Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Our hope for endless peace rests on a child who will reign forever.

I. The future for God's people is a dawn that drives out darkness (vv. 1-3)

II. This dawn will mean the end of enslaving enemies (vv. 4-5)

III. God will make this endless peace through a child who will reign forever (vv. 6-7)

Digging Deeper

Read Isaiah 9:1-7

1. “To be in darkness is to seem to be abandoned by God.” By a show of hands, have you ever or do you now feel this way? Share more if you’re comfortable.

2. “The first coming of Jesus was the beginning of the end of the darkness of the world.” How have you experienced this line from the sermon? How has darkness begun to end? How is it still present? Think in terms of the world and your own life.

3. Anticipating that Christ has come and is coming again should lead to hope and joy. How might we help one another be more intentional about giving thought to Christ’s first and second coming?

4. Do you see spiritual enemies (like sin, demons, the fear of death) as your greatest enemies? Why or why not?

5. How did Jesus’ death on the cross defeat our spiritual enemies?

6. Reread Isaiah 9:6, especially the end. Which of the four descriptors of Jesus catches your attention? Why?

7. What is a takeaway (s) for us from the fact that roughly 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus, Isaiah so clearly and so specifically foretold his coming?

8. Where do you long for peace in your life? With God? With yourself? With others?

9. There are many aspects to the peace Jesus came to bring for his people (e.g. - peace with God, peace among ourselves, peace within ourselves, etc.). Are there any aspects of the peace he brings that you have perhaps not appreciated as much as you should? Why might that be? How might we grow in gratefulness for all that Christ came to do for us?

10. Read Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” How has Jesus brought us peace through his death? How might we use this verse to share the gospel with someone this Advent season?

Prayer

A Child Who Will Make Peace