CONNECT: Where can we most practically live our lives as a pointer to the kingdom that we are a part of?

WARM-UP

1. Who is the best leader you have followed? What characteristics made them a good leader?

Read Isaiah 11:1-9

1. Why are we only looking at a stump? Who has cut down Israel to only leave a stump?
2. Who is ʻthe shootʼ and ʻBranchʼ related to? Why is that significant? (See 1 Chronicles 17:11-14)
3. Who equips the King? What does the Spirit of the Lord equip the King with? How does this compare with leaders you know?
4. What is one area of injustice in the world or in your own life that you struggle with at the moment? What type of justice would you like to see happen?
5. How does Godʼs King respond to injustice? How is he able to bring ultimate justice? How do we see this in Jesus?
6. Which predators are listed in verses 6-8? How do they relate to other animals and children? What does this tell us about the place and extent of peace?
7. Are there areas of your frontlines (or maybe on the frontlines of others) where there is an absence of peace (i.e., worry, conflict, anxiety)? How does the reign of Godʼs King which brings peace transform how you approach conflict now?
8. Can we separate comprehensive peace from knowledge of the Lord? Why/why not?
9. What is surprising about this vision of new creation? What do you most look forward to?

Read Isaiah 11:10-16

1. What will be peopleʼs response to the Root of Jesse ʻin that dayʼ? When is that day? Who is he?
2. From where will people come to gather? Who on your frontline is from a different nation/culture?
3. Who will remove every barrier and obstacle that might prevent people from gathering to Jesus? How does God remove barriers today? How are we used by God for this purpose?
4. How is the present and coming reign of Godʼs King good news for you and those on your frontline?

APPLY: Consider one area of your life where there is conflict. How will Jesusʼ present and future reign resolve it? How can that future impinge on that conflict today?

On Your Frontline This Week: If someone you know is in distress, an open and gentle question might be ʻWhat inner resources do you have to deal with this?ʼ

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• Listen: “Your Kingdom Come” by Paul Williams
• Listen: “The Golden Age” by Paul Clarke
• Read: “A Beginnerʼs Guide to Isaiah” by St Helenʼs Bishopsgate
• Read: “The Scriptures, The Hope and the Mutual Welcome” by Tom Wright
• Read: All the Prophecies of Jesus in “The Infographic Bible” (pages 128-129) by Karen Sawrey
  

SERIES Resources:

• Series Resource Guide: Isaiah - The Promise of The Messiah
• Watch & Read: The Bible Project: Isaiah Overview
• Learn: The Ridley Certificate: Isaiah
  (Check St Bart’s Training Centre for upcoming courses: stbarts.com.au/training-centre)
• Commentary: “Isaiah for Everyone” by John Goldingay
• Advanced Commentary: “The Prophecy of Isaiah” by J. Alex Motyer
• Advanced Commentary: “Isaiah: In Context and throughout Ages” by B. Witherington III