist you in your conversations with other Christians about the issues in their lives? How would it be instructive for you and the non-Christians you are interacting with?
Pray for those who do not know Christ, to see a vision of God that is compelling and convicting this Sunday. Pray for Christians to be sensitive to their sin and yearn for the glory of God in refreshing and life-changing ways.
Pray for those who will be leading the service this Sunday to be helpful and edifying in how they serve us: Dawson Bryant, music; Brett Harris, prayer and Scripture reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Meditate on the lyrics to the songs for Sunday and listen to them in a way that will assist you in singing together with God's people.