Welcome
Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy as a way to begin your time of learning together.
One: The season of Advent is past and the celebration of Christmas is given way to a New Year, but the story of God’s faithful love continues in
All: Jesus the Christ
One: The Magi followed the star to discover the light that overcomes darkness
(Place a candle on a table but don’t light it yet)
All: Jesus the Christ
One: The light of the world is God’s own Son
(Light the candle)
All: Jesus the Christ
One: Baptized by water and the Spirit he was anointed by God as
(Place the bowl of water on the table)
All: Jesus the Christ
One: We give thanks and remember, we too are baptized and made siblings with
(Each person touches the water)
All: Jesus the Christ
One: We are here, Holy Spirit, ready for your leading.
God sightings and prayer offerings
Invite each person to share where they saw or experienced God this week. Invite each person to share something — a person, community, experience, event, etc. – for which they want to offer prayer.
Good and gracious God, we thank you for all the ways you were and are present in our lives and in the world. [Invite each person to say aloud the sighting they named earlier.] We bring our prayers to you, prayers for… [invite each person to say aloud the prayer need they named earlier]. In Christ’s
Connecting with Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31
Read the Scripture aloud the first time using the New Revised Standard Version or the Common English Bible.
Read the text a second time and listen for the images that speak to you the strongest.
Connecting through story
Listen to the anthem “On Eagle’s Wings.”
- This song is based on Psalm 91. Read Psalm 91 and compare the themes in this passage (and the song) with those in the Isaiah passage (NRSV and CEB).
- Why do you think there are two texts so similar in Scripture?
Connecting with our lives
Engage in dialogue:
- What does this passage say about who God is?
- What does this passage say about who we are?
- What does this passage tell us about the relationship between God and humanity?
- What are the conditions, in this text, we must meet to receive such love and care from the Creator of the universe?
- Why do you think Isaiah included references to young people growing weary or tired?
- What is the remedy or comfort this text offers?
- What do you think it means to “wait upon the Lord”?
- Why is waiting so difficult?
- In what ways is “waiting on the Lord” renewing?
- Why do you think it is comforting that God never becomes weary or tired?
- How does God support us?
- Where do you experience this support and renewal? Can you recall instances in the past?
Teaching points that can be incorporated into your discussion:
- This particular passage in Isaiah was written to ancient Israel in the midst of an identity crisis in their understanding of who they are and of their relationship with God.
- The Israelites broke the covenant God established with them through Moses. Their worship was rendered empty by a flirtation with other gods and their unwillingness to provide justice to the marginalized and the powerless. The consequence of their unfaithfulness was exile from the Promised Land by the Babylonians.
- They no longer resided in their own land and nor governed their own people. They, who had experienced great power as a nation, were now powerless and at the mercy of another’s power.
- They are weary from years of being away from those things that provided identity, comfort and strength.
- This passage is meant to remind them they do not rely solely on their own power. God provides their power, their renewal and their comfort.
- It is God who is the shelter and their protector. Even in the face of their faithlessness, God is faithful.
- It is God who provides all that is needed — even (and especially) when we are at our lowest.
Close your eyes and listen to the song “On Eagle’s Wings” again as you imagine all the that God supports, strengthens and renews you in your own life and context — no matter your age. If you are comfortable, share this with those gathered with you.
Prayer
Close your time together by praying for one another, your neighbor, community and the world
REBECCA DAVIS is the associate professor of Christian education at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. A teaching elder and certified educator, she served congregations for over 20 years before moving into academic teaching. In addition to teaching and mentoring students, her passion is child advocacy and ministry.
