Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

The Christian DNA: God of This City

Dr. Les Hughes

September 21, 2008

Isaiah 1

Beginning Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM

House of Prayer

Westwood Baptist Church

Opening Question

(New groups: Share your name and the answer to the following question.)

Do you believe God is using the financial crisis to send us a message about what we place our trust in?

Focus Passage

Isaiah 1 (New International Version)

1 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2 Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth!
       For the LORD has spoken:
       "I reared children and brought them up,
       but they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knows his master,
       the donkey his owner's manger,
       but Israel does not know,
       my people do not understand."

Digging for Truth

1. “God has expressed His goodness over and over again in our world and treated us as His favored children.” How have we seen this truth in America?

2. 2 Chron. 7:14 says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

In what ways can we do this? Will it matter since we are just individuals?

3. “The troubles we face are a result of our rebellion against God.” Read verse 15.

        15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
               I will hide my eyes from you;
               even if you offer many prayers,
               I will not listen.
               Your hands are full of blood;

How does it make you feel that God might not hear your prayers? What would you be willing to do to avoid this consequence?

4. The following verses show that there is hope.

16 wash and make yourselves clean.
       Take your evil deeds
       out of my sight!
       Stop doing wrong,

17 learn to do right!
       Seek justice,
       encourage the oppressed. ^[a]
       Defend the cause of the fatherless,
       plead the case of the widow.

18 "Come now, let us reason together,"
       says the LORD.
       "Though your sins are like scarlet,
       they shall be as white as snow;
       though they are red as crimson,
       they shall be like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land;

What are the requirements for “eating the best from the land”? How are we doing in our willingness and obedience?

5. Life-Changing Lesson 3 says, “The only hope for our survival is the intervention of God.”

The band that wrote the song, God of this City wrote, “Greater things are yet to come, greater things have yet to be done.”

What would you like to see in America? What do you think God would like to see?

6. Life-Changing Lesson 4 says, “When people turn to God, His mercy cleans up a city, and He uses its people for righteousness.”

Sometimes we give up quicker than God does. Do you feel like the church has given up? Is it possible that God will use for good things that look bad to us?

7. What is your prayer for America and for our world today?

8. Les shared the letter from a lady who had encountered Tom Murphy. Are the people we encounter on a daily basis seeing God in you?

Closing Thought

What has God spoken to you as a result of today’s sermon and study?