Text Study for Sunday, November 30, 2025

Series Theme: Advent: A Great Light

Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

Advent means, “waiting.” What are you waiting for in your life?

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:

Isaiah is among the most important of the prophetic books. It covers a long period of Israel’s history (before, during, and after the exile) and offers the full range of God’s prophetic message: terrifying words of judgment and comforting words of promise. Isaiah portrays God as the powerful Creator, like no other, and also the gentlest comforter, like an earthly lover or mother.

Isaiah is taken up in the New Testament more fully than any other prophet. Alongside Psalms and Deuteronomy, it is among the most frequently referenced Old Testament books by the authors of the New Testament. Given the centrality of Isaiah to the New Testament’s understanding of Jesus, it is important that readers seek to understand how and why these ancient prophetic texts shaped the Christian theological imagination.

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? Why?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Open to Isaiah chapter 1. In your own words, what is a prophet?
In Isaiah 1, what is Isaiah given? What other details are shared? Why do you think those details are included in verse one?
Jump to Isaiah chapter 9. Isaiah has just been calling out the mistreatment of others by the people of God. This chapter though is a song of hope. Judgement is not the last word. What is a song of hope in your life? A favorite song, a grand baby’s laugh, bird song?
What is a song that lifts your spirit in worship?
In Isaiah 9:1, four locations are mentioned. Use a Bible map to find these places, what do you notice about them?
Notice how verses 2-9 are set differently on the page than verse one. This is the Bible’s way of saying this is poetry, a song. How might you read poetry differently than say, a news article?
What is the contrasting image in verse two? How do you relate to this image—or not? We do not always connect to every image in the Bible.
What word is repeated frequently in verse three? How might this be good news after the judgements shared by the prophet in earlier chapters?
In verse four, what has been broken? What needs to be broken in our society so people can live freely?
Verse six is the central promise: what are the qualities of the longed-for messiah? Which trait are you drawn to? Why?
Which trait do you see embodied at Easter (wonderful counselor, etc)? Which trait might we grow together in?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

Verse seven ends with how all of Isaiah's message will be accomplished. What is the source? Ask for the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and words today.

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.

Grow Guide | November 30, 2025