1. Lucretius argued that we should conquer our fears, understand the transitory nature of the world, and enjoy life as much as you can. He argued, essentially, that we have to look out for ourselves because no one else will. Abby summarized this view of life as "despair." Have you seen this view of life at work in the world around you? What about in your own life? How does this view of life seem to be working for humanity?
2. What is Israel's situation in Isa 61? Where have they been living? Where are they now? What have they encountered upon arrival?
3. What is the alternative that Isaiah 61 offers us?
4. Isaiah gives three "insteads" to despair, three alternatives. Read Isa 61:1–2. What is the alternative to despair here? What does God offer instead?
5. What does "the year of the Lord's favor" refer to? (see Lev 25)
6. Read Lev 25:55. This verse is the end of the description of the year of Jubilee. What does God say about the relationship between Israel and himself in this verse? (Notice that God implies that he and Israel belong to each other).
7. What God says of Israel is true of us as well in this case. What holds you captive and prevents you from realizing that you belong to God? How can you remind yourself that, in place of despair, God offers you belonging?
8. Read Isa 61:3–9. What is the second alternative that God offers to despair? (God gives Israel a purpose, a way of being in the world)
9. In what ways are you embracing and embodying the shared purposes of the one to whom we belong? In what ways can you embrace and embody these purposes more?
10. What does it look like to live into this purpose in the midst of difficult and even terrible circumstances?
11. Read Isa 61:10–11. What is the third thing God offers Israel and us instead of despair?
12. In what circumstances was Israel called to joy? What makes it possible for them to be joyful in these circumstances?
13. Read Luke 4:16–21. What is the significance for us of the way Jesus claims to fulfill the promises of Isa 61?
14. Read Rev. 21:1–4. How does this relate to our calling to be joyful, even in the midst of terrible circumstances?
15. If you feel comfortable, share with each other where you are in life, including the areas where you feel despair (if you do). Pray for each other that we would be able to receive these three "insteads" in place of despair: belonging, purpose, joy.