Interact Questions Promises always create expectations. In general terms, describe the promise of Isaiah 9:6-7, and the explicit and implicit expectations. Read Isaiah 9:1-5 to get an understanding of how significant this prophecy is: Note how many times there is a promise of darkness or pain being removed. List the four “names” of the Messiah in verse 6. Explain what comes to mind with each one. What environment would you expect a child with these titles to be born into? […]

Interact Questions The final “servant song” begins with an enigma: How can the leader of Isaiah 52:13 be the same person described in verses 14-15? Given the description in the above verses, the question in Isaiah 53:1 is understandable. This question is still being asked today – do you think it’s for the same reasons? Consider Isaiah 53:3. Who despised Jesus during His earthly ministry? Isaiah 53:4-6 show that Jesus was despised on our behalf. What did this include? Isaiah […]

Interact Questions This is the second “servant song” in Isaiah. Who is speaking? What is he declaring about himself in verses 1-3? What complaint is made in verse 4? How does God respond to this complaint? (vv. 7-8) Verse 6 is referenced in both Luke 2:32 and Acts 13:47. What are the contexts of these two passages, and what do they tell us about the identity and mission of the servant? What complaint is raised by God’s people (Zion) in […]

Interact Questions According to Isaiah 41:8, who is the ”servant” in Isaiah 42:1? According to Matthew 12:18, who is the servant? How is the servant characterized in verses 1-4? The term “islands” in verse 4 refers to distant lands, likely inhabited by Gentiles and not Jews. How does this verse help in your understanding of the “servant?” Luke 2:28-32 quotes verse 6. What is the context in the Luke passage? How does this clarify Jesus’ mission? Verses 8-9 moves the […]

Interact Questions The word “comfort” has several connotations. What does it mean for God to offer comfort to His people? What (or whom) do you rely upon most for encouragement, strength and energy? Verse 3 is quoted in all four gospels (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:2, Luke 3:4, John 1:23). Describe the context. How does this help you understand Isaiah 40 more fully? Verses 6-8 are quoted in 1 Peter 1:24-25. What is Peter’s main point, and how does Isaiah 40 […]

Interact Questions Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were written to create a discussion among pastors and theologians. Why do you think it became so much more? What prompted Luther to post these 95 statements? Many people think that the Reformation was simply an anti-Catholic movement. Is this accurate? Romans 1:16-17 was a favorite passage of Martin Luther’s. How do you think this passage contributed to the power of the Reformation? How does this passage define and describe the gospel? Why would […]