week of September 6

Isaiah 35:4-7a; Psalm 146;

Mark 7: 24-37; James 2:1-10

 

1.         Where are the people ofIsraeland what has happened to them? What message is being delivered in verse 4 of Isaiah 35? Do you think people would have lost hope? And what does the messenger say God will do in the last half of verse 4?

 

2.         What will happen to those who remain strong in their belief of God in verse 5? And what of people who are lame or unable to speak (v. 6)? What will happen in the desert (vv. 6-7a)? Do you need to hear these words of hope from Isaiah? What assurance to you need to know that God is with you and will set you free if you will only listen?

 

3.         In whom do you think the psalmist puts his trust (vv. 1-2)? In whom does the psalmist say we should not put our trust (v. 3)? Why (v. 4)?  What other reasons can you imagine not to put your trust in other humans?

 

4.         Who will be happy according to the psalmist (v. 5)? In what do you put your hope—the lottery (v. 5)? Who keeps the faith forever and who does not (v. 6)? Who executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry (v. 7)? Are you a prisoner to something? Do you want to be set free? Can you see but yet be blind? Who does God watch over according to the psalmist and who does God take care of (v. 9)?

 

5.         Who does Jesus encounter and what does she want (vv. 25-26)? How is the woman described (v. 26)? When the woman asks for help, what is the reaction from Jesus (v. 27)? How does the woman answer Jesus (v. 28)? Does Jesus change his mind and why (v. 29)? What do you think Jesus learned about God and himself in this encounter?

 

6.         Who is brought to Jesus when he returns (v. 32)? What was requested of Jesus and what did that really mean (v. 32)? So, what does Jesus do (vv. 33-35)? What did Jesus tell people no to do, but how did they respond (v. 36)? Why do you think Jesus acted in this manner? What do the people say that reminds you of the passage we read from Isaiah today? What needs to be healed in you?

 

7.         Who does James challenge and why (v. 1)? Do you judge a person by their outside appearance? How does the world today seem to value people (v. 2)?

 

8.         Who does James say God has chosen and for what (v. 5)? Can a rich person have faith in Jesus Christ? Who does James say oppresses people V. 6)? Given what James is saying about rich people, how can a person blaspheme the name of Jesus Christ?