Print off this week's "More to Explore" sheet and use it all week!
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This week’s story comes from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is called a prophetic book and was written by the prophet Isaiah. God spoke to Isaiah, and Isaiah told God’s people what He said. This book includes prophecies that were fulfilled when Jesus came to Earth and even prophecies about things yet to come when God restores all things!
The New Testament talks about the difference between lightness and darkness too. Paul contrasts the two opposites and encourages believers to follow God. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
Besides lightness and darkness, what are some things Paul contrasts in these verses?
What areas of darkness are in your life that you can ask Jesus to shine His light on?
God is not bound by time or history in the same way we are. His promise of Jesus told the Israelites He saw them in their darkness, held hope for their future, was in control of history and could be trusted. Like the Israelites, we don’t always see the answers to our prayers or the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lifetime. But we know that He is faithful and we can trust Him.
The Gospels confirm this truth. Matthew 4:12-17 says Jesus fulfilled the prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2 and that He began His ministry in Galilee. If we believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word to us and Jesus is fully God and fully man, we can be sure Isaiah spoke of Jesus in the 8th century B.C.
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Write down or draw pictures of different things that bring us light on Earth (for example, a lightbulb). Now, think about how Jesus brings spiritual light to anyone who believes in Him. Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior?
Think about a favorite story you’ve read (or read a new story this week!). Storytellers love to use light and dark to communicate things about good and evil. Think about one of your favorite stories and the characters that play the villain and hero. In what ways are they characterized by light and dark? How are those things communicated in the story?
