The Light of Nations

Isaiah 42:1-9

God’s Servant 1. His Mission (Isaiah 42:1)2. His Methods (Isaiah 42:2-4)3. His Source of Power (Isaiah 42:5-6)4. The Results of His Ministry (Isaiah

42:7)5. The Reason for His Ministry (Isaiah

42:8-9)

DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. How does God introduce his servant? (Isaiah 42:1)

God introduces his servant by saying that he isupholding and delighting in his servant. God

has put his Spirit on the servant.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

2. What is a servant?

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3. What mission has God given to the servant? (Isaiah 42:1)

The servant is charged with bringing justice tothe nations.

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4. How does Isaiah describe the servant? (Isaiah 42:2-3)

Isaiah says that the servant:a. Will not raise his voiceb. Will not break a bruised reed or snuff out

a smoldering wickc. Will faithfully bring forth justice

DISCUSSION GUIDE

5. What do you think that Isaiah meant when by the phrases “bruised reed” and “smoldering wick?”

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6. Describe the servant in your own words.

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7. What attitudes will not be a part of the life of the servant? (Isaiah 42:4)

The servant will not falter or be discouraged.

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8. Why do you think Isaiah included that the islands would put their hope in the law of the servant? What does “hope” mean?

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9. What actions are attributed to God? (Isaiah 42:5)

God:a. Created the heavensb. Stretched them outc. Spread out the earthd. Gave breath and life to the people

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10. What did God promise to accomplish through his servant? (Isaiah 42:6-7)

God promised:a. To make the servant a covenant

for the people and a light to the Gentiles

b. To open the eyes of the blindc. To free captives from prison

DISCUSSION GUIDE

11. What causes people to be “blind” to God? What are some things that imprison people today?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

12. What final statements does God make about himself? (Isaiah 42:8-9)

God reminds us that he is God. He will notshare his glory with anyone or anything. He

tells us about future events.

What Can I Do?

We can:Pray – We should pray for our missionaries. Our prayers should be

much more than just generic prayers. We should ask God for specific things. We should pray for lost friends and ask God for opportunities to share.

Learn – We should learn about missions, both in our own area and around the world. We should educate ourselves about specific ministries and missionaries and include their needs in our prayers.

Witness – It is the job of every believer to share the good news. Jesus said that himself. Anyone can share his/her own faith story.

Go OR Send – We should make ourselves available to God. We should ask him if he would have us go ourselves or give sacrificially to send others who have been called.

1. Am I praying, learning and witnessing as I should?

2. Is God calling me to go or to send?3. What changes do I need to make in

my life to be a more effective witness?