Week 4 Overview

God Is Holy and Near

Scripture Reading

Read the primary text for this week.

Isaiah 6

Scripture (BSB): Isaiah 6

Isaiah’s Commission

1 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.”

Weekly Focus

Week 4 begins a new section in the Manna curriculum: God Is Holy. After establishing God as Creator, Image-Giver, and King, Scripture now draws us into a personal encounter with who God is in His holiness.

Isaiah 6 shows us that God’s holiness does not create distance—it reveals truth. God is utterly holy, completely other, and yet He draws near to sinful people in grace.

This week establishes three foundational realities:

• God is perfectly holy
• Humanity is unclean and undone before Him
• God graciously makes a way for sinners to remain in His presence

Big Truth

Because God is holy and near, we respond with humility, repentance, and worship.

God’s holiness exposes sin, but His nearness provides cleansing. This tension shapes the rest of Scripture and prepares the way for understanding sin, mercy, and redemption.

Primary Text Summary

Isaiah’s Vision

Isaiah sees the LORD seated on a throne, exalted and surrounded by heavenly beings declaring His holiness. God’s glory fills the temple, and creation trembles in response.

Isaiah’s Confession

Confronted by God’s holiness, Isaiah becomes aware of his sinfulness and the sin of his people. Holiness reveals reality—it strips away self-righteousness and false security.

God’s Grace

God does not destroy Isaiah. Instead, He cleanses him, removes his guilt, and restores him for service. Holiness leads to mercy, not separation.

Sermon Emphasis

The sermon will focus on:

• God’s holiness as absolute and unmatched
• Humanity’s response of confession and humility
• God’s gracious nearness through cleansing

This sermon introduces the heart posture required for everything that follows in the Christian life.

Group & Discipleship Flow

• Kids will learn that God is holy, powerful, and loving.
• Youth will wrestle with awe, sin, and God’s forgiveness.
• Adults will explore holiness, confession, and grace.
• Families, Singles, and Spouses will practice confession, repentance, and worship together.

Each environment will help participants encounter God—not just learn about Him.

Outcome Goals

By the end of Week 4, participants should:

• Understand God’s holiness more clearly
• Recognize their need for God’s grace
• Practice confession and repentance
• Respond to God with worship and obedience