THE THRONE: Stabilized by His Presence (Isaiah 6)

Frontier Communities Discussion Guide

Opening Prayer

“Lord of Hosts, we look up to You tonight.

In a world that feels like it’s constantly shifting, we thank You that Your throne is a permanent fixture.

Forgive us for where we’ve looked for stability in things that can be shaken… in leaders, in our own efforts, or in our comfort.

Open the eyes of our hearts to see You high and lifted up.

Stabilize us, fascinate us, and remind us that our lives are held on Your shoulders.

Amen.”

Opening Connection

Share a high and low from your week, or reflect on this:

When things get stressful or "shaky," what is your "go-to" for comfort or security (e.g., scrolling, working harder, a specific hobby, etc.)?

Read the Passage

Read Isaiah 6:1–8 and Colossians 3:1–3 as a group (or summarize and give highlights)

Message Summary

In a year of grief and political transition—the year King Uzziah died—Isaiah didn’t see a new candidate or a better plan; he saw the Lord. Cheryl Allen reminded us that we are in a "Frontier" season of spiritual plowing. God is "flipping the stages" and decentralizing our focus on human leaders so that all eyes return to the only one who is truly unshakable.

The throne of God isn't just a theological fact; it is our sanctuary. When we feel the "shaking" of life, we are invited not just to ask God to come down, but to "go up"—to set our minds on things above. We don't need more "don't do it" rules to fix our lives; we need a substitute. We need to behold the One whose hem fills the temple, reminding us that He is massively big and we are safely held on His shoulders.

Discussion

1. The Year the King Died Isaiah’s vision happened during a time of major transition and disappointment.

Where are you currently feeling "shaken" or disappointed (personally, in the church, or in the world)?
How does the image of an "immovable and permanent" throne change your perspective on that situation?

2. Flipping the Stages Cheryl mentioned that God is "flipping stages" to ensure He gets all the glory.

Why is it so easy for us to "stabilize" our faith on human leaders or "stages" rather than on Jesus?
What does it look like for a community to be "decentralized" and focused solely on Jesus?

3. The Power of "Going Up" Read Colossians 3:1-2. Cheryl noted that "don’t do it" (willpower) is of no value against the flesh.

How have you experienced the failure of "self-imposed religion" or just trying harder to be good?
What does it practically look like for you to "come up" and spend time in His presence this week?

4. On His Shoulders

Cheryl shared that "the government is on His shoulders," including the "government" of your own life. Which "burden" are you currently carrying that belongs on His shoulders instead of yours?
When you "look up" at the hem of His garment, what do you realize about the size of your God compared to the size of your problems?

Practice: Beholding the Lord of Hosts

This week, we want to practice the "fascination" Cheryl prayed over us.

Set a "Beholding" Timer: For 5-10 minutes this week, sit in silence without a "to-do" list for God. Simply visualize the throne.
Identify the "Shaking": When you feel anxious or unstable, stop and say aloud: "Your throne is forever. I am on Your shoulders."
Look Up: Literally look at the stars or the sky (The Lord of Hosts/Elon) as a physical reminder that He holds the vastest things together, and He is holding you.

Prayer

Pray for one another's specific "shaky" areas:

That God would grant "grace upon the eyes" to see Him clearly.
For those feeling "barren" or overwhelmed, that they would experience the "Lord of Hosts."
That Frontier would be a people who find their peace "above" rather than from the world.

Final Thought

You don’t have to hold it all together.

The Lord is seated, He is not panicked, and He has invited you to rest between His shoulders.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"