Adults — Community Group (60 Minutes)
God Is Holy and Near
CONNECT — 0–10 Minutes
Purpose: Create relational safety before deep reflection.
Icebreaker
- When have you experienced awe — something that made you feel small but amazed?
- OR: What words come to mind when you hear the word “holy”?
ENCOUNTER — 10–20 Minutes
Purpose: Let Scripture shape the conversation.
Leader Setup
“As we read Isaiah’s vision, notice what Isaiah sees, how he responds, and how God responds.”
Scripture Reading
Isaiah’s Vision
Scripture (BSB): Isaiah 6Isaiah’s Commission1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.2 Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.3 And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.5 Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.7 And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”9 And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’10 Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed. ”11 Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged,12 until the LORD has driven men far away and the land is utterly forsaken.13 And though a tenth remains in the land, it will be burned again. As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when felled, so the holy seed will be a stump in the land.”
ANCHOR — 20–40 Minutes
Purpose: Understand the text together.
Teaching Summary
Isaiah encounters God seated on a throne, holy and glorious. God’s holiness reveals Isaiah’s sinfulness and the sin of his people. Yet God does not cast Isaiah away. God initiates cleansing, removes guilt, and restores Isaiah for service.
Holiness exposes truth. Grace makes relationship possible.
Digging Deeper
- What stands out to you about God’s holiness in this passage?
- Why is Isaiah’s immediate response confession?
- What does the burning coal symbolize about God’s grace?
- Why is cleansing necessary before calling?
RESPOND — 40–55 Minutes
Purpose: Move from understanding to obedience.
Personal Reflection
- Where has familiarity dulled your awe before God?
- What sin might God be inviting you to confess?
- How does God’s nearness reshape your response to holiness?
Group Sharing
Invite participants to share one insight or prayer request if they are comfortable.
SEND — 55–60 Minutes
Weekly Practice
Confession & Worship — Set aside time this week to sit quietly before God, confess sin honestly, and respond in worship.
Closing Prayer
“Holy God, You are glorious and good. Thank You for drawing near to cleanse and restore us. Help us live in humility and worship before You. Amen.”