Fulfilled in Galilee1

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January 24, 2010 - Luke 4.14-21

This study guide is from Isaiah 61.1-2. This is the passage that Jesus, with some small changes, quotes in Luke 4.18.

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? (61:1-3)

  2. What adornments did Isaiah say God’s people would receive in exchange for "ashes," "mourning," and "a spirit of despair"? (61:3)

  3. Why did God "plant" His people with great honor? (61:3)

  4. What promise did God make concerning the cities that had been destroyed by invaders? (61:4)

  5. How would the work force of Israel reflect its power and status? (61:5)

  6. Besides riches, what honor did Isaiah say God would bestow on all His people? (61:6)

  7. How is the joy of God’s redeemed people contrasted with their present condition? (61:7)

  8. What does God love? (61:8)

  9. What does God hate? (61:8)

  10. *What will the whole world understand about God’s people? (61:9)

  11. How did Isaiah illustrate the honor and intimacy with which God will relate to His people? (61:10)

  12. What did Isaiah portray as sprouting like seeds out of soil? (61:11)

Get It

  1. How would you characterize the sorts of people for whom the Messiah came?

  2. How do you see the qualities of the Messiah listed in Isaiah 61 illustrated in the life of Jesus?

  3. Why is blessing His people an effective way for God to display His splendor?

  4. What would it signal about your status with the giver if you were to inherit a "double portion" in his or her will?

  5. Why is it important to God that all nations acknowledge Him?

Apply It

  1. *In light of God’s attitudes and purposes, how do you plan to react to those around you this week who are grieving or despairing?

  2. What creative idea could you suggest to leaders in your Sunday School or church for giving  special thanks to God for His generous blessings?

NOTES

Notes for 61:1,2: Jesus quoted these words in Luke 4:18,19. As he read to the people in the synagogue, he stopped in the middle of Isa 61:2 after the words, "to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor." Rolling up the scroll, he said, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:21).

Notes for 61:6: Under the old covenant, God ordained the priests of Israel to stand between him and his people. They brought God's word to the people and the people's needs and sins to God. Under the new covenant, all believers are priests of the Lord, reading God's Word and seeking to understand it, confessing their sins directly to God, and ministering to others.

Notes for 61:10: "Me" could refer to the Messiah, the person anointed with the Spirit of the Lord (Isa 61:1), or to Zion (Isa 62:1), which symbolizes God's people. The imagery of the bridegroom is often used in Scripture to depict the Messiah (see Matthew 9:15), while the imagery of the bride is used to depict God's people (see Revelation 19:6-8). We too can be clothed with the righteousness of Christ when we believe in him (2Corinthians 5:21).

1Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 61". Adult Questions for LESSONMaker, (Austin, TX: Wordsearch, 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "The Year of the Lord's Favor - Isaiah 61:1-11".

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