Category: Isaiah

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 6:1-13. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 6:1-13.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 6:1-13 and study it on your own. Here are some possible questions to get started.
   1. Verses 1-7 describe the vision Isaiah saw of the Lord after King Uzziah died in 740BC.
      1. What did Isaiah see, and how did Isaiah respond to this vision of God?
      2. What did the seraphim do, and what were the results?
      3. Compare Isaiah’s vision of the throne room of God with John’s in Revelation 4. What are the responses to being in the presence of most holy God? How do you respond to God’s presence in your life?
   2. Verses 8-13 speaks of Isaiah’s commissioning as a prophet.
      1. What was his response to God’s call?
      2. According to God, what message was Isaiah to give to the people?
      3. Isaiah asks God a question in verse 11. What was God’s response?
      4. According to Leviticus 26:31-35, which was written approximately 700 years prior to Isaiah’s call, what had God promised He would do if His people disobeyed Him? What does this tell you about God?
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 8, “The Triumph of Grace Over Our Failure: Isaiah (6:1-13) in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others.

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 5. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 5.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 5 and study it on your own. Here are some possible questions to get started. Note: Isaiah 5 can be divided into two parts. This chapter opens with Isaiah singing a song concerning his beloved’s vineyard (vv. 1-7). After experiencing the gracious care the beloved took of his vineyard, verses 8-30 speak in more detail as to the kind of fruit the vines produced.
   1. Read verses 1-7:
      1. Who is the ‘beloved’ and what has he done to care for his vineyard?
      2. Who is the vineyard, and what kind of crop did it yield?
   2. Read verses 8-30. Notice the ‘woes’ and the ‘therefores’.
      1. What types of fruit are being produced by the vineyard according to each ‘woe’?
      2. ‘Therefore’, what are the judgements of the beloved on his vineyard?
      3. Time for some faith building! According to verse 26, the beloved is in control of the nations (i.e. history). If time permits, check out 2 Kings 18:9-12 and 2 Kings 25:1-21 for more information as to what Isaiah may be referring to at the end of this chapter (vs. 26-30). (Note: The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to Assyria in 722BC, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah fell in 586 BC.)
   3. Read John 15:1-11. In what vine are you abiding? What fruit are you producing?
   4. God is rich in mercy and grace! Read Ephesians 2:1-10. How are we like the vineyard Isaiah sings about? How are we different?
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 7, “Receiving the Grace of God in Vain (5:1-30)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others.

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 3:1-4:6. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 3:1-4:6.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 3:1-4:6 and study it on your own. Here are some possible questions to get started.
   1. As you read Isaiah 3-4:1, why is God going to bring judgement on His people?
   2. What will His judgements look like?
   3. What do you see being contrasted in Isaiah 3:10-11? Why do you think Isaiah might have included this contrast at this point in his writing?
   4. Isaiah 4:2-6 refers to ‘the branch of the Lord’. For the Jewish people, ‘branch’ was another term for Messiah. Check out these cross references referring to ‘the branch’ and jot down what you learn. (Isaiah 4:2; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12-13)
   5. What do these New Testament verses add to your understanding of ‘the branch’? (Hebrews 1:1-3; Luke 1:31-32; Philippians 2:5-8; John 19:4-6; Eph 2:19-22)
   6. How do you see the gospel played out in Isaiah 4:2-6?
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 6, “The Enriching Power of Loss and Gain (3:1-4:6)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others.

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 2:1-22. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 2:1-22.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 2:1-22 and study it on your own. Here are some possible questions to get started.
   1. Isaiah 2:1-5 describes hope for Israel in the “latter days”. What do you observe happening in verses 1-5? (Check out the cross reference in Micah 4:1-8.)
   2. Read Hebrews 1:1-3 and Revelation 21:1-5. What do these verses add to your understanding of Israel’s future hope? Our future hope?
   3. Isaiah 2: 6-22 speaks about Israel’s condition at the time of Isaiah’s ministry.
      1. Why does God reject His people?
      2. What will happen to them (vv. 9,11,17)? To God (vv. 11,17)?
      3. As God’s people today, how would you describe the church’s condition?
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 5, “The Transforming Power of Hope and Humility (2:1-22)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others.

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 1:21-31. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 1:21-31.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 1:21-31 and study it on your own. Here are some possible questions to get started.
   1. What has the “faithful city” become (v.1)? What does that mean?
   2. How do the inhabitants of this unfaithful city treat each other (vs.21-23)?
   3. Verse 24 begins with “therefore”. Based on the charges God just laid out against His people, what is God going to do to Jerusalem and His people(vs. 24-28)?
   4. Note the two different types of people and their responses to God. What are the consequences to their actions (vs. 27-31)?
   5. For fun, take a look at Jeremiah 33:7-11 and Revelation 21:9-27. What do you learn about God’s distant future for this present unfaithful city and its inhabitants?
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 4, “Our Urgent Need: A New Self-Awareness III(1:21-31)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others.

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 1:10-20. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 1:10-20.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 1:10-20 and study it on our own. Here are some possible questions to get started.
   1. Why is God upset with His people? Is there anything in your life that might be upsetting God?
   2. What is God calling them (you) to do?
   3. Is there hope for God’s people? If so, what is it?
   4. Check out these cross references that relate to v. 18! Psalm 51:1-7; Rev. 7:13-17.
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 3, “Our Urgent Need: A New Self-Awareness II(1:10-20)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others.

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 1:2-9. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started:

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 1:2-9.
2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 1:2-9 and make personal notes on a copy of Isaiah. (See “Getting Started in Personal Bible Study” for suggestions on how to do this. I have put together a pdf of Isaiah for your convenience.) Don’t forget to read and reread! Here are some possible questions to start asking yourself.
   1. Who is speaking? Who is called to listen?
   2. What is He saying? About whom?
   3. How is the rebel described in vs. 5-6?
   4. Why is Sodom and Gomorrah mentioned in verse 9? If your not sure, check out this cross reference- Gen 19:24-25.
   5. In Romans 9:29, Paul quotes Isaiah 1:9. What is Paul saying in Romans 9? Why do you think he quoted this verse?
2. Meditate on or journal the answers to the following questions.
   1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
   2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
   3. What should I do in response?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 2, “Our Urgent Need: A New Self-Awareness I(1:2-9)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others. Reminder! This is your time in the Word. Do what time permits in your season of life. That might look different from week to week. God’s Word NEVER comes back void!

Welcome to the first week in our study of Isaiah. If you haven’t read the quick reference entitled “Getting Started in Personal Bible Study”, I suggest that you begin there. This week we are going to dip our toes in the pond before taking the plunge! Getting an overview of Isaiah will be helpful in understanding the book. It is important to understand the historical and cultural context so that you can properly interpret and apply what the Lord is saying to us through Isaiah. The following are some study suggestions for this week:

1. Read Isaiah 1:1 and the overview and outline of Isaiah in your study Bible. If you don’t have a study Bible, you can find an overview online. The following are some suggestions:

• ESV Introduction to Isaiah
• Bible Study Tools: Introduction to Isaiah

Note: If you are a visual learner, these 2 short videos produced by The Bible Project are excellent!

• The Bible Project (Isaiah 1-39 video)
• The Bible Project (Isaiah 40-66 video)

2. Thought questions. (Feel free to journal your thoughts, or simply meditate on them.):
   1. What do you know about Isaiah at the beginning of our study?
   2. How do you picture God at this point in our study?
   3. How would you describe God to a friend?
   4. What one knew thing has God taught you this week?

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

• Read chapter 1, “Introduction to Isaiah” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners by Raymond Ortlund or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
• Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

Share what the Lord is teaching you with someone else! Feel free to use the discussion board to post questions or thoughts and interact with others. Reminder! This is your time in the Word. Do what time permits in your season of life. That might look different from week to week. God’s Word NEVER comes back void!

NOTE: After this Introduction week, every lesson will fit on one piece of paper and will be divided into three sections: