Advent Week One: Hope
Isaiah 9:1-7, NLT
Hope in the Messiah
1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.
4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Read other versions of Isaiah 9.
Group Discussion Questions
Take some time with your group to discuss the good and or hard things that may have happened over the course of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Take some time to re-read the above scripture from Sunday morning.
Why was there darkness and despair?
Discuss the great things that light provides.
What were the names of God that you just read about?
Which of these names is most exciting to you and why?
Why do we struggle at times to have hope?
As a circle, what are some steps we can take towards hopefulness?
Who do we need to share this passage of scripture with this week?
Who could we be praying for during the advent season?
