Sunday Bible Study | February 5, 2017

Grades 9-12 | Why Would Jesus Suffer?
This week, we explored Isaiah 52 and 53, often referred to as the “Suffering Servant” passages. The prophet Isaiah indicated that the coming Messiah would suffer mightily as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

We considered all the ways Jesus fulfilled the extraordinary details of this passage through his arrest, torture, and crucifixion. In doing so, we were encouraged to embrace a deeper, awe-filled understanding of Jesus’ identity.

Take a few minutes this week to begin a conversation with your teenager about our lesson. Use these questions to start your discussion:

• How much weight do you think Jesus could lift?
• What did you learn about Jesus that surprised you the most?
• Why do you think people rejected Jesus—and still reject him?
• How does knowing that Isaiah 53 was written 700 years before Jesus was born impact your understanding of his crucifixion?

We pray that Jesus makes a huge impact in your lives this week. Blessings to you!

Grades 6-8 | How Jesus Pointed Back to the Old Testament
​We’re continuing our series titled “More Than the Red Letters.” The goal each week is to help teenagers discover connections between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

In our second conversation, we discussed Luke 24:13-34, where Jesus joined two of his followers after his resurrection. In his typically shrewd fashion, Jesus didn’t simply reveal himself by saying, “Hey—it’s me!” Instead, he guided these two followers through Scriptures that revealed truths about the Messiah—about him. As Jesus spoke, these followers began to feel his presence burning within them, but they didn’t put it all together until he broke bread and blessed it, and then suddenly disappeared from their presence.

Our conversation focused on how Jesus knew Scripture, but also how he loved it and quoted it. Teenagers have the opportunity to fall in love with the Bible, too, as they draw closer to Jesus and center their lives on him.

Here are some questions that could keep the dialogue going at home this week:

• Does the idea of “loving” the Bible seem weird to you? Why or why not?
• How does knowing the Bible make it more natural to love the Bible?
• How does loving Scripture help you get closer to Jesus?
• What habits help you know, love, or quote the Bible more?

Thank you for letting us partner with you and your child on their faith journey. Have a wonderful week.