Grow Guide | December 21, 2025
Text Study for Sunday, December 21, 2025
Series Theme: Advent: A Great Light
Reading: Isaiah 55:1-13
CONNECTING QUESTIONS
What was the last thing you lost? What was it like?
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O holy God, open unto us light for our darkness, courage for our fear, hope for our despair.
O God of peace, open to us peace for our turmoil, joy for our sorrow, strength for our weakness.
O generous God, open our hearts to receive all your gifts.
Amen.
CONTEXT
Throughout this Advent season Easter will focus on Jesus, A GREAT LIGHT, our great light! These prophetic texts will focus on God's promises fulfilled in Jesus. The series emphasizes preparation for Christmas and reflecting Christ’s light in today’s world. Our sermon series explores themes of hope, trust, life, joy, and justice. Where do you ensure Christ’s light shines today and how can Easter live as guiding lights for others? In a season of waiting, join us to reflect on the promise of Jesus and live as light for others.
From Dr Michael Chan at EntertheBible.org:
The second half of the Book of Isaiah contains a large number of female images for God. God is compared to a woman in labor (42:14; 45:10), a nursing mother (49:15; 66:13), and possibly a midwife (46:3-4). Perhaps these surprising images of comfort and intimacy were given through the prophet as part of the “new thing” (43:19) God was doing to break Israel out of the despair produced by years of exile.
LOOK AT THE BOOK
How is it with your spirit this week?
Google ELW 715 “Christ, Be Our Light.” Listen to this hymn to center your Advent journey. What lyrics stand out to you this week? Why?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Open to Isaiah 1:18. This book begins with an invitation. What is it?
What might it mean that God invites us to “argue it out?” When was the last time you had an argument with someone?
Conflict can be destructive, and it can be generative. Conflict can generate understanding and sometimes reconciliation. Read 1:17 (the verse before). What is God looking for the people to be about?
How is Easter as a church “seeking justice” or “rescuing the oppressed?” Visit easter.org/outreach to learn more.
Jump to Isaiah 55. This passage is from the second of three “books” that make up Isaiah. It’s also a word of comfort to people in exile. Who has been a voice of comfort in your life?
What are the two invitations in 55:1? What is the comfort if we accept the invitation?
Notice how the passage is laid out—it's not prose but poetry.
How does 55:2 begin? What is the question asking us to consider as people of faith?
Jump to 55:12. Remember, the people are in exile here. What is the message of this verse? What images are being used to communicate it?
How does creation—even in Winter—communicate God’s love and faithfulness?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
TAKING IT HOME
Pay attention to faces at the grocery store. Who needs a word of encouragement from you? Who needs you to be an Isaiah for them this week?
Sending Prayer
May the Light of Christ show us your way; may the Love of Christ overflow from our lives to others; may the Life of Christ show us how to be your people. Forgive us for not seeking Jesus in our lives. Prepare us for His return. Help us rejoice in the light, so that your grace can illuminate the hidden places of our hearts. Amen.