THEME: JUSTICE
PROMISED
TEXT: ISAIAH
9:1-7
LESSON AIMS: After participating in this lesson, each
student will be able to:
1.
List the images of hope
found in Isaiah 9:1-7.
2.
Explain how Jesus fulfils
the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-7.
3.
Suggest a way to bring
the hope promised in Isaiah 9:1-7 to a contemporary situation of oppression or
prejudice.
INTRODUCTION
Young parents are usually very excited at the birth
of their first child. Everyone around them would notice their exuberance and
feeling of elation! It is God answering their prayers by giving a healthy
beautiful child.
No one else apart from these new parents would
claim that this child was “their” child. Both father and mother have to pay the
bills, bring the infant child to their home, and take care of his or her needs
from that day until he or she was grown. Parents usually have high hopes for
their children, but no one could predict what such children would grow up to
become.
Not so the boy in today’s text! This child was
predicted hundreds of years earlier. He was predicted to be a king reigning on
David’s throne, bringing justice and righteousness to the earth. He was to be a
child who, in a sense, belonged to all of us: “For to us a child is
born, to us a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). He has made a difference in
the world ever since his birth. Our study today will reveal how and why he is
“our” child.
[Please note that you
are free to reproduce this lesson for your Sunday school classes. The talk
points (in red prints) are to help your
discussions.]
A.
FUTURE
OF GLEE – Isaiah 9:1-5
1. How do your experiences with darkness
help you appreciate the great light of Christ? (Experiences
of spiritual darkness; Experiences of physical darkness.)
2. How will God use your church to
increase joy this week? (In meeting spiritual needs; In
meeting physical needs; In meeting relational needs.)
3. When was a time you were surprised by
the way God worked to lighten or remove a burden from your life? (Through a person; Through his word; Through a change of
circumstance.)
B.
KING
FROM GALILEE – Isaiah 9:6-7
1. Which description of Christ is most
meaningful to you personally? Why? (Wonderful; Counsellor;
Mighty God; Everlasting Father; Prince of Peace.)
2. How would you respond to someone who
says real life doesn’t match the description of Christ’s rule in verse 7? (Regarding continuing wars in the world; Regarding the
influence of unrighteousness in the world; Regarding the shocking injustice in
the world.)
CONCLUSION
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
Jesus replied, “Yes, it is as you say” (Matthew 27:11). The high priest asked,
“Are you the Christ?” Jesus’ direct response was, “I am” (Mark 14:61-62). With
these answers the preliminary words of Jesus were reaching their climax: “The
time has come.... The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good
news!” (Mark 1:15). What remained were the essential historical facts of the
gospel—the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus to God’s right
hand.
When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the
Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the kingdom of God on earth entered a new phase. The
ancient hope for a prince from the lineage of David who would reign in peace,
bringing justice and righteousness to the earth, began to be preached in
earnest. On that day 3,000 believers were baptized, receiving forgiveness of
sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has continued to lead his church
to bring righteousness and justice to the earth from that day until now.
Can the church today duplicate the growth of the
first-century church? It can happen only if we depend on our righteous Lord and
submit fully to his rule. “Until men can find some redemptive community which
is capable of bridging the schism of society and uniting... all races and
classes... under its righteous rule, a world of peace and justice must remain
forever a dream. The church affirms that there is but one redemptive community...
the all-embracing commonwealth of the Kingdom of God” (John Bright).
PRAYER
Father, teach us to depend on your righteous rule
through our Lord Jesus Christ. In these dangerous and difficult times, help us
not to fear the power and evil of human governments. Rather, help us to embrace
your kingdom and work for peace and righteousness. In Jesus’ name, amen.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
He is wonderful!
NEXT WEEK: NEXT WEEK: AUGUST 19, 2012: GOD
PROMISED A RIGHTEOUS BRANCH –Jeremiah 23:1-8; 33
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