SERIES:  Jesus Story: Isaiah                                                             WEEK:#2       

MESSAGE: Suffering Savior #1

COMMUNICATOR: Pastor Nate Hartman

CENTRAL TEXT/S: Isaiah 53

CHECKING IN: How was your week? What was one of the highlights? Share wins (things God did that moved his mission forward and you closer to Jesus). What did you put into practice from last week’s discussion? 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS: Choose questions that will work best for your group. Feel free to add to or ask a question in a different way than is written. 

1. What are you looking forward to doing this summer and or where do you go when you want to relax? What do you do while you’re there?  
2. Read Isaiah 61:1. What good news or comfort have you heard or experienced lately? What made it so good? It may be his comfort, a release from a difficult situation, or someone you know experienced “good news”. 
3. Share a time when you had high expectations for something only to be extremely disappointed when they were not met. What happened and what did you learn from it? 
4. Read Isaiah 53:3-6. There are many characteristics of the Messiah (Jesus) stated in this passage. Which ones stand out to you? What are some of your thoughts and emotions when you read what he went through for us? 
5. Read Acts 17:2-3. Even in Paul’s day the people misunderstood the truth about the Messiah. From these verses, what are two distinctives that define and point to Jesus being the messiah (Christ)? Why do you think these two truths are key for us to understand today? How can knowing them draw us closer to Jesus? 
6. How difficult do you think it would have been for an “Old Testament” person to understand the truth that the Messiah was to suffer,  die for our sins, and actually bear the punishment that we deserve? What makes you think this? What makes it difficult for people today to understand God’s plan for humanity? Was this plan ever difficult for you to receive and or comprehend? 
7. It was said, “My biggest issue is ME”. Looking back on the past week, what were some of the issues you struggled with? Impatience? Anger? Shame? Worry? Fear? Pride? Lust? Your own issue? How did you navigate through these issues? Ignored? Repented? Still struggling? As a group, pray for those who share their issues. (Remember: Don’t try to fix, only listen and pray)
8. Jesus suffered for me! What is it about this truth that is so encouraging and what is difficult for you to comprehend? Who are the people you find it difficult to believe that Jesus suffered for them as well? What about them makes it so difficult? Why do we see people as “worthy” or “not worthy” of God’s gift of mercy and salvation? 
9. Who within your circle of influence needs to hear the good news that Jesus loves them and suffered in their place? Who has yet to respond to the love and grace that Jesus offers? Make a list and pray specifically for those people.  

TRUTH DEMANDS A RESPONSE! What is one action step you will take this week in response to our discussion? Be specific. Try attaching a name and date to your action step.

1. ___________________________________________________________________.

WANT TO GROW DEEPER? We have created some resources to help you grow. Check out and explore the Experience God page. Go to  canvas.church/experience-god or Experience God on the App. 

GROUP PRAYER OPTIONS: 

• • Prayer Question: “What’s going on in our lives that we can involve Jesus?”
  • Ask:  What was one praise and one challenge you experienced this week? Celebrate the praises and pray for the challenges. 
  • Ask if anyone has a need or knows of a need, you can also offer “unspoken” prayer requests. 

• Pray for the person on your right, it can be out loud or in silence, if in silence nudge the person next to you letting them know you are done. 

• Prayer Clusters: Groups of two or three (by gender) and share your week together. Pray together and for each other. Send them a text, or leave a message letting them know you have prayed for them this week. 
• Have someone in your group keep an active list of the requests and the answers for both the updates and to celebrate the answers. 

Are you interested in the Bible and in helping Life Groups benefit from the weekend message? We have a team for you! Canvas members like you create these discussion guides each week. If you are interested in joining the team, please email rickz@canvas.church