If we ever think sin is no big deal, we haven't read Isaiah 59. This chapter shows us that the problem of our sin is SO serious we cannot solve it on our own! We need the Lord and His amazing grace! Join us for another key study in a key chapter of God's Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. Having read Isaiah 59, what is the general gist of this passage? 2. How do the hope and promises of our last few studies set up the people for the problem that God outlines in Isaiah 59? Why wouldn't God's people be able to enter God's kingdom? 3. In verse 1, who is the Savior? Why is that important for us to understand when it comes to the way our salvation has been achieved? 4. What is the problem given in verse 2? What impact do the people's iniquities and sins have on their relationship with God? What is God's disposition to them because of their iniquities and sins? 5. In verse 2, what does it mean that God will not hear them? Why does He not "hear" the prayers of a sinful person? 6. Read Psalm 66:18 and Proverbs 28:9. What do these verses also say about the impact our sin has on our relationship with God? If God is so offended by our sin that He will not hear us, what hope do we have of salvation apart from His grace? 7. What body parts are mentioned in verse 3 and how do the people sin with each of them? 8. What kind of culture is reflected in verses 4 & 5? Does this reflect the kind of holiness that should characterize Christ's Kingdom and the lives of His kingdom people? 9. Verse 6 describes them like trying to make clothes out of spider's webs. How does this show the futility of their actions? 10. What do verses 7 & 8 say about their pathways? How are their thoughts, actions and course of life linked together? 11. Why does sin lead to the stumbling about in darkness that we read of in verses 9 to 11? What are the social implications of a society comprised of people bent on personal, private sin? 12. In verses 12 to 15, are the people aware of their sins? Does this lead them to repentance? Why? 13. Midway through 15, there is a shift in focus. Who becomes the focus in these next few verses? 14. In verse 16, why does the Lord take it upon Himself to save His people? 15. In verse 17, what efforts does the Lord make, Himself, to bring about their salvation? 16. What is meted out in verses 18 & 19? What will be declared of Him in verse 20? 17. How does verse 21 remind us of the terms of God's covenant? What hope do these promises give us? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.