Presbytery of Milwaukee
Witness to Hope- An Advent Bible Study for Youth and AdultsPrayer: As we begin this Advent season of waiting and hoping, be with us, O Lord. Through your Holy Word, remind us of all the people of faith through the ages who have waited and hoped. Help us to see in them how you are working out your plan for us, your people, all in good time. Give us the patience to wait, knowing that the miracle of God coming to earth as an infant is a promise of celebration and joy for all the ages. Amen.Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9 and I Corinthians 1:1-9The book of Isaiah is divided into three parts: The first writer is living in the 8th Century, B.C.E., a time of conflict and war. The people of Israel were fighting for their survival and Isaiah condemns the people for their hypocritical worship, complacency and failure to act with justice for the poor. But he also speaks words of promise, announcing God’s coming kingdom. The second part of Isaiah occurs during the Babylonia captivity during the 6th Century B.C.E. The writer brings words of comfort and hope. The third part of the book occurs after the return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.E. following the fall of Babylon. The writer stresses both warnings and promises, affording the full range of God’s promise. God is both the powerful Creator and the gentle comforter. In the first book of Corinthians, the apostle Paul speaks to a new community of Christians who are learning to live in community. He offers encouragement, yet also chides them for their failings. He reminds them of what is involved in leading a Christian life and gives practical suggestions for their task of becoming a community of faith. Read Isaiah 64: 1-9:What does it mean when God comes down to earth?What does it mean to wait for God?What imagery is used in these passages? How can righteous acts become dirty?How is God our father?Why might this term be difficult for some people?If the potter shapes the clay, how is the clay responsible?Read I Corinthians 1:1-9How does Paul begin his letter?Who was Sosthenes in relation to the church in Corinth?Did the people actually possess every spiritual gift?In what ways does God in Christ give us strength as we wait for what the future holds?What does it mean to be “called into fellowship with Christ?”-How is the message in l Corinthians different from the message in Chapter 64 of Isaiah?-How are they alike?-What message are we left with after reading and studying both passages? -What does each passage have to do with “witnessing to hope?”Closing Prayer: Lord of our time and all time, help us to remember to turn to you when hope seems elusive. We lay our hopes and fears at your feet with the assurance that through you all things will be made new. Grant us patience, as we wait again for the birth of your Son, hope incarnate for our battered world. This Bible study was prepared by Dale Morgan, a member Southminster Presbyterian Church, Waukesha for the Milwaukee Presbytery Advent series Witness to Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. ................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.