QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DIG DEEPER FOR YOUR FAMILY DEVOTIONS OR SMALL GROUP:

What was one take-away from this message for you?

Read 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Discuss what ‘longing for His appearing‘ (NIV) or ‘loved His appearing‘ (CSB) really means for a follower of Jesus Christ.

Turn to Isaiah 64. Read verses 1-3. What would you say the ‘theme’ of Isaiah’s prayer is here? What was the ‘reasoning’ behind Isaiah’s prayer (vs 2)? Who does God ‘act on behalf of‘ in verse 4? ‘Would you say Isaiah was ‘longing for God’s appearing’?

Did God ever answer Isaiah’ prayer? Read: John 1:14, Matthew 1:23, John 1:18, John 14:8-9. What does this say about God’s ‘provision’?

Will there ever be a time when Isaiah’s prayer will be answered even more fully than it was at the first coming of Jesus? Read Revelation 19:11-16. All the prophets anticipated this worldwide takeover (see 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 2:44), and Jesus Himself predicted it (see Matthew 24:29-30).

Are you looking forward to that coming of Jesus, to “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)? Some Christians just see the second coming of Christ as something that’s intellectually stimulating. But then there are those believers who look for it and lean toward it like Isaiah and the prophets did. I hope and pray that’s where you’re at today—standing on your tiptoes in anticipation of that glorious event and longing for the Lord who will return and make all things right. What are some things (spoilers) to you anxiously awaiting the return of our Great Love, Jesus?