Rest in the Waiting

Week 3 Study Guide – Rest in the Waiting (Isaiah 40:27–31)

Theme: Learning to trust God’s process during seasons of waiting, knowing He strengthens and restores us before we soar.

Opening Reflection:  Waiting can feel like the opposite of progress. We often want to fix, move, or accomplish something—but God may be inviting us to slow down, surrender, and be reshaped. Isaiah reminds us that God gives strength to the weary, but it doesn’t always come instantly. What if the waiting is the work?

Read: Isaiah 40:27–31

Take time to read the passage slowly. Pay close attention to verses 27–29. What words or phrases stand out to you?

Discussion Questions:

1. In verse 27, what complaint are God’s people making? Have you ever felt this way?
2. How does Isaiah redirect their focus in verse 28? What truths about God does he remind them of?
3. Verse 29 says God gives strength to the weary. What kind of “weariness” are you carrying right now?
4. What does it mean to wait on the Lord in your current season?
5. Have you ever tried to “microwave” your spiritual growth? What was the result?
6. What’s the difference between striving and surrendering in your walk with Christ?
7. Are there areas of your life where you sense God might be doing “de-icing” work—removing what hinders your ability to soar?
8. What might it look like to trust God’s pace instead of your own?

Personal Application / Journaling Prompts:

• “The delay is not the problem—it’s preparation.” What has God delayed in your life, and how might that be for your good?
• Reflect on this phrase: “Transformation is not a microwave—it’s a marinade.” How does that change your view of spiritual growth?
• List any areas of your life where you feel resistance. Ask: “God, what are You trying to shape in me through this?”

 Prayer Prompt:

Spend a few minutes in silence. Then pray:

“Lord, I admit that I grow restless in the waiting. Help me see that delay is not rejection but restoration. Give me strength where I’m weary, and teach me to trust the process. Shape me for what You’ve prepared, and prepare me for what You’ve shaped. I surrender the timeline to You. Amen.”