Though God’s plan for His Church is infinitely larger than ours, He challenges us to enlarge our vision for what He purposes to do.

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The following are some discussion questions to be used by an individual or small group to go deeper into this portion of scripture as it applies to today.

1. Have you ever been at a point in your life when you felt like you were going nowhere? What were the circumstances? What did you do about it?
2. Do you think Jim was accurate when he said he feels that at this time Osage Alliance Church is in sort of a standstill?
3. Read verse 1. The prophet uses the example of a barren woman to describe Israel’s situation. What might it be like to be unable as a couple to have children? By using this metaphor, how was Isaiah trying to describe Israel’s condition?
4. Do you agree that it would have required faith for the Israelites to “break into loud and joyful song” even when they were desperately oppressed and discouraged. Please share a time when faith was necessary in order for you to get through a difficult time.
5. Read verse the last sentence of verse 1 and verse 3. What reason does the prophet give for celebrating? What was God seeing that they were not seeing?
6. What do you think God may be seeing that you personally are not seeing in your situation? What do you think God may be seeing that we are not seeing as a church? Why is it important that we ask God for His vision for our church?
7. Read verse 2. What was Isaiah asking the Israelites to do? How can you make space for God to work in your life? What steps can you take now? How can we make space for God to work in our church? What are some actions we can put in place in the next few months?
8. Read verse 4. This verse talks about fear and shame. What are some of the harmful effects of fear? What are some of the harmful effects of shame. How have these two emotions affected you? How about our church? What can be done about the effects of fear and shame?