Unwrapping Hope - The Peaceable Kingdom

Questions for Reflection

Read Isaiah 11:1-10

• Isaiah says that a shoot will come from the stump of Jesse in verse 1. What are the characteristics of this “branch” who will “bear fruit” (vs. 2-5)? How does Jesus live out these characteristics, bringing this prophecy to fulfillment?
• Describe the future Kingdom depicted by the prophet in vs. 6-9. Why are the weaker animals able to rest in the presence of the stronger animals? Similarly, how does the coming of Jesus change our world today?
• What is the world’s conception of peace? How is God’s promise of peace different from how the world thinks about peace?
• Pastor Mathew said that the Holy Spirit is the hidden hero of this vision, enacting peace and God’s shalom in the new creation. What helps you to become more “fine tuned” to the Holy Spirit? What sorts of actions, postures, or habits help you connect to and hear from the Holy Spirit?
• In what areas of your life/our world do you long for the kind of peace Isaiah describes in this passage?