CONNECT
1. When was a time you thought about God and it made you smile?
2. Describe a time you experienced hope and possibility.

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
This series is based on the idea that (1) God made a promise, (2) Jesus fulfilled that promise, and (3) one day we will experience the complete fulfillment of that promise.

Explore these three aspects by studying the Scriptures below and responding to the questions that follow. Don’t rush through this guide. The goal is not to get right answers or even answer all the questions, but to have thoughtful discussions that lead to renewed minds and transformed hearts.

Faith is the courage to let God hold you in the dark.
George MacDonald

1. What other words and phrases describe the idea of darkness and despair?

2. Which of those words and phrases hit closest to home for you?

3. What kinds of bondage are suggested by the yoke and the rod?

4. Why do you think Isaiah used light rather than victory, freedom, or peace as the primary image of hope?

5. Why would verse 5 have been hopeful to the original readers?

6. Why is the hope of the world centered on the birth of a child rather than a warrior or reformer?

7. How is Jesus the light of the world?

8. Where have you substituted control, certainty or productivity for following the light?

9. Are you currently walking toward the light, near the light, or at a distance from it?

10. What is one place where you are tired of pretending things are fine?

11. How can you help someone find hope when God feels far away?

12. Have you ever experienced hope coming from an unexpected place? What did that look like?

13. Which words or phrases inspire encouragement and hope? Why?

14. What would it look like for you or your group to be a place of light for someone who feels forgotten or has experienced injustice?

15. Where do you most need the light of Christ right now?

THE BIG TAKEAWAY
What’s one thing God showed you or said to you this week that you never want to forget? Pause and ask Him how He feels about you and what He wants you to remember. Allow for a couple of minutes of silence and listen for Him to speak.

MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE
One of the best ways to hear God in your daily life is to have His words rooted in your heart. Memorize this Scripture, trusting God will bring His words to mind at just the right time.

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
Isaiah 9:2b (NLT)

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.