Grace Community

Home Group questions:

1. Isaiah’s psalm begins with definitive words: “this song will be sung” and “we have a strong city.” Why do you think Isaiah has such confidence? (Isaiah 6:1 & 7:3a) Why do we sometimes (or often) lack the same confident assurance? How do verses 1–4 help us to remember where our confidence should come from? (Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:1, Colossian 3:1-4, John 10:28-29) What do these same verses tell us about our responsibility as those who have been made righteous by God? (Hebrews 10:23, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Philippians 2:12–13, Colossians 2:6-7) 

2. How would you describe the relationship between experiencing God’s peace, peace, having a mind stayed on God, and trusting in the Lord? (Proverbs 3:3-8, Philippians 4:6-9, John 14:27) Discuss how we could practically have our mind stayed on God and what it would look like in your everyday life? (i.e. home, work, study, leisure) 

3. How does the assurance that God is just and will judge the world according to His righteousness give us confidence while we wait for the completion of our salvation? (Romans 3:20-26) How can a knowledge of God’s coming justice and our final destination help us to love our enemies? (Romans 12:19-21) How should an understanding that God will humble the lofty and exalt the humble shape the way we relate to others? (Philippians 2:3) 

1)  How should an understanding that we can speak to God directly and call Him “my” God affect our daily lives?(Romans 8:14-17) What effect should it have on us with regard to our involvement in church?(1 John 1:1-7) Why should knowing that we can call God “my” God affect our desire to know Him better? (John 17:3, Psalm 63:1)

2) Isaiah praises God for His miraculous deeds, His sovereignty, and His faithfulness, but then centres his praise on God’s punishment of the city of strong and ruthless people. Why do you think that is?(Revelation 19:1-2) What does this tell us about our praise of God?(Psalm 96:10-13)

3) Verse 4 emphasizes that God is a stronghold and refuge for the poor and needy.
How can the Church reflect this aspect of God’s character in its shared life? (Galatians 2:9-10) What does Jesus’ ministry show us about where best to focus our outreach and evangelism? (Luke 14:12-14; James 2:5)

4) Verses 6–8 give a picture of life in the City of God.
Which of His promises means the most to you today, and how might it bring hope and comfort to people in different ways and at different times?

• A banquet of the finest delicacies
• Death being defeated
• God wiping away your tears
• Reproach being removed

5) What does verse 8 teach us about how people are saved? (Romans 8:23-25, 10:9; Titus 2:11-13) How does this speak against the notion that we can contribute to our salvation?

6) Jesus calls His disciples “the light of the world, a city set on a hill.”
What does it mean for you individually, and for the whole Church, to be a city on a hill? How can we live as the people of God’s city today? (Philippians 4:14-15; Matthew 5:16)

Read 1 John 1:5-2:6 

How does understanding that this passage is primarily about sanctification rather than justification change the way you read it? The passage says "the blood of Jesus...purifies us from all sin" (1:7). Is this a one-time event or an ongoing reality? What's the significance?

In verses 8 and 10, John warns against claiming to be without sin. How might Christians today fall into this trap, even if they wouldn't explicitly say "I have no sin"? Do you tend to approach your Christian life more like "a blackboard wiped clean once that we must keep clean" or as constantly needing grace? How does this affect your relationship with God?

When you sin, is your first instinct to hide, make excuses, or confess? What does this reveal about your understanding of God's character? What's the difference between healthy conviction of sin and unhealthy, paralysing guilt? How can we tell the difference in our own lives?

How comfortable are you with being real with some people around you, not hiding things from God and others"? What makes confession difficult for you?

How can we cultivate a church culture that encourages "walking in the light"—being honest about sin—rather than pretending to have it all together? 

The passage emphasises keeping God's commands, specifically believing in Jesus and loving one another (1 John 3:23). How does your life demonstrate these two commands practically?

 Read Psalm 100

This psalm follows a pattern of expression based on knowledge and our walk according to the Word. Why is it so important to base the expression of our Christian life and worship on the knowledge of truth rather than on feelings and emotions? (Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:9-11) How do our emotions and expressions of praise reveal our understanding of what we have learned? 

Why do you think God calls us to sing to Him and praise Him? How does gathering together as a church enhance our experience of worship? (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 12:22–24) 

Serving the Lord means living according to His commands. Why should we do this with gladness? (John 13:11-17) Are there ways you are called to serve God that you find difficult to do with gladness? How might you change this? 

How does thankfulness to God show our understanding of who He is and what He has done? How can we maintain gratitude even during difficult circumstances? 

How would you define what it means for God to be good? How are His love and faithfulness related to His goodness? How would a true and solid belief in these attributes of God help you live your day-to-day life? 

Psalm 100 says we are “the sheep of His pasture.” What does it mean for you personally that God is your Shepherd? 

1. Tyre’s influence on Israel was great yet subtle—through friendly partnership, the enticement of wealth and pleasure, and intermarriage with the leaders. How is this subtle invasion more dangerous for God’s people than a direct attack? How can believers and the church guard against such things? (James 4:1–4; 1 John 2:15–16) 

2. In verses 1–6, people are shown wailing—in shock, in anguish, and in shame—when Tyre is destroyed. What does our reaction to the threat or reality of losing wealth or possessions reveal about our relationship to them? How can we grow in contentment, regardless of our situation? (1 Timothy 6:6–8; Philippians 4:10–13; Matthew 6:25–33) 

3. Read verses 17–18. Tyre returns to its trade, creating wealth by dealing with all nations. How is it different now, and what caused the change? (Consider Luke 19:1–10.) What does this passage teach us about wealth? (Consider James 5:1–6; 1 Timothy 6:17–19.) 

4. How does seeing Jesus’s humility and generosity transform the way we think about our own comfort, pride, and giving? What practical step could you take this week to make Christ—not wealth—your greatest treasure?