Isaiah 6:1-8
This Week’s Main Idea:
“All the problems of heaven and earth, though they were to confront us together and at once, would be nothing compared with the overwhelming problem of God: That He is; what He is like; and what we as moral beings must do about Him.” — A.W. Tozer, Knowledge of the Holy
Icebreaker:
Have you ever been in the presence of someone whose reputation or fame made you feel unworthy or overshadowed by comparison? Would you describe it as more of an “awe-inspiring” or a “discouraging” experience?
Introduction:
When we are confronted with God’s glorious nature, the only acceptable response is worship. Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for Who He is and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live. Today we will see how the prophet Isaiah came face to face with the glory of God and worshiped by confessing his sin and surrendering to God’s will.
Read Isaiah 6:1-4.
1. What does it mean for something or someone to be holy? When you sing songs that reflect on God’s holiness, what images come to mind?
2. What part of Isaiah’s vision in these verses would be the most startling if you were the one experiencing it?
Read Isaiah 6:5-7.
3. In verse 5, Isaiah says, “Woe is me!” and then lists reasons for feeling this way. What stands out to you about what he says here? Can you relate to how he feels?
4. Given what Isaiah says, how does the seraph’s behavior differ from what Isaiah expects?
Read Isaiah 6:8.
5. What is different about Isaiah’s response here compared to his initial reaction in verse 5?
6. Have you ever had an experience of God’s grace that dramatically changed your attitude like this?
Suggested prayer request:
Father, your holiness is amazing and overwhelming. Just a glimpse of how holy You truly are could fill me with dread, because I know that on my own there’s no way for me to measure up. Thank you for the mercy you’ve shown me through Jesus! Thank you that, through His sacrifice, my guilt is taken away and my sin is atoned for. Shape my heart so that my greatest joy is to make much of you, and give me opportunities to do that for Your glory.
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
Psalm 51; Jeremiah 33; Hebrews 7:11-28; 1 John 1:5-2:2; Titus 3:3-7.