Grace Community

 Home group questions

Read Isaiah 2:1-4

1. Why is it so important that we spend time learning God’s Word when life is going well, rather than neglecting His Word until things go poorly? (Psalm 119:9–11, 28, 50, 66, 104–105)
2. Why do you think some Christians are so fascinated with trying to figure out the ‘last days’? Do you think that is beneficial or not? According to the New Testament writers, we have been in the last days since the time of Jesus (Hebrews 1:1–2; Acts 2:16–17). So how should we live in light of the second coming of Jesus? (2 Peter 3:10–18; Titus 2:11–14)
3. How do you understand the exaltation of the “mountain of the house of the Lord”? Do you think it refers to a literal temple to which the nations will stream during the millennium, or to the spiritual streaming of the nations through the advance of the gospel around the world? Does either understanding affect who we are as the church? (Consider 1 Peter 2:4–5; Ephesians 2:21–22.) Does either understanding affect the mission we have as God’s household?
4. What does it look like to exalt Jesus to the highest place in our lives and in the church? What do these verses teach us about what attracts people to God? (2 Corinthians 2:15–17; Romans 10:17) How should that guide our church and our evangelism? (Romans 1:15–16; Hebrews 4:12)
5. Verse 4 describes nations beating "swords into plowshares" and not learning "war anymore." When and how do you think this promise will be fulfilled? How does this passage encourage us when we see conflict and war in our world today? How does this verse give us hope and comfort?

John 21 Home Group questions

Jesus provides what we need 

1) In what way would you say the resurrection should make a difference in our lives? The disciples went back to their ordinary jobs while waiting for instruction and guidance from Jesus. What does this tell us about the value of living obedient Christian lives, even in the ordinary things of life? 

2) Why do you think Jesus made the disciples throw the nets out and work hard, even though he already had fish and could have simply given them fish miraculously? Why do you think God chooses to use ordinary means to provide for Christians rather than providing through miraculous means? How does this help us understand the interplay between faith and our effort? (Consider 1 Corinthians 15:10.) In this instance, Jesus did provide miraculously, but not until they had worked hard first. What does this say about persevering in faith when nothing seems to be happening?
 
 
 
 

3) If we take the gathering of fish story as a picture of evangelism (“I will make you fishers of men” – Matthew 4:19), how does John 21 bring encouragement? 

Jesus restores who we are 

1) Why is Peter’s story so important for us when we have failed Jesus or denied him by our words or actions? How does knowing that God uses weak, broken people (like Peter) encourage or challenge you in your own Christian life?
 
 
 
 
 

2) Why is it so important for us not to get caught up comparing ourselves with other Christians and their faith or Christian service? (Consider 1 Corinthians 12:21–26.) 

1.  What struck you most about the desperate situation in Samaria during this story?
2.  How do you think you would have responded if you were one of the lepers or in the besieged city?
3.  People often try to find satisfaction in money, power, or relationships. What are the things you've tried to use to fill your spiritual emptiness?
4.  How would you describe what it means to "feed on Jesus" in your daily life?
5. Share a time when you felt truly spiritually satisfied. What was different about that experience?
6. How do you currently nurture your relationship with Jesus on a daily basis? What practical steps could you take to make this more consistent?
7.  How can you be more intentional about prayer and asking for help to value Jesus more?
8. In what ways might your life look different if you truly believed how much God loves you?
   
   Sharing Your Faith
9.  Who might you know if someone is spiritually hungry?
10.  What makes it challenging for you to share your faith with others?
11.  Can you think of a time when someone shared something good with you that genuinely helped you? How can that inspire your approach to sharing about Jesus?
    
    Deeper Insights
12.  How do you distinguish between working to earn God's love and enjoying the love he freely gives?
13.  In what ways do you sometimes try to make God conform to your expectations, like the king in the story?
14.  How can you become more aware of the spiritual victories God has already won for you?
15.  What would it look like for you to live from a place of being loved by God, rather than trying to prove your worth?
16.  Share a moment when you've seen God provide in an unexpected way.

 In this passage, God addresses His people as children, just as Christians are addressed in the same way. How should focusing on God as our Father shape the way we relate to Him? How might truly recognising yourself as God's child help you during times of difficulty? (Romans 8:28; Romans 5:1-5; Hebrews 12:5-11)

Part of Israel’s rebellion was due to ungratefulness. How can we cultivate gratitude towards God even in difficult times? (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; James 1:2-4)

The passage describes a gradual progression: forsaking the Lord → despising Him → becoming utterly estranged. Where have you seen this pattern in your own life or in the lives of others? What early warning signs might help prevent this downward spiral? How could we help someone who is displaying those warning signs? (Jude 17-25; Galatians 6:1-2)

What does this passage teach us about the reason for our obedience, considering that God is both our holy God and loving Father?

God preserved a remnant from Judah not because of their righteousness but because of His grace and covenant promises. How might this truth affect the way you approach God when you’ve failed Him? In light of the gospel of grace, with Jesus as our substitute who takes our punishment, how should this truth transform the way you deal with guilt, failure, or the temptation to rebel against God? 

1) Why is it difficult, yet important, for us to read and study the Bible while trying not to let our culture or personal presuppositions determine its meaning? To help us understand Scripture, why do we need to gain insight into the life and world of the people to whom the Scriptures were written?

2) We are not ancient Israelites, so why do you think we should continue to study the Old Testament? (1 Corinthians 10:1-12; John 5:39-40)

3) According to Nehemiah 9:29-30, what is the prophet’s primary task? The prophets can be called covenant prosecutors, which is why Isaiah calls on heaven and earth as witnesses in the cosmic courtroom (Isaiah 1:2a).

Read the following passages and discuss how they explain the basis for the prophets’ prosecution. What do they tell us about why the northern tribes of Israel were exiled and why the southern tribes also ended up in exile for a time?

• Exodus 6:6-8
• Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 7, 15, 20, 25, 36, 45, 52, 64
• Leviticus 20:22
• Exodus 24:3 & 7
• Deuteronomy 29:10-15 & 29
• 2 Kings 17:6-8, 13-18
• 2 Kings 24:18-20

4) Though the prophets prosecuted, they also offered comfort and hope. According to Deuteronomy 30:1-6, what is the basis of this comfort? How does it compare to Isaiah 10:20-22? How does Deuteronomy 30:6 point forward to God’s work in Jesus? (Consider Jeremiah 32:36-40; Ezekiel 36:26-27; Romans 2:28-29; Colossians 2:11.)

5) How does knowing about God’s hatred for sin, His patience with sinful people, and the blessings He offers to those who belong to Him—most of all, His salvation through Jesus’ death—affect and guide your life?