After Darkness, Light - Study Guide #2

In preparation for Friday night's study (November 17), read Isaiah 5 & 6, and consider the following questions:

1. Why was Israel under condemnation (see Is. 5 and 6:10).

2. Why would God call a preacher to preach for the purpose of making people’s hearts “dull”, “ears heavy”, eyes “blind (see Is. 6:10)?

3. Based on the entire chapter (Is. 6), why would Isaiah still want to preach for these sad results?

4. How does Isaiah’s ministry compare with yours?

~Have you encountered the Lord in His holiness?
~Do you have a heart to serve, leaving the results up to God?
~Do you preach/ share Christ with the remnant in mind?
~Do you disciple people understanding that God might have rejection planned for you?
~Have you ever thought that God’s plan is best no matter the results?
~How does a passage like Dt. 29:29 help?

5. When considering 2 Cor. 2:14-17 do you see how Paul’s ministry parallels Isaiah’s?

After Darkness, Light - Study Guide #1

In preparation for this Friday's Bible Study (November 10), Jeff has come up with a short pre-study guide:

1. Read 1 Samuel 1-3 focusing primarily on chapter 3.

2. Not having Bibles back in OT times, what does 1 Sam. 3:1 mean: "...the word of the LORD was rare"?

3. Why was it "rare?"

4. Samuel was called to be a prophet. Is it legitimate to think of yourself as being called by the LORD to a certain task in these days?

5. If so, then what is God's call for your life? What does God's word call you to and what's your gift mix and what are your current opportunities?

6. Since God reveals himself through the Bible, how does sin keep you from enjoying this revelation?

7. In 1 Sam. 3:21 note the way God reveals himself once again?

After Darkness, Light - Current Study at 2.22 Fridays

On Friday nights, over the following months, Pastor Jeff will embark on a sermon series called “After Darkness, Light.” He's going to use 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 as a springboard into this biblical study. This passage, like none other, captures four primary theological categories or themes that he has discovered independently while surveying the doctrine of illumination. The breakdown of this passage is as follows:

The Context

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.

Theme 1 – Condemnation without Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Theme 2 – Communication for Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Theme 3 – Conversion by Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts…

Theme 4 – Communion through Illumination

2 Corinthians 4:6 …to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Practically speaking, these four categories will lead to four applications:

• By rejecting illumination you’re condemned


• By biblical communication you’re transformed


• By illumination your soul is converted


• By illumination your communion is enriched.

Be sure and join us each Friday night for this study. Remember, we have a meal each Friday beginning at 6:30pm, so bring a few bucks to help cover costs (guests eat free!). We begin our worship around 7pm with a focus on missions, then worship through song, then Jeff will open the Word to us.

Hope to see you there!

**2.22 WILL NOT MEET the Friday after Thanksgiving, and also on December 8.