A Song of Thanksgiving

SPECIAL SESSION A Song of Thanksgiving

Summary and Goal

The prophet Isaiah recorded a song of thanksgiving inspired by God that the people of God would one day sing to His honor and glory. On account of His mercy and salvation promised and eventually delivered in His Son, Jesus Christ, we thank God, enjoy His gifts, and proclaim His greatness to every person and in every place. Gratitude to the Lord for salvation leads to public proclamation of His glory. Main Passage Isaiah 12:1-6 Session Outline 1. Thank the Lord for His mercy and comfort (Isa. 12:1-2). 2. Take joy together in the Lord’s promise of salvation (Isa. 12:3). 3. Proclaim the glory and greatness of God all over the earth (Isa. 12:4-6).

Theological Theme Gratitude to the Lord for salvation leads to public proclamation of His glory. Christ Connection Isaiah looked forward to a day when the blessing of God would be experienced afresh by His people and God’s glory would be proclaimed in all the earth. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we thank the Lord for His mercy, enjoy His gift of salvation, and commit to spreading the songs of His praise throughout the earth. Missional Application God calls us to proclaim the glorious mercy of our great God among all nations.

Date of My Bible Study: ______151

Introduction For Further To begin, remark that thankfulness can be an easy thing to express but much Discussion more difficult to embody (leader p. 154; PSG p. 119). How is maintaining a thankful spirit related In what circumstances have you struggled to be grateful for to humility? the words or actions of another? How does remembering who we are as creations of God and as sinners Why might we have a difficult time being thankful toward help us to cultivate a heart other people? of thankfulness? Emphasize that thankfulness is a matter of the heart and that our sinful nature causes us to struggle with it (leader p. 154). Then summarize this Point 1 Option session on Isaiah’s song of thanksgiving (leader p. 155; PSG p. 119). As group members arrive, distribute each “Day of the 1. Thank the Lord for His mercy and comfort Lord” passage referenced below to those willing to (Isa. 12:1-2). read for the group (write Offer some background for the context of Isaiah 12 (leader p. 155). Then ask these on index cards or on slips of paper; a print-out a volunteer to read Isaiah 12:1-2. Talk about the “day” in view in this passage is available on the DVD with its positive and negative connotations. This “day” is what the Old in The Gospel Project for Testament prophets often called “the Day of the Lord” (leader pp. 155-156; Adults: Leader Pack): PSG p. 120). • Old Testament: Isaiah 2:12; 13:6-9; Joel 2:1-2,28-32; Obadiah 15-17 What are some reasons people may not look forward • New Testament: eagerly to “the Day of the Lord”? Acts 2:16-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5; 2 Peter 3:8-13 Note why it makes sense that Isaiah’s future-oriented song begins with a note Ask group members of thanksgiving to the Lord. Elaborate on why God was angry toward Israel to read their passages. and individual sinners. But God provides atonement, so we can sing “God is Then ask the group the following questions: my salvation” (leader pp. 156-157; PSG pp. 121-122). • What do these passages seem to have in common? What is the relationship between trust in the Lord and fear? • How can we see both salvation and judgment What is your favorite song of praise and thanksgiving to the in them? God of your salvation? Why?

152 Leader Guide 2. Take joy together in the Lord’s promise of salvation (Isa. 12:3). For Further Read Isaiah 12:3. Highlight the transition to the plural in this verse and how Discussion the imagery of water would have spoken to an agrarian society settled in a How can we improve at moving from “small talk” relatively dry land (leader pp. 157-158; PSG pp. 122-123). with people in our churches to making known God’s What are some metaphors from our culture that we could great works throughout use to describe salvation from the Lord? history and in our lives? How can we improve in similar fashion in our Expand upon the imagery of water as the overflowing nature of God’s conversations with people salvation for the entire community of the redeemed. Add that partaking outside of our churches? of the Lord’s salvation won’t be like a depressing chore but will be a joy (leader p. 158; PSG p. 123).

How can we make the community of faith a priority in our lives and in the church?

3. Proclaim the glory and greatness of God all Conclusion Option over the earth (Isa. 12:4-6). Consider concluding this Read Isaiah 12:4-6. State that on the Day of the Lord, God’s people will be session by singing “ ’Tis So speaking to one another, and their message will be full of mutual instruction Sweet to Trust in Jesus” together as a group. to honor the Lord everywhere (leader p. 159; PSG pp. 124-125). (A printable PDF of this hymn is available on the What works of God in your life can you make known among DVD in The Gospel Project the peoples of the earth? for Adults: Leader Pack. Make as many copies as needed.) Show how Isaiah 12 teaches that salvation and worship must lead to evangelism. Say that Isaiah 12 looks forward to a day when God has set all things right but that the Lord began this process with the first coming of Christ Connection: Isaiah looked forward to a day Christ (leader p. 160; PSG p. 125). Reference Pack Item 8: Jesus’ Exaltation when the blessing of God when making this point. would be experienced afresh by His people and God’s glory would be How would you explain the connection between worship proclaimed in all the earth. and evangelism in your own words? Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we thank the Lord for His How can we encourage one another in our worship mercy, enjoy His gift of outside the church for the sake of sharing the gospel with salvation, and commit the nations? to spreading the songs of His praise throughout the earth. Conclusion ...... Close by saying that if you are one of the redeemed in Christ, then thank the Missional Application: God Lord. But if you are numbered among the enemies of God, turn to Christ, calls us to proclaim the glorious mercy of our great and then you can give Him thanks (leader p. 160; PSG p. 126). Apply the God among all nations. truths of this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 127).

Special Session 153 Expanded Session Content A Song of Thanksgiving Special Session

Introduction Voices from Thankfulness can be an easy thing to express but much more difficult Church History to embody. We say, “Thank you,” to someone who has just done “I’m so glad I learned to something for us, but do we mean it, or is it simply a polite courtesy trust Him, Precious Jesus, hiding rather ungrateful thoughts? Savior, Friend; And I know that He is with me, Will be • In a line of traffic, a motorist lets you merge in front of her. Maybe you with me to the end. Jesus, mouth the words; maybe you wave your hand; or just as easily, you Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and might find yourself thinking, Finally! About time! o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious • In the grocery store, the cashier rings up your food items and gets you Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!” 1 moving on your way. Maybe you communicate your thanks for their –Louisa M. R. Stead work, but are you ever prone to walk away and think, He’s just doing his (circa 1850-1917) job; I bet he doesn’t even care? • At home, are you thankful for the obedience of your child or do you immediately start considering the motives—What does she want now? What’s he after? • At work, does your coworker’s assistance on a project nearing its deadline engender gratitude or indifference? Of course, she should help me because my work is more important!

In what circumstances have you struggled to be grateful for the words or actions of another?

Why might we have a difficult time being thankful toward other people?

Thankfulness is a matter of the heart, and that is why we struggle to be thankful. Our sinful nature inherited from Adam constantly directs us to feel entitled to other people’s actions and attention. It is true that people can take advantage and work an angle to get their way—this too is the work of sin in our lives—but the struggle with thankfulness is more often inward than outward. We think we are deserving; we think we are owed. Sadly, sin would have us believe the same in our relationship with the Creator God. The holy God owes us nothing except judgment for our sin, yet He freely offers His love, mercy, and grace to us undeserving sinners because He paid the cost for our sin Himself.

154 Leader Guide Session Summary The prophet Isaiah recorded a song of thanksgiving inspired by God that the people of God would one day sing to His honor and glory. On account of His mercy and salvation promised and eventually delivered in His Son, Jesus Christ, we thank God, enjoy His gifts, and proclaim His greatness to every person and in every place. Gratitude to the Lord for salvation leads to public proclamation of His glory.

1. Thank the Lord for His mercy and comfort (Isa. 12:1-2). Further Isaiah 12 comes at the end of a lengthy section in the Book of Isaiah Commentary comprising the first 11 chapters. Preceding this passage, the Lord has “The conclusion to the first major unit of the Book indicted His chosen people for their idolatry and rebellion against Him. He of Isaiah (2–12) does not was angry with them for turning their backs on Him, the One who summarize the preceding chapters, but looks forward brought them out of slavery in Egypt and settled them in His promised to what will happen when land. His judgment was coming in the form of the nations of Assyria and the nation experiences the fulfillment of these Babylon, and it would be severe. War, siege, death, and exile. But even in prophecies. It is filled the midst of His anger, the Lord pronounced a day of mercy and grace and with thanksgiving to God for the marvelous things redemption for His people, which would result in the giving of thanks. he will do for his people when he establishes his 1 kingdom. The introductory, You will say in that day: ‘In that day you will say,’ “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, connects this hymn with a similar introductory ‘in for though you were angry with me, that day’ in 11:10-11. The your anger turned away, salvation for which people here thank God is most that you might comfort me. naturally related to the 2 “Behold, God is my salvation; salvation promised in 11:1-16. As Israel experienced I will trust, and will not be afraid; God’s salvation in the for the Lord God is my strength and my song, past and thanked him for his deliverance at and he has become my salvation.” the time of the exodus (Ex. 14:13-14,29-31; 15:1-18), Isaiah’s song refers to a “day” that for him was yet to come, but it was so future generations will praise God when not a reference without context. In the first 11 chapters of Isaiah, “day” is they experience his used multiple times with positive and negative connotations, depending on salvation (12:1-6).” 2 where you stand on that day. Imagine as a child, your dad is coming home –Gary V. Smith from work. Depending upon your behavior toward your mom—respectful obedience or disrespectful rebellion—you know whether your dad’s arrival is something to be anticipated or dreaded. In a similar way, for the proud enemies of God, the “day” is a day of judgment and humiliation (2:5-17). Simultaneously, for the Lord’s remnant of His people, it is a day of preservation and salvation, even a full restoration from exile (11:10-16). The Old Testament prophets often called this “the Day of the Lord.”

Special Session 155 “The Day of the Lord” was a day of God’s decisive action in the world. Voices from In Isaiah’s immediate context, the “day” addressed the destruction that would the Church come upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel by Assyria, as well as their “The Lord will never attempt to destroy Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom of Judah (7:17-25). forsake His people. No But there would also be a “day” when the Lord would destroy Assyria’s army matter how difficult the days may be, or how long for their arrogance in carrying out the Lord’s will (10:5-34; 37:36-38). the nights, for the people In fact, there have been many “Days of the Lord” in Scripture, but of God, the best is yet to come.” 3 there is also one “Day of the Lord” to end all “Days of the Lord.” The –Warren W. Wiersbe apostle Peter described this ultimate day in 2 Peter 3:10-13, which is about the second coming of Christ. Christians long for that day, and this song of thanksgiving in Isaiah 12 will be sung fittingly by the redeemed of God on that day. But we can rightly sing it now too, as we will see. Voices from the Church What are some reasons people may not look forward eagerly to “the Day of the Lord”? “The redeemed have nothing else to sing about and yet everything to sing about when In light of the potentially destructive nature of this day, it makes sense their song is of him, for that Isaiah’s future-oriented song begins with a note of thanksgiving to the every worthy theme is gathered up in him who is Lord. After all, apart from the grace of God, we are all on the judgment supremely worthy.” 4 side of His day. –Geoffrey W. Grogan According to Isaiah 1, Judah was on trial before God for being a “sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, brood of evildoers, depraved children,” who had abandoned and turned their backs on the Lord (1:4). And in Israel, everyone was “a godless evildoer” (9:17). The Lord had been patient, slow to anger, faithful in His discipline, and gracious in His prophetic warnings, but soon He would be true to His word to exile His sinful people from their land. So of course, God was angry! His people defied, rebelled against, patronized, and despised Him. But this wasn’t just a general populace thing, it was a specific, personal thing. The Lord was angry with individual sinners. Isaiah’s song says, “you were angry with me.” And lest we think we get a pass, the New Testament makes it clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). We have all personally been under the wrath of God for our sin (Eph. 2:3). Isaiah understood this clearly when he saw the Lord enthroned in a vision. He knew he was a man living among a people of “unclean lips,” but first he confessed his own status as an individual of unclean lips (Isa. 6:5). He rightly felt undone in the Lord’s holy presence with no other expectation but death under the Lord’s holy gaze because of his own personal sin. Consequently, the Lord sent an angel to touch Isaiah’s lips with a glowing coal from the altar, making atonement for his sin and removing it from him (6:6).

156 Leader Guide Returning to Isaiah 12, we are faced with this question: How can God be just in His anger against sin and sinner and then turn His anger away? And not only that, how can God go the next step and graciously comfort the sinner (12:1)? The answer, as we see in Isaiah 6, is atonement provided by God. Hence, the reason for giving thanks to the Lord. Those who want to stand on their own before the Lord, believing they are entitled and owed by their Creator, stand condemned in their sin. The Lord promises to humble the proud and to bring low the lofty (2:11,17). But those who humble themselves and confess their sin before the holy God will find they can sing, “God is my salvation” (12:2). The God who pays on our behalf what we rightfully owe is One worthy of our full trust. We never need be afraid of Him because He Himself takes care of our punishment; all that is left is loving, purposeful comfort and discipline to shape us into His image. Nor should we be afraid in our circumstances of life because our salvation is found in the God who created and governs all things. Furthermore, He infuses us with His strength and power to do what is right, and He works in our hearts to become the delight of our hearts, that His praise would forever be the song we sing. Truly the Lord is worthy of our thanks and our trust.

What is the relationship between trust in the Lord and fear?

What is your favorite song of praise and thanksgiving to the God of your salvation? Why?

2. Take joy together in the Lord’s promise of salvation (Isa. 12:3). Further The Lord is the God of mercy and comfort, turning His anger away Commentary from sinners and taking them into His arms as beloved children. Thank “In a relatively dry land like Israel, water and the the Lord! He does this for individuals, for you and for me, that we will refreshment it brings sing of His salvation. But if this singing stops there, if we only confess, was an apt image for salvation. The picture of “God has become my salvation,” to ourselves in the mirror, then we are water bubbling up in a missing out on an inevitable result of God’s salvation—the joyful spring evokes freshness 5 community of the redeemed. and abundance.” –Tremper Longman III, HCSB Study Bible 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Whereas the previous verses of Isaiah 12 were an individual’s proclamation of praise and thanks for God’s salvation, the “you” in this verse is plural. So verse 3 broadens the view of people praising as it addresses the community of individuals who will receive God’s mercy and comfort in spite of their sins. And the message is that you are not alone.

Special Session 157 An agrarian society settled in a relatively dry and arid land such as Voices from ancient Israel would have been keenly aware of the necessity and potential the Church scarcity of water. Rainwater in particular fueled their yearly provision and “When the believer comes national economy. If it rained as it should, crops would grow and supply to Christ and drinks, that the people’s needs; if there were a drought, crops would die, animals would believer not only slakes his thirst but receives die, and people would die because water is a life-sustaining requirement. such an abundant supply God, in His justice and loving discipline, had promised to remove that veritable rivers flow from him. This stresses all of His people’s sources of water on account of their rebellion and sin the outgoing nature of the (Isa. 3:1). The purpose of this was to drive the people to repentance and Spirit-filled life…[T]here is nothing of the piety of the to find their joy in God alone rather than in the idols they had created. pond in Christianity.” 6 Returning to the Lord, not just with sacrifices but with a whole heart set –Leon Morris upon obedience to Him, would be followed by a return of the rain. No wonder water was an apt metaphor for salvation from the Lord.

What are some metaphors from our culture that we could Voices from use to describe salvation from the Lord? the Church “There cannot be a In Isaiah 12:3, the prophet uses the image of abundant water to depict transformed community without saved individuals; the overflowing nature of God’s salvation, not just for the individual but for nor can there be a the entire community of the redeemed. There will be more than enough saved individual who is not incorporated into “salvation” to go around because it will be like water continually springing the community.” 7 up from the ground in multiple places, like wells that never will run dry. –J. Alec Motyer Partaking of the Lord’s salvation won’t be like the daily depressing chore of seeking and drawing out the necessity of life from the depths of the earth. Instead, it will be a pleasure and a joy to draw living water from the untold depths of the Lord Himself. There will be no reason for Voices from competition, no reason for fear that the “water” will run out. In this new Church History community centered on the Lord, everyone together will enjoy the blessing “It was not death’s decay of God’s salvation forever. that flowed from his wounds, as is the case Imagine a third-world village whose only source of water is a down- with all other men, but it stream waterway filled with sediment, trash, and disease. Day after day, was the fountain of eternal life, as Scripture teaches the villagers hike with their water jars to get a daily supply of the best us: ‘And water will spring water they can find. Infant mortality is high; lifespans are short; and up with delight from the fountains of salvation.’ surviving sickness is the way of life. But then a team of missionaries arrives His wounds gushed forth, to share the gospel of Jesus and to dig a well in the center of the village. As therefore, that we might drink of salvation.” 8 their hearts are filled with the Word of God, a fresh new water source is –Ambrose (339-397) opened for the benefit of all. Can you picture the joy of the villagers over the abundance of water pouring out for their nourishment? I imagine the adults dancing and singing as they drink deep and the children splashing each other in laughter. This kind of joy makes sense after receiving a well of clean water in place of a polluted stream. Likewise, Isaiah 12:3 expects a joyful response from the community of people who experience the flood of God’s grace poured out over them.

158 Leader Guide How can we make the community of faith a priority in our lives and in the church?

3. Proclaim the glory and greatness of God all over the earth (Isa. 12:4-6). Further The Lord has shown His mercy and comfort to His people on an Commentary individual basis. We then love, encourage, and comfort one another with “English uses one word, you, the second person in the love, encouragement, and comfort that we have received from God. both singular and plural. But again, if the joy of our salvation stops there with the community But Isaiah’s Hebrew uses different linguistic forms of the redeemed, then we are short-circuiting the full purpose of that for the second person community. We don’t gather to stay; we gather to encourage one another singular and plural. The ‘you’ in verse 1 is singular. to go with a message for the world. Isaiah is saying, ‘In that day, each of you individually 4 And you will say in that day: will say…’ Hence, the pronouns ‘I,’ ‘me,’ and ‘my’ “Give thanks to the Lord, in verses 1,2. But the ‘you’ call upon his name, in verses 3,4 is plural. Here he is saying, ‘All of you make known his deeds among the peoples, together, as God’s remnant proclaim that his name is exalted. people, will draw water from the wells of salvation. 5 “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; And in that day, out of that let this be made known in all the earth. ever-fresh fullness, you will all say…’ Then we see 6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, corporate worship and for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” mission in verses 4-6. So the difference between ‘you will say’ in verses 1,2 Verse 4 continues by addressing the community of God as a whole. and verses 4-6 is the difference between On the Day of the Lord, God’s people will be speaking to one another, personal testimony and and their message will be full of mutual instruction—honor the Lord corporate witness. Each of us will have a story to tell, and do so everywhere so everyone can hear it and honor Him too. and together we will fill In verse 1, the individual gives thanks to God for His salvation, but the world with the praises of God.” 9 here the saved individuals gathering together are encouraging one another –Raymond C. Ortlund Jr. to give thanks to God and publicly honor His name. The picture of praise in this chapter flows like this: I thank the Lord that He has saved me! Hey, you are here with me, so you have been saved too. Thank the Lord that He saved you! But the praise of God can’t stop there. This salvation from God is Voices from so great, gracious, and kind that everyone needs to hear about it, so let’s go tell Church History more people, even those who haven’t heard about our God and His salvation! “Church, rejoice, because God’s salvation and all the countless “works” of God are the “glorious you already have the forgiveness of sins, peace, things” He had done for His people throughout the Old Testament the Holy Spirit, salvation, (Isa. 12:4-5). These things the people were to tell about to the other life, God, and all good things. You have been peoples of the earth because praise for the one true God by nature radiates set free from all enemies, out to the ends of the earth, since He made the earth and everything in it. you are safe and will not be forsaken. Therefore you have enough reason What works of God in your life can you make known among for rejoicing.” 10 the peoples of the earth? –Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Special Session 159 As glorious as all of God’s works in the Old Testament are, according to 99 Essential His own Word, they pale in comparison to the glory of the Son of God Christian Doctrines coming into the earth in order to die for the sins of the world and give 79. Body of Christ salvation as a gift to those who believe in Him (Heb. 1:1-3). If we are saved The New Testament in Christ, it is because others who experienced His salvation decided to go describes the church as the body of Christ. The and make known His glorious works. And if we are to worship Jesus rightly, church lives and operates then we must go into all the world and make known His glorious works in as Christ’s representative here on earth, with Christ our own lives (Matt. 28:18-20). According to the pattern of thanksgiving as its head (Col. 1:18). and praise for salvation in Isaiah 12, worship must lead to evangelism. This means that the church is an extension of Isaiah 12 looks forward to a day when God has set all things right. Christ’s ministry, carrying With the first coming of Christ, the Lord has begun this process. Along out His work by fulfilling the Great Commission with the whole community of the redeemed, we should sing the praises of (Matt. 28:18-20). In the Lord and proclaim His greatness and salvation to the nations so they addition, the picture of the church as the body too may share in His salvation and in His praise. of Christ shows us the interconnectedness of How would you explain the connection between worship individual Christians, with each member and evangelism in your own words? dependent upon one another for growth and How can we encourage one another in our worship sanctification (1 Cor. 12). outside the church for the sake of sharing the gospel with the nations?

Conclusion Voices from the Church Thanksgiving to the Lord should be offered moment by moment, day by day, year after year because “God is my salvation” (Isa. 12:2). Though “In this picture, worship and evangelism are He hates our sin, He has shown mercy and comfort to sinners who find connected at the hip, their refuge in Him. inextricably joined as two sides of the same coin. If you are one of the redeemed in Christ, then thank the Lord, sing Evangelism is joyfully His praises, and proclaim His greatness in all the earth. shouting about the exalted glory of God and If you are numbered among the enemies of God, know that God will retelling his wonderful have His final “Day” of punishment for sin. This will be a day of dread for deeds. Worship is joyfully shouting about the exalted sinners, but the Lord has also established a “Day” in which salvation can glory of God and retelling be found in Christ, and that is today (2 Cor. 6:2). Today! Turn from your his wonderful deeds. For worship to become sin; turn to Christ; then you too can give thanks to Him and sing, “God is evangelism it has to be my salvation!” done outside of the four walls of a church, where non-believers can hear God’s praise.” 11 CHRIST CONNECTION: Isaiah looked forward to a day when the –Gary V. Smith blessing of God would be experienced afresh by His people and God’s glory would be proclaimed in all the earth. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we thank the Lord for His mercy, enjoy His gift of salvation, and commit to spreading the songs of His praise throughout the earth.

160 Leader Guide Additional Resources A Song of Thanksgiving

Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry References Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. 1. Louisa M. R. Stead, “ ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” in Baptist Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry Hymnal (Nashville: LifeWay blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. Worship, 2008), 502. 2. Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 1–39, vol. 15a in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2007), 279-80. Study Material 3. Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Comforted (Colorado Springs: David C Cook, --“The epilogue: individual and community, salvation, joy and proclamation”— 1992) [WORDsearch]. 4. Geoffrey W. Grogan, “Isaiah,” Pages 127-130 from The Prophecy of Isaiah by J. Alec Motyer in Proverbs–Isaiah, vol. 6 in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, --“All Who Are Thirsty, Come to Jesus”—Blog post by Kristen Wetherell; rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 551. find a link to this blog post at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources 5. Tremper Longman III, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “The Holy One of Israel,” 1148, n. 12:3. 6. Leon Morris, The Gospel can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at According to John, rev. ed., in The LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995), 376-77. 7. J. Alec Motyer, Isaiah, in Tyndale Sermon Podcast Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove: IVP, 1999), 122. 8. Ambrose, Explanation of the Ted Traylor: “A Song of Thanksgiving” Twelve Psalms, 37.31-32, quoted in Isaiah 1–39, ed. Steven A. McKinion, vol. X in Ancient Christian Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2001) [WORDsearch]. 9. Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Isaiah: God Saves Sinners, in Preaching the Tip of the Week Word (Wheaton: Crossway, 2005) [WORDsearch]. 10. Martin Luther, Lectures on Isaiah: Connect Through Food Chapters 1–39, vol. 16 in Luther’s Works (Saint Louis: Concordia, Relationships can be built around having something to eat and drink when 1969) [eBook]. 11. Gary V. Smith, Isaiah 1–39, people gather informally. While this may not sound particularly spiritual, vol. 15a in The New American Commentary, 284. it makes for a more inviting environment and a connecting experience. There is something about a cup of coffee or juice that helps people interact more easily and discover each other’s stories. One or more persons in the group can be enlisted to coordinate the goodies. Care groups can rotate responsibility for bringing fruit, donuts, or other goodies.

Special Session 161 Scope and Sequence

GOAL Over the course of three years, participants will journey from Genesis to Revelation and discover how God’s plan of redemption unfolds throughout Scripture and still today, compelling them to join the mission of God.

PLAN OVERVIEW Fall 2015 The Story Begins God the Creator (Genesis 1–11) God the Covenant-Maker (Genesis 12–50) Winter 2015-16 God Delivers God the Redeemer (Exodus) God the Lawgiver (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) Spring 2016 The Promised Land God the Savior (Numbers, Joshua) God the Judge (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel) Summer 2016 A Kingdom Established God the King (1–2 Samuel) God All Wise (1 Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes) Fall 2016 Prophets and Kings God the Revealer (1–2 Kings, Isaiah) God the Pursuer (Prophets, 2 Chronicles) Winter 2016-17 Exile and Return God the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra) God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi)

Spring 2017 The Rescue Begins God the Son (Gospels) God Among Us (Gospels) Summer 2017 Stories and Signs Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels) Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels) Fall 2017 Jesus Saves Jesus the Savior (Gospels) Jesus the Risen King (Gospels, Acts) Coming Next Quarter Winter 2017-18 The Church on Mission The Spirit Who Empowers (Acts) The God Who Sends (Acts) Spring 2018 Letters to God’s People The God Who Directs His People (Epistles) The God Who Changes Us (Epistles) Summer 2018 Come, Lord Jesus God’s Prisoner (Acts, Epistles) The God Who Makes All Things New (Epistles, Revelation)

162 Leader Guide About the Writers

Unit 1: Matt Chandler is the Lead Pastor of Teaching at The Village The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV Church in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and the president of the Volume 6, Number 1 Fall 2017 Acts 29 church-planting network. He has authored several

Eric Geiger books, including Mingling of Souls, Recovering Redemption, Vice President, LifeWay Resources Creature of the Word, and The Explicit Gospel. Matt is married to Ed Stetzer and Trevin Wax Lauren, and they have three children, Audrey, Reid, and Norah. General Editors

Brian Dembowczyk Managing Editor Geoff Ashley serves as pastor at The Parkway Church in

Daniel Davis McKinney, Texas, after having served for ten years of ministry Content Editor at The Village Church. He received a ThM from Dallas

Josh Hayes Theological Seminary and is married to Kaci. Together they Content and Production Editor have a beautiful daughter named Larken. Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Unit 2: Michael Kelley Steven Mathewson Director, Groups Ministry (sessions 7-10) serves as senior pastor of CrossLife Evangelical Free Church in Libertyville, Illinois. He Send questions/comments to: received a DMin (preaching) from Gordon-Conwell Theological Content Editor by email to [email protected] or mail to Seminary. He is the author of five books, including Risen: Fifty Content Editor, The Gospel Project: Reasons Why the Resurrection Changed Everything. He and his Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; wife, Priscilla, have four children and seven grandchildren. or make comments on the Web at lifeway.com. Printed in the United States of America Trillia Newbell (sessions 11-12) is the author of Enjoy, Fear and Faith, United, and God’s Very Good Idea (forthcoming, The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV (ISSN 2330-9377; Item 005573550) is published Sept. 2017). She is the Director of Community Outreach quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Trillia is President. © 2017 LifeWay Christian Resources. married to Thern, and they reside with their two children near For ordering or inquiries, visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One Nashville, Tennessee. You can find her at trillianewbell.com. LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email [email protected], fax 615.251.5933, or write to the above address. Daniel Davis (special session) is the content editor for We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any The Gospel Project for Adults and a part-time student pastor at mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To Edgefield Baptist Church in East Nashville, Tennessee. He review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit received an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are Seminary. He and his wife, Christy, have three children and taken from the English Standard Version® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 also provide care for foster children. by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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