Welcome,
We’re delighted you’ve chosen to dig more deeply into the Scriptures and consider what God has for you through this sermon.
These sermon practices are ideally intended to be discussed with others, so find a friend, family member, or roommate to join you. If you haven’t yet joined a life group yet, check out our groups page or stop at the Welcome Center for more info.
Exploring Scripture: Healing Through Beauty
Read aloud Psalm 61:1-3
Isaiah records several promises of God to the nation of Israel, including this one: that a servant savior will one day arrive in the power of the Holy Spirit to rescue God’s people.
- List out the many ways the Messiah will bring healing and rescue to them as described in the verses you just read. Specifically, list what they are saved FROM and saved TO.
“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes” - Isaiah 61:3
This passage is referring to the devastation of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed and, in many parts, burned to the ground. The promise was for the city to be rebuilt.
- What does the imagery of ashes bring to mind?
- What does the crown of beauty seem to represent? Why call it a “crown of beauty” and not just call it one or the other: a crown or beauty?
Consider our modern society in light of this imagery.
Tim Keller, speaking to a group of New York City pastors, made this statement “We are exposed to so much brokenness in the city that we must constantly expose our hearts and minds to beauty to heal them.”
- What thoughts does this statement bring to your mind?
- Where have you seen our culture in ashes?
- What is the role of beauty in bringing God’s healing to our society?
Read aloud Phillipians 4:4-8
In the pursuit of peace and freedom from anxiety, Paul calls the followers of Christ to focus on many forms of beauty.
- How are peace and beauty connected?
- Why do you think God doesn’t just instantly take away our stress?
- Why do you think he lists so many forms of beauty and commands Christians to meditate on it?
- How good are you at dwelling on these forms of beauty?
What is beautiful to you?
- Is it something in Nature? Relationally? Artistically? Intellectually? Athletically? Emotionally?
When you are feeling the strain of life, what kind of beauty brings healing to your soul?
- What does that beauty say about God? What unhealthy pain killers might you turn to instead of God’s beauty in order to feel better?
Reflection: Trading Ashes for a Crown
Describe a time in your past when you experienced “ashes” of your life.
What did you experience?
- What caused the situation? How would you describe the pain you experienced? Who else was affected by the ashes?
How did you respond to all that pain?
- What healthy & helpful steps did you take? What might you do differently next time?
How did beauty help you heal?
- What gave you some degree of relief and hope? What was beautiful to you in that dark time? What did that beauty say about God?
Describe some current “ashes” in your life that you hope will turn into a crown of beauty.
- What got “burned down,” and what are you grieving?
- What would a crown of beauty look like compared to those ashes?
- On a scale of 0-10, how high is your expectation that beauty is coming?
Read aloud Matthew 27:27-31
Jesus wore a Crown of Thorns so we could wear a Crown of Beauty
- How might this scene be both brutal and beautiful at the same time?
- How has the sacrifice of Christ brought beauty into your life?
What is one step you can take today to bring more of God’s beauty into your life?
Consider the ways you experience beauty most powerfully. For example:
In Nature - schedule regular walks through your local park or get a bird feeder to hang outside your window
Relationally - set aside a regular time to call your loved ones or make a habit of writing cards of encouragement
Artistically - have a morning worship playlist or find a piece of art that is moving to you & display it in your home
Intellectually - explore new insightful podcasts or take an online course on a faith topic that interests you
Athletically - join a rec league for a sport you’ve always wanted to try or challenge yourself to a local race
Emotionally - make a habit of journaling or create a cozy space in your house for you to just “be”
Prayer
Before praying, set a timer for at least a minute and sit in silence quietly asking the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and prayers. Then, in addition to any prayer requests, spend some time thanking God for the beauty that has personally helped you heal. And when the timing feels right, ask him to help you see the beauty in the difficult “ash-covered” places in your life.