LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS | January 21/25

 

The following questions can be used for life group meetings, further personal study, or home devotions with your family.  Use them as you wish, but please don’t feel the need to answer every one of them in order.  God bless your study/discussion!

​

1)  Isaiah calls the land of Zebulon and Naphtali in northern Israel a place of great darkness (v1).

- Where do you see great darkness in the world today? In the USA?  In the visible church? In the lives of believers?

2) How did God bring his glorious light to the land of Zebulon and Naphtali? (v2) Hint: Where did Jesus spend most of his ministry?  Where did Jesus perform most of his miracles?)
 
3) Into what areas of great darkness in the world today Is God bringing his glorious light?  Where is he doing this?  How is he doing this?

4) Into what areas of great darkness in your life has God brought his glorious light?  How are you a different person today because of Jesus?  How has he changed you?  From what has he delivered you?

5) There are 4 word pictures Isaiah uses to describe the change the Messiah brings:

 

a)       “You have multiplied the nation” (v 3a),  The land of Zebulon and Naphtali was the first area in Israel to be devasted by the Assyrian conquest in 722 B.C..  (This was God’s judgment on the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their idolatry.)  Many Israelites were killed.  Of those who remained many were deported to foreign lands.  The land of Zebulon and Naphtali was “depopulated”, emptied.  Isaiah speaks of a time when God’s people will be numerous again.  At first glance this might not seem to apply to you, but it does.  How has God placed you in a spiritual family?  What Christian brothers and sisters and spiritual “mothers and fathers” has God given you?  Who are some people in the church who have been a big blessing to you?  How have they influenced you?  What have you learned from them?  Was there a time in your life when your family of believers at church was especially helpful to you?
 

b)      “They rejoice before you like the joy at harvest time” (v3b).  Harvest is the best time of the year for the farmer.  It’s the time when all of the hard work of planting and tending pays off.  The worker enjoys the bounty of the harvest.  How has God filled your cup to overflowing?  What are the sweet fruits of knowing Jesus which you have tasted in your life?
 

c)       “They rejoiced before you . . . like the celebration when you divide the plunder” (v3c).  This is a picture of victory over one’s enemies.  Think of a team celebrating a championship.  What team championships do you remember with joy? (Be specific.)  What victories does Jesus give?  What victories has Jesus given you in your personal life?  Which is the greater victory – a Super Bowl win – or the victory Jesus gives?  Which victory matters to most people?
 

“For you have shattered the yoke that burdens them.  You have broken the bar on their shoulders and the rod of their oppressor” (v4).  Notice the 3 words that describe oppression: “yoke”, “bar” and “rod”.  In what ways are people oppressed today?  What burdens do people carry today?  Verse 4 speaks of freedom found in Jesus  What sins oppressed you?  What burdens weighed heavy upon you?  From what has Jesus set you free? 

Application:
1) Draw near to the Light.  Cast aside the deeds of darkness.  How will I do this?
2) Point others to the Light.  Reach out to those living in darkness.  How will I do this?