Standing Up for Jesus

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December 15, 2002 - Isaiah 61:1-11; John 1:6-8, 19-28

Open It

  1. What is your favorite "rags to riches" story?
  2. What are some of the reasons we call people blessed or fortunate?

Explore It

  1. What are the purposes for which God's Anointed was sent into the world? (Isaiah 61:1-3)
  2. What adornments did Isaiah say God's people would receive in exchange for "ashes," "mourning," and "a spirit of despair"? (Isaiah 61:3)
  3. Why did God "plant" His people with great honor? (Isaiah 61:3)
  4. How would the work force of Israel reflect its power and status? (Isaiah 61:5)
  5. Besides riches, what honor did Isaiah say God would bestow on all His people? (Isaiah 61:6)
  6. How is the joy of God's redeemed people contrasted with their present condition? (Isaiah 61:7)
  7. What does God love? (Isaiah 61:8)
  8. What does God hate? (Isaiah 61:8)
  9. What will the whole world understand about God's people? (Isaiah 61:9)
  10. How did Isaiah illustrate the honor and intimacy with which God will relate to His people? (Isaiah 61:10)
  11. What did Isaiah portray as sprouting like seeds out of soil? (Isaiah 61:11)
  12. What was John's role in relation to the light? (John 1:6)5.
  13. Who did the Jews think John was? (John 1:20-21)
  14. What did John say about who he was? (John 1:20-22)
  15. In what way was John a "voice of one calling in the desert"? (John 1:23)
  16. What does the phrase "make straight the way for the Lord" mean? (John 1:23)
  17. How did John "make straight the way for the Lord"? (John 1:23)
  18. Why did the Pharisees care that John was baptizing people? (John 1:24)
  19. What did John say he was not worthy to do? (John 1:27)
  20. Who did John say was coming after him? (John 12:27)
  21. Where did these events take place? (John 1:28)

Get It

  1. In what way is John an example for us to follow?
  2. How did Jesus reveal God's glory to us?

Apply It

  1. What will you do this week to better enjoy your status as a hero of God?
  2. How should the reality that God became a human affect your life today?

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