An LGBT+ friendly Bible study for the Third Sunday of Advent, focusing on the vision of new life and restoration throughout creation in Isaiah 35:1 - 10, and Jesus's teaching about the coming of John the Baptist in Matthew 11:2 - 11.

To get the most out of this Bible study, download the sheet (First Look Sheet 20221206.pdf) from here: http://tiny.cc/29pysz

Questions to ponder:

1) Read through Isaiah 35. Which of its many and varied images most strikes you, and why do you think that is? How would you present this text?

2) Where are the wilderness places in need of the renewal of God in today’s world? What might you do to enable new fruit to grow?

3) Given what John the Baptist had imagined the Messiah to be like (3:7–12), why do you think he got his disciples to ask the question of 11:3?

4) What can we learn about John the Baptist from Jesus’s questions to the crowd in 11:7 – 9? Why do you think John still matters today?

5) How do you feel that these two readings have influenced your Advent journey this year?