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ISAIAH A TOOLBOX FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH A Seven-Session Bible Study for Men by H. Michael Brewer ISAIAH A Toolbox for Spiritual Growth A Seven-Session Bible Study for Men Author H. Michael Brewer Editor Curtis A. Miller Designer Peg Coots Alexander Scripture quotations in this publication are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. Every effort has been made to trace copyrights on the materials included in this book. If any copyrighted material has nevertheless been included without permission and due acknowledgment, proper credit will be inserted in future printings after notice has been received. © 1998 Christian Education Program Area, Congregational Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, KY. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any other information retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. This book is part of the Men’s Bible Study series produced through the Office for Men’s Ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a ministry of the General Assembly Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Curriculum Publishing Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202-1396 1-800-524-2612 Orders: Ext. 1, Option 1 Curriculum Helpline: Ext. 3 FAX: 502-569-8263 World Wide Web: http://www.pcusa.org/pcusa/currpub Isaiah CONTENTS Introduction to the Men’s Bible Study ......................................................................................... 3 Introduction to Isaiah ................................................................................................................................... 5 sessionone Toolbox Spirituality ..................................................................................................... 8 Introduction *Thinking in Pictures Reaching into the Toolbox sessiontwo The Builder......................................................................................................... 11 Introduction *The Creator and the Creature The City of Jewels sessionthree The Gardener ..................................................................................................... 15 Introduction The Vineyard: Take Two! *A Garden of Glory sessionfour The Warrior........................................................................................................ 19 Introduction War on the Home Front *A Gentle Warrior sessionfive The Banquet Giver ............................................................................................. 22 Introduction Stuffed and Starving *Feasting on God’s Unfailing Word sessionsix One Heart, Many Faces...................................................................................... 26 Introduction The Woodcutter *Our Crown The Rock Immanuel sessionseven The God Who Remembers and Forgets ............................................................. 29 Introduction *God’s Tattoos The Forgetful God thewriter Biography ........................................................................................................... 32 orderinformation ............................................................................................................................ 32 2 ISAIAH introduction Men’s B IBLE Study The Reasons for This Study 1. We will treat no question as stupid. Some men will have more experience in Bible study than We trust in God the Holy Spirit, others, but each man must feel free to say what he everywhere the giver and renewer of life. thinks without fear of being ridiculed. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles 2. We will stick to the Scripture in this rules our faith and life in Christ through study. The group has gathered for Bible study, not Scripture . to pool their own ideas on other matters, however These words from “A Brief Statement of Faith,” good those ideas are. adopted officially by the Presbyterian Church 3. We will regard the leader(s) as “first (U.S.A.) in 1991, state a primary conviction of among equals.” Leaders in these studies are Presbyterians. Presbyterians believe that God’s guides for group discussion, not authorities to tell Spirit actually speaks to us through the inspired the group what the Bible means. But following books of the Bible, “the unique and authoritative their study suggestions will facilitate learning. witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal, and God’s Word” to each of us (Book of Order, 4. We will remember that we are here to hear PC(U.S.A.), G-14.0516e(2)). God speak. Presbyterians believe that the Spirit Recent studies, however, have shown that many that spoke to the biblical writers now speaks to us men know very little of what the Bible says, yet through their words. We do not come simply to learn many do express a desire to learn. To help meet about the Bible, but with minds and hearts expecting that need, this Bible study guide has been prepared to receive a message from God. at the request and with the cooperation of the National Council of Presbyterian Men of the 5. We will listen for “the question behind Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its president, the question.” Sometimes a man’s gestures and Dr. Youngil Cho. tone of voice may tell us more of what he is feeling than his words do. We will listen with sympathy The Suggested Pattern of Study and concern. Men may use this guide in a variety of weekly 6. We will agree to disagree in love. Open settings: men’s breakfasts, lunches in a downtown discussion is an adventure full of danger. Men will setting, evening study cells in homes, and many differ. None of us will know the whole truth or be others. The material provides guidance for seven right all the time. We will respect and love and try one-hour sessions. To facilitate open discussion, it to learn from each other even when we think the assumes a small group of men (no more than other person is wrong. twelve), one or preferably two of whom might be designated as leaders. Each session is Bible study; 7. We will make every effort to attend and there must be a Bible for each man. The Bible, not participate faithfully in all seven sessions of this study guide, is the textbook. this study. Participation will involve making notes The men are not required to do study outside the in the spaces provided for your own answers to group sessions, though suggestions are given for questions relating to the study and from time to such study. To be enrolled in this study, however, time sharing with others your answers, even when each man is expected to commit himself to make you worry that they are not the “right” answers. every effort to attend and participate fully in all seven sessions. The pattern of study is to be open discussion. Agreement by all to follow seven rules will make such study most effective. ISAIAH 3 Some Suggestions for the Leader pressuring anyone to speak who does not want to. (2) He does not monopolize the discussion himself Those who lead groups in this study should be and tries tactfully to prevent anyone else from doing especially aware of the foregoing seven “rules.” so unduly. (3) He is a good listener, helping those Though two leaders are not required, having a who speak to feel that they have been heard. (4) He team of leaders often helps to open up the group for helps to keep the group focused on the Scripture. (5) freer discussion by all its members. One leader He tries to watch for signs that show that the group might be responsible for introducing the study at a is or is not ready to move on to the next question. given session and for summarizing other parts of This kind of study can generally be carried on the study where such summaries are suggested. much more effectively with the participants sitting The other leader might take more responsibility for informally in a circle or around a table rather than guiding the discussion, helping to see that each in straight rows with the leader up front. man who wishes to has a chance to speak, helping Frequently, especially in a large group, you may to keep the study centered on the Scripture, and want to divide into groups of three or four, or moving the group along to the next subject when simply let each man compare his answers with one has been dealt with sufficiently. The leaders those of the man sitting next to him. might also alternate in their responsibilities or Often, more questions have been given than share them equally. some groups are likely to cover in one hour. If you This material is a guide for study within the don’t answer them all, don’t worry. Pick the ones group. The study material for each session is to be that seem most interesting and let the rest go. distributed at the time of that session. The study The questions in this study guide are phrased in guide for each session is in the form of worksheets. various ways and come in different orders, but Each man should have a pencil or a pen. Spaces basically they are intended to help the participants are provided for each student to make brief notes think through three things: (1) What does this for his answers to questions on the passages to be passage say? (2) What does it mean? (3) What does studied. A good deal of the time may be spent as it mean now to you? It is our conviction as the men quietly, individually, decide on