The King is Coming ~ Part 2 Unto us…Shalom Isaiah 9:1-7 December 9, 2018
I. Something BIG is HAPPENING. (v.1-5)
A. LIGHT for a DARK world. (v.2)
B. The COMING of JOY. (v.3)
C. A DIFFERENT kind of SHATTERING. (Judges 7; 8:9-10; 9:4,5)
Last week we lit the Candle of Hope, reminding us that while we live in a world that is filled with darkness that God is still present and still at work. Today we begin to see HOW He is at work, the way that He operates as we light the Candle of Peace, Shalom.
1. Kid’s Question: What is the best gift you’ve ever received? What was it like to have to wait for it to come?
2. When have you felt joy like is described in Isaiah 9:3? What was that like for you?
II. A gift is coming TO US. (v.6-7)
A. WHAT this child will DO. (v.6)
B. HOW this child will DO it. (v.6)
C. A PERMANENT SOLUTION. (v.7)
D. But STILL we WAIT… (Rom. 8:19-25)
The key to this passage is the child that will be born. It’s not something that we can muster up by trying harder, the solution to the problem is given “to us.” To us a child is born, to us a Son is given. It’s the greatest gift of all time.
3. What does the imagery of v.5 say to you? What if that was true in our world today?
4. Which of the names/characteristics of the “child” listed in verse 6 is the most meaningful to you at this point in your life?
5. What do you find to be the hardest part of the waiting (groaning) as you live day to day? What makes that especially challenging?
III. The Advent (COMING) Kingdom of peace (SHALOM). (v.7)
A. COMPLETE and WHOLE. (Col. 1:19-20; Col. 2:9-10)
B. LIVING toward its FULFILLMENT. (Lk. 1:77-79)
C. SHARING the gift we’ve RECEIVED.(Jn 14:27; Eph 2:14-16; Jn 20:21)
The Hebrew word for peace is a common word. Shalom. But it doesn’t just mean the absence of conflict the way our English word does, it means the presence of something even greater. It communicates the idea of completion, fulfillment, or wholeness. Even when we don’t realize it, it’s the missing piece (no pun intended) that we all long for.
6. In what ways would you say the word Shalom is different than our English word peace? Why are those differences important?
7. What are some specific ways that Jesus guides us into the “pathway of peace”?
8. How might God be calling you to share the gift you have received this week?