Rejoice Forever in Creation

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer: “As you survey your religious, political, social, and personal landscapes, where (if anywhere) do you feel hope? Where, if at all, do you feel despair? Explain why.”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Isaiah 65:17-25.

• The Israelites had long languished as unwilling “guests”—an oppressed and conquered people—in foreign lands. They despaired of their future as a nation and a people, yet life went on. Then, the word of Isaiah proclaimed that God was about to do a radical new thing. Review the passage and draw a verbal picture of what Isaiah says was coming. What does this “new heavens and new earth” look like?
• As you look at these extravagant promises of restoration, do you believe it is possible in your lifetime? Ever? What makes you believe as you do? What signs do you see that its fruition is possible (or not)? What would have to change, and how might that be accomplished?
• In a time socially, religiously, and politically where there is so much polarization, do you yearn for a time when “wolf and lamb shall feed together”? What are you prepared to do, change, or give up so that such a time could happen?
• There is an eschatological sense to this passage; if peace, prosperity, and unity are not possible in the kingdom on earth, it will be accomplished in the kingdom to come. How would you recognize God’s activity to bring this about? What signs tell you that God’s hoped-for kingdom is unfolding?
• In any case, the prophet reminds his community that there is cause for rejoicing, even when life is difficult and certainly less than ideal. What brings you joy at this time? Where and when can you truly rejoice? How do you try to multiply that joy?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

God of all Creation, you have in mind a vision of and a task for your ideal heavens and earth. Help us to see that vision clearly, to embrace the tasks we are given to bring it about, and to rejoice in all that you have done for us. Make us truly grateful in our work of discipleship so that we never fear laboring in vain. In all things, we trust you and give you thanks. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Diana Hynson is an elder who has served small, medium, and large churches in urban, suburban, and rural areas of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. A native of Maryland, she now resides in Pennsylvania, by way of a thirty-year career in United Methodist agencies in Nashville, Tennessee.