MIDWEEK EVENT SESSION 4 1 ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11 WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM TOGETHER AS A SINGLE, DIVERSE FAMILY. As we saw in our recent session, sin divided people both geographically and spiritually. Jesus undoes the sin-curse by bringing people back together. One way He does so is by uniting them all into a single, glorious family. Sons and daughters from every corner of the globe come together to form the church (Isa. 43:6-7). Having both Jews and Gentiles in God’s family (Hos. 1:10-11) indicates the glorious diversity of God’s gathered people. 2 ISAIAH 43:6-7; JEREMIAH 32:37-41 WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM UNDER A SINGLE, LOVING AUTHORITY. If the sin-scattered people of God reunite as a family, they share a common Father: God Almighty (Isa. 43:6-7). He whom we made our enemy reconciles us to Himself to be our Father and authority; as such, He wields all his attributes for our benefit: His wisdom, His mercy, His justice, His compassion, and His strength all come together to bring him joy in doing us good (Jer. 32:37-41). 3 ISAIAH 43:6-7, 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33 WHILE SIN SCATTERS AND DIVIDES PEOPLE, JESUS REUNITES THEM WITH A SINGLE, GLORIOUS PURPOSE. Another detrimental effect of the sin-curse was humanity’s division of purpose: we each went our own way and pursued our own selfish purpose (Isa. 53:6). Yet, when Jesus gathers his people together, He unites them in a common purpose: to enjoy God’s glory (Isa. 43:6-7; 1 Cor. 10:31-33). This midweek study will explore the concept of reunification. Use the following main points, Scriptures, teaching/ discussion ideas, and questions to help students dive deeper into the context of the Bible for this session. SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 43:6-7; HOSEA 1:10-11; JEREMIAH 32:37-41; ISAIAH 53:6; 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31-33 ESSENTIAL DOCTRINE • SIN AS REBELLION Because the Bible portrays people as responsible beings, called to respond in faith and obedience to God’s revelation, the Bible often portrays sin in terms of defiance and rebellion toward God the King. Isaiah 1:2 is one of many passages that describes sin in terms of rebellion against God: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.” Seen in this light, sin is personal and willful disobedience, the raising of a clenched fist toward the One who made us. CHRIST CONNECTION God responded to the people’s act of rebellion in building the tower of Babylon by confusing their language, forcing them to scatter. Many years later, God would respond to the source of all our rebellion by providing Jesus. At Pentecost, God tore down the language barrier, bringing people from every tongue, nation, and tribe together in Christ Jesus.