ON THE MOVE - Jesus in Galilee

SCIPTURES
Isaiah 9:1-7 | Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder.  For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

Matthew 4:12-17 | When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow a light has shined.” From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

DISCUSSION

1. What is the glory that Isaiah promises will come to Galilee?
2. Isaiah explains that the promised Savior will take away darkness and despair. How are people without Jesus in darkness and despair (without hope)?
3. What are Jesus’ directions in Matthew? How does obeying them transfer us from darkness to light?
4. Right now, how are people around you experiencing darkness and despair (no hope)?
5. Do you worry, fear, and despair like people without Jesus, or are you living in the hope and peace Jesus provides? In what ways?
6. Read 1 Peter 2:9. If you’ve been called out of darkness and into light through Jesus, what are you supposed to do now?